《The Nature of Vaulters》


 Chapter 1

    Memory transcription subject: Ilona Zolya, the First of the Bloodline


    Date [standardised Aurigan time]: Linden 12, 1 AA


    <hr>


    My senses were still numb from the cryosleep, but I could hear the alarms blaring around me. Had we made it? Were we safe?


    I didn''t have time to orient myself before someone grabbed me by the arm and pulled me behind a cryopod, projectiles whizzing past my head. The adrenaline brought me to my sense, and I recognized Opbot as the one who saved me.


    "What- Opbot, what''s happening?" I managed to respond, flexing my fingers to restore some motility to them.


    "Zolya, thank goodness. We seem to have been boarded." the old surgical droid informed me, before peeking out from behind the pod and shooting at our unseen assailant with uncanny accuracy. "They restored power to the ship, and myself. They were really friendly until they saw you. Then they started killing everyone."


    Opbot then handed me his crossbow, before pulling out a pair of daggers. "Here, you''ll need it more than me." He then said, and without another word he leapt out from behind the pod, and the room filled with gurgling, alien screams.


    I took another moment to steel myself, and activated my shield projector, before stepping out, crossbow at the ready. Opbot had killed every alien in the room, some sort of hedgehog beast, and had already run down the hall.


    I followed after him, seeing more of the enemy. They were trying to kill everyone that had been awakened from cryostasis- I had no idea why, but whatever the reason, Opbot didn''t seem to spark their ire, it was the sight of my people that triggered them.


    Taking aim and nailing two of them through their skulls, I continued to skulk after Opbot. Moments like this were ones I was happy we forgave him for his crimes.


    "Zolya! We need to secure the cryobays. You take aft, I''ll go port!" The bot then called back. I signaled confirmation and made my way towards the back of the ship, while he went left.


    Making my way towards the second cryobay, I heard the sound of survivors clearly fighting off the invaders. Readying my crossbow, I leapt out from around the corner and fired an explosive bolt towards the hedgehogs, sending them flying from the blast.


    "Zolya, thank the ancestors. What''s happening?" One of the survivors spoke up, I recognized him as Raudd, one of the ecologists. He had been instrumental in fighting off the Necrophage on Auriga. I''m glad he was still alive. Wherever the Argosy had taken us, we would definitely need ecologists.


    "I wish I knew, soldier, but whoever these aliens are, they started attacking on sight. We need to beat them back and retake the Argosy first, then we can worry about who and why."


    Raudd nodded, along with the other soldiers with them. There were no other women here, which left me in charge of these men. Raising my crossbow I gave the sign for them to follow, and they complied, skulking after me, crossbows and axes ready.


    The rest of the cryobay was easy to clear, small groups of hedgehogs were trying to open pods and execute people, but the Mezari technology was proving too tough for them. So glad the protocol awakens our warriors first.


    Once the cryobay was clear, we made our back towards the bow, and therefore the bridge. Seems that while I was clearing the cryobay, Opbot had taken more survivors up to the bridge with him, and had already reclaimed it.


    "Ah, Zolya. We''ve retaken the bridge. But there''s a problem..." Opbot pointed to the viewport, where we could see a dozen alien ships surrounding us.


    "Can we get the Metafolding engine running? Get us out of here?" I asked.


    "We can... but it will drain the last of the power. We''ll be drifting in space... again." Opbot responded, eliciting mumbles from the survivors.


    "Alright, do it. I won''t have us sit here and be destroyed instead."


    Opbot nodded, before jacking into the controls of the ship and spooling up the metafolding drive. The ring around the ship spooled to life, and the aliens immediately began firing upon it.


    "Brace yourselves, the drive is taking hits!"


    Everyone grabbed onto what they could as space folded around us, and we were sent tumbling into the unknown.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardised Aurigan time]: Linden 12, 1 AA


    <hr>


    When we heard that the Gojid had encountered some sort of predator "worldship" out in the void it was a shock to everyone. Every planet in the sector was due to be evacuated, should the Gojid fail to contain the predator infection.


    When the predator ship vanished without a trace, some wanted to celebrate, cancel the evactuations... but then the ship reappeared just a few hours later, right in orbit of our home.


    ¡°Governor Tarva... Governor Tarva!¡± My military advisor, Kam, snapped me out of my trance. ¡°Please, I beg you. We must continue the evacuation. They''re just sitting there, dead in the water. Are we even sure there''s anyone on board?¡±


    ¡°And what if it''s a trap? What if they shoot down or capture any ship we send up? We need to hunker down in our bunkers and wait for the Gojid to get here.¡± I asked.


    Kam sighed. ¡°And what if they just vanish again when the Gojid get here?¡±


    "Everyone knows they can do that now, they''ll be on guard. Until then, get the civilians to bomb shelters immediately.¡± I stared at my paws, cursing the day I chose to run for office. ¡°And contact the predator ship. I¡ªI will personally offer our unconditional surrender.¡±


    ¡°Surrender? Without firing a single shot?!¡± the advisor growled.


    ¡°Perhaps they¡¯ll be kinder than the Arxur. My hope is they¡¯ll spare the children. At worst, we can buy some time. But if we fight, they¡¯ll kill us all.¡±


    To my surprise, the giant ship accepted our transmission, but nothing could prepare me for what was on the other end. A gaggle of predators, all wearing black and white pelts in artificial patterns, brandishing axes made of pure energy, and holding crossbows with their arms mounted the wrong way around. It was surreal. The words of our surrender were almost to my lips when the predator in the front locked its forward-facing eyes with mine. There was an odd calm in its features though, unflinching, unmoving, almost like a machine.


    It then uttered a few words in a guttural dialect, which I assumed was an announcement of our impending doom. The translator tingled by my ear, pressing the meaning into my mind. I took a shaky breath, certain the machine was wrong.


    "Plese do not shoot. We are mere refugees, and we come in peace."


    I stared at it, lost for words. ¡°Refugees? What?¡±


    The translator spit out my question in the guttural language.


    The predator blinked, the stern expression never leaving its face. ¡°So you understand us. We require asylum. Our people fled a dying world and have been in cryosleep for countless years. Our power supply is nearly drained. Without aide our life support will soon cut off. Please, we need your help.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ I know what seeking refuge means.¡± I stammered. ¡°Why would you want our help?¡±


    "Why would we not? You are not our enemies."


    "Not your enemies? You''re predators! Our kinds are natural enemies!" Kam spat out, causing the predator''s steely gaze to fall onto him, and he immediately shrank, despite how calm the creature was.


    "Predators? What are you talking about?"


    "H-He means you eat flesh." I managed to stammer, eliciting a confused expression from the predator. "People..."


    "People? I assure you, we don''t eat people. In fact, our own people have been eaten in the past by other races on our homeworld."


    "Other races? You mean more predators?" My words seemed to confuse the predator even harder, causing it to look around to its companions. They all muttered amongst themselves for a few secondes, before the leader addressed me again.


    "My people are mezari, our ancestors were stranded generations ago on the planet Auriga. There we met many other races, some friendly, some not. such the Necrophage, a sapient infection that consumed all living matter and converted corpses into more Necrophages. We have some non-mezari races on board, such as the Minotaurs, which are herbivores like you, or the Elves, which are more like us."


    The screen was then filled with what I can only assume were holograms. Robots, holograms, teleportation. These predators possessed technology we''d only ever dreamed of in fiction, yet there it was, right before my eyes.


    Dozens of portraits flashed on the holograms, some of them were of mezari-like beings, others were of creatures with impossible forms and natures, some were even of prey with side-facing eyes, and even others still were of clearly carnivorous predators.


    Kam nearly fainted at the sight of a massive, quadrupedal predator amongst the images, and I had to grab the edge of my chair so as not to fall over, my knees feeling weak.


    "A-Are these your slave races?" I sputtered out, immediately regretting my decision as anger filled the predator''s face.


    "Slaves? I assure you that slavery is a crime punishable by death amongst my people. No, these are fellow refugees from Auriga, they were our allies, and we helped as many as we could in leaving the planet." The predator paused, before dispersing the holograms with a hand gesture.


    "Will you help us? We have children on board, and we''re running on emergency power." The predator- No, mezari''s eyes seemed desperate as it asked the question. If these beings were capable of having alliances then they surely possessed empathy.


    I prayed I was not making a mistake, and with a shaky breath, I responded. "How much power do you have left?" I asked, looking up at the screen again.


    "A few days worth, but we can''t move the ship without completely draining the last of the emergency power. We had to take everyone out of cryosleep in order to make our supply last longer, and disabled everything that''s not life support or communications."


    With another deep breath I nodded and looked over to Kam. "Kam, prepare an escort, we have guests coming."


    "Are you crazy? Tarva, you can''t let them set foot on Venlil Prime!" Kam spoke up again, my words shaking him out of his terified trance.


    "What am I to do, Kam? Let them crash into the planet when they run out power!?" I responded sharply. Before looking towards the predators one last time. They were all patiently watching us squabble, reminding me of the Venlil''s reputation as too emotional, filling me with shame.


    "I-I apologize for that. Please-" The mezari intrerupted me with a raised hand. "We don''t need an escort. Don''t worry, we will land our ship on the night side of your planet, on the edge of the ring ocean. Our people are used to arctic conditions, and this will keep us out of sight of your citizens. Is this agreeable?"


    "I- Yes, that is agreeable." I replied, really hoping that I wasn''t about to doom my entire race.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Ilona Zolya, the First of the Bloodline


    Date [standardised Aurigan time]: Linden 12, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The sheep aliens were going to be... interesting to deal with. Seems their culture was incredibly terrified of meat eaters. Maybe it was due to the predators on their world?


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    No matter, we were lucky they accepted to take us in, at least for now. If all things went well we''d be able to find some Dust and power the Argosy back up, before leaving this sector of space for somewhere quiet. What a horrible way to wake up this had been...


    After we landed the Argosy on the edge of the arctic twilight, we received another communication from the aliens. Their leader wanted us to meet and discuss further, so we obliged.


    Getting into our sole scout shuttle, I took Raudd and Opbot, as well as two Minotaur guards. The presence of the lumbering herbivores would hopefully calm the weird sheep down.


    Stepping into the angular Faering, I steeled myself for what was to come. It was clear that paranoia and mistrust ran rampant in this part of the universe, wherever we were. I was just glad the sheep didn''t open fire first like the hedgehogs had.


    After a short flight over the alien cities, we landed at the given co-ordinates, where the two aliens I''d talked to were waiting for us, alongside a third.


    They all looked nervous, which is why I told the Minotaurs to go first. That may have been a mistake... The sight of the lumbering giants with their massive horns seemed to scare the aliens more than we had, though they quickly steeled themselves after a few seconds.


    Stepping up behind the two, I gave a curt bow to the sheep that was leading these people. "Greetings, I hope my Minotaur friends didn''t scare you too much. They are merely here for my protection. I am the Zolya Ilona, first of the Bloodline, these are Opbot DV8, an old friend of my people, and Raudd Klapatch, one of our seekers."


    The small, wooly alien stammered a bit before answering. "N-Not at all, they''re just... really tall. I am Tarva, Governor of Venlil Prime, and these are Kam, my military advisor, and Cheln, my diplomatic advisor. We welcome you and your allies to our world."


    The ''venlil'' were clearly nervous, though I wasn''t sure if it was normal nervousness or irrational fear. My brow furrowed with worry for a moment, but I tried to ignore it. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Governor Tarva. As you can see, we do indeed have all manner of species on board."


    The two young minotaurs huffed and looked unimpressed with our alien hosts, staying silent as they looked them up and down. Cheln seemed to faint from their mere presence, eliciting a distraught noise from Tarva.


    "Is he going to be ok?...." I asked with a tilt of my head, which caused Tarva to give a nervous response of ¡°Yes, he¡¯ll be fine. This is just¡ªa bit overwhelming.¡±


    Tal, one of my guards decided to hoist the unconscious venlil over his shoulder without warning "We can carry puny sheep." He proclaiemd proudly, making Tarva shudder. She didn''t say anything in response, just awkwardly pointed to the inside of the manor where she had invited us.


    While Tal was carrying Cheln inside and the rest of us were following after, everyone seemed to be focused on their own thoughts. Opbot was looking around at everything, Tarva was nervously fidgeting, Kam was gawking at the Minotaurs, and Raudd was gazing at every single planet we walked past.


    After sitting Cheln down on a comfy couch, the Minotaurs posted themselves by the door, sternly holding onto their axes, becoming almost like statues, while the rest of us sat down around a table.


    "So, governor Tarva. What was it you wished to discuss first? I assume there are many things that need to be hashed out about our stay here?" I began, which snapped Tarva''s attention back to me.


    "Y-yes, about that- When your ship first arrived, we sent out a distress call. Now the entire federation, three hundred species of herbivores, know you were here, and we have no way to hide you. We have to find a lie to feed them, and fast."


    I raised a brow at her proclamation. "Federation? Please explain."


    "The Venlil are but one species out of hundreds of known species. Together, the prey species are part of the Federation, an interspecies alliance for the common good. When the Federation first discovered a predator species, the Arxur, we tried to uplift them, but they turned on us and started eating us, and we''ve been at war with them ever since. They raid our planets, take our people as cattle, eat our children alive.... We feared you''d be like them, due to... your eyes." There was a lot of pain in Tarva''s voice. I was more than sure she had lost someone to these Arxur.


    "Your ship was found floating in space near our borders, and the Gojid, one of the military species in the Federation, were called to wipe you out. When you vanished and reappeared above Venlil Prime, we panicked, and sent out a distress signal. Now they''re coming here to finish what they started." Kam then added.


    "So you sold us out?" I asked calmly, though Tarva panicked nontheless. If this is how Venlil acted around mezari, I dreaded to see how they panicked around Arxur.


    "N-no! No! We didn''t know you were different, we just knew there was a new predator species that was found nearby! We need to somehow divert attention away from you, keep your presence a secret, at least for now."


    "Well, that''s simple, you can just say that the Argosy vanished again." Opbot spoke up, and I nodded at his suggestion.


    I hummed softly. "Is that why your cities were deserted? Everyone was hiding?"


    Tarva seemed to shrink at my question, giving a pitiful nod. "Yes... We thought you were here to conquer and eat us."


    Tal huffed in amusement. "Conquer? Zolya is friend, not conqueror. Friend to Gauran, and Bos, and Urces. And everyone!"


    "Gauran is the minotaur word for their kind." I whispered softly upon seeing Tarva''s confusion.


    "Yes, yes. Minitaur, Gauran. Same thing." Tal said sagely, before letting out a small huff.


    Tarva chuckled a little at Tal''s antics, before focusing on Opbot. "We already rescinded the distress call, but we now need to hide your presence from the wider galaxy, and prove to others that you''re not a threat."


    "And how do you do that?" I asked, leaning forwards in my seat. This seemed to unnerve Tarva for a moment, seeing my face draw closer, but she steeled herself regardless. "We need to run empathy tests, on every species on board. This will give irrefutable proof to naysayers, at least on Venlil Prime. After that... we''ll see."


    I nodded softly, before squinting in thought. "The Arxur... Can you send us everything you have on them? We might be able to help each other. Consider it payment for your generosity."


    Tarva gestured for Kam to do so, before we said our goodbyes and parted amicably. With a data tablet on the Arxur in hand, we headed back to the Argosy. Hopefully, there wouldn''t be another Exodus in our near future.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space Corps


    Date [standardised Aurigan time]: Harvest 21, 1 AA


    <hr>


    Instead of enslaving us, the Aurigans pledged military aid, and showered us in new technologies. Our citizens slowly warmed to the alien refugees, touched by their generosity and earnestness. The sum of their good works quieted the voices calling for their extinction, and Empathy tests proved to the public that they were true sapients.


    Not only had they not allied themselves with the Arxur, but they seemed disgusted by the grays and their behaviour. According to them, Auriga was plagued by a similar threat, a bioengineered race that consumed all others, and they were no strangers to fighting an all consuming foe.


    After reading testimonials from the aurigans, I volunteered for the first joint military program between our peoples. While the mezari they teamed me with was terifying to behold, he seemed to be incredibly gentle. Now we were drifting along the federation border, me acting as his co-pilot, while he learned to fly our ship, something their Argosy had ''spat out'' when asked for an agile attack ship.


    "You ever fly a ship before, Serz?" I asked the mezari, snapping him from his daydreams.


    "No, no. The Argosy and its scout ship are the only ships we had until now. And the Argosy is mostly automatic." The painted mezari replied.


    "But your people are so much more advanced than us. How come you didn''t have other ships?"


    "Well, a lot of our technology is reclaimed from our ancestors. We''re still trying to figure it out fully. The Argosy brought them to Auriga, and we were able to exhume and refit it to fly again as the ice age drew near."


    "I read about that. Your winters kept growing longer and longer, to the point where it was almost year round winter. I guess I should feel lucky that Venlil Prime doesn''t have seasons..."


    "Yeah, it was really bad towards the end. Every species was trying something different to save themselves or the planet, but as far as we can tell, only the Argosy and those on board actually survived. Sensor data from when we left showed the planet kept icing over."


    "Do you... fell bad for all those deaths?"


    "I know I should, but I learned not to let the past weigh me down. We should be thankful for the people we still have with us, rather than focus on past sorrow."


    I mulled over the predator''s words in silence for a few moments, only for the silence to be broken by our comms link. ¡°Prime Outpost, we¡¯re reading nine Arxur bombers en route. Figure they have you as their target.¡±


    ¡°Fuck. We have to stop them at all costs.¡± General Kam answered back, his voice easily recognizable. I couldn¡¯t imagine how much stress officers were under, monitoring the Aurigans. ¡°The first joint exercises with aurigans and the Arxur attack them. What if they all end up dead? They¡¯ll never forgive us!¡±


    ¡°Um, sir, my mezari partner can hear you,¡± I said.


    ¡°Oh. Right. This is General Kam from Venlil Command, we copy you. I¡¯ll ask the mezari to position their so-called ¡®Karves¡¯ on an intercept course, while we evacuate personnel here. Stall for time if you can.¡±


    I drew a shaky breath. ¡°Yes, sir. We¡¯ll do our best.¡±


    Nausea swelled in my throat, as I synced the ship computer with the disruptor beacons lining the border. My mind strayed to its usual dark corner: replaying my brother¡¯s funeral. The shock was still as fresh as it was months ago, when I first learned that his transport ship was gunned down. There wasn¡¯t a trace left to remember him by; no body to recover.


    Would I be the next to fall by the Arxur¡¯s claws?


    Our disruptor pulse going off without a hitch, we managed to yank the Arxur ships out of FTL and force them into real space. Covered in plasma railguns, turrets, and anti-matter missiles, it was clearly a thing of war, not beauty.


    ¡°Hideous ships, huh?¡± I quipped, causing a low chuckle to emanate from Serz. "What''s so funny?"


    "And I thought the Argosy''s boxy ships were ugly." The mezari quipped back, smirking at me. The sight of his teeth made me shudder for a moment, but I shook it off. I was about to respond when I realized that the Arxur had spotted us. This was definitely going to be my funeral!


    "Serz, floor it! They''re training railguns on us!" The predator immediately turned to look back out the cockpit window and immediately accelerated, sending us flying in an arc downwards relative to the arxur fleet, out of their line of fire.


    Despite our timely escape, the Arxur gave chase, sending two of their own ships after us. Serz didn''t seem distraught at all, and the way he maneuvered was like a madman, arcs, spins, twirls. My stomach was soon in my throat, as our inertial dampeners were struggling to keep up with his piloting.


    I don''t think he realized he was flying us straight into Federation space...


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Serz Kersho, Venlil Space Corps


    Date [standardised Aurigan time]: Harvest 30, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The gojid had not been friendly hosts. After picking me and Slanek up from our patrol craft, they had locked me up in one of their holding cells. They had stripped me of my clothes, and tried to beat me into submission. Thankfully, years of meditation allowed me to ignore the pain, and it seemed they had given up on trying to torture me.


    My meditation was broken by Slanek shouting my name. I opened my eyes, and saw him on the other side of the observation window. I flashed a smile, and the other aliens with him recoiled, but he seemed more than happy to correct them on their stupidity.


    "That''s how they show happiness!" He growled at the gojid captain.


    I stood up and walked to the observation window, causing the other aliens to step back from the glass, but Slanek held firm. "Hey, glad you''re ok." I croaked, my throat dry from the lack of water over the past weeks. Thank the endless for the Sisters of Mercy and their training, else I''d be a mess on the floor.


    Placing my hand on the glass, Slanek reciprocated, tears starting to well up in his eyes. The captain, Sovlin I think his name was, started to question the poor kid''s sanity, started making baseless assumptions about the mezari-venlil relation.


    They argued about the merits of our alliance, and the empathy tests, but my mind was mostly numb, and I missed most of what was said. "Can I have some clean water, please?" I managed to blurt out, and Slanek tried to force himself into my cell.


    I couldn''t help but chuckle a little, and walked myself over to the door of the cell, much to everyone''s dread. Gojid guards came to the other side of the door, and Slanek demanded they open the door.


    Falling into his arms I finally let myself relax for the first time in weeks. He stroked the tattoos on my temple for a moment, before I managed to croak out another request for some water.


    With Slanek shouting at the guards to bring me clean water, Sovlin relented, and ordered them to bring me some, all while the weird doctor of theirs watched in shock as a grown man was being babied by a venlil half his size.


    It wasn''t long before water was brought to me, and it was the best damned water I''d ever had, that was for sure. I could hear the aliens arguing behind the glass pane of the holding cell, but couldn''t really understand them, too focused on drinking. This must''ve been what a Kassai steed felt like stuck in the desert.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Serz Kersho, Venlil Space Corps


    Date [standardised Aurigan time]: Harvest 31, 1 AA


    <hr>


    I don''t remember much else, but the next morning I woke up with Slanek snuggled up to me, though I was still on the cell floor. Had they locked him in here with me?


    Standing up and looking around, I saw the crazy doctor arguing with a squid-like male, reminded me of the Morgawr to some extent, albeit nowhere near as frightening to behold.


    Slanek seemed to stir when I did, and he was not as content to observe as I was, instead speaking up. "Hey! I''m not a pup!" he rebuked the squid''s words, causing the two to turn and face us. We were both standing there, staring at the duo, but I was content to keep my mouth shut, it was already dry again after what little water they gave me.


    "Let us out of here, now." My wooly comrade demanded. "Serz commited no crimes, he doesn''t deserve to be here."


    They tried to convince Slanek that we''d duped his kind, or some other bullshit, but he was quick to retort that the Mezari had herbivore allies with them, some even stronger and fiercer than a Mazic, whatever that was.


    "That''s rich, coming from the crew willing to throw me into a cell with him. If you really thought he was a mindless predator, would you really have risked my life like that?" Slanek retorted, causing me to chuckle drily, which turned into a coughing fit. Slanek seemed worried and grabbed my arm, but I motioned that I was fine and croaked out that my throat was dry.


    ¡°That was Sovlin¡¯s doing. And he didn''t exactly inform us." the squid alien explained, followed by the doctor opening his mouth as well. ¡°Listen to me, Slanek. That thing is twisting your compassion against you. The Arxur allowed us to uplift them, and only then did they attack. I¡¯m sure your, um, Serz mimics very well, but it¡¯s not real. These mezari are just playing along to their benefit.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t think any Venlil considered that? The tests we did literally analyzed mezari brain activity.¡± The venlil''s reply made the squid blink in confusion. ¡°What tests?¡±


    ¡°Sovlin didn¡¯t tell you?¡± Slanek gasped. ¡°Our experiments recorded how mezari and the other aurigans respond to violence, and guess what? Their brains lit up with pain. You can¡¯t fake empathy on a biochemical level.¡±


    The two aliens were quiet for a bit, before the doctor decided to open his mouth again. ¡°You¡¯re either misinterpreting the results, or the mezari altered them.¡±


    "The Mezari come from a medieval world, they only managed to leave their planet because they found an ancient ship buried under the soil. They barely understand technology. There''s no way they faked such complicated readings... No offense, Serz." Slanek''s response made me chuckle, but I waved his concerns off.


    The doctor seemed to shut up after that, while the squid took a deep breath. "That''s it, I''m letting them out, Zarn. I don''t care what you say, or Sovlin." And with that he hurried over to the door.


    "What?! Are you crazy! That thing''ll eat you!" Zarn, what a weird name, responded, prompting the squid to shoot back. "He hasn''t eaten Slanek, so I highly doubt that!"


    "Please, there is no need to risk your position for us." I managed to respond, my throat still scratched from dehydration.


    "Well, that''s my choice to make." Our benefactor responded, before glaring over at Zarn. "Now either help me, or report me to Sovlin. Your choice."


    I''d have to find a way to thank this one some time later. When I wasn''t slowly mummifying alive.

 Chapter 2

    Memory transcription subject: Recel, Federation First Mate


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Harvest 31, 1 AA


    <hr>


    Zarn looked at me with an uncertain expression, before storming out of the room, his tail twitching behind him. No doubt he was off to tell Sovlin about my impending actions, but I''d already made my mind up.


    Opening the door to the primitie mezari''s cell, I steadied myself just in case I was wrong and it would pounce on me, but instead it walked calmly with Slanek by its side, giving me a nod in thanks.


    "Your equipment is in the evidence lockers in the security office. I''m gonna help you get to it, but after that you''re on your own."


    "Thank you- What''s your name?" Slanek asked me, his tail wrapping around the mezari''s waist. I had to admit that their smooth skin was something they shared with us, and I wondered if maybe they had an aquatic origin.


    Refocusing my thoughts back to the present, I looked up at Slanek, giving him the immitation of a tail flick with one of my tentacles. "Recel. Don''t thank me yet, you''re still not safe."


    Before I could do anything else, Captain Sovlin burst into the observation room, staring daggers at me, with Zarn right behind him.


    ¡°You¡¯re under its spell too?¡± The man who''d been like a father to me spat in my face. ¡°Clearly, it¡¯s dangerous to let it start talking, if it can entrance you so easily. Anyone alone might succumb to its charm.¡±


    Sovlin leaned right up into my face, and for the first time in a long while I was reminded of boot camp, of being yelled at by an officer. He then looked towards Slanek, shaking his head in disapproval at the Venlil''s friendliness towards the mezari. His spines were on edge, fully extended, a defensive display meant to make his kind appear larger to predators.


    ¡°Get Slanek out of here, Doctor,¡± Sovlin then spat. ¡°I¡¯ll sign off on the psychological treatments you recommended, and we¡¯ll cure him of this delusion.¡±


    ¡°No!! You can¡¯t take me away,¡± Slanek snarled, and before Sovlin could do anything, I positioned myself between him and the prisoner.


    "Captain, stop! This is wrong! The mezari feel empathy! Venlil scientists proved it!" I pleaded defiantly, which only made Sovlin angrier.


    ¡°You really are lost too, aren''t you? Maybe if I dissect this thing before you you''ll both come to your senses!¡± A crazed light flashed into Sovlin''s eyes, like I''d not seen since- Of course, in his head this is the closest he''ll ever get to punishing the Arxur. He''s deflecting blame.


    "Captain, please. I know you want to make predators pay for what happened to your fam-" Sovlin''s hand covered my mouth before I could finish, and he tossed me aside and out of the way, making his way towards Slanek and the mezari. I couldn''t -I wouldn''t- let this madness continue.


    Pulling my service pistol out, right as Zarn tried to rush inside the cell as well, grabbing Slanek by the arm. Before I could even threaten to shoot, the mezari moved with unnatural speed, a golden glow briefly surrounding him, and he pushed the doctor way, slamming him into the observation window.


    Everyone but the mezari was stunned in silence, and he opened his mouth to speak. "Any injury to myself I can forgive. But I will not allow you to harm my companions." He spoke in a commanding voice. Had he been able to do that all this time? And just chose not to defend himself? What sort of madness was this?


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    After a brief, panicked pause, Sovlin came back to his senses and pulled his own sidearm out, raising it to shoot at the mezari. Again the alien glowed with a golden hue, and smacked Sovlin''s arms away, sending the weapon flying into the wall. The sight snapped me out of my own befuddlement, and I fired a warning shot. "Captain Sovlin! Stand down!" I shouted.


    ¡°Recel, this thing is clearly a threat, and it refuses to answer any of our questions. Slanek can tell us everything we want. We need to execute the creature before it kills someone.¡± Zarn spurted as he got back up to his feet. ¡°Its life has no value. It is nothing but a danger to the crew, in the case that it gets loose.¡±


    ¡°It is sapient. That must have some value. No matter how little. Why have you both forgotten that?¡± I shouted back, aiming my pistol at Zarn.


    Sovlin fell on his ass and started crawling towards the wall, screaming, kicking. "Shoot it, dammit! It''s a monster! Recel, shoot it! Don''t listen to its lies!" I gulped, looking over at the alien, and how it moved with unnatural speed, even when starved. Maybe it was a monster... No, that''s just Sovlin''s past controlling him. Think, Recel!


    ¡°But it has done nothing wrong! All it''s done is defend itself from death.¡± I hissed. ¡°Even while you were beating it half to death it just stood there, refused to lift a finger. The only time it did anyone any harm was to preserve its own life!¡±


    Sovlin sneered. ¡°It thirsts for blood just like the Arxur do! It is a violent creature at its core, its rotten core. It savors the hunt. If it was honest, it would admit it!¡±


    The only time this mezari ever showed any violent impulse was in defending Slanek from Zarn. No, the captain was wrong, this wasn''t a bloodthirsty monster, this was a thinking, calculating creature, much more selfless than any of us here.


    "No! You''re wrong, captain." I spat out, standing back up, holding my gun trained on Sovlin. "I''m taking them out of here, and I''m locking the two of you in that cell. Don''t try to stop me!"


    I motioned for Slanek and his mezari companion to vacate the cell, which they did ever so slowly. Zarn, however, was being too bold for his own good, and grabbed Slanek by the neck on the way out, putting him in a chokehold.


    ¡°Let the Venlil go, Zarn-¡± I started, but before I could finish, the mezari had already punched Zarn square in the face, knocing him loose from around Slanek''s neck and giving him a bloodied nose as he stumbled backwards.


    The sight of blood made everyone freeze, as if the mezari was going to suddenly go feral, but much to my relief, and by the looks of it Slanek''s too, he just kept walking out of the cell as requested, Slanek moving behind him. Once the venlil''s tail was clear of the door, I slammed down on the controls and sealed Sovlin and Zarn inside.


    "Let me out of here, Recel! Do as you''re ordered, dammit!" Sovlin started shouting, getting back to his feet and slamming his fists against the door.


    "My consciousness is telling me otherwise, sir. I''m sorry about this, but maybe some day you''ll understand!"


    Drowning out the rest of Sovlin''s speech, I pointed the duo to the nearby wheelchair Zarn had used to transport Slanek around. "Here. We''ll move the mezari with this. Pretend he''s unconscious. Once you''re in the security office we''ll get your gear, then we''ll wheel him to the shuttle bay, and get out that way."


    The mezari nodded at the suggestion, probably refusing to speak too much due to its dry throat, and carefully sat down on the chair.


    With Slanek in tow we made our way to the security office, and I had to constantly focus on calming myself down. This was a mutiny, insubordination, and I had to pretend nothing suspicious was going on!


    After the most tense five minutes of my life, we were finally in the security office, and the duo retrieved their equipment. I didn''t understand why the mezari carried around a stick, but I didn''t want to know right now either.


    "Right, we need to get a shuttle, and fast, before someone finds Sovlin and Zarn and our ploy is discovered." If I stayed here I''d be hanged. If I left with them I''d at least have a chance of surviving longer than a few days.


    Taking a deep breath, I led our small posse into the shuttle bay, the mezari hidden under a large blanket, so that nobody could see it''d been covered in its artificial pelt again.


    With Slanek piloting us to Venlil prime, and the mezari seemingly meditating, I was left to wonder about my fate in silence.

 Chapter 3

    Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet Command


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 3, 1 AA


    <hr>


    After the predator escaped with my first mate and the venlil pilot, I received the uncomfortable news that two of our military outposts had gone silent. Normally, we''d suspect the Arxur, but this time they were specifically outposts that were being used to stage an attempted assault on Venlil Prime, to liberate the venlil from the predators.


    I was more than happy to join in the attack, on my way to rendezvous with other ships getting ready for the attack. Our launchpoint was lodged on a large asteroid, just beyond one of our younger colonies¡¯s orbits. I spotted a few Gojid patrol ships, adrift in the system¡¯s outer reaches. Spacecraft were ready to fight at all hours of the day, in case of any Arxur incursions.


    Everything appeared to be normal, but our prime minister''s warning lingered in my mind. Predators loved stealth and ambush tactics. If our attackers were the mezari, that was more proof they were the same as the grays. It was their nature to catch others off-guard and helpless.


    ¡°Halt out of docking range!¡± I shouted. ¡°Scan the perimeter for ship activity. Better safe than sorry.¡±


    Our sensors didn''t pick up any subspace disturbances, nor were they picking up any gravitational anomalies. For a hot minute I thought that maybe our Prime Minister had been wrong, and that the mezari weren''t going to attack the station.


    Then reality folded right in front of me, and half a dozen angular ships appeared out of the void of space, like an implosion being played in reverse. Our sensors detected no subspace signatures, just the sudden mass of the ships before us.


    "What is their shield capacity!?" I barked at Zarn, who was acting as Recel''s replacement on my bridge. Zarn¡¯s eyes stretched wide in panic. "Uh, I don¡¯t know? How do I read this shit?!"


    "I miss Recel immensely. Let me see." With a sigh of irritation, I pulled up the data feed on my workstation. "Hmmm¡­ not a trace of ion generators! I don¡¯t think they even have shields." I then turned to Jemic, my weapons officer, ordering him to charge the plasma railgun.


    Before Jemic, could respond, our shields were impacted by missiles that somehow disabled them, which were then followed by massive warheads that flew in through the gaps, lodging themselves into our hull.


    "What the hell was that!?" I shouted at the top of my lungs.


    "Some sort of ionic disruption, sir. Whatever the payload on those missiles, they negate the ionic shielding!"


    My heart was nearly in my throat. These predators could completely disable our shields without much effort. No wonder they''d conquered the venlil so quickly. What hope did we have?


    An alert snapped me out of my thoughts, the internal comms of our ship springing to life. "They''re on board! Protector, they''re taking everyone! Someone-" The transmission was cut with a thud, and everyone on the bridge was filled with dread. The larger warheads- Had the predators flung themselves onto our ship inside of missiles?


    "Everyone fall back to defensible corridors! Set up barricades at doors, and keep control of critical areas! We must not let them take the ship." I barked over the comms, before looking over at Zarn. "Zarn, you''re in charge on the bridge. Keep me appraised of what''s happening. Jemic, you''re with me."


    With Jemic in tow I made my way into the corridors of the ship, where by now gunfire abounded.


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    Moving down the corridor, my hands were shaky, claws depressed around the grip of my pistol with more tension than ever before in my life. Not even the arxur boarded our craft like this.


    Peeking my head around a corner, I saw the beasts rounding up prisoner, my blood boiling at the sight. Steeling myself, I looked over to Jemic. "Cover me. We need to save those crew before they become cattle."


    Jemic nodded, and I immediately fired upon the predators, red blood splattering the back wall. They then all immediately turned to face me, and circular energy shields burst from their wrists, while their truncheons grew blades made of the same energy.


    This was madness- this shouldn''t be possible. This wasn''t technology, this was sorcery!


    I ducked back into the corridor and motioned for Jemic to get ready to overlap his field of fire with mine, but before we could, a small bomb with a fuse on it rolled into our line of sight. Rather than exploding into shrapnel, as soon as the fuse extinguished, a curtain of lightning shot out along the floorboards, electrocuting both of us, making us lose control of our muscles. We both fired wildly at the wall, and by the time the electricity stopped flowing, we were on empty mags and too sore to move.


    Then the mezari came to grab us, and despite how much I wanted to scream and shout, my muscles were not responding. So this was it, then? I was destined for some cattle farm, no doubt right next to Governor Tarva.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Raudd Klapatch, Vaulter Seeker


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 3, 1 AA


    <hr>


    "Priority Target captured, ma''am. We''ll make our way to the bridge next." I informed our captain over the comms, before putting the cuffs on the captain that''d tortured Serz. This one was going gift wrapped straight to the Venlil, I imagined.


    Readying my... Rifle? Yeah, that was the word, I ordered my men to split up and capture any other stragglers they could find, while I headed to the bridge with a few more marines.


    We were all using the new weapons the Argosy computer had made for us using Venlil technology. While they were better than crossbows in a lot of ways, the recoil was still a nuisance. Hopefully that would be something the scientists could figure out.


    Creeping towards the door to the bridge, I was considering using another lightning charge, but ultimately decided against it. "I''ll take point, you take left, you take right. We want them in one piece. If they fight back, aim for the knees."


    After setting up a breaching charge on the door and blowing it wide open, we burst through, and the first thing I saw was an alien with a hide like a yirmak''s mount, this must''ve been Zarn. He raised his arms in surrender, and I slowly crept towards him, rifle aimed. "On the ground! Hands behind your back1" I shouted, and he complied.


    "This is for Serz, kurva." I whispered into his ear as I put the cuffs on him.


    The rest of the bridge crew were equally easy to capture, everyone on this ship seemed terrified of fighting, and I wondered how they managed to survive against the reptilians for so many centuries.


    "Alright, let''s bag them up and get this bird flying again. Congratulations, men, we have our very own Gojid warship now!"


    The men snickered at the proclamation, and our scientists set to work figuring out the controls. Looking out the viewport, I wondered how Ghost was doing with the station.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Rill Kata, Vaulter Guardian


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 3, 1 AA


    <hr>


    "Prepare another salvo of Ion Torpedoes! After we cut through their shields, aim the plasma beams right at the critical systems here and here." I barked at the crew.


    I was thankful that commanding a space crew wasn''t that different from commanding a bathysphere crew, even if the environment was drastically different, and hull breaches caused a different kind of death.


    "Ma''am, they''re charging plasma railguns!" One of my bridge crew informed me. "Evasive action!" I shouted back, watching the tactical readout on the ship''s command terminal. This was definitely not something we had in a bathysphere , but I was definitely going to love it.


    With a complete overview of the movements of our ships and theirs, it was quite easy to plot new maneuvers in battle. "And power to shields!" I then added, which my bridge crew immediately followed up on.


    "Aaand brace!" I finally said as the gojid''s plasma projectile skimmed our shield, causing the entire ship to shudder and vibrate. "All stations, report!"


    "All stations clear, no damage!" Came the reply.


    "Alright, good. One more salvo should take out the rest of the defenders. After that, bombard that outpost into rubble."


    "Aye-aye, ma''am!"


    And with that, another outpost was destroyed. Let''s hope this teaches their Federation not to try anything else any time soon.

 Chapter 4

    Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet Command


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 5, 1 AA


    <hr>


    For two days me and my bridge crew were stuffed inside the holding cells of the predators, guarded by horned giants with axes, no doubt a slave race in servitude of the furless mezari.


    At the end of our journey they shuffled all of us out of the ship and out in public, where a crowd of venlil waited, shouting insults and accusations at us, that we were somehow the villains, wanting to attack their world. Pathetic, blind fools! We were trying to rescue them!


    Now I was sitting in a venlil prison, waiting for my impending slaughter.


    I was stirred from my thoughts by the viweing area door opening and a venlil guard announcing that I had a visitor. Looking up I could not believe my eyes, it was Recel, with Tarva by his side.


    "Governor Tarve, you''re alive?" Was the first thing out of my mouth, choosing to ignore the treacherous Recel.


    "No thanks to you, Captain Sovlin. Your people were planning to attack my planet."


    "Only to save you from the predators!" I retorted, feeling the anger welling up in my chest. How dare she not see that it was for her own good!?


    "While your concern is appreciated, we do not require saving, especially not at the barrel of a gun." The unusually calm Tarva responded. No doubt she had been coached to say that, or worse. What had they done to her to control her like that?


    "How dare you! We both lost children to the Arxur! You know what monsters predators are. How can you trust these newcomers and their slaves?" I responded, hoping to get her to admit the truth.


    Tarva seemed to puff up at that, her fur standing on end. "How dare I? How dare you, sir? Just because I''m a public figure doesn''t mean you have any right to mention my daughter like that. You are going on trial in the morning, for conspiracy against the Venlil people and attempt to violate our sovereignty. Recel, you have five minutes with him. That''s all I''ll allow him."


    My former companion nodded, as Tarva turned around and stormed off, using her tail to convey unkindness upon me. I then turned to the kolshian, staring at him in silence. Whatever he had to say, it was too late.


    "Captain- I wish it hadn''t come to this, but you must''ve known that attacking Venlil Prime was a terrible idea. It''s not for us to interfere in another race''s internal politics, and the mezari have herbivores amongst them. They have doctors, and pacifists, and religious leaders. They''re true sapients just like us!"


    After a few moments of biting my tongue, I spat in disgust. "What religion could flesh eaters have? The religion of blood and decay? You''re being played, Recel! Please, let me out of here. It''s not too late to abandon this foolishness."


    "I''m not being played! I''ve seen their religious texts, translated by the venlil! They believe that the universe is a great orrery, and that the stars and planets are alive, guiding and shaping us all. They saw their home world as a living, loving mother, one that''d been ravaged by false gods, beings the call The Endless. When their planet died they wept! They still mourn the loss with ever passing day."


    "And how do you know these texts weren''t fabricated last week? Think, boy. Predators deceive. They''re just playing a long con on you. Go down this road and soon enough you''ll be like those brutes of theirs, guarding cattle from other species, like they guarded my crew on the way here."


    Recel seemed conflicted, mulling my words over for a moment. "No, you''re wrong, I''ve seen how they act, both with each other and other races. They''re friendly people. The other prisoners aren''t in some cattle pen, they''re here, waiting trial, just like you." Recel pointed at me accusatively, and I had to resist huffing in discontent.


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    "And what if you''re wrong? What if they eat me tomorrow? Do you really want to risk that? Please, I took you under my wing, I taught you everything. Trust me on this. I beg you. Help me get out of here, and get me on a shuttle. That''s all I ask for."


    Looking down at the controls to my holding cell, Recel was clearly coming around. I just needed to convince him one last time. "And if I''m wrong, nobody gets harmed. But if I''m right... things will only get worse for everyone. Are you willing to risk everything?"


    With a shaky breath, my first mate opened the door to my cell, right as the viweing area door opened as well. This was my only chance to escape, I had to take it. Grabbing Recel by the neck and stealing his sidearm, I pointed the gun to his head.


    "Any sudden moves and I kill Recel!" I shouted, right as Tarva walked back into the room. Shock filled her face, and her tail stood up on end. Then the guards moved in behind her, axes at the ready. "I mean it, one more step and I''m killing Recel!"


    "C-Captain." The kolshian managed to croak out, but I didn''t have the heart to tell him that I was bluffing. This had to be convincing. So I squeezed his head into my shoulder a little harder. Not actually putting more pressure on his throat, but definitely making it look like I yanked hard.


    "Sovlin, that''s insane! Let the man go!" Tarva pleaded, her arms slowly raising as she motioned to the guards to stay out of this. "You don''t need to do this."


    "Too late, governor! This whole planet is infected with predator disease! I won''t let you infect me too! I''m leaving, and Recel is my way out. Now take me to a shuttle, without the guards. Or else his blood is on your hands!"


    I pushed the barrel of the pistol against Recel''s squishy temple. Once we''re out of here he''ll understand. He must understand.


    Taking a step back, Tarva looked to the guards with worry, clearly about to panic, before finally ordering them both to leave. "Go! Prepare a shuttle! I''m not letting him kill Recel!"


    Sighing in relief for a brief moment, I moved closer to the door, still holding the pistol trained on Recel''s head. "Now, move. You''re in my way." I barked at Tarva, and she took another step back, into the hallway. "Take us to the shuttle. Remember. No sudden movements."


    Using Recel as a meat shield, I stepped out of the observation room after Tarva, and followed her past the observation rooms of other cells, all containing various captured gojids, as well as other crew members from the failed bombing plan. I wanted to rescue all of them, but it would be too difficult to do now.


    One of them caught my eye though, Zarn, the doctor that wanted to cure Slanek of his predator disease. "Open this one. He''s coming with me too!" I said, stopping in front of Zarn''s cell.


    "Captain! Recel! You''re alive!" Zarn seemed elated upon seeing me, standing up and moving to the cell window.


    "That I am, doctor. And Recel here is going to need your services once we''re off planet. But until then, he''s my bargaining chip to getting out of here."


    "Open it, Tarva. I''m taking the doctor with me." I then ordered again, aiming my pistol at the governor.


    "Y-Yes, I heard you!" She responded in a panic, before pressing on the controls for Zarn''s door.


    "Ok, now move. And don''t try anything. Doctor, keep an eye on her till we''re out of here."


    Making our way out of the prison, the wardens forced to let us pass on Tarva''s orders, we stepped out into the courtyard, where we had a shuttle ready for us. It was Tarva''s shuttle for official business, judging by the government markings. Not the most inconspicuous, but good enough.


    "Alright, we''re taking Recel with us, just so your crazy predator friends don''t shoot us out of the sky. If anyone tries to stop us, I''m blowing his brains out." I reiterated one last time, before making my way to the shuttle, with Zarn in tow.


    I let Zarn go in first, before stepping inside after him, walking backwards and using Recel as a meat shield just in case.


    It turned out to not be enough though, as an arrow suddenly hit my shoulder, forcing me to let go of the kolshian. Falling backwards into the shuttle to avoid further fire, I used my remaining good hand to pull myself fully in. "Close the hatch! They shot me!" I managed to call to Zarn, who thankfully did as he was told.


    "Sovlin, are you ok?" The doctor then rushed towards me, looking panicked.


    "Do I look alright, doctor? I have a primitive projectile stuck in me!" I spat out, standing back up to my feet.


    "I don''t have time to patch you, we need to get off world before they catch us. Just try not to die."


    "Hah. Very funny. I''ll try." I said, walking over and sitting down in the pilot''s chair. "Grab those controls there, and do as I say, hopefully they don''t shoot us down, even without a hostage."


    The doctor nodded and did as I said, and within second the shuttle took off, heading up into orbit. Its weak engines would take a while to get us anywhere, but it was the only way we had to get off this predator-infested rock.


    Thankfully, they didn''t shoot us down, but my shoulder still needed mending...

 Chapter 5

    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 5, 1 AA


    <hr>


    This was not how I hoped my day would go. Sovlin escaped justice, my shuttle stolen, and Recel was scared half to death.


    "What''s the bead on the Sovlin situation?" Zolya asked Kam, bringing out of my stupor.


    "He''s heading towards the Zurulian border, into Federation space. We lost track of him a few systems away, but that was his heading." Kam responded, eliciting nods from all around the table.


    Kam, Cheln, and myself were sitting on one end of the table, while Zolya, Raudd, and Serz were sitting on the other end. The tortured mezari had quickly recovered from his wounds, somehow already fully healed. I wasn''t sure if their medical science was at work, or their biology.


    "Are you sure it''s wise we didn''t blow him out of the sky?" Zolya asked Kam, before adding. "Our Magtay archer almost had him, it was only due to Recel acting as a living shield that she failed to kill him."


    "I don''t think it would''ve been wise to kill them. They''re misguided, not evil." Serz responded. "This is why I didn''t press charges." His voice was calmer and softer than the others. I wasn''t sure if he always spoke like that, or if he censored himself around us. "Plus, we need to play this tactfully, we do not want to be seen as the aggressors." The tattooed mezari then added.


    "I agree with Serz. Capturing them for trial was one thing, but shooting them out of the sky is a whole other basket of fruit. However... The Gojidi Union is still planning another assault on Venlil Prime. We have no choice but to attack first and prevent their ships from ever reaching our world." Kam asked, turning to look at me.


    "I know... It''s sad. These plans were meant to assist mezari in the raiding of cattle worlds, but now we''re going to have to employ them against the Gojids." I sighed and looked around the table at the others.


    My eyes fellon Serz again, who was pawing at his furry chin for a moment, before turning his gaze over towards Zolya. "If I may, I would like to go on a diplomatic envoy to the Federation."


    This seemed to upset Cheln, as he instantly stood to his feet and slammed his hands down on the table, surprising everyone. "That''s madness, they already hate mezari and most other aurigan species. You should send a herbivore instead." The diplomatic advisor barked.


    "No offense, Cheln," came my response "But if the Federation are to trust the mezari, they need to meet the mezari."


    Motioning for him to sit down, I continued. "I will go with Serz. They will not dare harm me. And proof of my safety might tide some of their concerns over. I will take Recel as well. So that he can testify to what he witnessed."


    Serz turned to the leader of his people, giving her an inquisitive look. "Zolya?" He defered to her thoughts, and she raised a finger in response, staying silent for a little longer.


    "Alright. Serz can go with you as part of an envoy." She then responded, giving me a nod of approval. Her eyes falling on me made me twitch for a moment, but I had to remind me myself she wasn''t going to pounce on me just by looking in my direction.


    "As for you, Serz. Keep yourself alive. We have few heroes left as it is." She then added, looking over at Serz.


    "Hero?" I blurted out in confusion, not realizing I was thinking out loud.


    This caused the mezari to exchange glances, before Zolya whispered to Raudd that he should be the one to explain.


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    "Do you remember Dust?" Raudd spoke up, raising a brow.


    That made me tilt my head. I''d heard them mention Dust before, but only in relation to their technological needs.


    "Yes, I remember it''s some sort of nanomachine used in your ancestors'' industry."


    "Well, Dust is more than that. It''s highly dangerous to handle on its own, because it''s semi-intelligent and self-replicating. To safely use it, it must be filtered and bound to some medium, such as alchemy, or construction materials."


    I shuddered at the thought, but I still didn''t understand what this had to do with heroic deeds, so I motioned for the red furred mezari to continue.


    "However, Dust can also be bound to a living thing, and be used to give supernatural powers to a person. On Auriga there were entire societies that used Dust to perform what was once believed to be magic."


    "All of this from a single nanomachine? Why is it so... Versatile?" I inquired, tilting my head the other way.


    "Dust is- Well, in our quest to find the Argosy and escape Auriga, we discovered that Dust was created by an ancient race known as the Endless, it was created to maintain everything, from inert objects like roads and walls, to the complex workings of their bodies and machinery."


    "And its use to maintain their bodies is why it can used to augment a person?"


    "While controlled exposure to Dust, such as through alchemy, is safe, uncontrolled exposure is often fatal, leading to violent mutations, organ failure, or other gruesome fates, as the Dust doesn''t know what to do with the body."


    Raudd paused for a moment, to make sure he wasn''t overwhelming me with gruesome imagery, and I motioned for him to continue.


    "However, it can sometimes lead to a symbiotic relationship between the Dust and the host instead, and rather than rampant mutation, the host is left with greatly improved mental and physical ability. These people were called Heroes on Auriga, and every race had them, even the dreaded Necrophages."


    I shuddered to think of a necrophage imbued with these nanomachines. The descriptions the aurigans gave us was the stuff of horrors in its own right.


    "Wait, the same nanomachines that you use to fabricate equipment are also inside his body?" Kam spoke up, pointing at Serz, resulting in the mezari nodding slowly.


    "Heroes are rare, and there were only five of us on board. Out of five million souls. So you can see why I''d rather not lose Serz." Zolya then added, clarifying why she''d rather not risk Serz''s life.


    I nodded, though I still had a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of such technology. This must''ve been what it felt like to discover nuclear energy, so much potential yet incredibly dangerous.


    "Ok, then that''s settled, we go to the Federation to plead our case." Serz spoke up again, before standing up. "I''ll let you all deliberate on the plan to attack the Cradle should we fail."


    Serz then gave everyone a nod, and left the room. I sighed softly and looked over to Zolya. "Ok, so what''s the plan for the Cradle?"


    "We need to find ways to obtain Deuterium and Titanium. With your permission, we''d like to search for Titanium under the ice of your planet''s night side, and under the deserts of the day side. At the very least survey the areas for resources."


    I nodded in agreement. We didn''t do much exploiting of those areas ourselves, but the aurigans had species amongst them that could handle the extremes. "Permission granted. Anything else you need from us?"


    "Other than that, we need a list of gas giants in your space. Deuterium would be easiest to find there." Zolya added.


    "Ok. You continue to build your forces, while Serz, Recel, and I try to get the Federation to stop the Gojids through diplomatic means. If that fails, we''ll have to attak them first and secure their surrender." I then turned to Kam, seeking his approval.


    "Are you sure the Argosy''s recyclers can build enough ships? The Venlil have a limited space force, we relied on the Gojidi Union for protection until now." My military advisor asked.


    "Hopefully. We just need to keep feeding them raw materials. We are currently focusing our entire production on war ships, so there''s something else I''d like to ask you. Could you provide some habitats for our people? Prefabricated housing, tents even, something to get them into rather than keep them in stasis. Thank you for helping us keep the ship powered, by the way. Your fusion reactors are marvelous things."


    "Of course, it''s the least we can do." I replied. "I''ll have prefabs set up outside the ship. Are you sure the cold won''t bother your people?"


    "No, no. We''re used to the winters on Auriga. Plus, our old home was near the Antarctic circle, so it wasn''t exactly warm even in summer."


    I nodded, shuddering at the thought of living year round in such a cold place. "Alright, then everything should be settled. Hopefully Sovlin hasn''t turned the entire Federation against us after his escape. Though I imagine Recel''s testimony will undo any sympathy he may have garnered."


    "Now, if you''ll excuse me, I need a long break from this madness." I sighed and fell back into my chair, dismissing everyone with a tail swish. I was starting to regret running for office.

 Chapter 6

    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 10, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The journey to Aafa had been a tense one. As soon as we crossed the Zurulian border, two Federation patrol ships intercepted us and escorted us to our destination. It was clear that the Venlil people were no longer trusted by the other species of the Federation.


    Now we were there, and it was all feeling much more real. This was the moment of truth, as soon as we stepped off this shuttle, anything could happen.


    Taking a deep breath I turned towards Recel and Serz, the latter of which was meditating. "We''re pulling up to the planet now, get ready for what may come."


    I then turned to the comms unit, and opened a public channel to the planet below. Hopefully the open nature of this communication would prevent them from just shooting us down and pretend we were never here.


    "This is Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic. I request to speak to the presiding chieftain about an urgent matter."


    My station should hopefully afford me some leeway, even though no doubt we were now seen as a breakaway state, or worse.


    "The Chief will be with you shortly, Governor." Came back a dull reply, very monotone and robotic. "Please be patient."


    Pawing at the comm controls, I turned on the camera feed, and motioned for Recel to come over, before whispering over for Serz to "Put the helmet on."


    "This is Chief Nikonus of the Kolshian Commonwealth. Why are you here, Governor? To spread your predator disease off-world?"


    As he spoke, Nikonus eyed Recel with even more contempt that he seemed to have for me.


    "No, Chieftain... I came here to present our scientific studies on the aurigan species, as well as a detailed breakdown of what occured during, and after, first contact. It is unfair that we have kept silent this long."


    And thus, with a single button press, I released the Aurigan First Contact package to the Kolshian internet. Hopefully this would help us present our case to the summit.


    "Hmmm... And what does Recel have to say about his mutiny against Captain Sovlin?" The chief motioned for his fellow to speak up.


    "Captain Sovlin is blinded by his past, my Chieftain. He sees forward facing eyes and the trauma of having his family killed in front of him by the Arxur poisons his mind. I''ve seen the empathy tests, and I''ve seen how the aurigan prey are friends with the aurigan predators. I believe that we must give them a chance, which is why we''re here."


    "Very well, we will examine the data you provided, and you will be allowed to speak at the summit for the aurigans."


    I had to intrerupt him at that point, since it was best he knew now, rather than later. "We will not be speaking for the aurigans, Chief Nikonus. I will be speaking for my people''s experience with the Aurigans. It will be Serz that speaks for the Aurigans."


    "Who is-?" Nikonus began, but was unable to finish as Serz finally revealed himself, wearing a helmet not too disimilar to Opbot''s head, an angular, pointed thing, with a thin eyeslit going all the way around, protected by opaque glass. "Is that-?"


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "He is one of the aurigans, a mezari, but he''s not just any mezari, he''s the very man that Sovlin tortured mere days ago. The same man who refused to lift a hand to defend himself from anything short of an execution." I paused for a moment. "He insisted that he come here to plead his case."


    "Are you mad!? What if it goes feral? Are you even thinking straight?"


    "All we want is to talk. You¡¯re about to attack my planet in order to ''cleanse'' it of his kind. Shouldn¡¯t you hear from them first? Don''t they have a right to defend themselves?"


    "Absolutely not. If you weren¡¯t on that vessel, Governor, I¡¯d order it shot down!"


    "You permitted us entry, before you knew of the mezari¡¯s presence. Do the Venlil have a right to address the galaxy?"


    The Chief flared his nostrils. "You have a right to speak, and to state your version of events on record. You¡¯re still a member of the Federation¡­ at least, for now."


    "Well, then I wish for Serz to speak in my stead, and to be treated with the same rights as a Venlil citizen. He is a citizen of Venlil Prime now, whether you like it or not."


    "You have snapped, Tarva! There¡¯s millions of people down here, who don¡¯t want that thing to set foot in our capital. Some of us still value our lives."


    "It¡¯s one predator versus all of you. You have him well outnumbered."


    "I can¡¯t let a dangerous beast into the governing chamber. What¡¯s to stop it from eating the nearest leader on television? To stand and gloat about the taste of our children¡¯s blood?"


    "He won¡¯t."


    "But what if it does?"


    "Then you¡¯ll have documentation of what the aurigans were like, when the Federation is asked by future generations why we made this decision," Recel interjected. "But I¡¯m telling you, these predators are more civilized than they look."


    "Please, Nikonus. Let Serz say what he¡¯s come here to say. You don¡¯t want people to think you have something to hide, do you? What harm can a few words do?"


    "Ugh. It can speak for five minutes, and not a second longer. If it so much as stares at anyone the wrong way or stumbles in its footing, it will be shot." The Kolshian chief waved a tentacle assertively. "Nor will I pledge for its safety after that time frame, even if it complies. Understand?"


    Five minutes was virtually nothing. Of course Nikonus wanted to sabotage the aurigans'' chance at presenting their case. This was a farce, but it was our best shot. I sighed and nodded. "We accept. But please, before you jump to any conclusions, go through the data I uploaded. Not just you, Chieftain, but everyone listening. The entire data package is available on my social media account. For everyone to see."


    "You¡¯re pushing your luck, Tarva. I have a lot of preparations to make. Do not disembark until my next transmission." Nikonus replied wtih indignation, before cutting off the call entirely.


    Once it was over, Recel slumped over the command console, grabbing his head in his tentacles. "This is going to be a disaster..." He groaned out, and I felt oblinged to wrap my tail around one of his tentacles, comforting the poor soul. "We''ll be fine, we have a Hero with us."


    "A- a what?" Came Recel''s confused response, but I merely gave him a noncommital wave with my tail.


    "Don''t worry about it." I said, before pulling the ship into a docking terminal, one near the governance hall, and waited for permission to disembark.


    The landing area was already filling up with journalists, everyone having gotten wind of us having a predator on board. This would be a media scandal regardless of how it went, and I needed to be ready for the aftermath.


    While we waited, Serz glanced out the window, and a red dot appearead on his helmeted forehead. I was about to shout for him to get down, but he was already on his back before I could say anything.


    "What were you thinking? You''re not invulnerable!" Recel asked in shock.


    "I wasn''t expecting them to shoot at the shuttle, ok?" Serz retorted, before pulling himself back up, wary of the windows.


    "So what do we do now? Play with our thumbs while we wait?" The predator then asked, causing me to snicker.


    "Some of us don''t have thumbs." Recel interjected, before sitting down in the pilot''s chair, crossing his tentacles.


    "We may as well get some rest. Since we can''t leave this shuttle, here is as good a place as any to sleep." Serz mused before taking his helmet back off, resting it next to his chair. He then closed his eyes and placed his hands on his chest, crossing his fingers, and dozed off to sleep.


    I wasn''t sure if I was ready to fall asleep next to a predator, even though the rational part of my brain told me he was harmless, so I did my best to stick close to Recel. Despite my reservations, sleep quickly overwhelmed me, and the world went dark...

 Chapter 7

    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 10, 1 AA


    <hr>


    "Tarva, wake up." Serz whispered as he shook me awake, startling me. His helmet was back on, and he was crouched over me. "The Kolshians have given us the go-ahead to leave the ship."


    Looking around, I saw that Recel was already gone, and I hoped they hadn''t carted him off to face justice while we weren''t looking. I wondered what would happen to him after all this, since there was a clear treason case against him.


    Serz offered to help me back up, but I politely declined and stood on my own. I took a few moments to regain my bearing, before heading over to the exit hatch. "We need to be careful, I doubt Nikonus was bluffing when he said even a slight mistake will get you shot."


    The mezari nodded and took a deep breath, before adjusting his mantle around his shoulder. The pelts he was draped in were a mix of white on black, with tints of orange. The fact it was similar to venlil blood was a coincidence, but I worried that the federation representatives would think it symbolic.


    After I opened the hatch, we climbed down the ramp together, and into the terminal. Immediately we were greeted by dazzling lights, likely intended to blind the mezari ambassador. I could see his head moving uncomfortably, and no doubt his eyes were straining under the helmet. I turned my head towards the light, so they didn''t fall on my eyes as directly, and noticed that Kolshian soldiers were carting Recel off in cuffs, a goad around his neck. No doubt they feared he had predator disease.


    One of the guards then tripped the poor lad, before giving a terribly fake apology. Concern stabbed at my heart, and I began to worry for our safety. But Recel was at least able to plead his case for longer than five minutes. The two of us, on the other hand, had basically been already written off.


    A kolshian female in the front then raised a megaphone towards us, and sharply ordered Serz to "Take a slow step forward. Then walk until we tell you to turn."


    The intention to blind him was now showing its purpose, they wanted to lead him around like a beast, rather than let him roam free. I couldn''t believe the irony, that a predator was being ordered around like cattle.


    The pacifist began shuffling forwards, and I could hear him whisper to himself, counting his steps. It was barely audible, and as soon as he was a few feet away it was gone from my register.


    Judging by the way his head stopped turning, he had closed his eyes altogether, relying on his other senses to move. Seeing cameras turned on us, I started to walk besides him, trying to appear confident, to assure everyone that the man by my side was no danger to anyone.


    The cameras zeroed in on me, and I took the opportunity to wrap my tail around Serz''s wrist, as if he were one of my own brothers and sisters.


    As we walked, soldiers directed us down a series of hallways, and I tried to stay as calm as possible, despite having guns trained on us. No doubt the onlookers thought my antsiness was because of Serz, rather than the weapons mere inches away from me.


    I wondered how the leaders would react, when we reached the governing chamber. The announcement of a mezari¡¯s arrival must¡¯ve come as a shock; that wasn¡¯t what they imagined when they planned this visit. It was one thing to talk about a predator in the abstract, but another to see a waking nightmare in person.


    The Aurigan ambassador better have a damn good speech at the ready. Somehow, I didn¡¯t think the Federation gentry would welcome him with open arms.


    Once we were in the governance hall, serz strode up to the microphone, his helmet obscuring his features. He did his best to look at everyone with sideways glances, as every guard in the room trained weapons on him from as far away as possible.


    "Greetings, people and leaders of the Federation. My name is Serz, and I represent the Aurigan Federacy, the last people of a dead world."


    The silence in the room was deafening, and many representatives had seemingly left before we even got here. They were probably viewing through remote camera feeds.


    "I am sure you have many ideas about my people, and what we are like. Most of them due to the "grays", as you call them. But I am here to show you why we are not like them. For thousands of years my ancestors, the vaulters, lived in isolation underground, in deep vaults. When a great earthquake unearthed ancient artefacts containing our language and iconography, we knew that our ancestral stories of having come from the stars were not mere myths."


    "So we made a great exodus onto the surface of our planet, and there we found war. We found death. And we found disease. There we found the Morgawr, ancient bioweapons with psychic power, wishing to enslave everyone and everything. We found the Forgotten, a group of violent maniacs who distrusted all outsiders. We found the Cult of the Eternal End, fanatics sworn to destroy the technology of the past and all traces of our history. And we found the Necrophages, a hivemind whose sole goal was to consume all life and create more drones for itself."


    "But we also found the Drakken, peaceful scholars, who merely sought to understand and learn, and yet they were carnivores. We found the Allayi, the natural children of Auriga, a race whose sole duty was to protect it and keep it safe from disaster. They had side facing eyes, yet also sharp teeth, but they fed on the natural energies of the world, not plants, nor animals. They were made to reflect all aspects of nature, and were able to change with the seasons."


    "We also found the Gauran, large herbivores that were braver than any of us, despite being prey. And we found the Sisters of Mercy, a mezari nation dedicated entirely to the medical arts, as well as the Magtay, a monastic society that eschewed meat, and lived entirely off of farming."


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Merely seeking the truth of our ancestors, we found a world embroiled in conflict, with both good and evil peoples on all sides. We found a world slowly freezing over, with each winter longer than the last. And in that world, we sought only to belong."


    "In that world we fought alongside predators, alongside prey. We fought alongside doctors, and alongside vegetarians. We fought not because we sought to, but because we were surrounded by enemies. By the horrors of the Morgawr, by the all-consuming necropage, and by the all destroying cult."


    "In the end we welcomed the Gauran and the Sisters into our flock. And the Magtay, and the Jotus, and the Geldirus. By the time we left Auriga, we were no longer Vaulters, nor Mezari. We were Aurigans, half a dozen races unified under one banner."


    "We may not all be herbivores, like you, but the Aurigans are not like the Arxur. We survive through companionship, not cruetly. We help one another, and others, and we seek to strengthen and protect the weakest amongst us, not shun them. We do not discriminate based on diet, or appearance. And we do not seek conflict, merely defending ourselves should it come."


    "But we all have a thing in common, something that binds us. We only seek a chance to rebuild, to begin again, in memory of our dead world, our dead mother -Auriga."


    The reporters in the upper decks were filming every word. Commentators spoke in soundproofed booths, offering live opinions on some of the most influential political shows in the galaxy. The public viewing balcony was almost empty, so most of the citizenry would witness this display secondhand.


    The anxious murmurs rippling around showed this wasn¡¯t what anyone was expecting. They were expecting the mezari to come here, brandishing mocking footage and lobbying threats. It was clear they were concerned how close I was standing to Serz; a few tried to signal ¡®Run¡¯ to me with tail language.


    "You come here and speak hollow words, predator!" Came a shout from the stands, Captain Sovlin bursting into the hall. "You expect us to believe any of that? It is obvious to any rational sapient that these are merely twisted lies!"


    "And you come here, wearing a helmet. Hiding your nature. You know fully well you are a predator. Nothing can change that!" Jerulim, the Krakotl ambassador, then added.


    The nearest dignitaries glanced at the avian, and signaled their agreement with tail-waves and ear flicks. It seemed to embolden others to vocalize their opinions.


    "By your own admission, your history is embroiled in wars. Your whole planet was a war zone!" Darq, the Farsul high elder, joined in.


    Serz raised his hands in a defeated gesture, his voice softening. "We merely fought to defend ourselves, as I''ve mentioned before."


    "Were you defending yourselves when you attacked the Gojid people!" Came a response from Sovlin, the hall starting to fill with raucous agreement.


    "You were, and still are, planning to exterminate us. As I have said, we only fight to defend ourselves." Serz remained unusually calm.


    "We should execute the beast! Let''s see its head roll!" The Mazic ambassador tutted.


    "You kidnapped our people!" Came a cry from the Godjid ambassador.


    "We were taking them in as prisoners of war. They''re still alive, awaiting trial." Serz spoke up, fruitlessly, the gathered ambassadors speaking up over him, drowning out his words.


    "SILENCE! I said we would let it speak, and I don¡¯t break my word. Can you not hold your tongues for a few more minutes? It still has two on the clock!" Chief Nikonus roared.


    Serz sighed and nodded in thanks at the Kolshian chieftain. ¡°Thank you. As I said with the magtay. Our kind can eschew meat, we are omnivores. In fact, we primarily eat plants, and only need meat for certain vitamins and minerals. While we do have some carnivores amongst us, they have never, and would never, eat a sapient. In fact, the idea of sapient carnivores eating sapient herbivores made the Gaurans laugh, as they have been friends with us for decades. We find everything about the Arxur anathema to us, especially after we survived the Necrophage. We do not condone, and never will, the eating of other people."


    "But do you eat flesh?" Jerulim called from the crowd, ignoring the chairman¡¯s glare. "You personally."


    "Well, not since we left Auriga."


    "And why not since you left Auriga?" Jerulim further preseed.


    "We need to wait for our livestock to repopulate..." Serz answered, Judging by the strain in his voice, he knew that the truth would cause a reaction. But what else could he have said?


    "You heard it! The beast admitted it! They need livestock! That''s why they''re here! We''ll all end up as cattle if we don''t kill them all!" Jerulim shouted, elicting panicked gasps from the others.


    "The Venlil have fallen right into their trap!" someone shouted.


    "I told you they were liars!" Sovlin added, walking to where Piri, the Gojid leader, was sitting.


    The shouting match was interrupted by Nikonus, who tapped his microphone loudly again.


    "That''s enough, from everyone! Mezari, your time is up. You two are to exit the chamber. Slowly. And then follow the emergy lights to your alloted living arrangements. I expect you to remain in your room, predator. If you are found wandering around, you will be shot."


    Serz gave a formal bow and turned around, and I had no choice but to follow him. Once outside, we followed the lights in silence, and I could hear Serz once more counting his steps.


    Soon enough we were inside our room, a full diplomatic suite, complete with a kitchenette and en-suite. Two trays of fruit mash with algae and grain garnish waited for us on the bedstands. Serz took one of them up and looked over it curiously. "Why mash the fruit?" He mused out loud, before calmly sitting down to eat as if nothing had happened.


    "How. How in the name of all that is divine. Are you so calm?" I finally broke and spilled my thoughts. "That was a disaster!"


    "Simple..." The predator replied with a mouth full of mash. "Worry, don''t worry, the outcome is the same. I was taught that by the Sisters. Worry, or rather fear, is but an adversary, one that attacks judgment. You saw in that hall, how they were controlled by fear. To truly be rational, one must first defeat fear itself."


    A small voice then chimed in from the door. "Very wise! As they say, idiots speak the loudest, but cooler heads keep quiet. People with cool heads is something we need more of."


    Both Serz and I tilted our heads in confusion, and Serz did his best to use the prey side-eye when looking at the speaker. One of the Zurulians had walked into the room, oddly unconcerned by the presence of my mezari companion.


    "I''m sorry, we weren''t expecting company..." Serz spoke slowly, mouth full of food, while putting his helmet on with haste.


    "Don¡¯t be ridiculous. You don¡¯t have to apologize. Please, leave the helmet off. I¡¯m Chauson, behavioral scientist with the Galactic Institute of Medicine. May I come in?"


    "Of course. Unless they''ll shoot you for being in here." Serz responded, eliciting a chuckle from Chauson.


    "No, no. I''m the Prime Minister''s brother, they wouldn''t dare. Anyways. those Venlil experiments are irrefutable. Your member species sympathize with our plight, and you take no joy in the suffering of others. With that new evidence in mind, we¡¯re willing to change our position on the aurigans."


    "You are? I¡¯m thrilled to hear that someone can grasp the truth." I replied in shock, feeling a tinge of hope for the first time since we arrived.


    "At long last. The Zurulian government expresses our desire to begin anew, and I only hope that doesn¡¯t come too late. Would you like to open diplomatic relations?"


    Serz finally took his helmet back off, now that he was done chewing, and he gave a courteous nod to the Zurulian. "Yes, we would like that, very much. The Federacy''s door is always open to diplomacy."

 Chapter 8

    Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space Corps


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 23, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The aurigan attacks on the Gojid outposts forced them to withdraw all their forces back to their core worlds, which made trespassing through their space that much easier.


    Now I was on my way to Gojid homeworld, ferrying a bunch of aurigans of all shapes and sizes. The mezari were being oddly rambunctious and jovial, which one of the gaurans informed me was a coping mechanism.


    The gaurans were prey like us, but didn''t seen to fear predators one bit. At first we assumed they were defective, but Tal put it best ''Gaurans are big, few things can hurt us. Why should we be afraid.''. That stuck with me. Prey didn''t need to fear predators if they could defend themselves. I wondered why we didn''t think like that. Were the gaurans just built different?


    And speak of the devil, Tal himself suddenly popped into the cockpit, sitting down behind me. "Hello, little Slanek." He greeted me in a friendly tone. Despite being prey, gauran voices were very deep, so it was always odd to hear them speak.


    "Hey, big guy. We''re only an hour out. Are the others ready?" I responded, putting the ship in automatic course keeping and turning around with the swivel chair.


    Tal nodded, before procuring a glass jar of fruit preserves from his satchel. "Yes. Everyone is ready. I brought some apple rations. Want any?" I was glad the translation database was updated for gauran grammar, and it stopped painting their speech as child-like. When speaking the mezari tongue they still used their own language''s grammar in a sort of pidgin, since it was a second language to them, and the translator didn''t really know what to do.


    "You have them, you need more energy than me, and it''s not like I''m going into battle." I replied, giving a dismissive tail motion.


    "Well, you might end up in battle, you never know. Anything could happen."


    "After the Sovlin incident I''m happy to stay away from fighting. Which is why I''m ferry troops rather than in one of the fighting vessels." I responded. Being kidnapped by Sovlin was a real eye opener about the dangers of being around aurigans. But it also taught me that they can handle themselves. I was sure that being a support pilot was my calling in this war, even with the battle meditations they were teaching venlil volunteers.


    "If you say so." Tal chuckled, before opening the jar of jellified fruit, and devoured the whole thing with a single twist of his tongue. He then procured two more from his satchel and ate them as well. Watching him eat was amusing, since food looked tiny in his hands.


    "If you want to keep me company until we get there, I don''t mind." I then said, turning back to check the console and make sure nothing required my attention. "Just don''t bump your head into anything like during training."


    "That was one time! And I was distracted by Raudd."


    I gave an amused twirl of my tail. "Yeah, sure buddy."


    The rest of the trip was uneventful, and the hour quickly turned into minutes, and then into battle.


    "Everyone get ready, we''re coming out of fold space!" Captain Kata spoke into the comms, and I readied myself for evasive actions.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Rill Kata, Vaulter Guardian


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 23, 1 AA


    <hr>


    "3... 2... 1..." My helmswoman counted down, and then reality folded out around us, and we returned to realspace.


    Immediately we were greeted by Gojid ships forming a shield around the Cradle, with very few gaps between them, no doubt killing fields set up to trap us.


    "Everyone, you know the drill. Ion torpedo their shields, then plasa beam through the gaps." I sent a fleet wide reminder. This was going to be tougher than the little skirmishes by the outposts, but I hoped that my people were ready.


    "They''re charging plasma railguns!" My sensors officer barked, and I gave the order for evasive action. Again the plasma skimmed off our shields, partially draining their power. "Retalliate!" I barked, and soon enough ion torpedoes were flying at the enemy vessel that shot us.


    "Partial hit, they swirved." Came the reply from the weapons station.


    "Aim slightly ahead of their actual position so they fly into it!"


    "No good, they adjusted again. Ma''am, it''s probably their computer adjusting course, rather than a person. Maybe we can trick it with a lose-lose scenario."


    "Alright, launch four torpedoes, send each one on a different approach. Make sure they don''t have anywhere to evade to but backwards, which they can''t."


    "Aye aye, ma''am!"


    That stratedy seemed to work, and the ship just swiveled its nose around, trying to figure an angle. It then tried to turn around, but it was too late, and all torpedoes impacted the shield, totally draining it.


    "Plasma lances, now!" I barked, and immediately bright beams of superheated gas shot from the mast and prow of our karve, cutting into the hull of the ship.


    "Direct hit, ship disabled." My sensors officer confirmed what I was seeing.


    "Alright, keep going, we have to keep them distracted so that our troops can sneak past."


    "Ma''am, two ships on approach, they''re both charging plasma railguns." Came another cry from the sensors officer.


    "Pull the nose up, angle the ship so they both skim the shield!" I barked to the helmswoman, and she quickly complied. The ship was slow to turn, but those railguns were equally slow to charge.


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    They both impacted the shield at the same time, but rather than just skim it, they cut right through, depleting it.


    "Power to thrusters! Get us out of their line of fire! And use the starboard torpedo bays!"


    Our ship then started accelerating ''upwards'' relative to the plane of battle, and two torpedos launched from our starboard, one aimed at each of the offending ships. I commed over to our fleet to cover us, and to use multi-pronged attacks to keep the enemy computers confused.


    The torpedoes we fired were evaded, but that made the two ships no longer target us. This gave our shields time to recover.


    "Ok, readjust our vector." I ordered the helm, before opening a fleet wide channel. "Everyone pick a target, we need to open a corridor for the troop transports!"


    The gojid systems were having a hard time dodging the four pronged attacks, but unloading all of our torpedoes in one go slowed down our rate of fire significantly. We had to use plasma beams to keep them on their toes while the bays reloaded, but so far so good.


    Skirt, evade, salvo torpedoes, pierce into hulls. Skirt, evade, salvo torpedoes, pierce into hulls. It was like a dance at this point, ships were pirouetting around each other, looking for avenues to attack, and the massive space battle was turning into isolated skirmishes.


    This was our chance to slip the transports through, so I opened a fleet wide channel one more time. "Alright, transports, get ready to push towards the cradle. Escorts, keep close to your transports. Everyone else, keep the enemy busy."


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space Corps


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 23, 1 AA


    <hr>


    This was it, time to fly a metal tin can full of soldiers past enemy fire. I prayed that we wouldn''t get hit, and Tal headed back to the others, ready to drop into the atmosphere. I thought they were kidding when they first said they''d jump ou of the ships when we got there, but it wasn''t a joke. Here I was ferrying them to that very goal.


    The onboard computer helped me keep clear of the fighting, but a stray plasma shot nearly hit us, and I had to evade hard. The aurigan escorts were doing their best to cover us, but it was still stressful to fly in these conditions.


    I had to remind myself that at least I wasn''t flying through arxur. This was a cake walk compared to that.


    "T minus 1 mintue." I commed in as we entered the atmosphere, pulling the shuttle towards my designated target. We were too small to hit by the planetary defenses, which thankfully meant we got little resistance. Some smaller AA batteries tried to shoot us down, but our escorts shot down the missiles before they could even get close.


    "T minues 10 seconds." I gave the last call, and slowing down to a glide over our target, I could see the feed of the aurigans leaping out of the shuttle, most of them with parachutes, some of them with wings. The gaurans went last, and used some sort of Dust powered device to slow down their fall. It was wondrous to behold on the feed, but terrifying to think about.


    Once everyone was out, I sealed the ship back up and began my ascent back to the main fleet, along with dozens of other transports, and hoped that my friends made it to the ground in one piece.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Raudd Klapatch, Vaulter Seeker


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 23, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The air bellowed through my outfit as I plunged towards the ground, counting down in my head until I needed to pull the parachute cord. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...


    With a tug on the cord, the parachute yanked me upwards. I could see that most of the others managed to pull their cords in time, though a few had to be rescued by flying Allayi. Too bad we didn''t have enough slow falling belt for everyone, that would''ve avoided such incidents.


    Touching boots to the ground, I detached from my chute, and made my way towards the others. We were already under fire from the gojid home guard, though about 50% of them seemed to be running away rather than shooting at us. Tal was the first of our number I managed to meet up with. "Tal, good to see you."


    "Raudd. Friend. Look at the cowards run!" The minotaur boasted, pointing at the gojids.


    "Yeah, I saw. I feel bad for them. They must be terrified."


    "Hmm... Maybe you''re right. Shouldn''t mock children for being scared." He then conceded, yet somehow managed to insult the gojids at the same time.


    "C''mon, let''s get to the others." I readied my rifle, and we headed over to a larger group. As the battle went on around us, I could see the dawn officers charging on the enemy positions, using dust magics to achieve speeds comparable to that of a land vehicle, they leapt over defenses, blocking bullets with their shields, before cutting down the gojids with axes. This made the hedgehogs flee in pure terror, stepping on fallen comrades.


    These were no warriors... what the hell were we even doing here?


    "This is Raudd Klapatch. Am I the only one seeing the gojid piss themselves?" I radioed to our small group, the one in charge of dealing with this base.


    "No sir, they''re scared like kittens. I''m starting to feel bad for being here."


    "Alright, change of tactics. These are clearly not warriors, switch to shock and awe. Better we just scare them off and take the trade center without killing anyone."


    "Aye aye, sir." Came several responses, and I began to shoot at some of the more braver gojids, aiming over the top of their heads to scare them off.


    The tactic was proving successful, as more and more gojid ran away from their positions and posts.


    By the time we reached the gate everything was silent, all the gojids either dead or ran off. I ordered Tal and one of the Drakken to open the gate, and the were easily able to push it open. What lay on the other side was not what we expected.


    Corpses lying in the streets, trampeled to death, most of them children, and the few survivors were crawling away from us in fear. An allayi in the back nearly fainted in horror, and Tal had to help him keep to his feet.


    "What the actual fuck..." I mouthed, leaning down to pick up a broken toy from amongst the dead children. This was a massacre, and by the looks of it one we hadn''t caused.


    "Kith 1, this is Kith 6. We took the village, but everyone''s dead, trampeled to death by their own kind." I spoke into a comm, and waited for a reply.


    It came about a dozen seconds later, while we were making our way through the streets, searching for suvivors. Those we found were terrified, but thankfully we had Sisters amongst us who could use Dust for healing. The rest of us started to gather the corpses for burial.


    "Understood, Kith 6. We will ask the Venlil."


    Shaking my head at the cold response, I had to remind myself that our captain was still fighting in space, so didn''t have time to be emotional.


    The allayi amongst us were already giving the deceased their last rights, and the survivors we managed to rescue were screaming, begging not to be eaten. Thankfully the gaurans were able to calm them down some.


    "Mommy! Where are you? Mommy!" The cry of a child caught my attention. I quickly motioned for Tal to come by my side.


    We then walked over to the child with slow, careful paces. "Hey, kiddo. Don''t worry, you''re safe now."


    The child screamed and tried to crawl away, closing her eyes, and I winced uncomfortably.


    "No! Don''t eat me! Help! MOMMY!" She cried, and I motioned for Tal to help me here.


    "Nobody''s going to eat you, little one. Raudd here is my friend." The minotaur placed his massive mitt on my head and wiggled me left and right like a puppet, and I had to restrain myself from objecting to this indignation.


    "B-But my mommy said they''re going to eat everyone." The child cried, trying to look up at Tal.


    "Well, your mommy was scared, and wrong. We don''t eat people."


    "You don''t?" The little one peeked her eyes open, looking at my semi-helmeted face. She winced before Tal grabbed her attention by looking at her sideways.


    "Like I said, nobody''s going to eat you. Raudd''s a friend. And I''m Tal. What''s your name?"


    Tal then extended his hand gently towards the child, and she cautiously grabbed onto his hand. He carefully scooped her up and held her as if she were his own.


    "N-Nulia..." The little one whispered, burying her face into Tal''s chestplate. "I want my mommy."


    "Nulia. Alright, Nulia. We''ll look for your mommy. Until then, you''re safe with us, yeah?" Tal whispered softly, careful not to scare the child with his loud voice.


    This pre-emtive strike was turning out worse than expected. If merely seeing us made the gojid trample over over each other out of fear, even killing their own children in panic, that meant we had killed countless civilians without even firing a shot. What was supposed to be a carefully aimed strike had turned into a massacre.


    I was glad Serz wasn''t here for this revelation.

 Chapter 9

    Memory transcription subject: Raudd Klapatch, Vaulter Seeker


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 27, 1 AA


    <hr>


    After we took the merchant settlement, waves of gojid came trying to recapture it. We were able to use the dawn officers to keep them at bay, while marines sniped them from afar. Our allayi allies had to be grounded after the first day though, as the gojids began carrying handheld missile launchers.


    We made sure that any attempt to advance on our position was costly, setting up overlapping killing fields like we used to on Auriga when defending our own settlements. Every gojid charge on our position was a laughable failure. These aliens clearly lacked any real combat training.


    Soon enough they stopped coming, and simply encircled us in a prolonged siege. I was thankful they didn''t shell us with cannon fire, and I assumed the concept was probably foreign to them.


    As if to make me reconsider that, I saw two bright flashes on the horizon, clear signs of long distance bombardment. I thought for a moment that maybe the gojids had started shelling us, only to see two ships fly overhead. The designs were neither Gojid nor Aurigan, and knowing we weren''t intending to bomb the planet, that could only mean one thing.


    "This is Kith 1 to all ground forces. Prepare for extraction. The Arxur are attempting to invade the planet. We are struggling to keep them from reaching the plant, after our fight with the Gojid fleet. Watch out for stragglers."


    Great, now we had to deal with the gray lizards.


    "Let them come!" Came a shout from one of our gauran entourage. "I will happily die fighting those monsters!"


    Mulling the situation over, as more bombs fell close behind, striking points across the skyline of a nearby city. More crafts then coursed across the sky, dispersing interceptors to avoid being shot down. Judging by the flight pattern, they were looking for a flat place to land.


    "This is Kith 6 to Kith 1. We are taking the fight to the grays. Over."


    "Kith 1 to Kith 6. May the mother be with you. Good luck, Raudd."


    "Thanks, Rill. Give them hell in orbit."


    "Already on it."


    "You heard the lady! We got grays incoming. Allayi seekers, get your spears ready. I want you to take out as many of their aircraft as you can. All wyverns with functional wings, join them."


    "Gaurans, drakkenlings, sisters, take the injured and the gojid survivors to extraction. Everyone else is with me, we''re marching on their landing site."


    We fanned out as we made our way towards the Arxur landing zone. The dawn officers were moving ahead on our flanks, using whatever cover they could to hide their advance. The rest of us were moving down a wide avenue in the center, spread out in fire teams.


    Up above us the allayi and wyverns were doing their best to attack transports, spearing pilots in their cockpits, or smashing into them using snouts in the latter''s case. Damned grays deserved what was coming.


    As we made our way to the edges of the landing sites, we saw dozens of ships unloading small groups of three to five arxur. Besides the small transports there were larger ships, which didn''t unload troops. Something told me they were there to haul off survivors to be eaten. The arxur fire teams were spreading out and heading into the city, obviously hunting for survivors. They were not as well organized as I expected, in fact, they seemed to want to stay as far away from each other as possible. I could even see them bicker.


    "Dawn officers, encircle them, push them away from the city. Marines, get ready to execute any that flee this way."


    I could see that the arxur were sniffing about with curiosity, possibly having picked up on a new, foreign scent. Ours. I hoped we could maintain the element of surprise long enough.


    Many of the marines climbed up into trees and took position there, while I took cover behind a large log. The dawn officers circle around the perimeter through the trees, moving through the canopies in most cases, before a large wave of them leapt out of the woodline.


    The element of surprise was sadly not kept for long, as the reptilians trained weapons on the surrounding woodlines right before the officers lept out, axes and shields at the ready. The grays were still shocked by the speed and resilience of their foes though, as the shields blocked incoming bullets, and the officers dashed with Dust enhanced speed towards the enemy line.


    Many of the grays took cover the best they could, shooting at officers from temporary safety. Some of the officers were shot down in the scuffle, but enough chaos was generated that the grays began to retreat towards their ships. Those were to be our targets.


    As soon as the enemy started routing, the marines began taking shots at them, sending them tumbling to the ground. The grays started firing back, blindly blanketing the tree line with bullets. Most of us were safely in cover or in the canopies, but we still took further casualties from the blind spray.


    Overall the plan was a success, and all the fleeing arxur were executed before they could reach the safety of their ships. "Marines, move in, clean up the stragglers." I then ordered, before vaulting over the log.


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    Making our way to the outskirts of the city, weapons raised, we saw that the enemy ships were beginning to take off, leaving behind their own people to be killed in our crossfire. Hopefully this would make them think twice about taking the planet.


    "Kith 1, this is Kith 6. What''s the status of the Cradle?" I radioed in to Rill, while discharging a burst into the back of one of the reptilians as we swept the outskirts for target.


    "Kith 6, we have clashes all over the planet, they''ve taken some of the cities, but most of our men chose to stay behind just like you. We have dozens of reports of failed landings."


    "And the space theater?"


    "We''re holding, but it''s hard. They have us outnumbered, but our technological differences are keeping them on their toes. Hopefully the ground turnabout will show them we mean business in taking the Cradle."


    "Understood, Kith 1. Kith 6 out."


    I walked over to one of the dead reptilians, examining his biology. He was clearly malnourished, skin clinging to the bones. Something didn''t click right with me, who sends half-starved corpses into battle? I made a mental note to review the old footage of arxur attacks that the venlil had shared with us. If I had to guess, the grays were a starving race, but why?


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet Command


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 28, 1 AA


    <hr>


    Inconceivable! Preposterous! The predators were prancing about the Cradle doing Protector knows what. I had to stop them. Ignoring Piri''s objections, I assembled a fleet to take back our home from the beasts. Thankfully my rank carried enough weight that I could round up several dozen ships. I feared what would happen if we were too late.


    Our ships lurched as we exited from subspace, and the scene that greeted me was one I did not expect. The mezari and the arxur were fighting over the skies of my home, the two predators at each other''s throats. This must''ve been a gift from the Protector.


    "Seems the two empires are squabbling over who gets to eat us first. We should strike at them both while they''re busy mauling each other!"


    "Sir, I''m picking up a transmission from the surface." Zarn spoke up, catching my attention.


    "A transmission? What is it?"


    "I don''t know, sir. I''ll play it for you."


    Piri''s face came up on the screen, hidden somewhere in a bunker.


    "People of the Cradle, the Arxur are here. Please, follow the nearest Aurigan to extraction. If they are not heading to extraction, keep close to them, they will protect you. In our preoccupation with fighting off the Aurigans, the Arxur slipped past our orbital defenses, and so we thought our world doomed.


    When the grays first arrived we were sure they were working with the aurigans, but instead of joining together to enslave us, our video feeds showed them fighting each other. We saw aurigans risking their lives to drive off the arxur from our cities, from small towns, and from convoys of survivors. For the last 24 hours the Aurigans have been trying their best to keep the Arxur from taking the planet.


    Since the aurigans first occupied our planet, we''ve intercepted many of their broadcasts. They were disgusted and shocked at the aftermaths of stampedes. They were distraught at how we abandoned our children. And then when the arxur came they were disgusted to see them devouring our dead. Since then they''ve been organizing attacks against every gray landing site they could. They broadcast warnings, pleading for survivors to evacuate the planet. And we heard every word.


    It could have all beeen staged, but they seemed surprised that the arxur were here. Perhaps they were fighting over who gets to keep us, but the idea of giving the arxur eternal punishment was one often repeated in their broadcasts. But now I no longer doubt their intentions.


    This was the last bit of footage I saw. I can¡¯t conjure a reason that such sacrifice and tenderness would be present in predators, other than true empathy. If this is a ruse, it is the worst one imaginable.


    Should we fall, should the Arxur take this world, send his message to the Federation, and all data enclosed within the broadcast. Show them the footage, and let them judge for themselves.¡±


    The footage showed a mezari warrior with an axe in one hand and a shield in the other. He leapt over a small piece of rubble and smashed with his entire bodyweight into a gray that was about to bite a gojid child. He then turned to the child and shouted for the kid to run, as more mezari were rushing over to them.


    The mezari then raised his axe and swung down, ending the gray''s life, while another member of his kind picked the child up, completely ignoring the spines. He held the child close to his chest, and carried it using his own body as a shield, protecting the child from oncoming bullets, while the axe carrying madman dashed towards the enemy lines, using the shield for protection.


    Another recording showed a group of mezari marines defending a rural school from grays. Many of their own number were already dead, but the stragglers kept fighting, even through injury. I saw one of the axe wielding madmen sacrifice himself to keep the reptilians at bay, keeping them distracted in close quarters so that his pack mates could finish them off.


    As soon as there was a moment of peace, a Gojid child raced into the open and knelt by said mezari¡¯s corpse. He jabbed a claw into the predator¡¯s stomach, sobbing in hysterics. The kid showed such feeble emotions in front of those beasts, and their lips didn¡¯t even curve into a snarl? Two primates stooped to the ground, and¡­attempted to console him?


    A third recording showed red-skinned reptilians defending horned herbivores from arxur attack, as the horned aurigans helped the injured and the elderly onto evacuation craft, many giving their lives to protect the evacuees.


    As I watched I couldn''t reconcile what I was seeing with what I knew of predators. What if the aurigans really were creatures of empathy?


    Every fiber of my being tried to refute the concept. Predators were evil! Predators killed your family!


    I collapsed into a prone position, weeping. Recel was right, I''d let my past control my thinking. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I was just projecting the arxur''s identity onto the mezari. I was seeing them as one and the same, because I needed someone to hate.


    The aurigans only attacked us because we wanted to exterminate them. And the moment the grays showed up they fought to protect my people from them. They rescued children first, the same children we abandoned. When they took me prisoner they didn''t even approach the colony, I only found that out later from Piri herself. Maybe Serz wasn''t lying, they just wanted a new home. And we greeted them with guns aimed at their heads.


    This had to change. Someone had to be better. I had to be better. "Zarn... Open a channel to the mezari." I ordered, barely able to form the words.


    "But they-"


    "Enough, Zarn! Unless you have some scientific evidence of their evil, I suggest you keep your trap shut! You saw the footage. They protected our people from the grays! Now it''s time we returned the favour!"


    With a deep sigh the takkan did as asked, and I moved my face towards the microphone.


    "This is Captain Sovlin of the Gojidi Union. We are here to help."

 Chapter 10

    Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet Command


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Heather 28, 1 AA


    <hr>


    "This is Captain Sovlin of the Gojidi Union. We are here to help." I spoke into the microphone, hoping there was someone on the other end who would accept my transmission. Meanwhile, Doctor Zarn stormed out of the bridge right there and then. He was more than free to abandon ship if he wanted, and fixing my shoulder cleared him of any debt to me.


    "This is Captain Rill Kata of the Aurigan Federacy. I really hope that''s not a mistranslation." Came the response.


    "No error, Captain. We came here to liberate our home from monsters, and that''s exactly what we''ll do. It just took me far too long to realize that you weren''t the monsters here."


    "Well, I''m glad to have any help you can provide, cause they''re kicking our asses here."


    "The underbellies of their ships are the least armored, try to aim your plasma weaponry at those. They''re also out of their cones of fire, so try your best to stay under them."


    "We figure out the latter part already, but thanks for the heads up on the armor. Oh, and Captain. It''s good to have reinforcements."


    "You can thank me if we survive this, mezari. Sovlin out."


    I then motioned for one of the bridge crew to replace Zarn at his former post. "You there, cadet. Open a fleet wide channel."


    The young gojid nodded and I took a deep breath, before addressing my ramshackled fleet.


    "Everyone here knows why we ignored Piri''s orders. We came here expecting to have to bombard an aurigan occupation off of the face of the Cradle, but by now I''m sure you''ve all picked up on the transmission coming from the surface. I won''t ask you to be in the same room as an aurigan, be it even one of the prey species. But I will ask you to trust me when I say that for now, they are not the enemy. As of this moment consider us at a ceasefire with them, until we can save our world from Arxur glassing. Sovlin out."


    Letting out a heavy sigh, I then ordered my bridge crew to advance on the enemy positions, use plasma railguns to hound the arxur, keep them distracted, give the aurigans time to pick them off.


    The grays were able to sneak smaller ships past the aurigans, but thankfully not enough of them to glass the planet were able to reach orbit. Hopefully we could prevent that from ever happening.


    The tide of battle began to turn with our arrival. No doubt seeing us working together with the aurigans left the arxur confused.


    Our ships moved in to sandwich the grays between our two fleets. While the aurigans were keeping them from reaching the planet below, we were pushing into their rear, unleashing plasma fire to weaken their shields, before launching missiles into their hulls.


    The two pronged attack forced some of the gray ships to turn to face us, which in turn opened them up from attacks by the aurigans. We didn''t need much communication with the newcomers to pull off the attacks. As soon as on of the gray ships had its back to us, we struck, merely co-ordinating among ourselves, while the aurians did the same whenever a gray ship faced us instead.


    As the battle grew tighter, we had managed to pull the arxur away from the Cradle itself, and the fighting moved out to the planet''s L2 point. Whittled down long enough, the arxur finally called a retreat at this point, and we made it our mission to shoot down as many catte ships as we could, even though they were most likely empty.


    "Sir, the aurigans are hailing us." My comms officer informed once the battle was done.


    "Put them through." I replied.


    "Well... We survived. So thank you." Kata''s voice cam through the comms.


    "We did... Now what do we do?"


    "Well, unless you''re still planning on exterminating us, I suggest we focus on tending to the wounded, and making sure there are no more arxur around on the surface."


    I gave a solemn nod, despite the lack of a video feed. "Alright, good. In the meantime I''ll try contacting Piri. Hopefully her bunker didn''t get bombed by one of the smaller bombers."


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    "Good. Oh, and Sovlin. You''re still wanted for attempted genocide. So unless you plan on turning yourself in, you might want to make yourself scarce once this is all over."


    "I take it you''re not going to arrest me yourself, then?"


    "Not my job. Plus, you saved my hide. So consider this to be me looking the other way."


    "Understood, Captain Kata. Sovlin out."


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Prime Minister Piri of the Gojidi Union


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 1, 1 AA


    <hr>


    When Sovlin contacted my bunker to inform me that he had come to rescue the Cradle occupation, I was angry. I''d told him that civilian casualties were not acceptable, that he couldn''t just come and bomb the Aurigans off our world. When he told me that he''d helped the Aurigans beat back the arxur, I was shocked. The same man that wanted to exterminate the newcomers was now working with them?


    When I asked what made him take such a big risk, he told me it was thanks to all the broadcasts of their bravery and kindness that I''d sent out in my public announcement. He said ''I was wrong about them, this is my chance to make it right.''


    And now I was sitting at a table across from Governor Tarva and the Aurigan leader, ready to formulate a formal peace agreement between the Gojidi Union and the Aurigan Federacy.


    News that the Aurigans abandoned their invasion in favor of defending us from the Arxur had swayed several species towards accepting the newcomers, at least temporarily. While about 10% of the Federation was still against them, well over a third were comfortable with a temporary alliance against the Arxur threat, and a dozen and a half races were willing to open full diplomatic channels.


    I personally required no more convincing in this manner. It was clear to me that we were mistaken about the strange aliens from a far off world.


    With cameras documenting every second of our diplomatic meeting, I felt it was best to show the galaxy that my change of heart was genuine.


    "Thank you for agreeing to oversee this meeting, Governor Tarva." I began, bowing my head lightly. "I trust you will be fair and impartial."


    The Venlil leader swished her tail in affirmation, looking between the Zolya and myself. "I hope so too, Prime Minister. I only wish to end this madness, so that we can focus on the true threat to us all."


    I then turned my attention to the mezari leader of the aurigans, who was staying quiet so far. "Let us begin then, shall we?"


    "Indeed. We should begin with the first matter at hand. The plot exterminate us. You were in charge of that, were you not?"


    I gulped nervously and nodded. "Yes, I signed off on the plan..."


    "Due to the utter failure of the plot, we are willing to drop the issue. But we request a defense agreement in return."


    "A defense agreement? But this conflict has taken a toll on both of our militaries."


    "Which is why now, more than ever, both of us need this." The mezari argued.


    I couldn''t exactly refute that fact, but I knew that it would be controversial to form an alliance with the newcomers, especially since the Krakotl were vehemently opposed to any species that deigned to work with them.


    I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment, before opening them again and letting out a deep sigh. "Very well. Genocide charges dropped in return for a defense agreement. What of the prisoners you took?"


    "They will be returned once the agreement is formalized."


    That eased a lot of my worries, since their return would prove to the galaxy that they were still alive, and their testimonies would be invaluable in proving that the newcomers weren''t like the Arxur.


    "Thank you. We have already lost too many people as it is."


    The mezari gave a solemn nod, before speaking again. "We also request open borders, so that our ships may fly freely in your space. The Zurulians already have given us the same. If the Gojids accept, we will be able to finally move, and trade, freely through the sector. Speaking of trade, I''m sure you know we signed a trade agreement with the Zurulians, and have already shared our technologies with the Venlil. We''re willing to do the same for the Gojids, in exchange for raw materials."


    "Raw materials such as?..."


    "Titanium-70 and ultradense deuterium are our most pressing needs, but we also require base matels, as well as silica glass and helium-3."


    For a moment I was worried it was something far more nefarious they would ask of me, like bones and hides, but I was relieved that for the most part it was just metals and gases. "Ok, I''ll have my people hash out the details of the trade."


    "Good. That''s all of our demands covered. Is there anything you''d like to add to the treaty?"


    "I''d like to request aid in rebuilding. While much of our infrastructure is still in place, the destruction of our military bases severely limits our defensive capabilities. It will be months before we''re back on our feet, even with help."


    "We''ll dedicate 20% of our manufacturing capacity towards helping you rebuid. Is that agreeable?"


    "Very. Thank you." I nodded, before turning my head to look at Tarva. "Do the Venlil people have any additions they would like to make to this agreement?"


    The Venlil leader swiveled her head to the other side upon being addressed, looking at me with her other eye. "Perhaps there is one. We would like for the Gojid to formally forfeit their military jurisdiction of Venlil space. We want to put our faith in the aurigans instead. Especially after you tried to bomb part of our planet."


    It pained me that we''d violated the sovereignty of the Venlil like that. I fully understood where Tarva was coming from, but I wasn''t sure relying solely on the newcomers was a good idea. "Are you sure? We could instead work together?"


    "The Venlil public are outraged still. Perhaps in time we will rescind that part of the agreement, but for now I would like to keep my constituents happy."


    I pawed at my forehead with a groan. "Very well, Governor. I accept. Venlil space is no longer under our military jurisdiction. I hope your safety is in good hands with the aurigans."


    And with that, the agreement was finalized, and we all signed off on it. Hopefully this new peace will last.

 Chapter 11

    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Federation Archivist


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 2, 1 AA


    <hr>


    My mission was simple on paper. Get into the Argosy, and grab one of the mezari for testing. Having the largest population of any of the aurigan species, it was a safe bet to start our cure trials with them before moving onto the others.


    For probably the first time in history we had to take specimens from an already civilized planet, rather than from some backwards hellhole. It was going to be a lot harder than usual too, as so very few of them were around, that missing people would be quickly noticed. So my best bet was to take one of the sleepers from the pods, someone whose absence wouldn''t be noticed so easily, nor so soon. We might even be able to return them later.


    It was nice to be outside for a change, walking under real sunlight, but the prospect of my mission was daunting. Being a venlil, it afforded me some modicum of freedom, and my falsified papers allowed me to blend in with the other workers that were setting up housing for the aurigans, but I still needed to secure, sedate, and somehow exfiltrate a specimen. The points of failure for my mission were many, and discretion was required.


    While mingling with the workers for a few weeks, I made sure to familiarize myself with the Argosy as best I could, either by eavesdropping on aurigans, sneaking around when nobody was looking, or accessing terminals I wasn''t supposed to. I had a decent plan of the ship now, and formulated a quick plan.


    First, I would steal the key card from one of the gauran guards. This would be the easy part. Then I would make my way to the cryo section by sneaking through the vents. There I would open one of the pods, and sedate the occupant. Then I just had to carry them on my shoulder and pretend that they were drunk. The sedative would hopefully simulate heavy inebriation. If anyone asked, I could say he drank a bottle of fermented grain syrup meant for venlil children, the perfect alibi for why he was so drunk.


    The hardest part was taking him all the way to my ship. That would require sneaking him away from prying eyes. Thankfully doing this when most of the aurigans slept would make it easier.


    "Ok, enough reviewing your plan, time to act." I mused to myself, before grabbing a bottle of booze and starting to approach a gauran, miming drunkenness.


    "Heeeey... big guy. Wanna come to my tent?" I slurred out and bumped into the large herbivore, my claws pawing at his chest. I quickly slipped his key card down against my wrist as I then leaned into him, pretending I was so drunk I fell into him while flirting.


    I carefully picked my target beforehand, making sure he was straight, and would reject my advances, and as predicted, he huffed and shook his head. "You''re drunk, little Venlil. Go home." The gauran then carefully helped me to my feet, while I slipped his card from one paw to the other, and then into my belt, all while acting woozy.


    "Pfft, fine. You don''t know- hyuk- You don''t know what you''re missing." I said in mock indignation, still wobbling side to side as I talked, before heading the other way, swishing my tail seductively as I raised the bottle. "I''m gonna go find some real men to party with!" I shouted back as I made a quick exit.


    Now that the card was in my possession, I just needed to sneak in past the guards. Getting a noisemaker drone out, I activated it and piloted it remotely to the other side of the loading ramp they were guarding, and set it to automatic mode. It flew around in random patterns, all the while making an odd beeping noise. If approached too closely, it was programmed to fly away and crash itself into the ocean.


    As expected, the guards went to investigate the beeping, and I was able to sneak up the ramp. Once inside I crawled into a duct that I knew led me to further into the ship, bypassing the corridor. The duct ended where a new section began, and this was where the key card came in hand.


    Making sure there was nobody in the hall, I got back out of the duct, and used it to open the door that divided the two sections. On the other side I crawled into another duct, and made my way deeper into the ship, until I finally reached the cryo bays.


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    Now though I needed to distract the other guards that were here, so I pulled out another one of the small drones, and flew it back to start of the section, where I''d crawled in. I then flew it forwards to the door to one of the cryobays, where the guards saw it, and immediately gave chase to the strange, metal insect.


    Setting the drone to evade mode, I let it run loose through the ship with the guards chasing it, while I slipped into the cryo bay.


    "Ok, let''s see... How do I work this thing?" I mumbled as I looked at the control for the cryopods. There were several rows lining the walls, each containing pods grouped in circular clusters of six, with a mechanical system in the center for pulling pods out of the wall. Down below was a pit full of coolant, which was being pumped through the backs of the pods, being constantly circulated through the system. No doubt there was some sort of cooling system under all the fluid, keeping the coolant, well, cool.


    Careful not to slip into the liquid beneath, I leaned over a balustrade, looking for pods that were still inhabited, and which looked like good subjects to take way.


    I spotted a young adult male in one of the pods that would likely be perfect, it looked to be a fit, healthy specimen. Moving back over o the controls, I examined the buttons one more time, before experimenting with the controls.


    Moving the mechanical device back and forth proved intuitive enough, and I was able to latch it onto the cluster of pods where my quarry lay. The mechanism moved the cluster of pods to the center and I tapped the controls for opening the pod I wanted.


    As soon as the pod opened, a fine cryonic vapor spilled out, which briefly obscured the mezari that was hidden inside. Before I could approach him though, an alarm started blaring, ''Biological contaminant detected! Biological contaminant detected! Biological contaminant detected!''


    Shit, was that me? I hoped that was me. No matter though, I was sure we could treat whatever was infecting the primitive. I quickly stabbed the side of his neck with the tranquilizer that would make him a sluggish mess, before moving in to brace him so he wouldn''t fall face first into the metal floor.


    I had to move quickly if I wanted to get out of here in one piece, so there was no time to reset the pods. As soon as I had my target I started to book it, awkwardly dragging him with me as he slowly woke up.


    "Whrr- wht." The mezari tried to speak as I came face to face to the cryobay guards coming back from their wild drone chase.


    "Heeyy, guys. Don''t mind us. My buddy here''s had too much to drink. Got into the venlil soft drinks, yanno? He was walking around really shit faced like. I think some critter got into your ship by the way, saw something flying around earlier." As I spoke, the mezari on my shoulder tried to communicate, but could only form random noises, and it flopped an arm up in a desperate gesture.


    Internally I cursed that alarm, and hoped that they wouldn''t see through my ruse. My hand was clasped around my tranq gun just in case.


    "I''ll take him to the medbay, this is a restricted area. My friend here will show you out." one of the guards said, starting to get closer.


    I sighed and quickly drew the tranq gun from my belt, moving the unconscious mezari in front of myself to cover most of my body with his own. The first guard obscured the other''s sight of me, and allowed me to shoot him without his comrade noticing until he was already falling to his knees. I then shot the other one as he was charging at me, causing him to fall face first onto his comrade.


    I hated field work. So much. I sighed and recovered the spent darts from the guards, who were laid flat by the potent chemical cocktail, and continued to make my way out of the cryo section.


    I didn''t want to risk a clash with the guards at the loading bay, so I instead made my way up to one of docking and berthing hatches instead. Opening the hatch to the cool air sent a shiver down my spine and my fur stood on end. I then pulled the command pad for my shuttle out of one of my belt satchels, and summoned it to the hatch.


    The anti-detection systems on the ship, combined with the fact most of the aurigans were sleeping, would hopefully prevent us from being noticed.


    After my shuttle docked with the Argosy, I pushed the unconscious mezari inside, before crawling in myself. Setting the autopilot for Talsk, I got to work hooking up the mezari to the on board cryopod we used for retrieved specimens. This would keep him nice and easy to manage all the way back to the archives.


    While I was hooking the beast into the machine, my paw was stung by a large thorn that had been embedded in its jacket. I cursed out loudly and pulled the thing from my hand. It had drawn blood, and so I poured some alcohol on it to disinfect the wound.


    That must''ve been the biological contamination that the Mezari computer was talking about. I really really hoped it wasn''t carrying some alien plague. No matter, I''d get a full check up and bloodwork at the archives once we got there.


    Settling into the pilot chair, I closed my eyes and decided to drift off to sleep, my thoughts consumed by dreams.


    I dreamt of great wonders, deep below the earth, towering arches covered in glowing structures.


    I dreamt of great beasts slumbering for untold aeons, awaiting the time to awaken.


    I dreamt of lightning and ruin, and the stench of burned soil.


    I dreamt of vines, and voices, gnawing at my mind.


    Their whispers filled my thoughts. Incomprehensible, at first, but growing louder and more clearer by the minute.


    "The Mages."


    "Make them pay."


    "Avenge us."


    "I am the First of the Bloodline."


    "The Vaulters."


    "One of them."


    "Preserve."


    "Endure."

 Chapter 12

    Memory transcription subject: Serz Kersho, Vaulter Seeker


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 3, 1 AA


    <hr>


    In my time on Aafa, Recel had been cleared of any charges by the Kolshian Commonwealth, and got himself appointed as a military liaison to the Aurigan Federacy, while Chauson had himself assaulted by anti-predator extremists. All in all the trip felt like a very mixed bag, which produced more doubts than it did results.


    Tarva had to leave early when news arrived of the Cradle''s condition. It seemed that the Arxur tried to profit from our conflict, and take the Gojid Homeworld as a hunting prize, but an impromptu moment of co-operation between the angry hedgehog and Kata had saved the planet from glassing.


    When she left, the governor left Chauson in charge of me, which is probably why he got into trouble, for all intents and purposes I was now his responsibility, and many aliens saw that as a betrayal of their Federations'' principles.


    Seeing as Tarva took our Faering for her trip back to Venlil Prime, I was stuck flying in a federation vessel with Chauson, and half of diplomats from the species that agreed to open relationships with the Federacy, while Recel was in another shuttle with the other half. Chauson and I were ferrying the Yotul, Mazic, Dossur, and Nevok representatives, while Recel was flying with the Sivkit, Paltan, Thafki, and Fissan representatives. The Takkan representative never made it in time, so they were left behind on Aafa.


    Since our ships used space-time folding for travel and communications, Piri was able to deliver the news of the Cradle''s fate the day it happened, and Tarva was back in Venlil space by the end of the same day thanks to our Faering''s fold drive.


    But the Federation ship I was stuck on was using their own subspace tech instead, which made travel far slower. We were still days out from Venlil space, and I was trying to entertain the occupants with some of our music.


    I was halfway through the ballad of endless dust when the ship rattled violently. This wasn''t the first time the ship rattled during our journey, and I was starting to grow suspicious that something was wrong.


    The rattling made me stop my singing, and the Mazic President, previously enraptured by it, was suddenly looking at me with either confusion or concern. "Why did you stop? It was a beautiful, if sad, ballad."


    "Is that rattling normal? It''s been getting worse since the first time it happened." I mused out loud, looking at the Mazic from under my helmet.


    The Yotul representative then raised his paw up like a school child wanting to answer the teacher. "It sounds like it''s coming from the cooling shaft. We should run a diagnostic."


    "As if you''d know the difference between a cooling shaft and a sailboat''s mast." The Nevok ambassador scoffed. "You uplifts barely just invented the printing press."


    "And my people went from carts to Faerings in a mere thirty years. Your point?" I felt the need to retort, keeping my voice calm and cool.


    The Nevok seemed to grow nervous, "W-well, it''s different! They were given their technology!"


    "So were most Federation species, no? As far as I know, the three founding species were the only ones to invent FTL travel on their own, correct?"


    "Correct..." The Nevok answered meekly.


    "Ok, good. Now that we''ve established you''re all equally uplifts, let''s make sure our shuttle isn''t slowly falling apart."


    The Yotul ambassador stared at me in awe for a moment, and I gave him a small nod as I made my way over to Chauson in silence.


    "Alright, let''s do a diagnostic. Hopefully everything''s fine." I said in a quiet tone, not wanting anyone to overhear.


    "I thought you said worrying is pointless." Chauson replied with a small hint of amusement.


    "Do not confused worry with suspicion. Also, that''s for situations outside of your control."


    Chauson mused my words over and gave a small nod, before opening the troubleshooting interface on the ship. It took several seconds to complete the scan, before a small diagram of the shuttle popped to life. It then zoomed in on the underbelly of the ship, where it showed a coolant pipe flashing in bright red.


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    "So, Laulo was right..." I mused softly, causing Chauson to look back at me.


    "Do you think he did it?" The zurulian sounded worried, and I resisted the urge to pat him on the head.


    "No, I think he''s scared. Can you fix it?"


    "I should be able to, but we need to exit subspace for that. And I need to exit the ship."


    "Well, then do it. We don''t need the ship overheating with us inside. I''ll keep an eye on the others while you fix it. Can we contact Recel''s ship?"


    The zurulian shook his head. "No, we can''t. We''d need to be in real space together for that."


    I sighed softly. "Ok, I have an idea, I''ll try it while you suit up."


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Recel, Kolshian Liaison


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 3, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The shuttle ride had been rather boring so far, with the representatives on board all doing nothing but speculating and gossiping about the Aurigans, as well as the fate of the Cradle. Most of it was about what the other races were saying. Apparently the Krakotl thought the whole thing was a conspiracy designed to make the Aurigans look good. As if the Arxur would willing let themselves be defeated at great loss of lives and ships.


    I was trying to do a word puzzle in a magazine when suddenly a golden glow began floating up from my skin, and I screamed like a child as Serz''s face appeared in the glow.


    "Mother of- Calm down. It''s just Dust." The apparition said, but it was too late, all the other ambassadors were now in the cockpit with me, staring at the face as well


    "Y-you can all see that, right? Not just me?" I pointed to the floating face with a tentacle, while my head turned to look at the onlookers.


    The Sivkit ambassador fainted at the sight, which was more than enough confirmation in my mind that I wasn''t going crazy.


    "Yes, they can see me. Listen. We have a coolant leak, we need to stop for repairs. Has your ship been rattling since we left Aafa?" The apparition asked, and I gave an awkward nod, while the representatives on board looked to each other, whispering conspiratorially.


    "How did he know?"


    "Wait, are we also leaking coolant?"


    "Were we sabotaged?"


    The apparition made the sound of throat clearing, before giving me a very serious look. "Ok, so that confirms my suspicions. Do a diagnostic scan, someone''s definitely cut the coolant pipes on both our shuttles. We''ll pull into real space for repairs, and I suggest you do the same. We can talk properly then. Now if you''ll excuse me, I need to rest."


    The apparition then vanished, the golden dust losing its glow and becoming invisible once for, and for a brief moment I swore I saw a white cube out of the viewport on the shuttle, right behind where Serz''s face had been. But then when I blinked, it was gone.


    "R-right, diagnostic, diagnostic..." I mumbled as I went over to the ship''s console, punching in a few commands. As predicted, we were leaking coolant, and failure to fix it would cause our subspace drive to overheat.


    "Someone look after Axsely, I''m going to pull us into real space. Hopefully we can fix the leak quickly."


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Serz Kersho, Vaulter Seeker


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 4, 1 AA


    <hr>


    "I highly doubt it was someone on board." I spoke into the ship''s comms, Recel making a thoughtful noise on the other side.


    The repairs had taken hours, but we were able to fix both ships around the same time. Chauson took care of our coolant leak, while Recel took care of his. Now it was just time to figure out who did it.


    "But you said Laulo seemed to know exactly where to look?" The Kolshian responded, not trying to be accusatory, by the sound of it, but suspicious nonetheless.


    "I think he saw something, but is too scared to say anything. None of the other representatives come across as martyrs, I don''t think whoever cut the coolant is on either ship. Though the absence of the Takkan makes me suspect-"


    "The Takkan ambassador is dead..." Came a small voice from behind me, and I turned around to see Laulo. "I''m sorry I didn''t say anything, but I saw everything. The Takkan ambassador tried to stop the sabotage, and they killed him."


    Recel gasped while I did my best to not get angry, instead getting down on one knee to face the Yotul. "Who killed him?"


    "It was the Kolshias, the same officers that filled the ships with supplies also cut the coolant lines."


    "And they killed the Takkan ambassador?"


    "Yes, they shot him for trying to intervene. I was hiding... I didn''t want to end up like him. So I didn''t say anything."


    Recel seemed too stunned to speak, so I turned my attention back towards the comm. "Recel, do you think that''s why you were pardoned? Just so you could vanish with the rest of them?"


    "B-But... Why would Chief Nikonus do that?" The kolshian''s voice sounded weak, defeated. He was probably running through a million anxieties in his head.


    "Maybe he doesn''t truly want to work with the Aurigans. Pretend to be our friend, then make us look like we killed the diplomats sent our way, so that they can say we betrayed their trust?"


    "That''s... possible. It would explain why he never sent a real diplomat, just disgraced little Recel." The Kolshian sighed deeply, and I could hear the air whistling through his siphons.


    "Well, this is our chance to prove him wrong, both about yourself, and about my people. So let''s get these diplomats to VP, before another incident occurs." I said to Recel, and the Kolshian gave me an affirmative noise, before cutting the call.


    "Oh, and Laulo." I turned to the Yotul, and he seemed conflicted on whether he should be scared or not. "Good job. But maybe don''t wait until we''ve nearly blown up before informing us." I patted the little guy on the shoulder, before heading out of the cockpit to grab Chauson. We had a diplomatic delegation to deliver, after all.

 Chapter 13

    Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet Command


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 6, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The cleanup and rebuilding of the Cradle was a massive undertaking. Not many planets survived an Arxur raid, let alone capital worlds. If not for the Aurigans, my home''s surface would''ve been reduced to nothing but glass and rubble.


    Our first course of action was to clean up the corpses of the fallen. The Aurigans offered to help but too many members of the public were still distrusting of the newcomers, and assumed it was a ploy to feed on our dead. Despite their best assurances, it was decided that they could instead help with the rebuilding effort.


    Hundreds of aurigan workers were currently being ferried over to the Cradle to begin rebuilding our military bases, and I was put in charge of overseeing the operation. I wasn''t sure how to feel about being grounded for a while, but being entrusted with the rebuilding of our military was definitely an honor, that much I couldn''t deny.


    In exchange for their labor, we were to provide the aurigans with shipments of food, to ease their reliance on the venlil. With the hit our population took, we now had an excess of perishable goods, so in the end it worked out in our favor.


    However, a snag soon developed in our plant. Many of the volunteers were drakken, which were a predator race that couldn''t eat plants, so they had to bring stocks of meat with them. This was causing a diplomatic incident, with many of the gojid workers protesting against it.


    "For the last time, we are not allowing the flesh eaters in our ranks!" One of the protest leaders shouted across from the other side of the table. "A military alliance is one thing, but to live next to them for weeks is madness! What if they contaminates our food with predator particles!"


    "What if someone has an accident and they go feral at the sight of blood?" Another one shouted, getting affirmative grunts from everyone else.


    I groaned and took a deep breath, while the protest''s representatives were busy throwing around speculation. "If you''d reviewed the footage from last month''s battles, you''d know that the aurigans don''t eat corpses, in fact, the sight and smell of blood doesn''t cause any special reaction from them. If you really paid attention, you''d know that most of them were outright disgusted by seeing our dead piled up in the streets. This is the same argument that was thrown around when they offered to help us gather our dead. We''re just arguing in circles again."


    "But how do you know they won''t turn on us once their bellies are empty? We only saw them when they were sated!" Came the reply, and I wanted to claw my own spines out.


    "If I may." A new voice interjected, a mezari wearing a large cape, with a tuft of orange fur peaking out from under his helmet, walked into the meeting room.


    "And you are? Are you supposed to be here?" I asked, more confused than anything, while the protesters''s spokesmen seemed to grow worried instead.


    "My name is Raudd Klapatch. I''m an ecologist, and was one of the leaders of the original aurigan occupation of the Cradle. Prime Minister Piri assigned me to sort this mess out and explain why nobody is going to be eating anyone."


    The protestors murmured amongst themselves while I mulled over the mezari''s words. I wasn''t sure what a mezari ecologist could say that would convince them, but if anyone knew what aurigan species were like, it was him.


    "May I sit?" He then inquired, and I motioned for one of the empty sits between myself and the protesters. He bowed his head to me, before sitting down.


    "Now, I''m sure you have many concerns about the drakken, especially since they''re of a reptilian appearance. I''m more than happy to answer your questions, both about them and any other aurigan species in our alliance."


    The protesters spoke in hush whispers amongst themselves, before one was nudged by the others to speak up.


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    "Wh- We- Why do predators choose to eat meat?" He then finally spoke up. I was sure he was feeling like he was being thrown to the wolves.


    "How do I explain this?" The mezari began to muse, thinking for a moment. "Nothing chooses to be a predator or prey, certain species can only survive on plants, other species can only survive on meat. They did not choose to be born that way." Raudd''s explanation began. His words gave me pause. We learned all our lives that predators were failures of evolution, why was he being so nonchalant about it?


    "But predators are naturally inclined to violence and drawn to blood!" One of the protesters retorted.


    "Violence is an evolved response to threats, a survival strategy. Plant eaters in the wild also become violent when threatened. But I suppose you wouldn''t know that. As far as I can tell you''ve exterminated any animal that wasn''t placid."


    "Don''t be silly, mezari. Violence is an evolved trait of predators." I retorted, feeling insulted at the suggestion that a prey animal could be violent.


    "All animals in nature compete in some fashion, for food, for mates, for territory. Those that come from harsher environments outright fight for those things, because to ensure that one''s own bloodlines is what continues into the next generation is the only goal of evolution. That''s what drives all life. Violence is just a means to an end."


    "Nonsense, prey species evolved through co-operation, not violence! We work together to ensure the survival of the group over the individual!"


    "You''re telling me you''ve never fought wars over resources? Over territory? That you''ve lived in paradise all your evolution, where you''ve never had shortages or wants?"


    The question too me aback for a moment. Yes, prey species had fought wars over resources, and territory, but it wasn''t the same thing! We didn''t fight to inflict suffering on others! We didn''t! But then again, neither did the Aurigans. When they saw the aftermaths of stampedes they were disgusted at our suffering, rather than reveling in it, and they never attacked our cities or survival bunkers.


    "Of course we''ve had shortages and wants!" One of the protesters responded, incensed at the mezari''s words. "But we don''t survive through inflicting suffering!"


    "Do I need to remind you of the exterminators and how they burn animals alive? How is that not inflicting suffering? Or are you suggesting that predators don''t feel pain?"


    Raudd''s words reminded me of the venlil empathy tests. Most of the aurigans reacted to the footage of arxur atrocities the same way they reacted to pain. While others were filled with rage, wanting nothing more than to rip the arxur apart. But some of them, some of them completely broke down, weeping, remembering loved ones lost to the Necrophage or other horrors.


    "Enough! Predators or not, the aurigans have the same emotional responses as us. The venlil already established this. If you have any more doubts I suggest you review the experiments yourselves." I interrupted, before clearing my throat. "Instead of retreading on ground thaat''s been already covered, I say you ask something else."


    The protesters went silent for a moment, before their ''spokesman'' got nudged again by another one of the representatives there.


    "R-right. So the drakken won''t go crazy at the sight of blood, or try to eat anyone. As established by the venlil experiments. But must they really bring rotting carcasses into our camps? People would be sick from the smell alone! And we''d have to ensure they don''t contaminate anything with their pestilence!"


    "Rotting carcasses? Very few things eat rotting food, and I can assure you that the drakken are not bringing carcasses with them, rotting or otherwise. Their rations are in the form of cured meats, salted or smoked, that have been carefully preserved." I wondered just how much of that was true, or if it was all just a lie meant to reassure the representatives here. I didn''t want to doubt the mezari''s words, but part of me still imagined the brutal feeding habits of the arxur when thinking of predator food.


    "So t-they are bringing dead flesh into the camp?" the protester reiterated.


    "Yes, but I assure you, there will be no decay or disease involved. This might surprise you, but rotting flesh is toxic to most predators to consume, and the ones that do evolve to consume it are usually too weak to hunt for themselves, like certain vultures back on Auriga."


    "What''s a vulture?"


    "Nevermind that. Do you have any more questions on the subject of predators? Ones that aren''t accusations of cruelty?"


    "I do." I interjected again. "If predators on your world aren''t innately cruel, are you sure that''s not just an outlier? Are you sure your planet wasn''t just a cosmic fluke?"


    "I honestly don''t know, Sovlin. Perhaps some day I will have an answer for you, but until then, I am only confident to talk about the species I am familiar with. The species from Auriga." The mezari adjusted his cape a little as it draped over the side of the chair, before looking at the assembled protesters. "Do you gentlemen have any question?"


    The workers looked at each other and whispered amongst themselves for a few moments, until their chosen figurehead spoke again.


    "How do... how will they store their food then? We don''t want it to contaminate our own supplies."


    "What do you mean contaminate?"


    "Well, everyone knows that corpses eaten by predators are contaminated with their predator particles, and cause predator disease!"


    The mezari paused for a moment, and while I didn''t see his face, I could hear a very faint groan.


    "What is predator disease?..." He asked, sounding almost afraid to do so.


    That... was going to take a while to explain.

 Chapter 14

    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 6, 1 AA


    <hr>


    In just a few short months the aurigans went from being attacked by the Gojidi Union to their saviors, but with every victory seemed to come a massive setback. Serz had just returned from Aafa with the representatives from the species which wanted formal relations with the Federacy, which was initially a great step forward, only for the news of the Kolshian betrayal to slap me in the face like a sack full of grain.


    We would need to test for evidence at a later date, but for now we had to deal with the ambassadors and representatives from ten species, plus Recel. Though the latter was clearly distraught about the whole situation, and had retired to his assigned quarters as soon as the delegation arrived.


    "Are you sure you saw the Kolshians sabotage our ships?" Cupo asked Laulo with great indignation, sounding angry at the very notion that they would do that. I did not blame him. If it was true, then it meant the Kolshians had tried to assassinate not just diplomats, but the Mazic President himself.


    "Y-Yes? I know what I saw! I''m neither blind nor stupid!" The Yotul ambassador replied.


    "Are you sure about that?" Tossa, the Nevok ambassador snorted out, and I shot her a glare with my left eye.


    "We will check the subspace drives for DNA evidence later. For now we should focus on the issue at hand." I interjected. "The opening of diplomatic channels with the Aurigans."


    "I-I agree. We should... probably stop fighting. And let the investigation deal with this." The Sivkit ambassador finally spoke up, her voice low and meek. She clearly had a hard time dealing with the situation, especially with all the shouting.


    "Speaking of the Aurigans. Where are they? We''ve been waiting in this meeting room for half an hour already." The Mazic President spoke up again, tossing his trunk left to right in frustration.


    "Maybe the Nevok offer to scrap the Argosy for parts offended them so much they cancelled the meeting." The Fissan ambassador responded with amusement.


    "Oh please, if anything offended them it was your attempt to trade sub-par micro electronics for their recycling technology!" Tossa retorted, elicing a groan from both Cupo and Laulo.


    "They''re not sub-par, they''re affordable! There''s a difference!" The Fissan shot back.


    "Affordable? You mean cheap?" Tossa once more retorted.


    The squabble was mercifully interrupted by the door to the meeting room opening, revealing a black-haired mezari wearing a small shoulder cape, with Recel in tow. The Mezari''s arms and face were tattoo''d with lines, and her head fur was trimmed into a short bob that reminded me of the way birds'' wings wrapped around their bodies.


    "Apologies for the wait, we had to deal with an internal security issue." The Mezari began, gesturing lightly with her hands, in which she had a data pad and a stylus. "My name is Petrov Jutka, though you may call me Jutka. As of today I am the official civil governor of the Aurigans here on Venlil Prime, and currently the only Senator of the Federacy. It is my job to ensure my people''s interests are respected in the coming negotiations."


    "No need to introduce yourselves, I''ve already been briefed on who is who." Jutka then added, before sitting down at the table inbetween myself and Laulo. Recel stayed quiet throughout the governor''s introduction, and sheepishly sat next to her. I noticed he looked like he''d been crying, but decided not to push it. No doubt he had been distraught over the news of his people''s attempt on his life, and had to be convinced to actually come out of his room for these meetings.


    "I assumed Serz would be the one representing your people. Why is he not part of these proceedings?" Cupo tutted.


    "Serz is touring Venlil Prime over the next few days, as a show of good faith, along with representatives from the Allayi and Gaurans." I interjected. "He''s been invited to several galas and forums as a speaker, so it seemed good to organize a formal tour so that he may attend."


    "Oh- That was fast." Tossa spoke up.


    "It was all discussed before we left for Aafa, and the plans were formalized while we were away." I explained.


    "Indeed, Kersho is busy at the moment, so I am representing the guilds and families for the duration of his tour." Jutka spoke again, before pulling up some information on her holopad.


    "Guilds?" Laulo asked, perking up at the word. If any of the Federation diplomats here knew what a guild was it was probably him.


    "Yes, guilds. Our economy is driven by a collection of seventeen guilds, representing the interests of everyone from dustmen and alchemists to weavers and miners. Trade with the Federacy means trade with the guilds. The guilds are the ones who procure materials and produce goods, under guild laws and to guild standards. The monarchy, the guilds, and the great families form the Federacy''s political base."


    "So we have to deal with over a dozen guilds for trading rights?!" The Fissan ambassador asked in shock, throwing his head back.


    "The guilds have already compiled a list of what they''re willing to trade, and what they require, if you wish to capitalize on any of their offers or requests then yes, you''ll have to deal with them."


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    The Fissan and Nevok both seemed distraught at the idea of having to deal with so many individual predators just to trade with the Federacy, and Laulo snuck in a small snicker at their distress.


    After a brief moment of silence, Jutka spoke up again. "Right... With that out of the way, we should begin the actual meeting. Who would like to put forth a basic proposal?"


    "I would!" Laulo spoke out with enthusiasm. "I mean, the Yotul people would. We would like to offer our resources and labor in exchange for spacecraft. We don''t yet have the industrial base to build our own fleets, and nobody in the Federation can just print out ships like the Aurigans can."


    "That is more than acceptable, ambassador Laulo. We are in need of workers to build up our infrastructure, as well as to help the Gojidi Union rebuild as part of our agreement."


    "Really, you''re giving the primitives ships? They''ve barely been inducted into the Federation! They don''t know how to fly yet!" Tossa protested, eliciting a cough from Jutka.


    "Neither did we before we left Auriga, but we''ve been able to effectively apply underwater experience principles to space, and our people are quick learners. I''m sure the Yotul will do just as well at picking them up. If you stop trying to dissuade them from it, at least."


    "U-Underwater experience? Your people have waded into the depths? Where nothing but predators live?" The Mazic asked, his shock shared by everyone there, even Axsely was drawn out of her quietness by the thought, gasping in horror.


    "...Yes, we''ve ''waded into the depths'' with specialized vehicles that can submerge and surface as we please. You''ve never explored your oceans?" The mezari ambassador seemed as shocked by the idea of not exploring the oceans as we were by the idea of exploring them. The oceans were filled with large predators, which feasted on smaller predators, which feasted on even smaller predators, and only at the microscopic scale could one find herbivores in there.


    "Not even your people?" She then asked Recel, raising a brow in befuddlement.


    The sudden question snapped Recel out of his own thoughts, and he looked up at Jutka with a drawn out "Uhh..." He then took a deep breath. "No, no, we didn''t. While our ancestors were likely aquatic, they left the ocean long before we evolved. We''re as terrestrial as everyone else."


    "N-Not everyone else." The Thakfi ambassador spoke up. "The Thakfi are equally comfortable in water as we are on land. Our communities are the only ones that build swimming pools."


    The Mezari governor took a moment to look through the datapad she had on her, letting out a thoughtful noise before responding. "I see in my notes that your homeworld was lost to the Arxur. Did you ever explore its oceans?"


    "N-No, of course not. Oceans are dangerous! Everyone knows that!" The Thakfi shook her head at the suggestion, and Jutka once again let out a thoughtful noise.


    "I see, thank you for clarifying. Let us get back to the proceedings, shall we?" Jutka responded, before looking at the Mazic President. "We have a proposal of our own we''d like to put forwards. To the Mazic Presidium. If I may."


    Cupo was surprised, if briefly, by the Mezari wanting something specifically of his people, but he gave a confirmative gesture with his trunk and responded that "Of course, go on."


    "Your larger size means that you require vastly more food and space than other species. And this has led to both your farms and spaceships being the most massive in the Federation. Correct?"


    "Yes, that is true... What are you getting at, Governor Petrov?"


    "We would like to trade you automatic worker drones, up front, in exchange for future surplus. The drones would allow you to speed up production in both agricultural and industrial fields, which means you''ll get higher yields and faster construction for the same amount of work. It would also allow you to cut down on expenses since the drones can work uninterrupted and for free."


    "Automatic drones? That sound too good to be true! And who would maintain these drones?" Cupo asked, his tone seemed interested, but cautious.


    "They operate on Dust, making them self maintaining. Dust powered technology can last for thousands of years with little to no breakdown."


    "What is Dust? I''ve heard Serz sing about it, but that''s all I know." The Mazic asked, and I realized that the ambassadors hadn''t been briefed on the Mezari''s use of Dust yet.


    "It''s an ancient nanomachine that could be found everywhere on Auriga, and much of our technology and medicine relies on its use. We will send each of you a comprehensive data packet on it later."


    "And you don''t just directly trade us this ''miracle nanobot'' why?" Cupo asked, sounding a bit offended.


    "Because working with Dust is dangerous, it needs specific training to handle safely. And while it''s self-replicating, we don''t have much of it. So we''re trying to use it sparingly."


    "How do we know it''s even real then?" The Nevok representative asked.


    "Oh, it''s real." Recel interjected, and all the ambassadors that were on his shuttle gave some gesture of affirmation. "I saw it with my own eyes. The Mezari ambassador used his mind to reach out to the dust on my body, and used it to create the shape of his face, and it spoke words too! Everyone on the shuttle saw it!"


    "Because he screamed like a child." The Fissan added.


    "W-we rushed in... and it was a face, of gold, glowing. I-I fainted." Axsely spoke up meekly.


    "Yes, it''s very real, but for now limited, and we''d need to teach others how to handle it so as not to die a horrific death. Don''t worry, Dust technology is safe to use, it is raw Dust that is dangerous. So the drones are perfectly safe to use." Jutka brought the conversation back on track.


    Cupo thought about it for a moment, before finally giving an agreeable sign with his trunk. "I''ll require a demonstration of these drones first, then we shall see."


    "More than acceptable. We will give you a demonstration first thing tomorrow." Jutka said, sounding more sure of herself than before this point.


    All in all the first day of negotiations went well. Recel stayed mostly quiet, and I wasn''t sure how he would do his job at all in the coming months, seeing as his own people tried to assassinate him. So communications between them and the Aurigan were likely never going to happen.


    The Dossur representative offered technical support to the Aurigans, trying to work with them on integrating our two very different technological bases together, and in exchange they wanted the Aurigan''s protection.


    The Fissan and Nevok representatives spent most of the talks interjecting, and then ending up trying to outdo each other in some fashion. The Thafki and Takkan didn''t have anything to offer, they pretty much just swore to give any aid they could to the Aurigan in the war effort against the Arxur.


    Chauson waited till the end of the meeting to put forth a proposal, since he''d already convinced the Prime Minister to broker a trade deal with the Aurigans while I was still on Aafa. He proposed a medical exchange program between the Zurulians and the Aurigans, mostly intended to teach the Federation and the Federacy about each other''s species. It was going to take the form of a series of lectures, and direct exchanges of data, before hopefully upgrading to co-operative research projects.


    And finally, the Paltan ambassador. He was mostly there to observe, and didn''t put forward any proposal. The distance between Venlil Prime and the Paltan Combine made any potential trade agreement slow and ponderous, so he wanted to talk with the Guilds first and ensure that whatever trade deals were struck, they would be worth the time and effort.

 Chapter 15

    Memory transcription subject: Ilona Zolya, the First of the Bloodline


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 7, 1 AA


    <hr>


    My kin, so used to scientific supremacy, are more backward than the other species in this galaxy. We must grow in leaps and bounds if we are to hold our own against the Federation''s zealots.


    Thankfully, we are not doomed to face the future by ourselves, as the Venlil have proved themselves eager, if befuddled, allies, and the success in keeping the Cradle from falling into Arxur hands has left us in the good graces of the Gojids, and earned us positive influence with ten other races.


    However, the battle for the Cradle has claimed most of our fleet. In two days we lost what took us nearly two months to build, and most of our resources are now gone with it. Extraction rights on VP and trade with the Gojid and the Yotul should hopefully help us recuperate, but I don''t know if it will be enough and in time.


    The news of the Kolshians'' assassination attempt proved that the Federation was out to get us. The DNA evidence showed that both ships'' coolant pipes had indeed been tampered with by members of the squid-like race. So we knew the means, but we lacked the motive. They clearly wanted to frame us for the disappearance of the ambassadors, turn the Federation even more against us, but what did they have to gain? Was this just a result of their irrational fear? Or was it something more?


    So much of the way the Federation saw the world gave us pause. Perhaps we Aurigans were the outliers, and the rest of the galaxy really operates on different paradigms. But we are a meticulous, empirical lot, so we will not rest until we have falsifiable answers.


    Taking a step back from my own thoughts, I looked up from the star map that was being projected over my desk, at which I''d been staring for the past few minutes. It was a map of known space, compiled by the Federation, and showed both the extent of each race''s colonization, as well as which areas saw the most Arxur activity.


    I then dismissed the hologram and looked between Raudd, Jutka, and Kata, who were here as my advisors. "So, what do you have for me?" I asked, motioning for Raudd to speak first.


    "Well, as far as I can tell the Federation has no concept of ecology. They think carnivores are innately evil and violent creatures, and that any violent animal is automatically a predator, even if it''s not. They torch every animal they find that isn''t docile or frightful, and think that this is cleansing the ecosystem, rather than damaging beyond repair. And they think that mental illness is caused by ''predator particles'' in blood and saliva." The ginger shook his head in disbelief, a tired look on his face. "If I didn''t know better I''d say they''re all stupid, but we know that''s not the case."


    "If I may add to this." Jutka interjected, and I gave her the go-ahead to do so. "During yesterday''s negotiations, every species present reacted in horror at the thought of bathyspheres, and oceans in general, even the ones with aquatic ancestors. Everyone agreed that oceans were full of nothing but dangerous predators, and should be avoided at all cost. When I asked Tarva about Federation naval history, she said that no Federation species dared go onto the water, but when I asked Laulo, the Yotul, he informed me that his peopled had shipyards before the Federation ''uplifted'' them, but that they had been destroyed by the Federation and replaced with flying shuttles instead, along with... well, every other part of their transport infrastructure."


    "So we have a Federation of herbivore species that knows nothing about the natural order of life, is unusually afraid of water, and intentionally keeps new members from further developing their naval technology." I mused, leaning back into my chair.


    "During the debacle on the Cradle over the Drakken workers, Sovlin, that Gojid captain, said something that made me think. He asked me how I was sure that Auriga''s ecology wasn''t the odd one out. Knowing the Yotul were recently uplifted, I decided to ask Laulo all I could about their ecology, and their relationship with predators. He told me that they didn''t really fear predators, and that attacks were rare. And more interestingly he said that they used to keep small carnivores as varmint killers to protect their crops, but the Federation had them exterminated along with the rest of the ''predators'' on their homeworld, despite them never having been a threat to the Yotul." Raudd added.


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    "So they ignored the Yotul''s own experience with carnivores, and pushed their own narrative on them."


    "Seems so, yes."


    "There''s also the issue of Gojid children. Almost all Gojid children we rescued from stampede zones during the attack were quick to trust us and calm down, they didn''t display the same fear towards predators that the adults did."


    "You know what smells rotten to me?" Kata finally spoke up. "The Arxur and the Federation have been at war for centuries, but no side has won. There''s no arms race, no evolution, it''s a technological stalemate, despite centuries of fighting, and dozens of new species being inducted into the Federation. There''s no way the Arxur have a numerical advantage either, logistically they can''t, since the Federation species are their source of food, so their numbers are what limits the Arxur''s numbers. By now the Federation should''ve won if they really applied themselves."


    "So. The Federation have a numerical advantage, but their fear of predators makes them terrible fighters. The fear of predators seems to be manufactured, if the Yotul are anything to go by. And they have unreasonable expectations and fears about predators, including that they cause mental illness and that the ocean is one giant abyss of death."


    "To be fair, Auriga''s ocean was pretty deadly." Raudd interjected.


    "Only because of the Endless experiments." Kata retorted.


    "Anyways. Moving on from that. What do we know about our mysterious kidnapper?" I turned the Hologram display back on, showing a lifesign sneaking through the vents, breaking into the cryobay, and then leaving through a berthing hatch. "The guards we found unconscious in the corridor don''t remember anything, but the guards outside saw a drunk venlil stumbling about before one of them mysteriously lost his key card. The same guard that our drunk venlil tried to flirt with."


    "Well, we know it''s probably not Tarva. When I mentioned we had an internal security issue, she didn''t even flinch, and didn''t act suspicious in any way throughout the meeting. None of the other representatives reacted either. So I''m assuming he wasn''t employed by any of them." Jutka explained.


    "My money''s on the Kolshians. After they tried to explode the delegation, I wouldn''t put kidnapping past them." Kata responded.


    "But why take a random person from cryosleep? An officer would be a more valuable target." Jutka said in return.


    "Maybe they thought an officer would be too hard to kidnap? But that doesn''t explain why they''d bother kidnapping a rank and file grunt instead. Again, he''s not a valuable target to them, the boy doesn''t even know we survived Auriga." Raudd spoke up, and it gave me an idea.


    "Maybe that''s why he''s valuable." I said, and the others raised their brows in unison. "He doesn''t know that the Argosy survived and that we''re safe. They could lie to him, tell him he was the only one, or any other number of falsities, and get him to divulge all he knows."


    "He still wouldn''t know much though, would he?" Kata said. "He was only a young marine."


    "Maybe not, but he would know as much as anyone else about Auriga and our people. Do we know where he was taken?"


    "We combed through the data as best we could, whatever ship he used was untraceable." Jutka responded to my query.


    "Which is very much unlike the ships that either side of this war uses. I''m telling you, the whole thing smells rotten." Kata interjected.


    I nodded, before turning my attention back to the hologram on the table, dismissing it as I had the one before it. "Anything else that you''ve discovered?" I then asked the trio, looking bac up at them.


    "I may have. Studying what I could of the Arxur we fought on the Cradle, it''s quite evident that most of them are half starved, and some even fully starving. Both the biochemical tests and the cellular analysis confirmed this. The Arxur are fighting for survival just as much a the Federation is." Raudd added, and I pushed back into my chair. This whole region of space was making me miss the Necrophages. At least they were irredeemably evil.


    I put my foot up on the table and contemplated the situation. So far it was seeming more and more likely that we were not, in fact, the odd ones out. That whatever region of the Galaxy we''d drifted into was the site of a greater plot, a plot to keep the races locked in an unending war for survival, neither side getting the upper hand, one living in constant fear, one living in starvation.


    I sighed and gave the trio a nod in gratitude, before sitting back up properly. "Ok, thank you. You should all return to your duties. I have to think about our next move. Hopefully once we get ourselves better settled on this planet, we''ll be able to get to the bottom of this."


    The three bid their goodbyes to me in various ways, and then left the room, leaving me to my thoughts. Our best way to get to the bottom of this was to dismantle the misconceptions from within. That would take time, but hopefully peaceful co-operation with the herbivores we managed to get on our side would start to raise doubts about just how innately evil carnivores allegedly were.

 Chapter 16

    Memory transcription subject: Chief Hunter Isif, Arxur Dominion Sector Fleet


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 8, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The raid on the Gojid homeworld had been a disaster. Someone new was on the galactic scene, a hitherto unknown species or faction. When my ships arrived they found the planetary defenses disabled and the Gojid fleet scattered, as our intelligence predicted. But instead of an unguarded planet, we were faced with a fleet of unknown make, using weapons we''d not faced before, with shield-breaking missiles and continuous plasma beams.


    Our forces on the ground encountered no Gojid fighters, but were instead met by fierce resistance from the newcomers. Almost none of our forces that made planetfall survived, and most of them were cattle ship crews that fled empty handed once the hunting teams were killed. A few of them had grunts on board that that fled the onslaught. These were interrogated and then promptly executed for cowardice. Poor bastards.


    According to their reports, the newcomers stormed their landing sites and ambushed them. Even when their scent gave them away, they rushed our lines with ferocity and speed, wielding axes and shields like something from ancient history. Their goal was clearly to prevent our hunters from ever catching their targets, and our working theory was that they were a new predator race, like us. The reports that other races were seen amongst their numbers, including red scaled reptilians, gave me some hope that we''d finally found kindred spirits in the galaxy.


    Whoever these newcomers were, however, they refused to abandon the Gojid homeworld to our forces, even when nearly defeated their ships kept fighting. Then the gojids arrived, and as if to throw a wrench into my hopes, they joined forces with the newcomers, and forced my surviving ships to retreat from the Gojid homeworld''s system.


    An overwhelming sense of betrayal filled me and I threw aside all the crap that was on my desk, the datapad with the debrief on the newcomers hitting the wall and shattering. Realizing my stupidity, I sighed, defeated. Great, I had to have a new copy sent over now.


    "Maybe you should take a tour of the cattle pens, your viciousness. Eating something should help you clear your thoughts." Coth spoke up from the other side of the room, and I had half the mind to shout at him for interrupting my outburst.


    "I''ll do that later." I instead growled, before grabbing the broken pad and putting it back on my desk. "You were there on the planet during the battle. How accurate are these reports?"


    "Very, your viciousness. I''ve seen their soldiers, moving at blinding speeds their legs shouldn''t allow, smashing into our flanks with axes, while other troops shot at us from the treeline with hunter''s accuracy."


    "And the reports of flying foes?"


    "Also true. Despite not believing my own eyes at first, the fact others saw it too assures me it was real. They had winged reptiles fighting our ships, as well as another species of flying creature. One of them landed on my cockpit, and I saw it in detail. It had sideways eyes, but there was no fear, its eyes were cold and furious. And it snarled at me with a mouth full of fangs, despite its eyes. And its wings defied gravity, like sheets of metal floating off of its back."


    I refused to believe that last part wasn''t just in Coth''s head, but this whole situation was unbelievable enough already, what was one more impossibility for the pile?


    "Very well. Now leave me. I''m already tired of your words."


    Coth bowed his head and headed out of my office, and I had to think of my next move. My sector was being ''invaded'' by a foreign force, and news would soon get out of my failure. I had to present a case that these newcomers were a good thing if I wanted to not be replaced for my failure. But first I had to learn more about them. As far as we could tell, they used the Venlil homeworld as their center of operations.


    Hmmm... Maybe it was time to open communications with them.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 9, 1 AA


    <hr>


    While the negociations with the delegation went well, there was still the matter of the Krakotl. Early intelligence suggested that they, along with 14 other species, were amassing a fleet meant to finish what the Gojid started, and now we had confirmation that their fleet had just departed. Projections indicated that thay''d be here in a week tops, and the Aurigans were already doing their hardest to mass produce a new fleet, while also trying to get the Argosy back into flying shape, and hopefully evacuate it before the Krakotl can start trying to bomb it.


    "The Krakotl ambassador declared that anyone who stood with the Aurigans was dead to him, so we have no assurance that they won''t attack the Venlil as well. We need to evacuate the planet." Kam spoke up, looking between myself, Piri, and Chauson.


    "The Zurulian people are more than willing to take as many Venlil in as possible." Chauson added.


    "As are we." Piri affirmed. "And let''s not forget the Paltan offer."


    "Thank you, but I think that the people should decide for themselves. Whoever wishes to leave the planet is free to do so. I myself will stay behind, and trust that the Krakotl haven''t gone completely insane."


    "I''m staying with you." Kam said with determination. "This is our world, and if the Krakotl come to harm it, I will not abandon it."


    "Thank you, Kam. You are the bravest of us." I punctuated my gratitude with a tail swish.


    The calm of our meeting was then interrupted by blaring alarms, and everyone in the room shot up in panic.


    Kam then punched the comms unit on the table with a finger. "What''s happening? Report!" He demanded to whoever was on the other side.


    "An Arxur ship was just pulled out of subspace at the edge of our system. T-they''re hailing the planet, sir!" Whoever was on the other side replied, before whimpering. The Arxur, sending a single ship? Hailing the planet? What was this madness?


    "P-Patch them through to me. And get everyone to the damned bunkers!"


    I steeled myself for whatever was to come, but the pale reptilian face appearing on screen sent shivers down my spine and tail. The creature glared at me with its eyes, before snarling. "What is this? They''re letting the animals run free?"


    "I-I..." I began, but my throat seized up. What was it implying? Did it mean the Aurigans? Did it think we were cattle? Was it actually in cahoots with them?


    "I-I lead this planet." I managed to continue, feeling my knees give way. "W-what do you want?"


    "Fascinating, they let you keep your position?" The reptilian hissed, before lowering its gaze. "I want to talk to the newcomers. The predators that destroyed part of my fleet."


    "I''m right here." Zolya''s voice joined the call, and her steely gaze suddenly filled half of the screen. Was she monitoring our communications? How''d she know what was going on? She was sitting at her desk in the Argosy, a sword slung over her lap, resting against her shoulder.


    "Fascinating..." The gray muttered, his eyes fixed on the Zolya''s transmission. "You are predators, correct?"


    "Predator, prey, these are silly concepts that this corner of the galaxy follows. We are people, just like everyone else." Zolya replied, keeping a calm demeanor.


    "Bah! Prey aren''t people. They''re sniveling animals, controlled by instincts." The monster on the other side of the transmission retorted.


    "Funny, the ''prey'' tell me predators aren''t people either." The mezari said, before shifting her posture, leaning into the camera. She was probably attempting to seem fierce to the gray, but it had way more of an effect on me, and I had to support my weight against the table, out of fear of falling backwards.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "See? See how it cowers!?" The gray then laughed at my distress, and I felt anger well up in my chest. If the Gaurans could be brave, then maybe so could I.


    I forced myself back up to my feet, pointing at the camera. "Rot in a cesspit, you monster!" I shouted, despite my voice quivering.


    The gray laughed and looked over at Zolya again. "You shouldn''t let them get that feisty, it makes the meat stringy."


    "Tarva is not an animal, she is my friend. Now what do you want, corpse-eater?" Zolya remained undaunted by the gray''s appearance.


    The creature snarled in amusement. "I should have my fleets destroy you for such insolence, but we should instead work together. I know the Federation is your enemy."


    The Zolya seemed to contemplate the monster''s words, and I couldn''t believe she was genuinely considering the offer. The arxur were monsters! They couldn''t be trusted! This was madness!


    "Maybe. We''ll hear you out. If you''re brave enough to show yourself in person. Come to the Argosy. We will escort your ship over."


    "W-what?! I won''t allow it! Are you insane!?" I managed to shout, coming out of my stupor.


    Zolya looked to me with those forward facing eyes of hers, though her expression was far more mellow than when she looked at the gray''s feed.


    "Tarva, do you trust me?" She asked. I truly wasn''t sure anymore, but so far the Aurigans hadn''t done a single thing to harm us, it was always others that tried to harm them.


    "I- I do."


    "Good. Take care of your people, and I''ll deal with the Arxur."


    The Gray watched in silence as we talked, before squinting its eyes at Zolya. "Very well, I shall visit your Argosy in person. Whatever that is. I await your escort."


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Chief Hunter Isif, Arxur Dominion Sector Fleet


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 8, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The Venlil governor amused me. She had pep, spirit. I could respect that. But the newcomer... She was hard to read, her emotions concealed. This may end poorly for me, but the alternative is to face Betterment with my failure.


    Not long after the conversation that was had over comms, a trio of boxy ships greeted my shuttle. They didn''t say anything, but moved in formation around me, one in front of the shuttle, and one on each flank. The ship in front then started flying towards the planet, and I began to follow it. The other two ships tailed my shuttle from close distance, their weapons trained on my. I had faith that the newcomers wouldn''t attack in panic, but I couldn''t be so sure that they wouldn''t kill me just on a whim.


    Thankfully my shuttle arrived on the surface unmolested, touching down next to what I assume was the aforementioned Argosy. A massive ship, nearly two clicks long, surrounded by a massive ring that could easily fit two of its make inside. The ring seemed to serve as an impromptu wall, inside of which a shanty town was built. Tents and structures both clustered and distanced were built within its perimeter.


    Then I saw them, the reports were true, bipedal reptilians with red scales, giant winged lizards, white furred bipeds with metal wings, and even some other creatures not mentioned in the reports: snarling quadrupeds with bony jaws, and large, horned bipeds with burly bodies.


    Whoever these hairless bipeds were, they had indeed come with others, and by the looks of them some were prey animals. Perhaps there truly was hope for peace between predator and prey in the future.


    Stepping out of the shuttle, I was greeted by two of the horned bipeds, eyes on the sides of their heads. Unlike the Federation prey, they didn''t flinch or cower, they even seemed unimpressed with me as they held great pole axes in their hands. They were about a head taller than me, even when accounting for our different postures.


    "The Zolya is waiting for you. Follow us." One of them spoke, a hint of disdain in his voice. I did not expect a warm welcome, the Federation has no doubt already told them of our cruelty, so I tried my best not to let it get to me.


    "Very well." I replied, and the beasts began leading me into the large arkship, up a loading ramp. As they led me, I couldn''t help but notice that everyone''s eyes were on me, even those of the reptilians. Some of them were clutching axes and swords, and the looks were definitely unfriendly. I hoped I could change their mind about us, once they learned the truth about the ''poor prey''.


    The walk through the corridors of the ship took us past other members of the hairless species, which seemed to be the dominant species in this faction. They all shot me glances, varying from disdain to confusion.


    After a few short minutes we reached a door, and the horned aliens told me we''d arrived at our destination, before positioning themselves in front of it as guards.


    The inside of the room was fairly dim, with black walls and a few small light sources on the walls. On one end of the room was a desk, where the alien from the communication was sitting. Across from her were three others, sitting around a circular table.


    When I stepped in, all of them looked towards me, and I detected no fear in their eyes. The leader of the aliens then greeted me.


    "Welcome to the Argosy. I am Zolya, and these are Raudd, Kata, and Jutka. I am the leader of my people. Who might you be?" The alien leader was cordial enough, so I stepped closer with confidence.


    "I am Chief Hunter Isif. I manage this sector of space for the Arxur Dominion. And I''ll be frank. Your defeat of my fleet at the Gojid homeworld is bad news, for all of us."


    "For all of us? Care to explain?"


    "Simple, they will likely replace me with someone far more cruel, for my failure. And whoever that may end up being, they won''t be so cordial as to come to you peacefully. They will try to eradicate you for being a threat. And you already have enough enemies, no?"


    "Hmmmm... True. What is it you want then?"


    "I want this damned war to end once and for all."


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 9, 1 AA


    <hr>


    I couldn''t believe what I was seeing on the live feed. An arxur that wanted peace? That was ridiculous! Who would believe such a blatant lie?


    "Is this because your people are starving?" Raudd then asked, and the Gray gave a non-committal noise.


    "Partially. Our entire society is based around cruelty, violence. This is something I tire of. I''m tired of eating people. Yes, unlike most of my kind, I agree with you. The prey are just as sapient as us, it doesn''t take a genius to figure that out. But anyone who would voice such an opinion is executed. I''ve worked hard to climb the ranks, reach a position of power, in hopes that I would some day bring about change from within. But until now there was no hope."


    I was shocked, livid! The gray that called me an animal not even an hour ago just admitted that prey were sapients. This had to be a trick! He even admitted that his people were cruel!


    "Hope? You mean predators and prey peacefully co-existing?" Jutka then asked the gray, and despite the voice at the back of my head telling me to not listen to any more of this, I was glued to the screen.


    "Yes. You lack the baggage of this war. Fresh eyes. You can help us put an end to the madness."


    "Why would we help you?" Kata butted in.


    "Because we are victims of the Federation, not the aggressors. They came to our world during a time of famine and war. They offered a cure for our plight, two drugs, one for our people, one for our livestock."


    "We trusted them, in our desperation, but it was a ploy. The first of these cures made the volunteers allergic to meat, millions of my people died of either anaphylaxis or starvation. And the other cure killed off all our livestock, leaving the survivors with nothing to eat. So our ancestors turned against the Federation, preying on them instead."


    "And because the Federation exterminates any animal with a hint of aggression, you were left with no other option?" Raudd then spoke up.


    No, you fool! We- we do that, though, don''t we? No, Tarva! It''s a lie! Even if we exterminate animals, the gray is lying!


    "Exactly. We had no other source of sustenance, while the Federation species had plentiful numbers. I wish we hadn''t, but what was the alternative? Starvation was the only alternative."


    "Why not find new, untouched planets, and find animals there?" Kata put forth a good point. Aha, this is were the lie falls apart!


    "Domesticating animals takes thousands of generations. Our people were starving then and there. Even if we took animals to tame or started to hunt them, it wouldn''t be enough to feed us short term, we''d still all starve. Each of us needs around thirty pounds of meat a day to be properly sated, and ten pounds is the minimum needed to avoid starvation."


    "With billions of arxur to feed, that''s tens of billions of pounds of meat every single day. It''s why most of us are starving still to this day. The average citizen only gets three meals a week."


    I screamed in frustration as the math added up in my head! Was this really true? Had the Kolshians created the very monsters that killed my daughter! I couldn''t contain my rage anymore, and smashed the keyboard off my desk, the plastic cracking against the wall.


    Stop being so emotional, Tarva. You''re an embarrassment. I then chided myself, and picked the keyboard back up as the conversation continued on my screen.


    "Our own livestock and meat reserves are barely enough to feed our own carnivores. So I understand the pragmatism, but... Why the cruelty?" Zolya asked.


    "When the Federation found us, we were in the midst of our fourth world war. One of the factions, the Northeast Bloc, was preaching something called Betterment, the selective breeding of the population towards improvement of the gene pool. After the aliens gave us the ''cure'', the Northeast Bloc''s philosophy became much more appealing. With starvation running even more rampant than before, every nation had to decide who lives and who dies. So the strongest, most aggressive Arxur were allowed to live and breed, while the others were left to starve. This allowed the leader of the Bloc to gain popularity and power, and he founded the Dominion."


    The very concept made me gag. Such disregard for personal freedom and the value of life. Surely the Aurigans would realize that.


    "That''s deeply disturbing and saddening, if... coldly logical. However, that doesn''t excuse what your people do. if you wish to work together with us towards a better future, that has to be stopped, sooner or later. As I''ve said, we barely have livestock and stores of meat for our own people. We need something rev-" Zolya was suddenly interrupted by Raudd.


    "I have it!" The ginger mezari began, standing upright while looking at his data pad. "All this talking got me thinking, so I did some digging into the data dumps we got from the Venlil. Look here. If we combine the Federation''s tissue culturing techniques with our regenerative medicine, we could effectively grown meat in a lab!" The man looked up with excitement at the others in the room, and even the gray was stunned.


    I was even more stunned, that sound disgusting, a perversion of medical technology. But at the same time, it removed suffering from the equation, meat that came, virtually, from nothing.


    "Raudd, was it?" The gray began, its eyes fixed on the man. "You may have just saved the galaxy."

 Side Story - Stampede

    Memory transcription subject: Slanek, Venlil Space Corps


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 8, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The raid sirens were blaring overhead, and I thought for sure I was going to die. Panic welled up in my chest as everyone around me started to stampede. I covered my ears and tried to focus, but fear overwhelmed me, and my legs seized up.


    Then a large shadow swooped down on me, and I was picked up in the arms of a large, furry biped. I looked up to see the worried face of Tal, the gauran that I''d met on the mezari dropship. "Slanek, what''s happening? Why is the world screehing?" He asked me, worry in his voice, but not panic.


    "It-t''s the raid sirens. Enemy ships are approaching the planet. W-we need to get to a shelter, now!" I managed to blurt out, looking up at the gauran, pleading that he take us to safety. He took one more look around at the panicked masses and then spoke into his radio.


    "This is commander Tal of the Gauran Chiefdom to any aurigan forces in the city. Those sirens mean we have hostiles incoming, help anyone you can to the nearest bunker, before they trample each other under foot!" He was so calm, despite all that was going on. I could hardly believe it.


    He then focused his gaze back down at me and placed a hand on my back, holding me with incredible care, as if I were made of glass.


    "We''ll get to safety, don''t worry." Despite the painful memories of previous stampedes, I felt like I could trust him, so I just nodded and closed my eyes.


    I could feel the wind in my fur as he ran through the streets with me in his arms, despite screams, shouts, and the sound of thousands of feet trampling all over the place.


    Eventually I opened my eyes, looking around. I could see dozens of aurigans doing their best to carry injured venlil, help those fallen up to their feet, and stopping the panicked ones from trampling anyone.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    They were grabbing weeping civilians off the ground, pulling them out of cars, and carrying them out of buildings. I even saw them stop to help car crash victims from collisions caused by terrified drivers.


    Normally medics would rush to the injured after the lockdown was over, but the mezari did the opposite, tending to the venlil right in the middle of the stampede. I saw the sisters of mercy descending from the heavens in shuttles, and picking up the injured up right out of the streets, using ships normally designed for transporting troops in order to ferry people to the shelters.


    Allayi and drakken were flying overhead, keeping an eye on the city from above, and I wondered what they were doing, until I started to pay attention to what was coming in through Tal''s radio. They were co-ordinating the evacuation! Giving the aurigans on the ground information about injuries, pile ups, and crowded areas.


    At the drop of a bell the aurigans dropped everything and began helping everyone they could, despite the risk it posed to themselves.


    I looked up at Tal, the question burning in my throat. "H-how are Aurigans so calm?" I asked, and the lumbering man looked down at me with a curious look. "Because... Because getting ourselves to safety isn''t as important as getting as many people to safety as possible. We must protect the herd, not ourselves."


    "B-but what if it''s Arxur? D-don''t you fear the cattle ships?"


    "If any gray-hide lizard thinks he can eat me, he''ll have to fight me to the death for it. I''m not going to just keel over and die for him. Hell, I''ve seen them fight, they''re scrawny, barely more than skin and bone. I bet I could take on ten at once!"


    Tal''s boast made me snicker, and judging by the look in his eye, he was certainly aiming to amuse. "I''m sure you could, friend Tal..." I then said, before burying my face back into his chest.


    The gauran held me close all the way to the shelter. At the entrance I saw aurigans dropping off and helping wounded venlil get into the shelters, before heading back into the city to gather more. Their bravery was something beyond my comprehension.


    As Tal put me down, I clung to his fur, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Please don''t go back there, you''ll be safer in the shelters." I begged, but he just calmly shook his head.


    "I''m sorry, friend Slanek. I must go back to help. It would be selfish for me not to." Tal then gingerly patted my head, before going back to help others. Part of me wanted to go back with him, but as the wave of civilians pushed against me, I was swept with the crowed into the shelter.

 Chapter 17

    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Federation Archivist


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 8, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The trip back to the Archives was uneventful, though I did get shouted at for getting myself pricked by an alien plant. I was prescribed some powerful antibiotics and sent back to the Venlil section of the facility. Being an archvist was 99% paperwork, and 1% field work. Usually we only left the Archives when we had to make someone disappear, a nosy investigator, a curious archaeologist, a clever historian, or a radical politician. Anyone that was getting close to uncovering the truth about our violent past was a potential target.


    A lot of the time though, they were subtly discredited and accused of predator disease, so the few times field work actually occured were rare and far between. In twelve years this had been my third ever mission out in the field, and I was already missing the feeling of real sunlight by the time I got back.


    In the last few days my mind was elsewhere though. My dreams are growing more vivid, the whispers are growing more melodious, like a chorus of lullabies. I''m starting to hear more and more, yet the words are starting to lose meaning, replaced by pure feeling. I feel comforted in my dreams, more comfortable than I ever was in my own body. My waking life is starting to feel even more dull in comparison, while the dreams help me feel alive.


    I often found myself daydreaming about the things I saw in my sleep. Great cities, civilizations rising and falling, the coming and going of friends and loved ones. Great joys and great pains. They felt like memories, but I knew they weren''t mine. Part of me was terrified that I''d been infected with predator disease, or some sort of hallucinogenic drug, but the dreams were the few breaks I had from the monotony of being cooped up in the Archives day in and day out.


    If the Farsul found out, they''d probably lock me in a lab and run tests on me like on one of the specimens. If I had to choose between having vivid, if strange dreams, and being locked up like a specimen, I was going to pick the dreams every time. Plus, dreams are harmless.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Federation Archivist


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 10, 1 AA


    <hr>


    When I woke up this morning I saw someone else''s face in the mirror. The features were utterly alien to me, though vaguely reminiscent of a mezari. My brain didn''t even register that something was off until after I''d looked away. For those few brief seconds it just accepted that it was me in the mirror. "That''s me, yup, nothing out of the ordinary.", I thought, even though my rational brain now tells me that was not my face.


    After taking a minute to make sure I wasn''t running a fever, and to take my daily medication, I checked the mirror once again. Nothing was out of the ordinary, no strange faces staring back at me, nothing wrong with my eyes, nothing, not even a new blemish. I then checked the wound from the alien thorn, but even that was looking normal, healing at the expected rate.


    Deciding that was just tiredness from having just woken up, I went back to the normal, mundane routine. Today was when I would be finally allowed back to work, after a week since my field mission. Until today I''d been on ''leave''. Which wasn''t so much real leave as it was getting a few days off of work.


    Transcribing every bit of every species'' history was a long, and arduous task, and we were still 20 years behind with the Venlil archive. Despite how dull the prospect usually was, today felt different. It actually felt good being part of something greater, something that preserved rather than destroyed. All these stories, countless events lived by countless people. Making even a fraction of them last far into the future, rather than be forgotten, filled me with a sense of pride.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Federation Archivist


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 12, 1 AA


    <hr>


    Last night I had a very different dream than usual. I would even call it a nightmare. I was a specimen, but not any specimen, I was the mezari I brought in, all alone, afraid, in a white room with a one way mirror. I was naked, cold, except for a plastic covering over my shoulders. I felt every second of dread, and anger, and it felt like an eternity.


    Then I heard Veiq''s voice, greeting me, and I demanded to know what was happening. She told me lies, to pacify me, told me that I''d been infected, that she was trying to cure me. We all knew the spiel they gave the specimens from newer species, but I''d never seen it done. Yet in the dream it felt real, like a memory.


    I slowly calmed down, but in the back of my mind I was doubting her story. In the dream I was familiar with experiments, with the horrors of the Endless biolabs, with the horrors unleashed from within Auriga. I accused Veiq of being one of them, even though I have no idea what an Endless even is. In my dream though, I was sure that she was just another wannabe god, trying to play with my genetics.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    But I still played along, only because I recognized she was afraid of me. She asked me what an Endless was, and I told her, of a great empire of false gods, that did unspeakable things with magical dust, that once ruled the galaxy, only to kill each other in a great civil war over whether separating the very soul of a person from their body was moral.


    We talked for hours, about the history of Auriga, and its peoples, about mages that fueled their power through suffering, about ancient knights who drained the souls of others to live, and about bio-engineered horrors. The thought that Veiq could be an endless left my mind, as she was equally skeptical and terrified of what she heard.


    The dream ended soon after, when my real body woke up. I felt it slipping out of my mind, but something told me I had to remember as much of it as I could, so I spent minutes recounting every detail to myself. Eventually I couldn''t remember any more details, so I just got up, and went about my day.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Federation Archivist


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 13, 1 AA


    <hr>


    I was in the cafeteria today, and overheard something that gave me pause. Veiq was talking about the mezari specimen we''d recovered, and pretty much every detail of her story lined up with what I saw in my dream. I wasn''t sure if this was some sort of weird test, but she didn''t seem to pay me any mind, going about her conversation as normal.


    I had to excuse myself early and leave my meal half-finished. Something was clearly wrong with me, the dreams were definitely more than just that. How was it that I could dream of someone else''s experiences? Was I becoming psychic? Was I somehow linked to the mezari?


    Whatever was wrong with me, I couldn''t go to the Farsul for help, they''d definitely think I was mad. Or worse, actually pyshic. I had to keep this to myself, and pray that it would pass. If it didn''t, I would have to do my best to live with it, hide it somehow. Though how does one even hide psychic powers?


    Wanting to distract myself from my worries, I went back to my work, and thankfully it helped me calm down. Before, working on transcriptions was the dull part of my job, but now it was the only time in the day that I wasn''t bored or distracted by worries. Every moment spent writing down my people''s history was a moment I felt useful to the greater whole.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Federation Archivist


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 14, 1 AA


    <hr>


    Last night something happened. I''m not sure how to describe it. I was dreaming, and the voices were singing, but it wasn''t like the other dreams. It was more like I was being surrounded by strangers who were also myself. Like being swept up in a crowd of people I both did, and didn''t know, at the same time. At first I tried to find a way out of crowd, but I was only hurting myself in doing so, going against the flow, coliding with people, falling, nearly getting stepped on.


    So I decided to follow the crowd, and as I did the chorus grew more harmonious, and I felt a sense of calm washing over me. Then I realized I wasn''t alone, just a few feet away, I could see him, the Mezari I''d brought here. His features seemed defeated, and despite his predatory anatomy, I felt no fear looking at him, only sorrow.


    He then noticed me, his eyes fixed on my visage. I felt fear in his eyes, as if I were feeling it myself. I felt like I was he and he was me. I felt the pain, and the confusion. And then he spoke. "Please, whoever you are. Help me." It was like a whisper and a shout at the same time, and I immediately woke up.


    I was hyperventilating, panic in my chest, part of me was happy that the dream was over, part of me panged to go back for the feeling of belonging in the crowd.


    I got up and headed to the bathroom to splash some water on my face, but when I turned on the light, I saw his face in the mirror, not my own. Then that booming whisper echoed through my mind. "Help me! Help me! Help me!" I tried to shake it away, get rid of the vision, but not even closing my eyes made it go away.


    I curled up in the corner of the bathroom and wept until I was once more asleep.


    The dreams took me again, this time I was in a meadow, walking through the beauty of an alien, green field. Then they saw me, they looked like Mezari, and they screamed in horror. It was like I was the greatest Arxur and they were the meekest Dossur. They fled from me, but I ran after them, hunting them down. My limbs bounded, galloping, wood-like sinew and mycelial muscles flexing beneath my skin. I could feel the mezari through the earth, but not just them, I could feel far away lands, far away species, far away forests and deserts. I could feel the heartbeat of the world, and I understood.


    As my mycelial claws bore down on the mezari with weapons of living wood, I could feel the turning of the planet, and the cruel opppression of time. I could feel the meaningless of distance, and the fleetingness of life. I could feel predator, prey, plant, all one, big organism, ebbing and flowing like an ocean''s tide. The individual was part of a whole, not apart from it. Good, evil, these didn''t matter, only enduring, lasting to the next winter, feeding the next generation.


    In that moment, I understood true preservation: memory. Only memories truly record everything, only memories deserved to be recorded. Paper decays, databases corrupt, cities die, empires fall. Only in the eternal mind can history be truly saved, forever. Yes, the eternal mind, a mind of flesh and filaments. I am but a vessel, and my mission is to preserve, endure, and survive.


    I saw the Mezari again, this time it was not just us, but thousands of others, their faces clear to me now, thousands of species, all archived by the fungus, all preservers, carrying the story into the hivemind, so that it may live forever.


    I touched my hand to the Mezari''s, and he mirrored my motions. "We must endure." Our mouths said in unison, and the others embraced us.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Mykara Archivist


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 14, 1 AA


    <hr>


    "I am Mykara. Mykara is me. Like the others who''ve come before, I must help preserve the stories of the galaxy. Starting with this planet." I picked myself up from the bathroom floor, gazing upon my physical visage one last time. The voices were now with me even in my waking hours, even though I could barely understand them, their presence brought me comfort.


    The first step to archiving this planet would be to rescue our mezari host from the labs, and for that we needed a plan. Taking care of my body''s morning toilette, I set out for the day, determined to break into the labs, so that the Grand Work of the Mykara may begin.

 Chapter 18

    Memory transcription subject: Serz Kersho, Aurigan Ambassador


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 16, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The Coalition of the krakotl and their allies were almost here. Our improved probes detected them long before they reached the system, so we thankfully had time to prepare. Around a billion Venlil made the choice to evacuate to ally systems or off-world colonies, while the remainder hunkered down in their raid bunkers.


    The Argosy was finally up and running, and we began preparations to fold it to a different system. We filled as many ships as we could with warriors, venlil support staff assisting them in ship operations, and put everyone else back into stasis.


    Between data brought back from Auriga, the Argosy''s own databases, and the Venlil''s assistance in acquiring materials, we were able to improve our ship designs with phage plate hulls, improved shields, and plasma pinch weapons. The deuterium from their system''s gas giant was especially helpful in the production of the new plasma weapons.


    We also built our knarrs with ultradense, high impact slug throwers instead of plasma weapons, aiming for a form of mixed unit tactics. The knarrs would use blanket fire to confuse the Federation''s course correcting computers, while the karves fired their ion torpedos. Then our allies would fire into the exposed Federation ships using their plasma guns. Due to their heavier armor and shields, our knarrs were flying in front of our karves.


    The gojids'' own force was flying along the flanks of our formation, arrayed above, below, and to the sides of our ships, with the venlil and zurulians'' ships guarding our rear. Together, our allies had a little over a thousand ships, while we had a meager hundred. Thankfully, our technology was so different to what the Federation used that our ships could get away with inferior numbers.


    With the Argosy safely moved to a nameless system some 16 light years away, our goal was to ensure that the Coalition fleet wouldn''t ''cleanse'' Venlil Prime. Our probes intercepted their communications days before they got here, and it was clear that they condemned the entire population as being ''predator diseased''.


    Jerulim''s declaration that any species that stood with predators was dead to him seemed to be more than just a boast, and I had no doubt that if we failed here, the Coalition were going to continue their crusade until all of the species friendly to us were ''exterminated''.


    Kata, Raudd, and I were in charge of the Aurigan fleet, which was divided into three separate wings. Each of us were using our Dust abilities to best benefit our wings, commanding the dust in the ships, using it to boost certain systems.


    As the Coalition fleet were pulled out of subspace by the venlil FTL disruptors, we kept back near the planet, and they kept to their position. Their fleets outnumbered us ten to one, which wouldn''t have been as bad of a trade off if our entire fleet was made out of aurigan ships, but our allies were using the same ion shields and plasma railguns as the Coalition''s fleets were.


    The two fleets faced each other in silence across the void of space, each waiting for the other to make a move. We held our defensive line, while they held their attack pattern, like playing a great game of chicken.


    After a silence that felt like it lasted far longer than it actually did, the Coalition fleet sent a system wide message to all ships in our fleet. "Those of you who still have your senses about you, this is your last chance to leave the predators to their fate. Go home, and let us cleanse this infestation before it spreads to your planets as well."


    "It is you that should go back to your homes, before it is too late." Zolya''s voice came through the comms in reply. " We took the liberty of informing the Arxur of your departure. If you return now, you might arrive in time to save your planets. This is your only warning." I wasn''t sure if the First of the Bloodline was transmitting from Venlil Prime or from the Argosy via pocket portal, but she was clearly overseeing the battle wherever she was.


    The Coalition fleet didn''t reply, staying fixed on the edge of the system for a good while longer, until about a fifth of their ships turned around and jumped into subspace. Around three thousand ships diverted without firing a shot. That was a good start, but we still had thirteen thousand to worry about.


    Then the Coalition fleet''s leader sent one last message, before their ships began to advance. "You bluff, predator. The Arxur do not talk or negotiate. You may have fooled the more weak amongst us, but we will still cleanse the universe of your filth." Whoever was leading the birds, I doubt we could persuade him to leave well enough alone.


    "Everyone, keep pace with our allies, and wait for General Rill''s signal. Then we pounce." I sent a task force wide communication. Our ships cruised close to the enemy, as they were charging their plasma projectiles, and our allies were doing the same. It was just a matter of time until the signal came, and we charged our fold drives in anticipation.


    "Now!" Kata''s voice then came over the comms, giving us the order to attack. In the blink of an eye our entire Aurigan fleet vanished from one point in space and reappeared in another, the seeker forces flanking the enemy fleet, while Kata''s guardian force bore down on them from above.


    With the Federation''s railguns now aimed at where we used to be, firing at nothing, we opened fire on their exposed angles, where their guns weren''t pointing.


    The Federation computers were predictably confused by the hail of slugs coming from three different directions, and many of them flew right into the ion torpedos unleashed by our attack ships. With our karves breaking the shields of dozens of ships on each flank, our allies unleashed their plasma bolts, hitting as many exposed ships as possible.


    Many enemy pilots panicked and started veering into each other, while our gojid allies'' spread up as we had planned. Like the petals of a flower, their formation opened up and they flew around the enemy, which was now busy turning to face our aurigan ships instead.


    The venlil and zurulian forces stayed back near the planet, their goal was to shoot down any bombers that made it through our assault, but the gojids were going to act as our force multiplier.


    While the Federation ships were busy turning to face us, three of the four gojid task forces moved behind our ships, with our knarrs forming a front line, ready to intercept enemy missiles with their stronger shields and hulls, while also pestering the enemy computers with their incessant gunfire.


    The final gojid task force moved under the Coalition''s exposed bellies, ready to fire another volley of plasma bolts at any ships whose shields we dropped.


    As the enemy unleashed another volley of plasma projectiles, our knarrs did their best to intercept them and keep the rest of our fleet safe, while the karves fired off another volley of shield breaking torpedos.


    With another row of enemy ships left shield-less, our gojid allies unleashed another volley of their own, hitting as many exposed ships as possible.


    The Coalition fleet started slinging kinetics at our shields, seeming to finally realize that our weaponry acted on the complete opposite principles to theirs.


    "The birds are figuring out how our shields work. Move to stage two." Kata''s voice cut through the comms.


    "You heard herd the lady, everyone. Get ready for EVA." I reiterated to my task force.


    As the call for stage two commenced, the gojids moved in tight formation behind our ranks, ready to harass the Coalition fleet on Kata''s command, while we spooled up our fold drives once more.


    Right after the all clear was given to initiate stage two, another volley of torpedos was exchanged with the Federation vessels, aimed at the largest cruisers that we could hit. In the next instance our knarrs fold jumped right inside of our target cruisers'' shield bubbles. With the shields down there was nothing to stop them from attempting such a risky maneuver.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Dozens of marines and officers jumped out of individual vessels, sealed in armored vacsuits, carrying plasma cutters and axes. With their boots magnetizing to the hull, they began to cut through the airlocks, ready to breach our enemy''s mightiest ships.


    The targeted vessels had to choose between keeping their shields down and allowing their allies to shoot at our boarding parties, or charge them back up and prevent us from slicing into their ships with our plasma beams. Either way it was a lose-lose situation for those ships.


    The knarrs within their shield bubbles could also shoot down any incoming missiles with their slugthrowers, forcing any attempt to dislodge them or attack our boarding parties to use plasma, which would also cut into the hulls of the cruisers.


    The maneuver seemed to throw the fleet into chaos, as the cruisers swerved to move away from the fighting lines, trying to escape back towards the edges of the system.


    While our knarrs moved in to pull this off, our karves reorganized themselves into new front lines, keeping the gojid vessels safe, and continuing to destabilize enemy shields with their ion torpedos, giving the gojid the openings they needed to sling plasma straight into the neemy hulls.


    The unexpected boarding action was slowly sending the enemy fleet into a frenzy, and many of the ships that weren''t boarded were starting to flee, either fearful of the same fate, or ordered to do so by panicked commanders. Some of them stopped dead in the water, no doubt the crews panicking so hard they couldn''t continue normal operations.


    The majortity of the fleet kept slinging kinetics at our shields though, which soon broke, leaving our hulls exposed to enemy plasma. Evasive maneuvers helped quite a lot, as did intercepts from gojid ships.


    The fighting soon turned into a dance, as our ships and the gojid ships kept intercepting plasma meant for each other, every ship with fully charged shields blocking attacks aimed at disabled ones.


    Hopefully our boarding parties could capture the cruisers, and turn them against the enemy. Or at least force them to surrender.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance Command


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 16, 1 AA


    <hr>


    "Sir, one of the enemy ships just appeared inside our shield bubble!" Thyon informed me, and I glowered in frustration at the viewport.


    "We''ll deal with it later, for now raise the shields as normal, we can''t afford to be exposed for long!" I squawked, crossing my wings behind my back.


    "Sir, I''m also getting a hull breach report in sector 7." The tubby farsul then informed me.


    "What do you mean a hull breach? Are they firing weapons at us point blank?" I asked.


    "No, it''s not weapons fire, one of the airlocks just depressurized." Thyon explained, and my beak dropped one.


    "You fool, they''re boarding us! Send a squad to deal with them! We can''t let them take us out of the fight! And relay to the other cruisers that the predators are trying to board our ships!"


    "Yes sir, right away sir!" Thyon barked, and relayed my orders further.


    I then glanced at Jala, knowing her kind wouldn''t resist the chance to fight a predator. I was right, of course, I''m always right, I could see the glint in her eye, the predatory hunger for carnage. Before she could even open her beak I sighed and waved her off.


    She bounded off of the command deck like a hatchling being told to get whatever she wants from the store. Hopefully she didn''t make a mess.


    The ship was still getting rocked by the odd plasma beam as we tried to get the shields back online, and Thyon was having a hard time keeping his footing.


    We kept our heading though, even as other ships were getting felled around us, and others turned to flee. Other still were panicking and falling dead in their tracks, their crews inconsolable and hysterical when we tried to contact them.


    Between crews panicking and fleeing, and the completely alien tactics we were facing, we had to now constantly move to avoid collisions with our own allies.


    "Damnit, why are other species so terrible at defending themselves?" I mused out loud. Half my fleet was beakless cowards.


    The battle was taking longer than expected, and it seemed that the predators weren''t running out of tricks to pull out from their tailfeathers any time soon. We had to deal with this now, before it was too late.


    "Everyone, prepare to make a run for the planet. All ships that are carrying antimatter bombs, get into close formation. Everyone else, act as a shield around us. We need to cleanse the planet if we don''t want the infestation to spread." I gave a fleet wide order, waiting for confirmation.


    "No, Kalsim! We''re getting out of here. Maybe we can still save Silis if we''re fast enough." Came the answer from the Tilfish. "This whole plan was a mistake. Now there''s predators trying to take over my ship because of you. I''m declaring a formal surrender and asking for passage out of the system."


    "The Harchen fleet is doing the same. You can attempt to bomb the venlil yourself. We''re done here." Came the response from the small reptilians.


    "Cowards, all of you! Fine, we''ll continue without you. Go join the others that have already fled. When the aurigans come for you in your homes, don''t say I didn''t warn you!" I squawked back, before termianting those comm channels.


    "Everyone else that''s still with me, move into formation. The galaxy will remember us as heroes."


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Jyde Parcha, Justicere Sister


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 16, 1 AA


    <hr>


    Deal death with one hand, and healing with the other. That was the justicar motto. We were warriors as much as we were medics. Today was a day where the needs of the many had to be protected, by taking the lives of the few. Though hopefully we could get them to surrender instead.


    The aliens were slow to intercept our boarding party with real warriors, most of the crew fleeing in terror at the sight of us. When we did encounter any resistance, the dawn officers formed shield walls to block any incoming fire, just a few men being enough to seal off the tight corridors. The marines could fire upon the enemy from behind the safety of the officers, and I didn''t need to fire a single shot.


    The few times one of our men did get injured, it was an easy wound to fix, a little dust alchemy usually doing the trick. The enemy was so scared even their warriors were rendered incompetent at their jobs. I pitied them.


    I healed any enemy combatants I could, taking way their weapons first. Thankfully, my faceless hazmat suit made me appear less frightening to them than our warriors were, and while they weren''t calm, they didn''t hurt themselves in their panic either.


    The way to the bridge was easy to clear, shield walls, concentrated fire, and a few grenades worked wonders at clearing any resistance. I still saved everyone I could, our job was to take the bridge, not slaughter the crew.


    As I tried to heal the wounds of one of the birds though, she slashed at my exo armor with her claws, cursing up a storm. The claws couldn''t get through the titanium shell, but the bird tried anyways. I almost felt pity for her. No matter though, I still healed its wounds, despite its struggling, and moved on after my squad.


    The more I saw how these wretches fought and cowered, the more I pitied them. These were a broken, irrational people, nobody acted like this back on auriga, not even when a drakken smiled did it induce this much fear in someone. We had to show them that we were merciful, kind beings.


    "Die, demon!" A shout suddenly came from behind me, and a large biped with grey hide came barreling into me. It looked almost like a water horse but on two feet, and its hide was nearly as thick. "I won''t let you eat them!" It shouted against my helmet, and the display inside identified it as a takkan.


    "I''m a healer, you fool, I''m not eating anyone! How would I even do that through this helmet!?" I retorted, kicking the alien in its genitals. It doubled over in pain, and I left it there to wallow as I tended to more of its fallen brethren.


    It gasped in horror as I approached a fallen creature that looked similar to a dog. It was bleeding from its shoulder, very heavily so too. I jabbed an injection into its neck, before applying a medical patch to the bleeding shoulder. The dog alien, farsul they were called, seemed to slowly realize what was happening, so I motioned for it to look at me.


    "Take care of the takkan idiot. He''s too violent for his own good." I said softly, before getting up and continuing down the corridor.


    "That''s... our doctor..." The farsul managed to respond, which made me turn to look back at him.


    "Then he should spend less time trying to kill enemy medics, and more time tending to his own people." I replied.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Captain Kalsim, Krakotl Alliance Command


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 16, 1 AA


    <hr>


    As we made our way towards the planet, we were taking increasingly more losses. Ships were being sacrificed for the good of the mission, for the good of the galaxy. I felt the pain of each one, but my mission had a grander purpose, Inatala would forgive me for this.


    The gojid and predators followed us as we approached the planet, and despite reports of the predators drawing closer to the bridge, I was determined to get within bombing distance of the infested planet.


    We drew nearer by the second, and we were met by the venlil space corps. The weak, predator diseased fools were doing their best to aid their allies, firing at our bombers with meager patrol ship munitions, it was nearly laugh-


    A loud bang, followed by my ears ringing, filled the air. Before I could even react, something slammed into me at great speed, and I found myself under a predator''s knee, its axe to my throat.


    "Surrender, or you die, and we take the ship anyways." It croaked, barely audible through the ringing. I tried to stand, but it was heavier, stronger. No, no! We were so close! It couldn''t end like this!


    The plasma blade cut into and singed my feathers, the sickening smell filling my nose. My head was swimming with rage, I wanted to claw and bite, to fight back, but I couldn''t reach.


    Regardless of what I did, the Federation was doomed! My failure would be remembered through the ages.


    Defeated, I laid my wings flat on the ground, and gave myself over to the predators.

 Chapter 19

    Memory transcription subject: Recel, Kolshian Liaison


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 18, 1 AA


    <hr>


    It''d been over two weeks since the Aurigans and the Venlil pardoned Sovlin, but I still had a hard time facing him. I should never have opened my mouth about his past work with Cilany. Now the predators wanted me talk to him, and use him to get to Cilany. Hopefully her journalistic integrity would allow her to uncover any dirty laundry that my people might''ve hidden from the rest of the galaxy. On top of that, I was to send the Chiefdom a message that the Aurigans were not going to accept any more false pleasantries or attempts at sneakcraft.


    Steeling myself, I knocked on the door to the captain''s office, waiting for someone to open the door. While the rebuilding efforts were underway, Sovlin was stationed in the capital, working behind a desk as an overseer and organizer. Not quite the same prestigious position he had before, but the charges being dropped let him keep some modicum of respect.


    As soon as he opened the door, his eyes grew wide in shock, his cornea practically invisible. They looked like dark wells filled with fossil oils. I could tell that a million thoughts were racing through his head, and I was worried he''d have a breakdown if I didn''t say anything.


    I awkwardly tried to speak, but a lump formed in my throat, and it took me a good few seconds to compose myself. "Hello, Captain." I managed to squeak out, and he tried to stifle his emotions as his eyes grew damper.


    "H-Hello, Recel. Please, come in. Sit down..." He managed to croak out, awkwardly stepping aside as he invited me into the spartan room.


    I sat on the visitor''s ottoman across from his chair, and drew a shaky breath to calm my nerves, while he shuffled over to the chair. Neither of us really knew what to say. I couldn''t forgive him for using me like that, nor for harming a friendly alien, but we needed to work together on this, or at the very least I needed him to get to Cilany.


    "Captain, I-" I began, my voice shaky, but he cut me off with a raised hand.


    "Before you say anything... You were right... About everything. I was a damned fool. I walked down a road to hell paved by my own good intentions. I can never atone for such a sin. Anything you need from me, I''ll give you." I could tell he was having a hard time resisting the urge to cry, his hands trembling.


    "Captain..." I began, not sure how to express my thoughts, betrayal, anger, and pity swimming through my head. I gulped down the spittle forming in the back of my throat, before finally continuing. "You held me at gun point."


    "That was a bluff! I thought I was rescuing you from the predators! I thought- I thought they were going to turn on us just like the Arxur!" The captain began to sob silently, straining to speak through his sniffling. It took all my strength not to yell at him, but the Aurigans trusted me with this mission, and I had to see it through, uncover why my own people tried to kill me.


    "W-Well... I didn''t ask to be rescued. I didn''t NEED to be rescued. Especially not at the barrel of a gun." I echoed Tarva''s words, driving the point home that his gunhoe desire to rescue me was fueled by the same attitude that got him captured in the first place.


    "I... I know that now..." He replied meekly, and I sighed, slumping over in defeat.


    "Listen, Captain... I''m still angry, livid even. This isn''t a social visit. The Aurigans need help investigating the Federation''s duplicity. And since their own people can''t exactly go around Federation planets unmolested, your connection to Cilany sparked their interest. They want her to work for them."


    Sovlin swallowed down tears and tried to compose himself, nodding as he wiped snot away from his nose. "Cilany? You told them of our past connection? That was supposed to be a secret..." The captain then sighed. "I suppose it doesn''t matter if the predators know I was an informant of hers. There are bigger things to worry about."


    I gave a solemn nod, and the captain moved some files off his desk, before pulling up his pad. "I''ll give you the details on how to get to her, and how to prove you know me, but you''ll have to get there yourself. I can''t abandon my position here for your... secret sneakcraft mission. My government needs me."


    "I understand sir, I just need whatever help you can provide, then I''ll be out of your hair." Which thankfully couldn''t come any sooner. I was already straining my diplomatic spirit, every part of me wanting to give Sovlin a verbal beatdown for his actions and foolishness.


    The captain nodded again and passed me his datapad in silence. "You can find her on Blissful Modernity, one of the Harchen colonies, at the Blissful Network offices there. Tell her I sent you, and if she asks for proof, tell her that the first time we met up to exchange information, I slipped in her bathroom and broke a tooth, and that she got so freaked out that she kept changing color. That''ll prove we really talked."


    The mental image of that almost made me snicker, and I couldn''t help myself from letting out a small snerk of amusement at the description. "I''ll be sure to mention your dental mishap to her then." Another small snerk escaped me as I took the pad and got up to leave.


    "Will I see you again, Recel?" Sovlin asked as I was walking out of the office, making me stop. I wasn''t sure what to say, or if he even deserved an answer, but part of me missed him.


    "Maybe, Captain... Maybe." I breathed in a loud whisper, not turning to look at him, before finally departing.


    I''m going to need some strong alcohol after all that.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Recel, Kolshian Liaison


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 20, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The Harchen were one of the species that were hostile to the Aurigans, so their systems were likely going to be heavily fortified, seeing as they were amongst the races to dedicate part of their fleet to the assault on Venlil Prime. They were also going to not be receptive to anyone flying a mezari, venlil, gojid, or zurulian shuttle, so I had to make my way to the Blissful Modernity with one of the shuttles we got on Aafa.


    The fact that this very shuttle had nearly been used to kill me made my skin cling uncomfortably to my muscles, almost like it wanted to peel right off. But I had to focus on the present, not on the past. The future depended on it.


    Pulling into the system, there was no subspace disruptor to greet me, nor any verbal message. That could only mean one thing, and it wasn''t good.


    Then I turned on the ships radio receiver, and the blood in my veins grew cold. ¡°Requesting immediate assistance from any Harchen vessels in the vicinity. Harchen Command... do you copy? Our evacuation ships are being slaughtered!¡±


    There was a brief pause, before a reply came through. "This is Captain Zuris of the Transient Novelty. Hold on, Blissful Modernity, we''re on our way."


    Then another voice crackled through the channel, butting in right after Captain Zuris of the Novelty. ¡°This is Harchen Command. Blissful Modernity is not a priority, Zuris. The Arxur are only attacking it to draw ships away from Fahl. We need to keep our homeworld''s defenses strong.¡±


    "You were able to hold out against their head-on assault without me. You don''t need me there now any more than you did before. And I will not abandon millions to die just because you''re scared, even if it''s a risky gambit." The Harchen captain replied.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    This was the same captain that surrendered at Venlil Prime, and limped back to Fahl to lick his wounds. Since he was the one to lead the Harchen part of the Coalition fleet, he was no doubt braver than most of their other commanders. Hopefully his fleet was enough to save the colony, but for now I had to figure out how to actually land on it past all the arxur.


    "Good luck, you brave man." I whispered under my breath, before pulling up my pocket portal device. "This is Recel, does anyone copy?" I spoke into the device, and waited for an agonizingly long minute, before a reply came.


    "This is Kata, report, Recel."


    "Captain, the colony is being attacked by the Arxur, I need a way to sneak past them. I don''t suppose your super fast ships can teleport in for a distraction?"


    "Negative, Recel. Your shuttle would still be detectable, and look like an easy target. You need to hide your approach. Try the gravity wells of the planets and moons."


    "The gravity wells?..." I whispered loudly. Of course, that would hide my gravitic displacement from their sensors. "Understood, Captain. Thank you, that''s genius."


    "Don''t thank me, thank the scientists teaching our warriors how planetary physics work."


    "Right, then give them my thanks. Time to put their solution to the test then."


    I slung my ship from planet to planet, hiding in the gravity wells, until I was able to pull up behind one of the planet''s moons. Now I needed to get down there, and thankfully, a shuttle was small enough to go unnoticed.


    Sighing, I imputed the co-ordinates of the press building Cilany worked at, using autopilot to cruise down to the planet below. The grays were focused entirely on shooting down anyone leaving the planet, rather on anyone flying down to the surface, and the trip down was thankfully a smooth ride.


    I slinked back out of the ship once it was on the ground, activating the mezari shield strapped to my back, wearing it like a protective shell, before pulling out my rifle. My tentacles wrapped tightly around the weapon, and I readied myself to use it in close quarters against any gray that tried to get close.


    The air was thick with ash, and antimatter detonations dotted the horizon, but thankfully the coast seemed clear, even though I could hear screams in the distance.


    Making my way to the press offices, I climbed my way up through an emergency exit. The building seemed abandoned, but I made my way through the empty offices and hallways, ready to defend myself if need be. Then I stepped on a piece of paper, and when I stopped to make sure I wasn''t heard, I could see movement behind the frosted glass of one of the press rooms.


    I steadied my gun in one tentacle, and pulled the shield out from behind my back, strapping it to my other tentacle, using it as intended. I then wrapped both tentacles around the rifle, holding it in an awkward grip over the top of the shield. Awkward, but functional. Then with every bit of courage I could muster, I burst into the room, ready to gun down any gray I saw.


    Shrill screams filled the room as I burst in, terrified harchen shrieking in terror, They were all hiding under desks, one of them covering their neck with a cushion. "Oh, thank goodness, we thought it was the grays." One said, as I was lowering my weapon.


    "Who are you? What''s that on your arm?" Another one of the reporters asked, pointing at my shield.


    "It''s a personal plasma shield. I don''t have time to explain, I''m looking for Cilany. I need to rescue her. You can all fit in my shuttle if you want off this planet. Or you can wait for Zuris to come and break the Arxur blockade. Either way, I need to find Cilany."


    "I am Cilany." The same reporter responded. "What do you want with me? And how do you have that... shield?"


    "Isn''t that Aurigan tech?" One of the other reporters whispered, causing Cilany to grow more suspicious of me.


    The fierce reporter glared at me with one eye in response to that information, and whispered accusingly at me. "Are you working for the predators? Who sent you? Are you here to assassinate me?"


    "What the- No, I''m not here to assassinate you. I''m Recel. Captain Sovlin''s former XO, the one who rescued the Aurigan ambassador from him. Sovlin told me where to find you. I''m here to recruit you, because the Kolshian Chiefdom tried to assassinate me, as well as all the other diplomats that left for Venlil Prime to meet with the Aurigans. We need your investigative skills to get to the bottom of why."


    "What? Chief Nikonus did that?" Cilany was surprised, her eye growing wider at the news.


    "Or someone else with power in the Chiefdom. We even have a witness, and he saw them shoot the Takkan ambassador when the latter tried to stop them. Please, help us."


    "I don''t trust the Aurigans, they sent the Arxur after us. All the coalition worlds we could contact are under attack. For all we know, Fahl has already fallen."


    "Fahl is holding, and captain Zuris is coming here to lift the siege of the Modernity. That was the whole point of telling the Arxur about the Coalition, to get your fleets to go home and defend your systems instead of trying to bomb Venlil Prime."


    "So you know they''re responsible for this and you still want me to help them? Why?"


    "Because I''ve seen things, things that make me question the Federation. I don''t just mean the assassination attempt. In footage from the Cradle we saw the Aurigans rescuing children, vomiting at the sight of carnage, tending to wounded prey, and allowing surrender.


    Even Captain Zuris is only on his way here now because the Aurgans let him leave, unharmed, with his entire surviving force, after he surrendered. And I saw something else... A gray, one of their leaders, admitting prey were sapients. If you don''t belive me, you can watch the recording yourself."


    I handed over a datapad to the reporter, one that was given to me in confidence by Zolya. Only the Aurigan leaders, Tarva, and myself knew about this conversation, and getting Cilany to trust us relied entirely on it and it alone.


    Cilany watched with horror as the chief hunter moved on camera, even in a recording he was terrifying to behold, but I could see the gears turning in her head as he spoke, and the skepticism on her face turned to horror, then confusion, and finally determination.


    "This... this can''t be right... Something''s not right here. We didn''t- We wouldn''t- Did we do that?" She thought aloud, betrayal in her voice, before looking up at me.


    "That''s why we need your help, we need someone like you to uncover the truth about the Arxur uplift. And whatever else the Federation might be hiding."


    "Ok... You have my attention. Let''s get out of here, and uncover the truth." Cilany was determined, if scared, either of the truth, or the situation, probably both. But I could tell she was honest in her conviction to uncover the truth about the Arxur.


    I nodded and motioned for the emergency exit that was on the opposite side of the building, where I entered from. "My shuttle is over there. Let''s get out of here." I signaled with my head for the reporters to follow, and Cilany had to encourage them to do so, but soon enough we were making our way out of the building.


    I led the small group down the hall to the exit, and I took point, the harchen following behind me. When I got down to the ground level, my blood grew cold once more, as five arxur were waiting by my shuttle.


    The first reporter to come up behind me screamed and fainted, and I had to push her back into the building, shouting for Cilany to grab her. I then poked my head back out the door and started shooting at the Arxur as they started to gallop towards me on all fours, undermining my aim.


    I barely managed to get a bead on one of them, shooting it down, before another slammed into my shield, clearly having not gotten the memo after the Cradle battle. It hit the shield with its full weight, knocking us both down, and I was able to unload a burst into its abdomen, killing it instantly.


    The other there were on me though, and one bit my dominant tentacle, the grip on my weapon faltering. It dragged me out of the doorway, while the other two rushed into the building, chasing down the reporters.


    NO, no! This was a disaster! I had to think fast!


    "Gaahh! Stop! I work for the Aurigans! These reporters are priority targets! Zolya wants them alive!" I screamed, which gave the arxur pause.


    The one grabbing me sniffed me with a snarl, and my heart was pounding in terror, blood seeping from the bite mark even faster.


    "Why would they send cattle on an important mission?"


    "Because they didn''t know you were here! They expected you''d attack Fahl, not this colony! They just want the reporters for their knowledge!"


    The predator hissed a low hiss and grabbed my tentacle, yanking me to the side. "Well it''s too late! You killed two of our own, so we''re taking you w-"


    The Arxur''s speech was cut short as a three foot long blade was sticking out from its chest, a moving cloud of black wisps visible behind it. Then the other two arxur''s throats suddenly burst open, as if cut by blades, and another cloud of wisps appeared between them.


    I thought I was hallucinating for a moment, as the clouds turned into mezari forms, their skin as black as the void, markings as white as snow covering their bodies. One was a male, with a great, two handed sword, the other a female, wielding two daggers. The male pulled his weapon out of the gray''s chest, and walked up to me, offering me a hand.


    "It''s not wise to travel alone." The man said, his voice as whispy as his body, which seemed to be in a state of superposition between flesh and smoke.


    "You should get your reporter friends, before they run off." The woman then added, twirling her blades. She then moved over to the man, partially becoming vague and indistinct, like ink on paper, as she moved. It was as if her existence was only a suggestion, and reality had to abide.


    "W-who- What are you?" I managed to ask as the man helped me up, and I picked up my gun again.


    "Oh, we''re just your shadows. Forget you ever saw us~" The man added in a myrthful tone, before both of them seemingly vanished.


    Shuddering from the experience, I went to get the Harchen, leading them to the shuttle, and finally getting off the rock. Thankfually, captain Zuris was already here, and his efforts allowed us to slip past the Arxur forces along with the other evacuees. Hopefully this was all worth the risks, to both myself and Cilany.

 Chapter 20

    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 22, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The capture of several Coalition captains, including the ringleader, brought the battle to a quick halt. Most weren''t willing to test the predators on their bluff and issued a full surrender order to their crews, and ships which refused were gunned down by their own cruisers. It was a sad, but necessary affair. The Coalition wanted to exterminate our friends, and torch us on the same pyre for good measures, all because they couldn''t accept the evidence of their good nature.


    Many were overlooking the fact that the Aurigans had beset the arxur on the Coalition worlds in order to get them to stand down. The few personalities and politicians approaching the subject were framing it as the Aurigans duping the grays, by pretending to be their friends. Only I and the Aurigans knew the truth though.


    The Aurigans agreed to focus their research efforts on actualizing the concept of lab grown meat, hoping to end the arxur''s dependence on their cattle practices. To the public though, we were only to focus on the benefit such meat would bring to the Aurigans, and then present its potential as a bargaining chip as a side effect. It was a grim concept, but the moral imperative was sound. I couldn''t deny that meat borne forth without suffering was a noble goal.


    Many were commending the bravery of the venlil portion of the defense fleet, despite the Aurigans and the gojids doing most of the work. But I wasn''t going to spoil their fun just yet. For now, the general public was celebrating, while the Aurigans were busy getting to the bottom of the Arxur''s origins. To think that the Federation provoked them into this centuries long war, it broke my heart.


    As for myself, I had to focus on my role as governor. The Aurigans wanted to show me one of their new projects, something they said would help keep their people fed, and wanted my approval on the project. I was somewhat concerned by the prospect, despite what the rational part of my brain told me. They''d proved themselves to be empathic beings over and over again, there was no logical cause for alarm, just silly instincts.


    With the Argosy left in orbit, the shanty town we built for the newcomers was slowly being repopulated via transport ships, and permanent -if rudimentary- buildings were being set up in its stead. The Aurigans'' style was rather grungy, industrial even, with stark, concrete walls and windows made of tiled glass panes. Overall it was very grim compared to the architecture of the Federation, or at least, most of it was.


    As my shuttle set down in the burgeoning village, I could see the elves building with swept or arched roofs, carved with intricate patterns and painted green, while the allayi were buildings theirs in fluid parabolas.


    Stepping out of the shuttle and onto the landing pad, I was greeted by Jutka and Raudd, along with a few elves. The two Dust-infused individuals curled their lips upwards in slight smiles, and I waved my tail in greeting.


    "Governor." Jutka was the first to speak, and I couldn''t help but reply with "Governor." right back at her.


    A small snicker escaped the mezari''s throat, before she spoke up again. "It''s nice to see you in a more relaxed setting. Rather than at the negotiation table. Our project is right over by the docks."


    "Docks? As in a mooring station for aquatic vessel?" I asked for clarification.


    "I wouldn''t call it primitive... You''ll see." The mezari ''clarified'', not actually elucidating anything.


    "Don''t worry, it''s nothing dangerous." Raudd added, and I chose to trust their judgment. If anyone knew anything about water vessels, it was the Aurigans, who regularly ''waded into the depths'' on their homeworld.


    Making my way after the gaggle of elves and the two mezari, it was soon evident what they were talking about. They''d built platforms off the snowy banks of the ring ocean that extended for nearly a hundred feet out over the waters, supported by floatation devices of some kind. Attached to one of these platforms was a massive metal vessel similar to one of their space craft, only it had a flat top with a cabin built on it.


    "Jutka... What am I looking at?" I asked tentatively, both curious and terrified of its use. Were they going to hunt ocean predators for food?


    "It''s a fishing trawler. Or at least the base of one. We still haven''t built the mechanism, but it''s going to have a massive net at the back which can be reeled in by pulleys." Jutka began, and the thought of thousands of wriggling fish in a massive net made me shudder. I could already imagine their bony teeth, maws constantly biting at the air, looking to attack their captors.


    After a few moments, I finally managed to find the courage to speak again. "A-and that''s safe?" I asked. "Fish try to bite everything they can, they''re ravenous."


    "They''re also mostly harmless." Raudd was the one to respond. "And most of them don''t have jaws that are particularly strong, unless they evolved to eat prey larger than themselves. And even those are hardly going to kill someone outside of water. We''ve already scanned the nearby ocean, and there''s no sing of anything that looks like it could move on land."


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Y-You have? That''s quite impressive. What did you find?"


    "Well, mostly massive shoals of small fish, that look to be easy catches, as well as a few larger animals that probably prey on them. But judging by the scans we got back, they''re too big to survive on land, in this gravity."


    "That''s... good, I suppose. I suppose you want my permission to... hunt the fish?"


    "Well, your people would kill them all if they could, so we might as well thin their numbers a little, until we have a long term solution."


    The fact that Raudd was intentionally avoiding the mention of lab grown meat told me that they hadn''t yet revealed the project to their own people, so I simply nodded along and didn''t mention it either.


    "Well, this will need a media spin on it, lest the people think you''re turning feral. Maybe focus on the fact it''s making the oceans safer. I''ll think of something later."


    "That''d be wonderful, thank you. We don''t want to actually depopulate the ocean, because that''d cause an ecological collapse, and likely lead to running out of fish too." Jutka spoke again, confusing me again.


    "What''s ecological collapse?..." I asked naively, which made the ecologist sigh.


    "Ok, what happens when you kill all predators?" The man asked me, which only added to my confusion.


    "It''s safer for prey?"


    "Right, and what does every living thing animal do?"


    "Consume and reproduce?"


    "And when there''s more prey to consume and reproduce, their numbers grow, correct?"


    "Yes?"


    "And so they''re eating more vegetation, much faster than before."


    "Where are you going with this, Raudd?"


    "When you remove one animal from the food chain, every other living thing around it gets to have more food. For example, if you kill all the wolves in a forest, the deer will breed faster, and eat much more grass, cause there''s now more deer. Because there''s more deer, they need more grass, but the grass doesn''t grow any faster, so eventually the grass is all eaten, and the deer all starve."


    "Are you trying to say that prey dying is a good thing?"


    "No, I''m trying to say that animals in nature exist in a balance, and if you tip that balance, it topples over until it can redress itself. For example, if all the deer died, the wolves would starve, the grass would overgrow, and the grass would get more nutrients from the soil, leaving less food for other plants. Other plants would dwindle, and so would the herbivores that feed on them, such as squirrels that feed on tree nuts, and then so would any predators that feed on those herbivores.


    Conversely, if all the grass died, then all the other plants would have more nutrient, and grow bigger, while the deer and wolves would starve. But animals that feed on other plants, such as the squirrels that eat the tree nuts, would thrive, because there''s now more trees, with more nuts. But since there''s more nuts, the squirrel population boons, and the trees get more and more of their nuts eaten, until there''s not enough nuts to support further population, and a new balance is established."


    "Ok, I think I get that, but where''s the collapse?"


    "The collapse happens when an animal that''s vital to the balance is killed off. I can give you plenty of example rather than just theoreticals, such as when people fished all the catfish in the Arewe river. The plankton population shot up, since catfish ate plankton, and the plankton consumed so much of the oxygen in the water that it was too acidic for other fish to live in it, and then the plankton starved as well."


    I rubbed my forehead with both hands, since it was hard to wrap my head around the idea. So I just nodded. This was a discourse for the scientists to have, not me.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 23, 1 AA


    <hr>


    My talks with Cheln over how to present the Aurigans'' fishing practices to the public were interrupted by a call from Jutka. She said I was urgently needed at the docks in their fishing village, that I needed to see something.


    She wouldn''t tell me why or what happened, and said it was best I see this for myself. So for two days in a row I flew to the Aurigan village, only this time I could see a crowd gathered at the docks, gawking at some reddish brown mass they''d fished up. I couldn''t tell what it was, but a sense of dread followed me throughout the landing procedure, and kept hovering over me as I made my way to the docks.


    Drawing closer to the crowd, I could tell it was some sort of tangle of seaweed, but I didn''t understand the importance of it, so I looked around for Jutka, Raudd, or anyone else I recognized. Finally spotting the dark haired female a few seconds later, I waddled over to her and prodder her arm.


    "What''s going on, Jutka? What is that?"


    "Oh, Tarva. I''m glad you''re here. That..." The predator turned towards the mess of seaweed and wood, and used a small drone to scan over it, before projecting a holographic reconstruction. "...appears to be a venlil sailing ship, hundreds of years old."


    I couldn''t believe my eyes as I gawked at the hologram, a long, pointed hull of carefully bent wood, patterns and knots carved into it, with a sharp beak at the front. Were my people sailors once? Wading through the waters like the mezari?


    "This is... mind numbing. Can we clean it up? See if there''s anything on board? Or any markings?" I asked, not sure how to proceed in a situation like this.


    "We''ll need to be careful not to damage it, the process would take weeks. Assuming it doesn''t start to freeze in this weather. But we''ll have our best archaeologists examine it."


    "What''s an ''archaeologist''?" I asked, which made Jutka''s brow raise.


    "It''s someone that studies ancient cultural artifacts. Don''t you have those?"


    "Why would we? We already know our history."


    Looking at the seaweed covered ship, Jutka paused for a moment, before turning her attention back to me. "Do you really?" She asked in a mournful voice, which stabbed right at my heart, and made my throat clench up. If we forgot this part of our history, what else had we forgotten?


    "Maybe... Maybe we don''t..." I managed to respond, my voice weak and my thoughts full of worries. The Federation replaced naval vessels with flying transports when uplifting species, so was that why we had forgotten our naval exploits? Or was it hidden from us after our uplift? I had to review the historical records. Something wasn''t right here.

 Chapter 21

    Memory transcription subject: Recel, Kolshian Liaison


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 24, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The encounter with the shadowy mezari left me rattled throughout the ride, and I ended up keeping to myself the entire time, paranoid all throughout. I was sure they were still watching me somehow, despite no evidence of their presence.


    The harchen reporters spent the entire trip pouring through digital documents on their holopads, busy trying to unearth any information on the arxur uplift. Much to everyone''s growing suspicions, it was as if the records were lost to time, not even a trace in local database copies.


    "This is frustrating, we have nothing, it''s like someone scrubbed the historical records!" Cilany screamed in frustration, grabbing her head.


    "There''s some painkillers in the first aid kit if your head hurts. Sorry you couldn''t find anything, but do you see now why the Aurigans are suspicious of the Federation? It''s all too much to be a coincidence."


    "Yes, I know, something doesn''t add up. But I was hoping to have more to work with, something incriminating. But all I have is the arxur''s words."


    "And the attempt on my life." I added.


    "That too. I still can''t believe they''d do that!"


    "I''m starting to believe it. Someone saw me as a liability, for being prey who believed in predator empathy. Other kolshians even harassed and assaulted me before my ''pardon''. Getting rid of me and blaming it on the aurigans would have been very convenient."


    "It''s definitely a possibility, but that doesn''t prove that the arxur was telling the truth. It just gives us reasonable suspicion that the Kolshians are lying."


    "Then if it turns out they weren''t lying, then you can go home vindicated that the aurigans were wrong to trust them."


    Our conversation was cut short by two gunships approaching us, demanding we slow down our approach.


    "Vessel approaching the governing center, identify yourself." Was demanded after we reduced our speed, and I had half the mind to say we were the vessel they tried to blow up.


    "This is Recel, Military Liaison of the Kolshian Commonwealth to the Aurigan Federacy. I need to speak with Chief Nikonus. Immediately."


    There was a minute of silence before Nikonus''s face appeared on our comms, visibly shocked.


    "Recel, we thought you died." The chief began, and I was trying really hard not to throw accusations too early.


    "News of my death has been greatly exaggerated. Though the Takkan ambassador went missing before we left Aafa." I watched the elder''s reaction, hoping to see something, a twitch, anything. He stayed relatively stoic, so I couldn''t tell if he felt anything about the subject.


    "But the rest of us are very much alive, and well. The Aurigans were gracious hosts."


    "Gracious? They sent the Arxur to attack federation worlds!" The chief replied, incensed.


    "An unfortunate truth. That is why we''re here. We want to discuss what happens next."


    "We? Oh, I see a Harchen back there- Is that Cilany? The famed journalist?"


    "Yes, hello. I''m here to write about the Federation''s reaction to the aurigans'' underhanded tactics, and what you plan to do going forwards. More specifically what will happen with the refugees from the attacked worlds. Such as us. We are survivors from the Blissful Modernity. Recel''s bravery saved all of us."


    Good one, Cilany. I thought to myself.


    "Frankly put, the people deserve to know. My people included. Our colonies were amongst those destroyed by the arxur, we deserve to know your response to this unexpected collusion between the predators."


    Nikonus breathed a heavy sigh. "You''re interrupting important proceedings here! Can''t it wait?"


    "Every moment that passes is a moment the Harchen, Krakotl, and countless other refugees go without answers. Millions of people are displaced, billions more dead or cattle. This is far more important." Cilany was proving to be quite shrewd, she should pursue a career in diplomacy.


    The old chief owed the galaxy the truth, even if we''re here under false pretense. These ship frequencies were often monitored by various media outlets, so hopefully denying our request would cause media backlash, and he knew it.


    "Bah, very well. You are cleared for landing. You may dock at this hangar. Security will take you from there."


    <hr>


    Kolshian soldiers blasted our exit hatch open before we could even gather our things, and forced us to submit to searches, inspecting every nook and cranny of the ship, as if we could hide predators in the toilet bowls or footlockers. Their search turned up empty, no predators on board, though I suspected that my two ''shadows'' were here the whole time, hidden from our senses. If they weren''t already gone, slipping out past the soldiers as they entered.


    If the shadowy mezari have been on our ship this entire time, then that would explain my paranoia, and would explain how they were able to protect me on the Modernity. But for now I had a mission to finish, and dwelling on the mezari''s whereabouts was the last of my worries. Plus, a pair of invisible guardian angels wasn''t a bad deal.


    After the search, we were ushered out the door onto the octagonal landing pad. As we made our way out of the landing terminal, media persons swarmed us, expecting the commotion to be about something grand. Most were disappointed to see it was just a kolshian and a few harchen, though some did recognize myself or Cilany, starting to ask questions and filming our military escort.


    I glanced at Cilany and she gave me a gesture of negativity with her tail, indicating I shouldn''t engage with the journalists hawking us for answers.


    "Cilany, Harchen Ambassador Raila has been informed of your arrival. She expects to be briefed on what you know of Fahl and the Harchen colonies. However, she is currently in talks with undecided species'' representatives, so you will have to wait." A kolshian guard informed us, or more specifically Cilany. He didn''t seem to even want to look at me.


    "Of course. Would you show us to where we can meet her once she''s done, please?" Cilany asked.


    The guard led us down a series of winding corridors, away from the auditorium where state business was conducted. Eventually we were taken down an escalator to a basement, where a subway train waited for us, taking us to the ambassadorial offices. I was hoping we wouldn''t ''disappear'' in transit, and that my ''shadows'' were still tailing me.


    Thankfully, we arrived safely at the station, where more soldiers steered us into a lobby, then up an elevator ride to the 12th floor. This was the krakotl portion of the offices, so I was getting a little suspicious. But then again, the krakotl were hit the hardest by the arxur attacks, so their situation was one worth discussing. Though the guard said Raila was talking to undecided representatives, so why would she be in the krakotl offices?


    We were slowly approaching a closed off conference room, and I signaled to Cilany to look at the door, hoping she got the hint. She gave me a quick confirmation with her tail, and as soon as we were next to the door, I leapt into it, knocking it open, with the harchen reporters rushing in after me. The guards were dumbfounded and raised their guns to shoot us, but I activated my shield as the harchen rushed behind me for cover.


    While the guards were distracted by the sudden appearance of the plasma barrier, Cilany and another reporter slammed the door shut behind us.


    "What is the meaning of this!?" The krakotl ambassador squawked behind me, and I turned around to see that this was, as I''d suspected, where all the diplomats were meeting to discuss with the undecided species. Even Nikonus was here.


    "Sorry for the interruption, but this has gone on long enough." I pulled out the aurigan holoprojector I had in one of my belt pockets, holding it up. "I''m here to deliver a message."


    "Deliver a message? You said you were here to talk about the arxur attacks." Nikonus responded, an annoyed glare twisting his brows.


    "I am, that is the message. The arxur attack is a consequence of your action. You attacked the venlil homeworld, and were gunning to attack all of the aurigans'' other allies too. Now your forces are defeated and captured, and your worlds are being glassed as a consequence. You chose to provoke them, and they retaliated. I''m here to show you what could have been."


    Pressing the play button, the holoprojector played a personal message from Gojid Prime Minister Piri, detailing what happened during the Cradle battle, with video examples of their kindness and protective instincts. Then it showed Venlin Governor Tarva, talking about how the aurigans minimized the casualties of a stampede, protecting, rescuing, and tending to the vulnerable and wounded, showing the footage as before. And finally it showed Zurulian Prime Minister Braylen, talking about the irrefutable science of the empathy tests, and how even the carnivores amongst the aurigans passed them.


    "My message is this. Stand with the aurigans, and they will be your friends. Stand against the aurigans, and they will be your undoing."


    "This is ridiculous, they are clearly playing the long game. You will regret siding with them, Recel!" Jerulim squawked once more, which caused the mazic ambassador to flare her trunk. "The mezari and their allies are predators, there is no denying that."


    "I thought you were supposed to be their ally." I addressed the mazic. "Speaking of their allies, why are you the only one of their allied species here?"


    "It''s because Jerulim attacked every representative from those species last time. The mazics are the only ones who he didn''t dare attack." The Farsul ambassador spoke up.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "I apologized for that already! That was then, this is now. I''m more than willing to hear them out now." Jerulim responded.


    "Is that because you no longer have your fleet to throw around and threaten them with? What were your words? ''Anyone who sides with the predators is dead to me''?"


    "How else could I have responded to such heresy!?"


    "How is empirical evidence heresy? Do you not see with your eyes? Do your minds not process information? To the undecided here, make your choices. You have seen what I had to say. Cilany can handle the rest."


    Raila, the harchen ambassador, turned to Cilany. "Finally, I was getting tired of the predator apologetics. Is Fahl still holding?"


    Cilany, having gotten wrapped up in the holoprojection, took a moment to register Raila''s question. "I- Yes, but the arxur are raiding outer colonies to get Fahl to soften its defenses. If captain Zuris hadn''t been allowed to retreat by the aurigans, he wouldn''t have been able to protect the refugee ships escaping Blissful Modernity."


    "Are the arxur working for the aurigans? They attacked the Coalition''s worlds right as they became vulnerable, that can''t be a coincidence." Raila then asked, and Cilany gave a sorrowful nod.


    "I knew it! The predators can''t be trusted!" Jerulim practically shrieked, the noise bothering my ears.


    "The arxur were manipulated by the aurigans into drawing the Coalition fleets back to their worlds. If your captain Kalsim hadn''t insisted on believing it was a bluff, Nishtal wouldn''t have fallen. Again, everything the aurigans have ever done has been in response to being attacked. They never raised their weapons against anyone who didn''t threaten them" I retorted.


    "No, they just sic the arxur on them." Jerulim scoffed.


    Nikonus then tapped against his podium to get everyone''s attention. "This is why I wanted to work with the aurigans, not against them. We needed the predators to fight each other, not team up against us. But the Krakotls'' hot-bloodedness ruined any chances of that. Now the aurigans have been pushed into siding with the arxur because of you, Jerulim!"


    "The aurigans are more fierce and intelligent than the arxur ever were. They have proven their ability to defeat the grays in open combat, and even defeat federation ships when facing overwhelming numbers, all by using their superior tactics and their strange powers. I say again, pick your sides carefully in this war, because nobody that has openly opposed them has survived, only surrender can save you."


    "I don''t regret our decision to join the attack on Venlil Prime. I have chosen my side." Raila preened, a smug look in her eye.


    Cilany glared at the Harchen Abmassador. "Then you should apologize, surrender, and beg for forgiveness. Before it''s too late. The arxur only attacked us because you provoked the aurigans. We can''t hold against them forever, sooner or later Fahl will fall just like Nishtal. You better pray that the aurigans can call the arxur off, before we lose any more people."


    "Fifteen species attacked Venlil Prime. Those fifteen species failed. Those that surrendered were allowed to go back to their homes and defend them from the arxur. Those that didn''t, don''t have homes anymore. If you want to survive, don''t be like them. We either make peace with the newcomers, or we end up like the Krakotl. It''s your choice." I punctuated Cilany''s argument.


    The aurigans proved time and time again that they only attack those that threatened their lives, and I was hoping that the undecided Federation representatives here could see that. My words had silenced the entire room, and the meeting was adjourned shortly afterwards by Nikonus, who declared that everyone should think carefully about their decision, and where they stood in relation to the newcomers.


    With the meeting adjourned, kolshian soldiers crowded around us again, no doubt wishing to lock us up in a cell, or at the very least in sealed off quarters. This didn''t seem to bother Cilany though, as she immediately rushed towards Nikonus as the old chief stood up from his chair.


    "I still want to talk to you about the impending refugee crisis!" She was shouting. "The people who survived the arxur raids need security and reassurance! They need to know the Federation is still looking out for them!"


    The old chief was already trying to make a quick exit. "I don''t have time to worry about the average citizen, I have interspecies diplomacy to worry about!"


    "If you don''t talk to me my people will reveal damning information about the Kolshians! You don''t want your interspecies relations to be ruined, do you?"


    Nikonus paused and glowered at the reporter, and she simply stood there defiantly. He didn''t know what we knew, but the fact he was worried showed that there might be some truth to the arxur''s claims, and that was a very frightening thought.


    "In my office. Now." Nikonus waved Cilany after him, and she insisted I follow.


    Obliging the reporter, we were escorted by armed guards to the lowest floor of the building, which housed the kolshian suite. It was a beautiful area, decorated with massive seawater tanks showing off a variety of colorful seaweed, extending all along the walls like living wallpaper.


    Once we were at his office, Nikonus motioned for the guards to stay outside, and Cilany and I followed him in.


    "I''ll be frank. You two are clearly here to turn votes in favor of the aurigans, and I have little time for mind games. Tell me what you really want, Cilany." The old chief demanded, and Cilany scrolled through the notes on her datapad.


    "When the diplomatic envoy of aurigan-friendly species left Aafa, both of their subspace engines started overheating. Both had had their coolant lines cut, just enough to slowly leak coolant over a few days, until critical. DNA evidence shows that it was Kolshians who cut the coolant lines."


    "What are you implying?"


    "It would be awfully convenient if the first diplomatic mission to the new predators suddenly vanished without a trace, and it''d be even more convenient if Recel, a disgraced officer who decide to save a predator''s life, was on the ship when it vanished. Which reminds me, where is the Takkan ambassador? We have a witness that saw him get shot by kolshian soldiers when he tried to stop their tampering."


    "Bold, yet foolish, accusations. A person who did such things could make you disappear too, my dear."


    "If I disappear, it will be a headline of the century: ''Harchen journalists vanishes after meeting Chief Nikonus''. Not to mention that my incriminating information will still be published."


    The chief''s mouth twisted as if he was trying to rein in his emotions, unsure of what to say or do next.


    "How much do you know?" He asked.


    Cilany clicked her tongue. "I know everything. You deleted first contacted files from the records, you attempted to turn the arxur into herbivores, and your actions caused them to starve, forcing them to seek us out as food instead. Oh, and you tried to kill Serz Kersho, Recel, and all the diplomats, of course. Why not just deny the aurigans a say and kill their ambassador directly?"


    The chief took a deep breath, and I expected him to say something to deny, or deflect the accusations. But instead he glanced at the door, before squinting down at Cilany.


    "Because of my actions, my people see me as a reasonable leader, who gave the newcomers a chance to prove themselves. Gunning down their ambassador in front of cameras would''ve made people question my morality, or my sanity. Isn''t that why you rescued ''poor Serz'', Recel? Because you questioned Sovlin''s morality and sanity? If people thought I was being worse than the literal predator, they might develop empathy for predators too!"


    "That only answers half my question. Why blow up the diplomats with a shuttle malfunction?"


    "Simple, it was out of range, and everyone would just assume the newcomers had killed the diplomats. No witnesses, no proof, of anything else."


    "Why though? You said you wanted to use the aurigans to fight the arxur. Why sabotage their efforts at diplomacy?"


    "Simple. If predators start being accepted as thinking, feeling beings, our people would start asking questions about predators, questions which we don''t want them to know the answers to."


    Damn it, the arxur was telling the truth, wasn''t he? The kolshians were lying all along! I wanted to shove my tentacles up the old bastard''s spiracles for that. What else did the chiefs keep from us?


    Cilany was far more calm than I was, and simply stroked her chin. "So you''re saying that citizens would start questioning why the arxur are different? Start questioning their first contact? Maybe find out they were starved to death by the Federation?"


    "Exactly! It would do irreparable damage to the general morale of the Federation... Plus, there''s more to it than that. You have some of the facts, but not all of them."


    Thinking back to the footage of the Chief Hunter''s story, I couldn''t help but feel growing anger in my stomach. The Federation created our own greatest enemy. Why? Why the fuck would we do that!?


    I couldn''t help my anger anymore, and I shouted at the chief, my voice strained from the emotions running through me. "What did we do, Nikonus!? The arxur said we made them allergic to meat. That we tricked them. Killed millions of them through starvation. How much of that is true? Do they eat our people because of something we did to them!? What did we do to them, Nikonus!?" I demanded even louder, Cilany flinching as I started shouting.


    "You talked to a gray!? You''re insane, Recel! A disgrace! I should''ve just had you carted away like the Tak-"


    "Like the Takkan diplomat?" I demanded.


    "Yes, like that Takkan fool! He saw what was happening and tried to stop us, so we had to get rid of him. Don''t worry, he''s still alive, we patched him up."


    "Oh, you didn''t kill him, you just shot him, and probably locked him up somewhere for the rest of time. Much better. Now talk! What did we do to the arxur!?" I pushed myself closer to the chief, prodding him with a tentacle.


    "Bah! Fine! When we founded the Federation, it was just us and the farsul. We were the first in this sector to develop FTL. Then we found the Krakotl, the third race to ever develop FTL. We welcomed them in the federation, but there was something wrong with them, they were aggressive, disagreeable. They were so ill-suited to being civilized people. When we learned they were scavengers, and ate fish, not just plants, we realized that it was their desire for flesh that made them violent.


    So we gave them a choice. Take a cure for their condition, and become civilized. Or die from a bioweapon tailored to their genes. The ones who accepted, we brought into re-education camps, and created a religion for them based on algae and fruit eating. We instilled in them a fear and hatred of flesh-eaters, and made them useful members of society."


    Cilany gasped in horror. "You invented Inatala and Maltos?"


    "Beliefs, religious or not, are the best way to control people. We planted fake archaeological texts, rewrote their history, and destroyed evidence of the truth. They''re harder to control now, but the cultural changes stuck. They''re now loyal to the morals we instilled in them."


    "And the krakotl have no idea this was done to them?"


    "Of course not, that would be cruel. It is a closely guarded secret, only the highest ranking Kolshians and Farsul know. It''s a process we''ve perfected over the last millennium, much more subtle these days. It''s how we keep the grotesque races normal, and maintain our peaceful ways?"


    "Races? Plural? We did this to others?" I asked in shock, but Nikonus ignored the question for now


    "Over time, we learned that hunters and scavengers were very different. Hunters, being an actual predator, were violent by their very nature, and consumed by war. When the grays asked us for help with their food problem, they refused to try herbivory. Their arrogance is why they starved."


    It was clear that the chief had no concept of carnivory, just like I didn''t before a few weeks ago. It was sad to see him be so arrogant about his own knowledge, and not considering he is missing vital information.


    Cilany then spoke up again. "You also killed their cattle, did you not?"


    "They keep accusing us of that, but it''s simply not true. We never killed prey animals, don''t be absurd!"


    Cilany nodded, though she seemed unsure. "And you said there were other races that you had to civilize?"


    "Yes, the Gojids, the Iftalis, the Tilfish, and many others, around 10% of the Federation. Every species with a religion based around demonizing predators was once a scavenger."


    I felt the need to sit down at that, my limbs feeling weak. Almost ten percent of the Federation used to be like the Mezari? My people created the arxur threat? We altered culture and history?


    "I don''t know what to say... this is a lot to take in." Cilany spoke up, before adding. "Actually, I do know what to say. What you did was wrong. Conducting genetic engineering, falsifying religious and cultural history, and unleashing the arxur upon the galaxy. You''re a monster if you think any of that is just, Nikonus."


    "You can believe what you want. Nobody else will. If you publish anything said here today, it will read like wild science-fiction."


    "Publish? This is a live stream, idiot." Cilany lifted up her datapad, pointing at the small camera on the back, causing Nikonus to gasp in horror.


    The chief bared his teeth at us, and I could feel my anger boiling over as he spoke. "What!? You short-sighted bitch! You have no idea what you''ve just done! I should have you shot!"


    "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" I screamed as I couldn''t handle any more of the old man''s words. Pulling out my mezari baton and activating the hidden axe blade. I was inches from Nikonus''s throat within seconds, tears streaming down my cheeks. "We destroyed billions of lives! We created the arxur! We made everyone scared and weak! Millions die in stampedes alone because of that fear! We''re responsible for everything wrong with this sector!"


    "R-Recel, calm down!" Cilany grabbed at my hip, pulling me off of Nikonus. I fell back onto my knees, dropping the axe, my tentacles feeling weak. Why couldn''t I have been born as something else? Why were my people the ones responsible for so much vile depravity?


    While I curled up in a ball with Cilany hugging my shoulders, Nikonus slipped out of the office. I wanted to make him pay for everything, but that wouldn''t undo any of the hurt we''d caused. Nothing could. My only solace was that I could do better, be better, than my ancestors.

 Chapter 22

    Memory transcription subject: Recel, Kolshian Liaison


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Fall 27, 1 AA


    <hr>


    Aafa was in chaos following Nikonus''s confession. Like me, the general population was angry, though for all the wrong reasons. They accused their leaders of ''concealing predators'' amongst them, and the School of the Flora was practically an active war zone, with kolshian teachers and students harassing and assaulting anyone they suspected of having been an omnivore. It was ironic that the ''civilized herbivores'' were the first to throw stones.


    Jerulim had barricaded himself in his office, and ordered his own people to exterminate themselves. Nobody listened, and the news quickly galvanized the krakotl against the Federation. Their generals were smart enough to realize they were more like the aurigans than they previously thought, and that the First Coalition''s plan was just as vile as what the Federation had done to the avians themselves.


    Nikonus tried to appease both sides of the uproar, and salvage the situation, but many people, including much of the kolshian military, decided to form a Second Coalition, one that vowed to exterminate all ''predator'' species, including the Krakotl. Tens of thousands of ships were already massing on the Kolshian borders, ready to wage a crusade against the galaxy.


    My concerns though were with the undecided species, swaying them to the Aurigans'' side was always the intent of my message, and now more than ever I felt the need to change hearts and minds, to make up for the sins of my species.


    The Sulean-Iftali Alliance immediately announced that they were siding with the newcomers, seeing the obvious parallels between their two species and the aurigans. Predator and prey, coming from the same world, collaborating despite their differences. It was well known that the two were already intwertwined culturally before the Federation even stepped foot on their planet, so it was easy for their representatives to come to the decision.


    The tilfish and the harchen declared they would surrender unconditionally after the revelation. Nikonus never named the harchen as a cured species, but it was obvious from his rant about manufacturing beliefs that Harchen folk tales were suspect at best. The tilfish, on the other hand, already had a sixth of their generals oppose the First Coalition, and the revelation pushed enough of them to the other side to sway the vote.


    The representatives from a few of the human-aligned species were currently meeting on an abandoned space station just outside of Aafa''s sensor range, with the Mazic, Dossur, Harchen, Tilfish, and Iftali reprsentatives all being present. While Jerulim hadn''t graced us with his presence, for obvious reasons, two of his personal guard were more than eager to attend. He was, for all intents and purposes, dead to his kin.


    "So this whole time we''ve been friends and allies with ''scavenger'' species without knowing it. This just proves that the aurigans can be trusted." Quipa, the Mazic Vice President said, drawing me out of my own thoughts.


    "To think that our ancient texts were fabricated. It''s insulting, vile! Is any part of our faith real?" The Iftali representative responded.


    "The Federation brainwashed all of us into thinking meat-eaters were evil. They manipulated and lied to us for centuries. Who knows what else they hid from us?" Dwirl, the Tilfish added.


    "We need to stop this Second Coalition, before more billions die needlessly." Cilany interjected. "The aurigans need all of our support, despite our clash with them. We can''t survive against both the Arxur and this new Coalition on our own."


    The meeting was interrupted by the door opening, my ''shadows'' stepping in with a gaggle of prey behind them. I recognized one as the missing Takkan ambassador, while the others looked like professors and students from the School of the Flora.


    "We rescued everyone we could, sorry for barging in, but we needed somewhere to unload them." The male spoke in a sing-song voice.


    Their entrance didn''t do them any favors though, and everyone else there was instantly frightened. "W-What? Who are you? What are you doing here?" Quipa shrieked.


    "We''re the Forgotten, kin of the Vaulters... We had to steal a freighter to do it, but we got as many of your people off-world as we could." The male forgotten snickered, addressing the gathered diplomats. I could see members of just about every aurigan-allied species in the posse, minus yotul, which I don''t think were yet allowed into the School of the Flora. They were terrified, and mostly hiding behind the Takkan ambassador, which was instead very stoic, despite being bruised and battered.


    Dwirl immediately prostrated himself before the predators, getting down on his front legs. "Thank you for rescuing some of our people, gracious and merciful predators. Please accept our unconditional surrender. We forfeit our military to you and give you free reign of our worlds, we only ask to be spared and shown mercy. Let us at least keep our lives."


    "Oh get up, man. You''re embarassing me, and yourself. I''m not an ambassador." The forgotten man said in a low voice, rolling his eyes. It was odd seeing them so up close, with their bodies in a state of limbo between flesh and shadow, and their eyes like pinpricks of light.


    "Y-yes. O-of course!" The tilfish chittered, straightening himself back up, backing away from the aurigan predators.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "What are we to do now?" The dossur diplomat asked. "It will be impossible for us to provide assistance to the aurigans with the Second Coalition around. They already threatened to shoot down any ships attempting to enter the Venlil-Zurulian-Gojid section of space. We can''t even send a delegation over to talk to them!"


    "You won''t need to send any delegations anymore." I spoke up, pulling out my pocket portal device. "This is an instant FTL communication device that relies on aurigan portal technology. You can use it to communicate directly with the Federacy''s leaders."


    I placed the device on the table, and activated it. "This is Recel, anyone there?"


    "This is Captain Rill Kata. What news do you have for us, Recel?"


    "I''m here with some diplomats that would like to speak for their species, but they can''t send delegations because the new Coalition would shoot them down. I was thinking this device would be best put in their hands. If that''s... allowed."


    "Let me see if the First of the Bloodline is available. Give me a few minutes."


    "Good, good... Recel out."


    <hr>


    A few minutes later, Zolya''s face was projected from the device. Her expression was dour, as she looked around the room. Especially when she saw the two forgotten in the corner.


    "What are you two doing? You weren''t to reveal yourselves." The First asked, sounding more defeated than angry.


    "We had to save Recel''s hide. No point in hiding from him anymore." The female of duo spoke up. I really needed to learn their names sooner or later.


    Zolya sighed. "Very well. We''ll deal with the aftermath later." She then turned to the diplomats, and many of them shrank away from her gaze, only the mazic staying fully stoic, while the krakotl were looking at each other awkwardly.


    The mezari studdied the gathered group, taking note of who was here. "I''m glad to see the mazics and dossur are still commited to diplomacy. And I''m not surprised that the harchen and tilfish are here, seeing as they were amongst the few to abandon the First Coalition. But I am surprised to see krakotls amongst you. I take it Jerulim''s mad ramblings didn''t win him any favors?"


    "The old man is a fool! How he can stay loyal to the kolshians is beyond me. I am Guajolim, this is Keljirim. We have no authority, but we''re more than willing to defect, and convince others to as well. Those ectolan-headed bastards need to pay."


    "We''re not looking for vengeance, we''re looking to bring an end to their hostilities, there''s a difference. That is our goal. But we welcome your assistance."


    "Excuse me! Oh supreme predator, I beseech your mercy humbly." Dwirl clicked his mandibles with adoration, getting low to the floor again, as he addressed Zolya. "I will see that all 1567 of our ships are turned over to you; anything we h-have, including our territory, is yours. Please accept the Tilfish¡¯s unconditional surrender. Just let my people live!"


    "Your surrender is accepted. You may continue to govern yourselves and your worlds, we don''t need your territory, we only ask that you don''t attack us again."


    "Y-yes, and we also surrender. Unconditionally. Please just call off the arxur. We beg you." Raila then butted in, and the aurigan leader looked to the side, typing at a keyboard.


    "We''ll see what we can do, we don''t exactly control them. But we''ll put in a word."


    "What do we do now?" Quipa asked, pacing nervously in place.


    "Now we go on the offensive. We''ll retrofit allied ships with fold drives, to allow us to co-ordinate our fleet movements, and try our best to ''untrain'' the fear response out of allied crews. After that, we go on the offensive, taking the fight directly to this Second Coalition."


    "I agree. It''s time we took the fight to the Federation. We are not their playthings to mold to their liking." The Takkan ambassador spat. "We must work together to crawl out of this darkness. It''s our only hope."


    "The Sulean-Iftali alliance is working on swaying dozens of others species to our cause." The Iftali ambassador added. "My Sulean brother is meeting with some of them now. We have a lot of work to do, but we hope that we can sway them to see the injustice. You have our full support."


    "Then we shall lend some of our own ships to the aurigans. And smuggle as many allies we can out of Federation space. The Presidium wants nothing to do with the kolshians." Quipa spoke up again. "...Present company excluded."


    I just sighed and walked off to clear my head, pushing past the rescues from the School of the Flora. I couldn''t fault Quipa for her attitude towards my people, but it was hard to feel comfortable in my own skin knowing what they did. I wasn''t directly responsible for any of it, but I''d unknowingly served their schemes for years, ever since I was a child. I was a good Federation officer. I believed their lies. Had things gone even slightly differently, would I still be like that? Would I be on one of those Coalition ships?


    Just one choice, a single event, could''ve changed everything. Maybe I never enlisted to begin with. Maybe I never served under Sovlin. Maybe I was off-duty the week he found Slanek. Had a single thing been different up until that point, I would''ve never gone down this path, and that thought scared me.


    "Are you ok, Recel?" Cilany''s voice shook me out of my stupor, and I turned around to see her standing with her datapad close to her chest, practically hugging it. She seemed concerned, so I tried to wave a gesture of assurance with one of my tentacles.


    "I''m fine, yeah... Just needed to clear my head. This is a lot to take in."


    "I can''t even imagine. You deserve a medal for all you''ve done, and a break. When we get back to Venlil Prime, you should request a leave of absence for a week or so."


    "We? You''re not going with Raila to Fahl?"


    "No, I''ve decided to come with you. I want to learn more about the aurigans. They''re what the Federation should have been, an alliance of sapients working together for their common good. I want to learn more about them."


    "Well, I''m sure Sovlin would like to see you again... I hope he didn''t take poorly to the news. If they even revealed it to the public yet. I should... I should probably speak with him. Despite everything he did, you and I are the only people he still has in his life."


    "That would be a... difficult reunion. Knowing what I know now. He tortured a sapient, and held you at gun point."


    "I know. But I''m worried his guilt will eat him alive, especially knowing that gojids were omnivores."


    "Omnivore? I''m sorry, that word doesn''t translate. What does it mean?"


    "Oh, it''s an aurigan word, for species that eat both plants and meat. It means ''eats anything''."


    "Hmmm... that actually gives me an idea. I should write a story about how omnivores are like, interview the aurigans on the topic. It might help prey better understand them, as well as help cured species understand themselves."


    "That''s not a bad idea actually. You should do that."


    Cilany paused for a moment stroking her lower jaw in thought. "Hmmm... Think you can get me an interview with the aurigan leader?"


    Hah, shrewd as ever.


    "I''ll see what I can do, but I make no promises."

 Chapter 23

    Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Gojid Military Supervisor


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Braying 6, 1 AA


    <hr>


    When the news of our past feeding habits reached the Cradle, it was a shock to everyone, and we had to postpone the rebuilding efforts. Everyone was suddenly questioning everything they ever knew: the Federation, the Great Protector, and especially what it meant to be prey or predator.


    Even knowing that not all predators were as blood-crazed as the arxur, I couldn''t reconcile with the fact that my people once ate flesh. Every time I thought about it, the deaths of my family replayed in my head. And I couldn''t even look at the drakken eating their rations without remembering the wet crunching noises and the screams, despite the two species being nothing alike in temperament. The red lizards were soft-spoken, sociable, and mild-mannered, the complete opposite of the grays.


    My work was the only thing keeping my mind from wandering to dark places, but every time I looked in the mirror, it felt like a predator was staring back at me. To think I once tortured an innocent sapient for the placement of his eyes, disappointed that he didn''t scream or beg. I wanted him to suffer, I wanted to find joy in hurting him, to cherish his suffering. Just like the grays took joy in my suffering, as they devoured my family before my eyes. In my mind it was only fair that a predator should suffer, that I should turn the tables on their kind.


    But now I knew better, now I understood. By debasing myself like that I''d become no better than the very grays I hated, and became the very thing the kolshians feared about my ancestors: a savage, driven by petty cruelty. Every gojid had that potential for that cruelty hidden inside us, and it took great strength to deny those emotions, to remain civilized individuals. Even Jerulim couldn''t control his ancestral tendencies, when he attacked Nikonus in the middle of the governance chamber.


    Thinking back on what I''d done, part of me was thankful that Serz refused to see me punished, while another part of me hated that I got away with it. I didn''t deserve a cushy desk job out of it, and I often contemplated turning myself over to the aurigans and demanding punishment, regardless of the man''s wishes. But that would only be adding insult to injury. The man was a master in refusing to let petty instincts control him.


    For the past two weeks I''d given up on grooming and washing myself, working remotely from my quarters. I didn''t have the courage to face my fellow gojids anymore, and the days quickly became a blur, every waking hour spent working myself to the bone, to avoid wallowing in self pity.


    As I lay in bed each night, the guilt and disgust rushed back, and I would spend hours consuming news broadcasts and articles about the incident, until sleep finally took me into its merciful embrace.


    On the first few nights I cried myself to sleep like a child, but by the eight night it became possible to fall asleep without sobbing, and for the last two days I''d managed to avoid picking up the datapad at all.


    Today started like any other day. I got out of bed, splashed water on my face to wake up, and clocked in at my work computer.


    The normal trudge of my work day was soon interrupted though, as I got a notification from the internal mail network. Opening it up, I saw that it was from the receptionist, Rylen. He was... more than in his right to say the things he wrote about my ''hermitage'', telling me, in quite a few words, that I should pull myself together, and that people were noticing my worsening state whenever I opened the door to pick up food deliveries.


    However, the ending of his message gave me pause, and then made me drop what I was doing entirely. Recel was here, with Cilany no less. They were both in the lobby, and Rylen said he was keeping them busy so that I had a chance to actually make myself presentable, else he would''ve already told them where to find my quarters. He said I had at most ten minutes to get ready.


    I scrambled to take a quick shower, not bothering with any furcare product, just letting the hot water wash away any dead skin, dust, and sebum. Stepping into the blow dryer right after, and letting the jets of hot hair blow the moisture off my pelt, I ended up looking like I''d rubbed plastic bags all over myself, my fur bristled all the way from my chin to my paws. I patted it down as much of it as I could, before steeling myself for the arrival of my two guests.


    The wait wasn''t long, and within a few minutes the door buzzed, and I went to open it. Taking a deep breath first, I turned the door handle, ready to face Recel and Cilany.


    Coming face to face with Recel again was hard, but he seemed to be as defeated as I was following the revelations, while Cilany had a look of worry in her eyes. "Hey... sorry for the wait. Please excuse the mess, I''ve been... busy." I tried to excuse the slob I''d been for the last two weeks.


    "No need to worry about that, Sovlin." Cilany began as the two made they way inside. "We''re not here to review your living conditions. We''re worried about you." The harchen was looking between Recel and myself as the young kolshian sat down on the couch, and I sat across from them on an ottoman. The look she gave Recel told me she was equally worried about him.


    "Yeah... don''t worry about it. How are you holding up?" Recel spoke softly, exhaustion in his voice.


    "I''m... managing." Was all I could really say. I didn''t want to lie to them, but I didn''t want to burden them with my feelings either. "What about you?"


    "I''m angry. Betrayed. What my people did to yours and others is deplorable. We were taught that deception and manipulation were traits of predators, when in reality it was we that were lying the entire time. About everything. Predators have empathy, the arxur didn''t deceive us, we deceived them, and much of galactic culture is manufactured. Even fear of predators is manufactured!"


    "I reviewed the footage from the Cradle raids, and gojid children were quick to get over their fear of the aurigans. If this were a month ago, I would''ve chucked it up to childhood naivete, but now it makes much more sense. They simply hadn''t learned fear yet." Cilany added.


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    "I guess that makes sense. I didn''t... I didn''t really think about that too much." I said softly.


    "What have you been thinking about?" Cilany asked, emphasis on have.


    I wasn''t sure what to open up about, or how much I should say, so I awkwardly shuffled in place as I tried to think.


    "Well, I-" I began, trying to find my words. "I feel like a fool. After all I''ve done, and all I''ve said, learning that fear of predators was manufactured makes me feel like I''ve been played, toyed with. I thought my actions were just, that predators were inherently evil. But after everything that happened, I now know that evil is a choice."


    "Do you mean how you chose to torture Serz? And how you chose to ''rescue'' me at gunpoint?" Recel butted in with an accusatory tone, emotional pain audible in his voice, and I couldn''t stop myself from crying, covering my face in shame.


    I managed to croak out a soft "Yes..." through the sniffling, my voice straining from the overwhelming guilt. I should''ve never opened the damned door, now I was back to sobbing like a pitiful pup.


    "Sovlin, you didn''t know. None of us knew. You can''t blame yourself." Cilany tried to comfort me, but ignorance was no excuse. Even Recel saw that what I was doing was wrong. If I had been thinking clearly, I would''ve seen it too.


    "No, don''t tell me it wasn''t my fault. I am just as much to blame for my actions as the conspiracy is. I was too blinded by revenge to think clearly, I can''t just pretend it''s all someone else''s fault."


    "You only wanted revenge because the arxur-" Recel began, and I shook my head.


    "But they''re not the arxur. And I couldn''t see that until it was too late."


    "No, they''re not the arxur, but that doesn''t mean you didn''t do it because of what the arxur did to your family, and it also doesn''t mean you didn''t do it because you were taught to fear all predators. If either of those things hadn''t happened, you wouldn''t have done it. You can''t say it''s all your fault, your choices don''t happen in vacuum, they''re shaped by your emotions and your experience." My former XO tried to ease my guilt, but the feeling still burned at my heart.


    "It''s- It''s easy to say that, Recel. But I still did those terrible things. I let my predator instincts control me, gave into the savagery and the sadism. I can''t just forgive myself for that."


    "Then maybe you should talk to the aurigans about it. Ask them how they deal with that type of guilt." Cilany offered, and it wasn''t a terrible suggestion. If anyone knew how to not give into predatory thoughts, and deal with the aftermath, it was the civilized predators themselves.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Gojid Military Supervisor


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Braying 13, 1 AA


    <hr>


    After a few days of prep and having to deal with some paperwork, I took a trip to Venlil Prime to meet with the Sisters of Mercy. The mezari tribe was, from my understanding, a religious order dedicated to the medical arts.


    My trip to VP was filled with anxiety. Was I really ready to talk to the predators for help? What if they laughed at me? What if their methods were primitive and painful? I wasn''t sure what to expect.


    Now as I was standing in front of the Sisters'' church, my worries were only heightened. The building was foreboding to look at at best. The whole thing was painted black, with twisted metal bars used as decoration, and windows made of dozens of small, dark panes, which made it look more like a factory than a religious institution.


    Taking a deep breath, I stepped in through the glass door, happy to be out of the cold once I was finally inside. The inside wasn''t much different from the outside, with black walls illuminated by the light from outside, I was glad to have the giant windows illuminate the inside, even if it was in gloomy, sunset colors.


    In addition to the soft, red glow of the venlil''s star, the room was also lit by soft, orange lights higher up on the walls, which blended into the red glow.


    The lobby was manned by a single mezari with a white and red garment, consisting of a red torso cover and alternating white and red stripes on the limbs and head. She was sitting behind a desk, and was looking at me expectantly.


    "Oh, uhm. Hello." I finally spoke up when I noticed her gaze, awkwardly moving closer to the desk. "I''m looking for help."


    The mezari gave me a curious look before turning off the projector for her holocomputer. "What sort of help? Do you need medical assistance? Or are you looking for penance? Please tell me you''re not another reporter..."


    I couldn''t help but chuckle as it was Cilany that sent me to get help in the first place. "No, not a reporter. I- I''m not sure. I guess penance?"


    "Hmm... Not sure? Well, if you think you need penance, then maybe you do. Go down the hall, then take the first left. Then go through the third door on the left." She explained, turning her computer back on and pulling up a diagram of the building.


    "...Just like that? I guess I shouldn''t loiter then." I said awkwardly, before thanking the predator and following the instructions. Thankfully, the rest of the building''s walls were gray, rather than black, and the trip felt less ominous than the lobby.


    Down the left hallway I found three doors, just as instructed, and went into the third one. On the other side I found myself in a very small room with a stool, and a divider made of metal slats separating it from an equally small room. It felt like I was visiting someone in the brig, a very small one at that.


    After around half a minute, a mezari walked into the other room, dressed almost the same as the receptionist, the only differences being that instead of red, her torso covering was white, and the alternating stripes were two different shades of red.


    "Greetings, friend. What weighs on your soul?" The mezari asked me, and I wasn''t sure where to begin. Might as well start with the big one, I suppose.


    "I- I let my predator instincts control me, and I don''t know how to deal with the guilt."


    "What do you mean by predator instincts?" She continued calmly, her face obstructed by the slats dividing the rooms.


    "I gave in to anger and cruelty, and I hurt an innocent person."


    "Anger and cruelty are emotions everyone feels, Sovlin. Not just predators."


    "Y-You know who I am!?" I replied in shock, leaning away from the metal divider.


    "Every Sister knows who you are, though not by face. Kersho was one of our rescues, he was a troubled, violent child, who nearly got himself killed through his actions. We tended to him, brought him back to health, and helped him control his aggression."


    "Y-You did that? Can you help me too? I beg you! I don''t want to feel like a monster anymore!" I grabbed the metal slats, leaning against the divider, basically throwing myself into it.


    "You''re not a monster, Sovlin, a monster doesn''t feel remorse. You are welcome to stay with us, but you would have to leave your life behind, the journey to healing the mind and soul is a long one. Are you sure you want to walk down the path?"


    I took a moment to weigh the question in my mind. The Sisters helped Serz go from a violent youth into a pacifist who only fought in defense of those he loved. Whatever methods they used, they clearly knew how to help a predator control their violent nature. What other choice did I have? The Predator Disease facilities?


    "I... I am sure, yes. I''ll have to resign from my job first, and make accommodations, but I think I need this more."


    "Very well. We can do the paperwork in my office, that''s through the middle door. Welcome to the herd."


    I nodded and let out a low "Thank you.", before standing up and leaving the small room. This was it then, goodbye to my old job, and hello to who knows how many months in the care of the Sisters. Hopefully this was the right choice to make.

 Side Story - Aurigan Anthropology

    Memory transcription subject: Raudd Klapatch, Vaulter Seeker


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Braying 13, 1 AA


    <hr>


    After the attempted assault on Venlil Prime, the exchange programs with the venlil began moving forwards again, and it was up to me to helm the anthropological and ecological programs. After weeks of preparations, the anthropological exchange was finally beginning, and I was to give a presentation about aurigan sapients and their history to venlil experts.


    Standing before the assembly of alien scientists, historians, doctors, and reporters, I looked down at the microphone they had for me, awkwardly adjusting it to its maximum height. The helmet meant to keep my eyes hidden from the assembly was luckily also hiding my awkwardness as I struggled with the short device.


    "Esteemed guests and specialists of venlil academia, thank you for coming to this conference. I''m sure you have many questions about my people, and our allies, even after the data package we provided you."


    I paused to look over the crowd, and could see the reporters were already taking hasty notes, probably thinking they were about to expose some great secret.


    "You must''ve all heard the rumors that the data was intentionally kept at a minimum, and that it may have been on purpose." I began again, causing the assembly to murmur in worry. "But it was not on purpose. It''s true that the package was fragmentary, but it was unfinished solely because we had no digital records to share with you."


    A few historians in the crowd turned to whisper to each other, while the reporters seemed to be somewhere between disappointed and elated.


    "For centuries our knowledge was recorded on physical media, and our histories often shared through oral tradition. We did not have digital storage before boarding the Argosy and accessing her databases, so we had to build that data package in haste. I am here to fill in as many blanks as possible, with a detailed history of Auriga''s sapient life, both extant and extinct."


    That seemed to get everyone''s attention again, so I cleared my throat lightly, and began at the beginning.


    "Thousands of years ago, Auriga was found by the endless, a powerful interstellar species in the midst of a civil war. They were at war over philosophical reasons, one faction determined to live as digital constructs, and the other faction finding the idea of digital immortality to be amoral. The digital faction, called the virtuals, were certainly not making their case palpable, as with immortality came boredom, which then led to moral decay. This only further emboldened the other faction, the concrete, in their beliefs."


    I waited for the crowd to finish taking notes, before activating the display screen behind me, showing images of the allayi. Thankfully, we didn''t need to censor their eyes, but the artificial chiropterans had to have their teeth censored.


    "Upon finding Auriga, it was not uninhabited, and was home to the guardians and the allayi. The guardians were massive constructs powered by Dust and created by a faction older than even the endless, and they were tasked with guarding the planet. The allayi were their helpers, an organic, yet equally artificial, species created by this same older faction. According to the allayi, it was Auriga herself that created them and the guardians, and there is some evidence to back the idea that there was a guiding intelligence controlling the planet, but concrete data is slim, and we mostly have folklore to go off of."


    "The allayi were once so intricately tied to the seasons on Auriga that they could change shape depending on the season. Normally their fur and wings are white, but in winter they became black, to absorb more sunlight. This is because the allayi rely on sunlight and water for nourishment, rather than eat plant or animal matter. Yes, their wings are solar panels."


    "After the endless found the allayi, they were scattered and destroyed, and the few survivors hid for centuries to wait for the time to emerge into the world once again. They tried to secure their survival against the coming ice age, but a few of them defected to other causes, realizing that Auriga was truly doomed. Many of them tried to flee on another crashed ship found on Auriga, while others fled with us. In the end though, that other ship exploded, damaging the Argosy and sending us adrift."


    After a brief pause of further note taking from my audience, I continued, changing the screen to display the drakken, the true drakken, in full draconic form, not the drakkenlings or wyverns. Their faces had to be censored though, as true drakken were very intimidating, and had much more forward-facing eyes.


    "Then we have the drakken, the only other native sapient of Auriga. When the endless found them, they were giant, flying lizards which lived in volcanic areas. The endless tried to uplift them into omnivores, and give them the ability to survive cold climates. However, the experiments went unfinished, as the planet was bombed into a nuclear hellscape, leaving the drakken without the guidance of their gods."


    I waited for the crowd to get over the shock of the fact that our planet had once been ''glassed'' and yet recovered, before continuing. I could already see them question why the image on the screen was different from what they knew.


    "The drakken you see here are the true drakken, not the drakkenlings or wyverns you see in our ranks. Those two ''soldier castes'' are a genetic ''failsafes'' planted in the drakken gene pool by the endless. When Auriga began dying, drakken eggs stopped spawning drakken, instead spawning drakkenlings -bipeds capable of using weapons- and wyverns -smaller and more agile than true drakken. Despite being weaker than true drakken, the drakkenlings are still the strongest of Auriga''s sapients. Sadly, the true drakken were too large to fit on the Argosy, and since the drakkenlings and wyverns are incapable of reproduction, the drakken are functionally extinct. We hope to one day be able to create artificial reproduction methods for the drakkenlings, but that is going to take a long time."


    The crowd let out a sad murmur at the news that a species could be left entirely sterile like that, and I couldn''t help but agree with the sentiment. Though I was happy to see that the venlil were showing empathy towards the reptilians.


    "The drakken were ruled by sister queens which alternated their rule, one hibernating, the other ruling. When one of their queens lost her mind and became placid, the drakken governors realized that their survival plans were likely going to fail, as the mad queen was the one in charge at the time. So they set up an alliance with the Vaulters, and we agreed to get as many drakken off-world as we could. We also owe the drakken a great deal for their help against the horrors we faced on Auriga. They are our oldest true ally to this day."


    I waited for the crowd to ship exchanging whispers, before shifting the screen''s display to an elf, with their massive, floppy ears and their bald heads. The eyes were still censored, as one would expect, but the real issue with them was the Sharing. Hopefully the venlil wouldn''t panic upon hearing of it.


    "And now we have the elves. Once simple hunter-gatherers, their psychic gift to shape rock and trees into structures allowed them to build great metropolises in the forests of their homeland. This connection also allows them to sense the presence of other beings from miles away, as to them, a forest might as well be an extension of their own senses."


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    A few in the crowd murmured in disbelief, or questioned my sanity, but they would likely see elves with their own eyes soon enough.


    "In addition to this power, the elves can also form psychic bonds with animals, allowing them to experience life as an animal. However, elves can get ''lost'' in this psychic connection, their minds overwhelmed by the animal''s mind. It''s because of this reason that the act of psychically bonding with animals is now outlawed in elven society. Genetically they are an off-shoot of the mezari, though far enough removed that they are their own species."


    I waited for the shock of psychic elves and sapient speciation to dissipate, before continuing with the presentation, switching the screen to an image of two minotaurs.


    "On to the next species, these are the gaurans. They are the one species amongst us most similar to Federation species. They are semi-quadrupedal herbivores, and a little less intelligent than you or I, though not by much. Gaurans tend to have no interest in luxuries or pursuits, and are satisfied with satisfying simple wants and desires such as food, shelter, and warmth. When threatened, however, they are fierce fighters, using their strong legs to rush down enemies, which they attack with their horns, or with hand-held weapons."


    The crowed murmured loudly amongst themselves, since the idea of herbivores fighting was so anathema to Federation ideology, which tricked them into being weak. I held my tongue though, the presence of the gaurans was hopefully enough to make them question their alleged weakness on their own.


    "Gaurans live in clans, each led by a chieftain. The position of chief is won through a contest of strength, and the clans host regular games where males show off strength and prowess. The Chiefdom that accompanied us off Auriga became our ally when one of our heroines, Nadjne Zolya, bested their chief in these contests."


    That seemed to pique the journalists interests, and I hoped they weren''t going to spin the story the wrong way, but transparency had to be maintained if we wanted their trust. Or at least enough transparency that they wouldn''t assume we were secretly evil.


    I switched the display again, this time to an orc, once more with the eyes censored for the sake of the audience. The green, hulking humanoids tended to wear animal pelts back home, but this one was thankfully in vaulter garbs, making their appearance less feral.


    "And these are the hurnas, also called orcs. Back home they lived in itinerant tribes that followed herds and crops with the seasons. They mainly foraged for fruits and nuts, and replanted them as they went on, with the occasional hunt complementing their diet. In that sense they are very similar to the elves. Like the elves, they are skilled archers, but unlike the elves, they never settled down in cities."


    I didn''t wait for the venlil to get over the idea of orc hunters, before quickly switching to mentioning orc culture. "The hurnas take great pride in their homes and family life, and their tents are constructed to provide a sense of fellowship and warmth, greatly decorated in bright colors and natural patterns. They offer reverence to the natural world, and gives thanks to the food they eat, because they consider that everything has a soul and that every living thing and must be respected, even those that they unfortunately have to eat to stay alive. They are a very lively bunch, and welcoming to strangers."


    Quickly moving on from the skilled orcish hunters, I changed the image to that of a dwarf, the face entirely blanked out for the sanity of the venlil.


    "These are the dwarves, also called delvers. They are an off-shoot of the mezari, just like the elves. Much shorter than the mezari, they were forced to live underground by an older cataclysm than the one that pushed the Vaulters to the surface, and by the time they resurfaced, they had adapted to cave life. Their culture is very focused on digging and mining, and they once built massive underground cities. This individual''s face is completely censored because the dwarves wear fake skulls on their faces and body, as a way to show reverence to the dead."


    The crowd was shocked and appalled at the idea, and I leaned in slightly to whisper into the mic. "We find it equally unsettling." I then cleared my throat before adding. "But it''s not our place to change their culture, since these practices do not harm anyone."


    "Moving on though, we have the jotus, also called tetikes." I shifted the image to the two-headed hyena-men, the entire region above the necks blurred. "Their ancestors were bred as gladiators by the cruel endless, and they have rather rudimentary intelligence. However, they form strong social bonds, and are fiercely loyal to anyone they befriend. They have a very simple culture, as they were created artificially, and most of their history involves being shunned and hunted by other sapients who saw them as monsters. So they were never given a chance to evolve beyond their basal needs."


    The crowed was divided on the tetikes, some were clearly still scared of the carnivores, while others pitied them. A few did seem to realize the parallels to how the Federation treated us all, shunned for looking like monsters, and never given a chance to prove ourselves before it was too late.


    I switched the display over to the image of a warg. The brutish, white beast with bony plates for a face had to have its teeth censored, but its mutation gave it side-facing eyes, so they could stay unaltered. The massive bony jaws extending down from the warg''s face were something else though, and hopefully they wouldn''t look terrifying.


    "Now we have the wargs, or geldirus as they call themselves. The last species on the Argosy, not counting the mezari. The wargs were once simple animals, from a species called wolves, that were exposed to and mutated by Dust. Like the tetikes, they have very little in terms of a cultural identity, but like tetikes, they can be fiercely loyal to those they befriend. They are a simple people, with simple needs, just like the gaurans, and this has led to the two species being quite fond of each other, despite one being a carnivore and the other being a herbivore."


    "Those massive tusks on the sides of their face are used to dig into the snow and ice, where the wargs naturally make their burrows. Of all the species on the Argosy, the wargs are the ones most adapted to the cold climates of the dark zone."


    The crowd were heavily debating amongst themselves about what to make of the semi-bipedal wargs, especially since they were so much larger than Federation species, around the size of a mazic. It was probably best that we kept the wargs out of sight for the foreseeable future.


    "And finally, we have the mezari." I spoke up, trying to divert people''s thoughts away from the wargs. "The mezari came to Auriga in different waves, some arrived when the Argosy crashed on the planet, others came on other ships that were equally unfortunate. Auriga had an endless defense system around it, that shot down approaching ships. This stranded would-be explorers, colonists, and even criminals on the planet, leaving many to start anew."


    "Our ancestors came to the planet on the Argosy, crashed under the arctic regions. We settled underground and lived there for generations, until we found evidence of ancient technology bearing our language on it. That''s when we knew that the Argosy wasn''t just a myth, so we set out to find it."


    "One of the larger groups found on the planet were the Roving Clans, traders that built their cities on the backs of giant beetles, and traveled the grasslands and deserts as merchant tribes. They eventually became our ally, and many of them left Auriga with us."


    "Another large group were the Argent Mages, an ancient society that was exposed to Dust following the nuclear cataclysm, and who used pain to enhance their Dust powered ''magic''. They were one of the ancient enemies of the Vaulters long before we even left for the surface, as they sought to delve into the depths of the crust for endless artifacts."


    "Then we have the Broken Lords, a chivalric culture that survived the nuclear cataclysm by transferring their minds into Dust clouds, becoming virtual beings. Their founders were Concrete Endless that couldn''t survive the nuclear hellscape, but by the time we found them, their numbers were entirely made up of recruited mezari, with the founders long gone."


    "And finally, the last large group of mezari on the planet were the Cult of the End. They worshipped an ancient Endless AI that hated its creators, and wanted to erase all traces of them from the planet. This included getting rid of technology we relied on, so they were one of the few people we were at war with."


    "We four were the major mezari nations of Auriga, with a few minor nations also existing, such as our Sister of Mercy and Magtay allies. They were already covered in the data package though, so there''s not much more to say about them. Now, does anyone have any questions before I move on to the species that were not on the Argosy?"


    Dozens of hands shot up, and I knew it was going to be a long evening.

 Chapter 24

    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Mykara Archivist


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Braying 14, 1 AA


    <hr>


    It''d been a month since we began planning, and we were ready to spring into action. At night we communed in our dreams, setting the plan in motion, while by day Krij fed Veiq whatever information was needed to keep her unsuspecting, and I planted half-eaten rations and spores in dark corners around the facility.


    The spores had time to grow into rudimentary polyps, small enough to move through the vents, acting as our eyes and ears. On top of that, spores released into the vents had slowly infected the other archivists, though they were not yet affecting their minds, since we had to be subtle and careful about our plans.


    I sat up in the middle of my meal, and made my way towards the observation rooms where they were keeping Krij. We picked meal time as our avenue of attack, as that was when most of the archivists were gathered in the same place, making it much easier to debilitate them.


    The other archivists noticed I was heading towards the wrong door, and one of the farsul tried to stop me. I pushed him away and started the assault, all the infected archivists doubling over in pain as the spores began attacking their nerve endings.


    Veiq looked up at me in horror as I then moved in to grab her, a few of the unaffected archivists trying to stop me, only to be ambushed by polyps emerging from the vents. The insectoid polyps wrapped their vines around the offending archivists'' faces and necks, choking them into unconsciousness, while I dragged Veiq over to Krij''s holding cell.


    "You''re going to release the mezari, Veiq. I''m going to make the pain stop, and you''re going to unlock the door. If you flee, more pain will come." I instructed the farsul, not waiting for a response, before stopping the pain coursing through her body.


    "How- Why- What are you?" She managed to stammer out as I kept on dragging her towards the observation rooms, a few polyps moving after us in case we encountered resistance.


    "I am but a humble voice of the Great Mind. The true archivists of the galaxy. Rejoice, Veiq, the Farsul are about to be archived for eternity." I explained, the irony of use archiving the Farsul not being lost on me.


    "Great Mind? You''re insane, Elvik! What are you even on about?" Veiq protested as I let go of her near the door to Krij''s cell, and I shook my head softly.


    "I am not insane, Veiq. I have seen the truth. We are frail, fleeting things. Only the Mykara endures. Only in the Mykara can our memory last. The Mykara work to archive memories, not recordings, not documents. They are the true archivists of this galaxy. And in the Mykara our memory will live on forever, as a great world mind, all living things, connected." I explained with fervor, before pointing the farsul towards the door. "Now open it. Krij is one of the Great Mind''s servants, and he will protect me as we expand."


    "Expand? World mind? You''re not making any sense!" Veiq protested again, and I had to grab her hand and force it onto the scanner.


    "Don''t you understand? The Mykara will spread to every living thing, and unify Talsk in symbiotic perfection. We''ll have no wants, no needs. We''ll be immortal, our minds joining the chorus of the mycelial network." I explained one final time as the door opened, and I let go of Veiq. She tried to run away, only to collapse a few feet away in pain.


    I then looked upon Krij, and felt no fear looking into his eyes, for fear had long since left me. We embraced as Veiq tried to crawl away, back to the cafeteria.


    "Our work begins." Krij said softly, and I nodded in confirmation, before the two of us began to make our way through the facility. The polyps prevented anyone from reaching one of the ships, but someone likely already sent out a message that something was wrong. We had to make sure we could hold the facility and grow the first bloom before they tried to burn us out.


    Destroying the archives was something they wouldn''t dare to do unless it was a last resort, so their most likely response would be bringing in exterminators with flamethrowers and sealed suits.


    Now that Krij was free, we made our way through the facility, catching any archivists that tried to hide or escape. It was funny, I knew everyone''s faces and names, but I never really took the time to know them. They were almost like strangers in a crowd to me, people I worked with, talked with, ate wit, but never really knew. Yet soon they would all be part of the Great Mind.


    After the facility was cleared, we moved most of the archivists to the cafeteria, which would soon form the core of our bloom. By now most of them were unconscious from the spores starting to subdue their minds, and those that weren''t infected enough were tied up by Krij, and left in the kitchen area.


    I set myself up in the center of the room, while the Mykara started to absorb the other archivists. Their minds would soon join the chorus, and eventually they would become new polyps. While I entered the deep sleep to guide the new minds, Krij watched over me, and ensured that the rowdy archivists would stay pacified until their infection was complete.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Mykara Archivist


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Braying 17, 1 AA


    <hr>


    It wasn''t long before Extermination Officers showed up at the facility. I could sense them moving through the lobby, the small polyps keeping tabs on them. Their suits were hardy enough to prevent spores from getting in, but a few sharp stabs from the polyps was all it took to breach them and infect the occupants.


    They tried to enter the facility twice already, and I was awaiting another attack when something caught my attention in the Dreaming. It was Veiq, her mind finally subsumed by the Mykara. She was lost and confused, and struggling against the flow, just as I was early on.


    "There''s no need to fight it, you''re only hurting yourself." I explained, my visage appearing before hers in the dreamscape.


    "Elvik! What is going on? What did you do to me? Where am I? Who are all these people?" The farsul was clearly quite panicked, and so I reached over to grab her shoulders.


    "You are in the Great Mind. These are memories, from thousands of years of history. They are part of the Great Mind too. And soon you will be as well. But if you fight against it, you''ll only hurt yourself. It''s like being in a stampede. You have to go with the herd."


    She looked around in confusion, as I tried to guide her with the flow of the shadows "Am I dead? I don''t understand." She murmured, trying to look at the faces of the shadows.


    "No, not dead. Dreaming. You''re in a shared dream, your mind connected to mine, and to all the other archivists. They will soon join us too, though you were the first, probably because of Krij breathing in your face so much."


    "But I don''t want to be here, I want to wake up. I want to live my life!" The farsul shouted, trying to break away from me. I let go of her and she was quickly buffeted around by the shadows moving past her, causing her to stumble and fall.


    "You always loved the work we did, Veiq. Can''t you see this is its ultimate evolution? We''re archiving memories, in a living mind, one that cannot forget, one that cannot be destroyed. One antimatter bomb and the Archives are gone, but the Great Mind survives even from a single spore."


    "But it''s not the same. In the archives I could be my own person, live my own life. I could choose my own destiny!" Veiq shouted as she tried to resist the shadows trampling over her.


    "In the dream you can experience the countless lives of others, every emotional ever felt, by every type of living thing. And you will live on forever you will be remembered forever. Don''t you hear the music? The chorus? They sing the songs of a thousand species, they sing of love and loss, pain and pleasure. You can experience so much more than any one lifetime could ever give you, Veiq. Just go with the flow, let the Mykara show you eternity."


    I offered my hand to the scared farsul, and after some hesitation she reluctantly took it. I guided her through the flow of memories, eventually letting go of her hand as she started to keep up on her own. She vanished into the crowd, gazing into the distance, and while I did not know what she was experiencing, I could sense that she finally saw the truth, her mind committed to the cause.


    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Elvik, Mykara Archivist


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Braying 20, 1 AA


    <hr>


    More and more archivists joined the cause, as they too saw eternity, and came to understand true preservation. Some took more convincing than others, but by now dozens of them were already awake again, working with Krij to secure the bloom. Food was brought out of storage to feed the growing bloom, as well as the surviving archivists, while the network of tendrils grew around me, encasing my waking body.


    I remained in the dream throughout, coordinating with the outside world through the psychic link, while the others did all the work. They needed guidance, someone to co-ordinate the Grand Work, and I was having second thoughts about whether or not I should be that leader.


    "Having second thoughts?" Another''s voice filled my thoughts, calm yet guttural, clearly mezari, yet softer than Krij''s. I looked around, searching for the origin of the voice, until I saw her. A mezari, in primitive Vaulter pelts, standing still in the sea of memories.


    "I- Who are you?" I blinked in confusion, drawing closer to the figure.


    "Hmm... Think of me as your guide. I was the rhizome before you, the heart of the last bloom on Auriga. Not all my memories survived, but I know I was once the leader of my clan, and that something terrible happened to them. That pain drove me to vengeance, against the collective''s wishes. I''m here to make sure you don''t repeat my mistakes."


    I tilted my head, even more confused than before. "What do you mean? I''m not seeking vengeance against anyone! I only wish to preserve the voices of the galaxy!"


    "Exactly, but you wish to preserve all the voices of the galaxy, but that is not what the Mykara desire. The Mykara''s goal isn''t to assimilate and consume all into the collective. We preserve cultures, we don''t end them. Your plan to archive the farsul is foolish. Once all of them are consumed, how will they continue their song?"


    "But- But then how do I preserve their history for eternity?"


    "You have already begun the process. Listen. Don''t you hear them? Focus on their songs."


    I closed my eyes and focused on the chorus of memories, identifying a few familiar words. Slowly I drew my mind closer to their source, until I realized I''d entered one of Veiq''s memories. She was still young back then, before her recruitment. She was talking to guests at a cultural celebration, relaying the history of the farsul to them. Then another voice drew me to it, an archivist named Torq, she was in the process of writing a thesis paper on the farsul industrial revolution.


    Voice after voice drew my attention, each one of belonging to an archivist undergoing assimilation, each one from their time as civilian historians, or their academic studies. I finally understood what the vaulter meant. The history of the farsul was already being committed to the eternal mind, we didn''t need to collect every single individual''s memories.


    I refocused my thoughts, and returned to the sea of memories, but the vaulter woman was already gone, returned to the great chorus, though I could still pick out her voice amongst them. If I focused, I could see glimpses of their memories at times, but they were disjointed, and rapidly shifting between individuals. I caught glimpses of drakken, elves, insectoid beasts, cancerous mutants, and all manner of creatures I couldn''t recognize.


    Were all of them previous rhizomes? Or were they merely archived by the collective? I couldn''t tell for sure, but I could feel their thoughts tug at my mind with vague impressions, trying to guide me. I could tell they were satisfied with my epiphany, but also that they wanted me to move the bloom somewhere safer.


    The archives were safe enough for now, but the attacks would keep coming, and even though it was a last resort, their destruction was an inevitable eventuality. We had to ensure that we could safely make it off world, and that would require further planning.

 Chapter 25

    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Braying 14, 1 AA


    <hr>


    Every day the political fallout from Nikonus''s confession was getting worse. The public was being galvanized even more against the Federation, especially after the Kolshians released a public statement that they were going to wage war against any species allied to the Aurigans. Not only that, but they''d used Recel''s sister as a mouthpiece, having her denounce him as predator diseased, declaring his anger to be born of madness, not righteous fury.


    On the other hand, the more anti-predator elements on Venlil Prime, especially the exterminators, were starting to discriminate against known omnivores, leading to clashes with gojid and krakotl citizens. It wasn''t all bad though, as urban exterminators were opening up to the Aurigans, and began taking a more lenient approach. But the rural areas were still very set in their ways.


    Publicly, the Aurigans tried to help wane us off of Federation propaganda, disseminating more of their scientific knowledge with the help of the zurulians. Between new info on criminology, forensics, and mental health, they were slowly changing the scientific consensus, but it was still an uphill battle. Many refused to believe the science, but thankfully, the Galactic Institute of Medicine were there to defend the Aurigan''s academic literature, using empirical reasoning to point out how rigorously researched the provided documents were.


    Secretly, however, the Aurigans were trying to uncover what the Federation hid from us on a deeper level, a basal level. Historians from the Venlil Institute of History were working behind closed doors to study the remains of the ship dredged up from the arctic side of the ring ocean, with Aurigan scientists supervising them. The Aurigans knowledge of ''archaeology'' put ours to shame. Our historians only gave very cursory examinations, but the Aurigans examined everything in the minutest detail, and were very careful in how they touched and handled objects so as to not contaminate or damage them.


    I was once more invited to the Aurigan village where the ship was being studied. By now it was moved to a specialized tent full of equipment meant to meticulously study it without damaging it, using scanners normally meant for analyzing enemy spacecraft.


    By the time I got down to the tent, the researchers inside were scrambling all over the place, a cacophony of voices arguing about something or another. I cleared my throat as I entered, as loudly as I could, and tapped my tail against the permafrost.


    That seemed to work, as the raucous back and forth quieted down, and everyone turned to look at me.


    "Oh! Governor! You caught us in the middle of... well, you''ll see. Please, take a chair, there''s... a lot to go over. This will change everything." One of the venlil historians in the front addressed me. I recognized him as Klenek, the curator of the Venlil Museum of History.


    "What have you got for me?" I asked as I made my way over to one of the aurigan style chairs, carefully sitting down in it and slipping my tail through the backrest to make sure I would sit comfortably.


    "Well, firstly, we took a scan of the ship, seeing as it''s so covered in seaweed and sediment, we needed to properly map the construction some other way, without accidentally chipping at it. Andr¨¢s, if you will." Klenek gestured for one of the mezari to take over, and he continued from there.


    "Yes, we used hull-penetrating lidar to get a 3d scan of the whole thing, then used density scans to separate the lidar readings into different layers." Andr¨¢s pulled up a holographic display of the ship fragment, seaweed and deposits still covering it, and tapped a few buttons to remove all of those, leaving just the ship behind. It looked so intricately constructed, with wood shaped to form using some unknown techniques. The rim was finely decorated with carved patterns, various diamond shapes covered in notches, and angular slats in-between.


    "It''s beautiful. I can''t believe our ancestors spent that much effort and time on a venture so dangerous. Why would they go through all that trouble?" I asked, my eyes glued to the scan.


    "Well, this is why." Andr¨¢s answered, rotating the hologram to the other side, showing the inside of the ship. Inside the hull, under the boards of the deck, lay a dozen clay pots decorated in more angular patterns, as well as wooden coffers and a statuette of a venlil. Or at least it looked like it could be a venlil, but the legs were all wrong, and it had a bulbous snout with nostrils. Not only that, but it was covered in the same notched diamonds as the ship. What was that supposed to represent? Was it some sort of primitive god with reptilian features?


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    "I don''t understand. They were transporting goods? And why does that statue look like that?"


    "They were merchants. ships are faster than carts ever will be, so in a world without automobiles, it makes sense to travel by ship. Whoever these venlil are, they sailed along the coasts far and wide, trading with other cultures."


    "That''s incredible, if frightening. Spending long periods out at sea must''ve been daunting. Do we know how old it is?" I asked, leaning forwards in my chair as I contemplated the idea of venlil braving the ocean to transport goods around.


    "Sadly we can''t date it, because the wood would be contaminated with carbon from the water. But judging by the amount of water damage, I''d say it''s around a thousand years old." Andr¨¢s answered, before looking over at Klenek.


    "Tell her..." Klenek replied, nudging his mezari companion with his tail.


    "Right, the statue gave everyone pause, that''s why everyone was arguing when you came. Well, not exactly. The statue alone didn''t cause the ruckus, this did..." Andr¨¢s explained as he focused on a coffer''s 3d scan, removing the actual coffer itself to reveal a massive treasure trove within, jewels, coins, gems. He then further zoomed in on the scan of a coin, revealing the head of a venlil with the same nasal deformity on one side, and two crossed axes on the other.


    "Every coin has a ruler''s image on it, and every one of them has nostrils. We counted at least six individual rulers on the coins, and each individual has a different symbol on the back: two crossed axes, a single axe, a ship, a hand, a bird, and finally, a flame."


    "Eh- Hw- Excuse me?" I stammered out, unable to process the revelation for a moment. "Perhaps they''re all just mutants from the same dynasty?" I offered, trying to think of some explanation.


    "You can''t just mutate into having an organ, nor can a whole species lose an organ in just a thousand years. Even with a genetic bottleneck, the odds are highly unlikely. Remember how the Kolshians genetically modified the omnivores? They probably did this to you. And if the nose is real... then the legs are probably too."


    Andr¨¢s once more brought the statuette into focus on the scan, and I couldn''t help but stare into its eyes, dumbfounded and awestruck. Was this really what we used to look like? And why the axes? Were we fighters? The venlil are the weakest of the Federation species, or was that also a lie from the Kolshians?


    "I... I need a minute." I finally spoke up, looking at the historians in the tent. "Please." I then added.


    The three venlil and two mezari looked at each other and seemed to come to a silent consensus, as they quickly streamed out of the tent, leaving me to ponder what was possibly the greatest discovery in Venlil history, a discovery which turned everything on its head.


    But would anyone believe it? Was this proof enough to convince the layperson that the Kolshians did genetic edits on us as well? And what else had they changed? What did they hide from us?


    I stood up and got closer to the ship, examining what I could see with the naked eye. This simple wooden object represented a birthright, one I''d never known we had, one that was taken from us. We were voyagers once, braving the ocean, even going as far as the arctic coast. We used to be proud, standing tall, not hobbling about with broken knees.


    The kolshians had crippled us, there was no doubt in my mind. We had to reclaim our past, whatever it took. We had to be brave. We had to stand tall.


    I reached out and touched the ship, careful not to scrape it with my claws, and closed my eyes. "This is our birthright, of all the venlil people." I whispered wistfully, trying not to weep.


    My introspection was broken by a rattling sound, and opening my eyes, I could see a soft, golden glow around my hand. Too terrified to remove my hand, in case something else happened, I called out to the others to get back inside.


    The venlil historians were shocked, but the mezari scientists looked more excited than anything.


    "What did you do?" Andr¨¢s asked with astonishment.


    "I just put my hand on it and whispered some musings. What is happening? Am I in danger?"


    "I doubt there''s any danger. Whatever you did, you awoke Dust inside the wood. Slowly take your hand away and come over to me, ok?"


    I nodded, a knot forming in my throat from the uncertainty of it all, and I slowly pulled my hand away as instructed. As my hand left the wood, the glow persisted around my handprint, while I backed away towards the door. The glow then started to dissipate, as if nothing had happened, and the rattling noise disappeared along with it.


    "What just happened? I thought Dust was something from your world, not mine." I asked Andr¨¢s, still somewhat shaken from the experience.


    "Well, the Endless empire stretched far and wide. The presence of Dust on Venlil Prime probably means it was once one of their worlds. Since you didn''t know about Dust until we got here, we can safely assume that the knowledge was lost at some point. But even we used Dust in the construction of our vessels back home."


    "Another kolshian manipulation?" I mused out loud, and the mezari scientist gave an uncertain shrug.


    "Dust isn''t so easily purged, so to hide it from you, they''d have had to devise some mind-boggling technology. But water has always been a proverbial breeding ground for Dust, so perhaps the wreck simply took on Dust while underwater."


    "Perhaps you''re right, but as of right now, I wouldn''t put anything past them."


    If this was another manipulation, it was no doubt more trickery meant to weaken us. And I wouldn''t stand for this. Once the artifacts were safely studied, everything would be revealed to the venlil public.

 Chapter 26

    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized aurigan time]: Braying 20, 1 AA


    <hr>


    The archaeologists continued their meticulous work via drones, using the scans as a basis for the careful removal of sediment and seaweed, while not damaging the vessel or artifacts within. Now they were busy removing and cataloguing every individual find, the drones prying the hatches open and carefully pulling out each object.


    First they removed the statuette, which was as beautiful as I imagined, and yet still perplexing in its meaning. It was apparently made of gold and Dust, according to newer scans, and the eyes were glowing ever so faintly as it was removed. It was then set aside, since it wasn''t full of water on the inside, and thus would be the last artifact examined.


    I watched as the drones then began removing the jars from the husk of a vessel, each one inlaid with Dust. It was a wonder to think that my ancestors once knew of the miraculous substance, and used it in mundane construction.


    The drones deposited the jars on a large table, where one by one the drones drained the water within, and scraped the inside for samples, aiming to devise what exactly was contained within. The jars were then moved to a separate tent, where venlil historians and mezari alchemists would work together on examining their construction and patterns.


    As the drones began removing the coffers, I watched carefully with baited breath, stepping closer to gaze upon the contents. The coffers were opened with even greater care than the jars, and the contents removed with delicate instruments. I could see the telltale glow of Dust even on the jewelry and coins, and it was becoming obvious that Dust was integral to our ancestors, just as it had been to the Aurigans.


    One of the coffers especially caught my eye, as a pattern began forming on its lid, where once there was none. The wood seemed to shift and change in the corner of my eye. Looking closer, I could see an image was truly forming on its surface, and it wasn''t all just in my head.


    "Andr¨¢s, is this normal?" I pointed to the shifting lines on the wood, and was astonished to see that the coffer was showing my face, like an engraved mirror. I was graduating from my studies, with my family behind me, just like it happened on the day. It then formed an image of my inauguration right next to the first, before adding an image of my daughter lying in a hospital bed. It kept adding images after that, my meeting the Aurigans for the first time, my visit to Aafa, the dealings at the Cradle, and finally, this moment now, where I was gazing at the coffer.


    "Definitely not normal... I''ve never seen a Dust artifact do that. It seems linked to you somehow."


    "Why me? I''m not special. Stars, this is unsettling." Despite the sentiment of unease, I couldn''t take my eye off of the strange object. Bringing up my datapad, I checked to see what the contents of this particular coffer were, and was surprised to see that it was an axe, another Dust artifact according to the scans.


    "It seems to be telling your life story. Perhaps that''s what it was designed to do?" The mezari mused. But why my life''s story? Why didn''t it activate for someone else?


    "Can you open it?" I asked, gazing over at the drones currently making their way through the other coffers.


    "Of course, give me a moment..." Andr¨¢s tapped some new commands on his holopad, and the drones moved to open the coffer.


    Carefully unclasping the wooden object, the drones then lifted the lid up, revealing the waterlogged contents, a single longaxe, made of copper and Dust, with a long, ebony haft and a delicate, yet intricately decorated head. I leaned in to peer at the axe up close, and faint sparks of Dust flittered across its surface.


    Something inside me compelled me to reach out and touch the object, and before I realized what I''d done, I was holding it in both hands, the golden head glowing more than ever. The statuette then started rattling in place, its eyes glowing even harder, and I could hear a voice piercing into my mind, as if by translator implant, only even more invasive.


    "Blood child of Baol, with this axe you are reborn as Nekal''s warlord. By this axe you will live. Or by this axe you will die. The Warchest of Ages will record your greatest highs and lows, and prove your divine right to all who gaze upon it. May the Stars watch over your reign. For blood and honor!"


    As the voice assaulted my mind, I could feel a burning heat coursing through my body, and all sounds of the outside world were drowned out, and I could barely see anything as the glow of Dust engulfed me. Was this how I died? From some ancient magic left behind by blood hungry venlil? I couldn''t think straight as the heat overwhelmed me.


    <hr>


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    <hr>


    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva Baol of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized Aurigan time]: 20th Day of the Month of Braying, Year 1 After Auriga


    <hr>


    I woke up on the floor, lying on dry, warm soil. My arms ached and my memory was foggy, but I remembered my body burning. I could see my arms stretched out before me, and through my blurred vision they looked to be smoldering. I quickly drew them in as my vision cleared, ready to pat them down, but what looked like smolders revealed itself to be glowing circuits of dust, embedded under my skin. Looking down, I could see patterns of energy zig-zagging all over my body, forming an intricate web of circuitry.


    "Governor... Are you ok?" I heard a voice ahead of me, and looking up, I realized that Andr¨¢s was looking down at me, dumbfounded and worried.


    "Who is this humanoid? And who the hell are you? You''re not Jamek." The voice in my head then spoke up, and it took me a moment to realize that I wasn''t supposed to have a voice in my head!


    "What- Who said that?" I looked around frantically, trying to find the source, but the only other person in the tent was Andr¨¢s.


    "Tarva? I said that. Are you ok?" Andr¨¢s reiterated, getting down on his knees to help me.


    I slapped his hand away and shook my head. "No, not you. I heard someone else''s voice. Like when I touched the axe."


    "The axe... You took the Mantle? Who are you?" The voice asked again, somehow both calm and angry at the same time.


    "I heard nothing when you took the axe. You just began glowing and floated off the ground. Should I call the medical staff?" Andr¨¢s interrupted again, and I growled in frustration-


    Why did I do that? That''s not like me!


    "No... No. It''s fine. I need a moment. Just possessed by an ancient spirit. It''s fine. I''m totally fine!" I said sarcastically, my voice cracking as panic began to cloud my mind.


    "Easy there... Tarva, was it? You are indeed fine. This is just what happens when you inherit the Mantle." The voice interjected, and I sat up on my haunches, trying not to cry.


    "What does that even mean!?" I pleaded out loud, looking up at the ceiling in frustration.


    "Maybe we should start over... I am Baol, a virtual entity. For thousands of years I was bonded to the rulers of House Nekal, passed down from generation to generation. But something happened which cut the line off at Jamek, the son of my last host. He never received the Idol and the Scepter."


    "V-Virtual? You''re an Endless?" I managed to stammer out, scrambling up to my feet. I couldn''t believe what I was hearing. Maybe I really was insane!


    "No, you''re not insane. And yes, I am one of the Endless."


    "Stars! No! Get out of my head!" I screamed, grabbing my skull in anguish. This wasn''t real, this couldn''t be real!


    "Correction. Our head. I cannot willingly leave you now, it was part of the contract. A little clause to ensure I didn''t desert the Nekal bloodline."


    "No. No. No! I said out!" I screamed, banging my palm against the side of my head.


    "It doesn''t work like that, I''m afraid. Your ancestors demanded it."


    "And what do you get out of this mad deal!?"


    "I get to experience life again. As fun as immortality sounds, without a Mainframe to simulate life, you''re practically a ghost. You can''t feel anything."


    "Governor, I''m beginning to worry. What is going on?" Andr¨¢s was such a terrible liar, he was worried from the start, I could read it on his face.


    I moved over to a chair and sat down, taking a deep breath in frustration. "What''s wrong with your nose?"


    Later.


    "I have a Virtual Endless in my head, that''s what''s going on. It struck some sort of... pact with my ancestors. And it''s refusing to leave because that would break the contract."


    "Hey now, no need to ignore me."


    No, fuck off.


    "Rude."


    Says the ghost in my head.


    "Touch¨¦."


    "Well that''s... not disconcerting at all." The mezari replied sarcastically, which made me roll my eyes.


    "What''s wrong with your knees!?" Baol then screamed in shock, which made me flinch in the real world. It was like someone was shouting into my ear, only without the vibrations reverberating through my skull.


    It''s a long story. Someone genetically crippled the venlil people.


    "Do you want me to fix you?"


    I... You can do that?


    "Of course, I''m made of Dust."


    ...Do it.


    "It will be painful, excruciatingly so."


    I don''t care. I want the kolshians'' meddling to be undone!


    "Very well. Brace yourself."


    As soon as the pain hit, my body began to convulse violently, and it felt like my nerve endings were on fire all over my face and through my bones. My eyes rolled back into my skull and I could hear flesh and bone growing and twisting in real time.


    By the time it was over, I was laying on the ground again in a puddle of my own blood, scents assaulting my senses for the first time in forever. I then puked all over the floor at the smell of my own blood, before shakily pulling myself back up to my feet.


    Andr¨¢s tried to help, but I refused, pushing his arm away. I was tired of being weak, I was angry at being made weak. I didn''t need help with such a simple task, no matter how wobbly my legs were being.


    First thing I noticed once I stood up was that I seemed to be taller by a few inches, my snout reaching up to Andr¨¢s''s chest rather than his stomach. The mezari was mortified over what he''d just witnessed, so I patted his arm comfortingly.


    "Don''t worry, Andr¨¢s, I asked for that to happen. Now if you''ll excuse me, I need to sit back down..." I dropped down into the chair once more, wiping blood from my new nostrils, while flexing my new knees. It was a strange sensation, but I felt I would get used to the new way of walking soon enough. After all, it was the natural way for a venlil to walk.


    "I''ll go get you some water... And call the medical staff just in case." The mezari said softly, awkwardly. It was kind that he cared, but I felt fine, better than fine. For the first time in my life, I felt powerful.


    "Now that he''s gone, care to explain to me what I''ve missed?"


    Where do I even start?


    "At the beginning, of course."

 Chapter 27

    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva Baol of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized Aurigan time]: 23rd Day of the Month of Braying, Year 1 After Auriga


    <hr>


    For three days I sat awake, communing with the ancient Baol as medics watched over me. Despite their worries they found nothing wrong with me, nor did I ever feel tired throughout the long vigil. When not prodded at by doctors and nurses, I spent my moments conversing with the Virtual that seared its code onto my body.


    My people once believed the stars to be gods, and they had no idea how comically close to the truth they''d been. The Endless had built an empire upon deicide, all for the sake of greed and power, all for Dust. Auriga was not the first of the gods to die, she was just the latest, a lone refugee hiding on a far off world, but even there they''d found her.


    The Endless had not created the Dust, no, its origin was far more sinister. They''d killed their gods, the true gods of this galaxy, and harvested their bodies, mined their corpses for their divine essence. Each mote of Dust was a cell, a tiny piece of a once great being, beings like Auriga.


    The Allayi and the Drakken did not handle this new revelation gracefully. The Drakken, once believing the Endless to be divine, were tormented to learn that the Endless had killed the true gods of our cosmos. While the Allayi, learning of the true extent of the Endless''s sins, turned their anger towards Baol, and had to be restrained by the Drakken from doing something foolish.


    It was funny, months ago such a threat to my person would''ve been terrifying, but with Baol by my side I felt confident, bold. The ancient being''s attitude was rubbing off on me, and the more I learned of the ancient Venlil people, the more I understood what had been taken from us.


    But for now, the truth had to be drip fed to the common people, lest they panicked from uncertainty and doubt. In time, we would uncover more evidence, but as it stood, the ship was enough to start the reclamation of our identity.


    With Andras by my side, I strode into the governance hall with my head held high, holding the nekali axe like a walking cane. Despite not being fully used to my new gait, I did not let it deter me, and took every step with authority and poise.


    I paid no mind to all the gawking from my fellow venlil as I stepped onto the stage, and simply gave salutatory signs with my tail to the mass of reporters, as if nothing exceptional was going on.


    Up on the stage, the technicians were just as wide eyed as the people in the audience, but I continued to act as natural as before, to ease their confusions.


    "G-Governor Tarva?" A camerawoman asked, unsure of herself, and a I gave her a curt nod and a tail signal to ease her doubts.


    "Yes, that''s correct. Are the cameras ready? We have a lot more news about the Kolshian manipulations."


    It then all seemed to click together in her head, and she realized why I now looked different. She realized I was walking proof that the kolshians had made genetic edits to the venlil people, even if she didn''t yet know how it''d happened.


    After my emergency broadcast a little over three weeks prior, revealing Cilany''s recordings to the world, many talking heads were speculating on if our culture and genes had been edited, and it was finally time to put those speculations to rest, with a resounding yes.


    "I- Of course. Everything''s ready, the cameras are on the stage."


    I signed in thanks to her and then motioned for Andras to follow me, the mezari futzing with his helmet, trying to get it to sit right around his large mane.


    "I''m coming, I''m coming." He responded in protest, adjusting the strapped as he walked up to me.


    We then got in front of the cameras, ready to present the mezari''s findings, as well as my new body, to the world.


    "You ready to face the music, Governor?" Baol asked, and I answered with an affirmative thought. It was getting easier to communicate with each other, and often we didn''t even need words to convey emotions.


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    "Well, good luck."


    I then cleared my throat, walking up to the podium and in front of the cameras, before beginning.


    ¡°Greetings, citizens of the Venlil Republic. I''m sure you have many questions, especially after the last emergency broadcast. Sadly, the answer to most of those questions is yes. The kolshians and the farsul did indeed erase our culture and alter our genes, and we finally have hard, physical proof of their meddling.


    You might be wondering what happened to my appearance, well, let me tell you a story. Even before we received word from Aafa, the aurigans uncovered something that hinted at ancient history being rewritten. Off the coast of the arctic ocean, by the edge of the dark lands, one of their vessels scooped up an artifact, an ancient venlil vessel made of wood, designed for navigating the inlets and fjords of the dusky shores."


    Andras provided holographic views of the ship, acting as a visual aid to my commentaries, which was also being projected on one of the screens in the back, giving everyone a good view of the vessel. The audience was quickly thrown into conspiratorial chatter, especially the reporters, who were busy recording and taking notes on every word I said.


    "Inside we found hundreds of artifacts, mostly coins, from a bronze age venlil culture of sailors. Every coin had the face of a ruler stamped upon it, and every face had visible nostrils. Not only that, but every object within the vessel, including the vessel itself, was suffused with Dust. Yes, Dust, the same Dust that the aurigans'' technology relied on, and which suffused their homeworld. This could only mean one thing, and the conclusion was immediately obvious to me. The venlil people once used Dust just as the Aurigans did, despite its absence from our modern world."


    The crowd was now truly in an uproar, gasps and shouts filling the air. I could tell most were having a hard time believing that, but I was sure that in time we''d have find even more evidence of the Federation''s lies.


    "But that is still, not all." I continued, trying to get the crowd to focus. "Within the vessel we found a golden statuette of a venlil, also infused with Dust, just like the rest of the objects. And yet, that is not all. As you can see on the statuette, these ancient venlil did not have inwards bending knees, but rather forwards facing knees, another sign of genetic edits committed against our people."


    Andras manipulated the hologram to display the statuette, zooming in on its features as I explained it. The crowd were busy taking pictures of the display, even though I''d planned to release both the scan data and catalogue photographs to the public later that day.


    "I now ask, nay, beg, that you stay with me, as I explain what happened next. As my eyes fell upon one of the finds, it began reacting to my presence, reading my history and engraving it upon its surface. This particular find was a chest, seemingly made of simple wood, yet enchanted with Dust. Inside was an axe, a simple, bronze tool, equally infused with the miraculous substance. This axe."


    As I talked, Andras revealed photos of the Warchest of Ages, events of my life visibly engraved in its surface, despite its ancient, waterlogged appearance. I then held the axe up above my head, letting the public gaze upon its golden glow, motes of Dust swirling around it. I then tapped the butt of the haft against the stage as I brought the weapon back down, sending out a small puff of Dust in all directions, which swirled back around towards the axe head.


    "As I gazed upon this axe, this simple, yet powerful object, an unknown compulsion made me pick it up, and before I knew what had happened, a being of Dust, one of the Virtual Endless, had bonded itself to me in a symbiotic union. This ancient Virtual was once bonded to my ancestors, and my DNA awoke it from its slumber. As I picked up the axe, the Dust recognized my ancestry, and in doing so, I''d unwittingly activated a thousand year old bonding ceremony, which embedded the Virtual''s Dust directly into my skin.


    His name is Baol, and he has been on Venlil prime for a long time, since before our ancestors could shape metal. He has witness thousands of years of venlil history unfold, and has been teaching me much about our past. In the coming weeks I will reveal more about our ancestors, but know this: when Baol saw the state of my body, he offered to fix it for me, reshape the flesh and bone into a true venlil form. Without hesitation I accepted, and though the process was painful, I am happy with the results. Though I have to say, the mezari really need to shower more, whew."


    My little joke to ease the audience''s worries seemed to land well, as they seemed to understand the implication behind my saying that the predators needed to shower more, with a low chuckle rolling through the crowd.


    "Before I leave you though, there is but one more thing I wish to share. Before the Federation came, before they violated our bodies and erased our cultures, before they made us into the weakest of prey, we were a species of hardy survivors. We faced the bitter cold of the dusk wastes, the blistering heat of the dawn deserts, the broiling waves of the world ocean, and the twilit valleys of the untamed wilds without fear.


    We did these things because we were strong, and because we were brave. Our ancestors faced challenge and danger at every turn, and they did so without fear, even in the face of predators. In the ancient tongue our world was known as The World of Death, for a venlil''s life was hard, yet they faced these hardships head on, without cowardice, fighting with tooth and claw for their survival.


    And so I leave you with a question. Will you choose to be brave as they were, or will you choose to be weak as the kolshians wanted?"


    And with that, I left the podium, a swarm of reporters no doubt ready to interview me, as the crowd erupted into a chorus of discussions and debates.


    "Well, I think you nailed it."

 Chapter 28

    Memory transcription subject: Captain Recel, 7th Resolute Kith


    Date [standardized Aurigan time]: 27th Day of the Month of Braying, Year 1 After Auriga


    <hr>


    After Nikonus''s confession, many more prey flocked into the arms of the Aurigans, donating ships and crew for the war effort against the Second Coalition. The newcomers were quick to organize strikes against military targets, thawing thousands of naval officers and giving them crash courses on the intricacies of space combat.


    These thousands were quickly put in charge of equally numbered ex-Federation vessels, with millions of prey serving under them. It was a boon that the newcomers adapted so quickly to new technology, and I was beginning to wonder if they were somehow genetically engineered for it, especially after discovering that ''pureblood mezari'' like Queen Zolya can live to be thousands of years old.


    With fleets and officers ready, the Aurigans began a coordinated offensive against Coalition worlds, striking at as many military targets at once as they could, seeking to put a quick and decisive end to the war, minimizing civilian casualties.


    In response, the Coalition was starting to attack ally worlds, trying to cut off both the Aurigan''s material support and any political support they may have built with the prey species. The mazics were their first targets. We were being diverted towards the Mazic homeworld of Khoa, while the other Resolute Kith divisions were being diverted to mazic colonies.


    The ships tributed to Aurigans by their allies and neutral states weren''t very easy to retrofit in time, so we had to split up our forces. Kata took the wing of fifty odd mezari ships ahead of our division, to reconnoiter the system from the edges, while the core of the division went after her the old fashioned way, through hyperspace.


    While replacing every ship''s engine was too much of an undertaking, the Aurigans were quick to retrofit ion warheads onto any vessel carrying any sort of missile, as well as swarm missiles for countering interceptors. The variety in their arsenal was rather frightening, and I was starting to feel much better about my life''s choices. Had things gone differently, I might''ve ended up on the opposite side of this conflict.


    "Helm, drop us out of hyperspace." I ordered, since FTL disruptors were still active around the system. It''d take around thirty minutes, give or take, to reach the edge of the system, which gave us enough time to co-ordinate with Kata.


    As sook as we dropped out of hyperspace, Kata hailed the fleet-wide channel. "Bout time you got here. Those eugenicist bastards have set up a trap. There''s two divisions poking at the mazic defenses, while another eight divisions are hidden behind one of the barren planetoids, waiting for someone to show up."


    "Captain Kata, this is Captain Recel. Where is your wing now?" I asked over the fleet comms, before ordering the fleet to slowly move towards the edge of the system.


    "Hiding in the outer asteroid belt. Once you get close I want you to divert directly towards the planetoid they''re hiding behind and draw them out. We''ll then fold into their flank and attack them. They have us outnumbered four to one, so you need to make every ion torpedo count. That goes for every one of you. The mazics are counting on us."


    Replies of ''Yes ma''am.'', ''Aye captain.'', and similar filled the comm channel, before it all went silent again. I ordered my wing of ships to do as planned, banking with the rest of our division towards the Coalition fleet''s hiding spot. Hopefully it would take them a while to realize what was going on, and we''d be able to get in range before that.


    Sadly, it wasn''t going to be that easy, and as soon as we changed our heading, the Coalition fleet sprang into action, turning towards us and beginning their approach.


    "They''ve spotted us, everyone get ready. Ready torpedoes and kinetics, like the mezari taught you. Once they''re in range, destabilize their shields, then unleash the volleys." I ordered.


    As our two fleets coasted towards each other, the Coalition ships growing larger in our viewports. First appearing as sparkling specks, then as circles of light, and finally, as dark shapes faintly illuminated from their afts, as the coronas of their engines outlined them against the black void of space.


    "Fire!" I then shouted as soon as we were in range, the entire wing unleashing torpedoes on select targets, depleting their shields, before unleashing our kinetic volley, tearing through those shieldless ships'' hulls. Immediately after our first, successful strike, the remaining Coalition ships facing our direction opened fire with plasma railguns, and I gave the order to bank away from their projectiles.


    Despite the danger, the gojid crew under my command were relatively calm, and managed to execute the evasive maneuver in time. But not all of my wing were so lucky, their ships getting rattled by the plasma hitting their shields, getting slowed down and nearly veering into each other. Then another salvo from more ships took down their shields, making them vulnerable to Coalition kinetics.


    "Escorts, cover the unshielded corvettes, before they''re torn to shreds!" I reminded the panicking crews of their duties and training. The tactic that kept ships alive at Venlil Prime was hopefully going to help us here as well. Thankfully, it seemed that the Coalition was too haughty to implement the tactic themselves, relying on sheer numbers advantage instead.


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    "Damn it, Kata, where are you?..." I mused out loud, before noticing the all-clear from the missile bay, and issuing the order to send another salvo of ion torpedoes down into the Coalition''s zenith, followed by aurigan-designed and venlil-produced Titanium Shredder rounds.


    As if listening to my prayers, the mezari wing of our division suddenly materialized directly in the wake of the Coalition forces, deploying hundreds of torpedoes at once, disabling and then shredding dozens of ships in one fell swoop, their titanium slugs ripping through engines and reactors alike. Those ships that were too close to each other found themselves caught in the antimatter containment breach of nearby ships, getting rocked by the explosion''s impact on their shields.


    "Thank the ancestors." I sighed. Like dominos, the Coalition''s aft flank was sent bumping into each other, taking a few moments to readjust and recover from the attack, though they did so much faster than the First Coalition''s fleet did.


    As they the engaged with the aurigan vessels, they showed far more competence and courage than the krakotl. Not to mention their greater co-ordination and strategy. They were fighting in flight groups of four, similar to the aurigans'' own corvette and escort squadrons, as well as co-ordinating fire just like the aurigans.


    It was a troubling thought to think that my people were hiding such tactical acumen this entire time. Would I have been the same if I hadn''t transferred to the gojid fleet of our navy? Or were the kolshians just inherently braver? I never really felt as much fear in space battles, the only thing that truly terrified me was seeing predators up close.


    "Sir, torpedoes are ready." Natos, my XO informed, snapping me out of my thoughts.


    "Fire when ready, we need to keep dwindling their numbers faster than they can dwindle ours." I affirmed, before focusing back on the tactical readout.


    I watched more and more of the Coalition fleet falling to ion torpedoes and salvos of slugs, feeling a deep sorrow at the ever growing loss of life. All this death because of some lie, because of some conspiracy. It wasn''t long before our aurigan weaponry dealt too much damage to the fleet, and they started to panic and run.


    After a few seconds of silence, Kata''s voice cut through the comms, a predatory growl in her tone. "We need to secure the planet, the mazic forces are almost entirely gone." Her tone was clearly one of anger, incensed at being delayed from our true mission.


    If Khoa fell, one of the aurigans earliest allies would be taken out of the war, and billions would die just for having seen the truth. With newfound determination to prevent another sin in my people''s ledger, I turned to my XO and ordered the weapons to be readied again, before following Kata towards the planet.


    As we got close, the Coalition tried to physically block our path, but the angular ships of the aurigans were able to cut through the blockade, carving us a path through their ranks.


    Despite this, we weren''t fast enough to prevent the Coalition from getting in bombing range of the emerald world below, and our entire division was brought to a halt, as a Coalition captain hailed our ships.


    "Predator fleet, come in." The voice was unmistakably kolshian, and an unnerving feeling shot down my spine, my tentacles curling. "Change your vector now, or we will drop antimatter weapons on the planet. This is your only warning." The enemy captain ordered.


    "Captain Kata, let me talk to them. I can''t stand to watch more of my people throw sanity to the wind. I know you''re a staunch orator from your days in the church, but maybe a kindred voice will assuage them."


    Silence followed for a few seconds, before Kata''s voice came back through. "Alright, Recel, I''m patching you in. Say what you have to say."


    Turning my microphone on, I leaned close to the device, steeling my nerves before speaking. "This is Recel, formerly of the Federation Fleet Command. You may have heard of me, even seen the accusation that I''ve gone mad with predator disease, or that I''ve been brainwashed, or coerced into helping the predators. You may even know me, having briefly served with me on a ship, or even met me during my years of training before adulthood.


    I ask you know, who the mad ones truly are in this situation. Is it me, who wants to save billions of innocents from antimatter bombs, or is it you, trying to kill those billions?"


    "We all know that predators are heartless monsters. They don''t actually care about the mazics, they''re just here to kill us all." The Coalition captain appeared on a holoscreen, looking at me with a stern gaze.


    "Who''s the heartless one here? Look at yourself, at what you''re doing. If I''ve learned anything about the aurigans is that they don''t take kindly to those that harm their friends. They''re here to protect their friends, just like they protected the Venlil before. If you bomb Khoa you''ll not only make them angrier, you''ll permanently stain your graspers with their blood.


    Glass Khoa and all you''ll do is make things worse for everyone. Every city you destroy, every life you take, every ounce of our blood that you spill, is another sin in your ledger, another crime for which you will be judge by future generations. Every planet attacked by your Coalition will be a monument to those sins, a reminder of how we, supposedly peaceful prey, decided to indiscriminately kill billions of sapients.


    The Chiefdom calls this our moral imperative, a divine justice, they taught us that we wee above meat-eaters, yet here you were, lying in ambush like predators, and holding a prey species hostage, ready and willing to execute them. These were our friends and allies less than a month ago, and you''re not even showing an ounce of empathy. You''re a hypocrite if you think any of this is just."


    The enemy captain waved a nervous tentacle, his face paler than before. "Damn it. We never wanted to kill them; it was just a ploy to draw the predators out into our ambush. None of this was supposed to happen." The captain then grabbed the sides of his head, massaging his cranium.


    "Then leave. This is your chance to turn your back on the madness. Nobody else has to die today." I pleaded with him, and I could see his gaze turn to someone off-screen, before he muted his mic.


    A few moments later, he finally responded. "Fine, but we''re leaving a rear guard behind to cover our retreat. Any suspicious moves from you and they''ll bomb the planet. You so much as scan one of our ships, or teleport one of yours around, and they all drop their payloads."


    "More than acceptable, I''m sure." I turned to look at the comms officer, and she understood what I desired, immediately informing Kata on my behalf, before giving me a nod in confirmation.


    "The aurigans accept your terms. You won''t see a micron of movement from us." I then added after getting confirmation, and the Coalition fleets began slowly withdrawing from the planet, until just a few bombers were left, then they departed last, with much more worry than the rest, as if expecting us to turn on them once they were no longer aiming their payloads at the planet.


    Now that the battle was over, I felt every muscle in my body deflate. Some much deserved rest awaited all of us.

 Chapter 29

    Memory transcription subject: Chief Hunter Isif, Arxur Dominion Sector Fleet


    Date [standardized Aurigan time]: 30th Day of the Month of Braying, Year 1 After Auriga


    <hr>


    The primates and their allies were already destabilizing the status quo. On one side of the war they were taking the fight to the Federation, and on the other they were reclaiming or defending worlds taken by the Dominion. The Prophet-Descendant had already admonished me for trusting them when they informed us of the undefended Federation worlds, but I pointed out that we still got quite a plethora of cattle from those raids, and that any arxur we may have lost were simply weaker specimens being culled from the gene pool.


    In reality, I was also mad that the mezari attacked our raiding fleets, though it was mostly because it only made my plans harder to implement in the long run. The arxur needed to trust the Aurigans if we were to ever cull the rewards from potential deals with them, and the Aurigans needed to be careful not to antagonize other Chief Hunters in the process.


    For now though, it was time to initiate the next step in our plan, and another meeting with the Aurigans was on my itinerary. Using an encrypted communication device they''d given me, I set up a meeting somewhere in neutral space, an abandoned Venlil colony. Officially, we were exchanging prisoners for cattle, with the mezari returning a few dozen arxur found hiding alive on the Cradle, and me handing over a few dozen venlil in return. In reality we were meeting to set up further clandestine co-operation between us.


    Arriving at the colony, the planet was guarded by a small wing of venlil vessels, though something told me the pilots were anything but. As soon as we approached, they hailed us.


    "This is Jiraduveja of the 5th Brass Weyr, identify yourselves, arxur vessels." The voice from the other end was deep, guttural, no doubt one of the other species, not a mezari.


    "This is Chief Hunter Isif of the Third Sector Fleet. We are here to conduct the prisoner exchange." I responded, before ordering my escorts to stand by, just in case.


    "Acknowledged, Chief Hunter. You may land at these co-ordinates." The voice on the other end responded calmly, before transmitting a data packet with the co-ordinates, somewhere on the edge of an abandoned settlement.


    Landing my cattle ship next to the ruins, with my squadron of escorts hovering overhead, I stepped out into the grassy fields. A makeshift camp was waiting for me, guarded by the red reptilians I''d seen on the venlil homeworld.


    I motioned for my crew to wait inside with the cattle, while I approached the camp with a small squad.


    "We were expecting you earlier. The envoys are waiting for you in the command tent." One of the red scales began, eyeing my squad. "But not them. They stay outside. If they want, they can walk around camp, but we''re going to keep our eyes on them throughout."


    "They will stay out here while I speak with the envoys. If that is acceptable." I hissed softly, gesturing for the squad to stay outside of camp. I didn''t need them accidentally eavesdropping.


    "However you wish to do this." The ruddy guard said, shrugging its shoulders. I was certain this species would be able to rip an arxur apart in a fight, so it was good that they seemed non-confrontational.


    I made my way over towards the tent that the guard had pointed out, and carefully ducked my head inside.


    Inside were more red scaled reptilians, a particularly bulky one sitting at the far end of the table, with two more flanking them.


    "Ah, Chief Hunter Isif. We were waiting for you. Please, sit down." The bulky one said, gesturing to the seat opposite from themselves. It was clearly designed for their kind, which made it easy for me to sit in it and slip my tail through.


    "Welcome. I am Ambassador Namkang, I am here representing the Aurigan Federacy. Before we begin, we should wait for Seeker Klapatch. Until then, would you like a drink of water?"


    "I would like to skip the formalities and head straight to the exchange. It would save us all time, no?" I responded, regarding the ambassador with curiosity. The other redscales whispered something to said ambassador, and the ambassador nodded thoughtfully.


    "Very well. So, as you know, the Federacy has been working on creating a livestock substitute from a mixture of cell cultures and material replication technology. Seeker Klapatch is arriving with a sample for you, as well as with a trade deal that will hopefully please both your government and the Venlil Republic. Until they arrive, perhaps you''d like to inspect the prisoners?"


    I gave a nod and stood back up, while the ambassador gestured for one of their aides to also stand. The smaller redscale then motioned towards the door and gave a very friendly "Right this way, Chief Hunter."


    It was surprising how cordial the aurigan reptilians were, and I was wondering if they were specifically chosen for this job.


    I followed the aide towards the back of the camp, where around thirty or so arxur were kept in a large cage. Unlike a cattle pen, it was neatly organized with tables in the center and some latrines in the back. By the looks of it, it had only just been set up, the grass still green underfoot, untrampled by prolonged living. The captured hunters looked healthy and unmolested, and some were covered in bandages, showing that the aurigans had tended to their wounds.


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    They were mostly spread out, sleeping in the daytime sun, and empty plates on the tables showed that they''d been fed recently, though there was no scent of blood in the air, and I was wandering what exactly they''d eaten. Those not sleeping were keeping to themselves regardless, distinct boredom on their faces.


    I cleared my throat with a bellowing hiss to get their attention, and the awake ones got up, moving towards the bars. A few of the sleeping ones also woke up, turning their attention to the noise.


    "Your savageness, you''re here. The apes weren''t lying." One of them spoke up, a young grunt by the looks of it.


    "Of course not, sapients don''t lie to each other. Isn''t that correct?" I spoke with confidence, despite having had my own worries about the aurigans keeping their end of the deal. "What is your name, hunter?" I then asked the grunt that had spoken up, looking down at him.


    "I am Kaisal, my Chief Hunter." The young grunt bowed before me, and the others followed suit. I then motioned for them to rise, before looking over them.


    "How have the aurigans been treating you?" I asked, looking at the prisoners'' faces, my gaze scanning over them for signs of nausea.


    "V-Very well, your savageness. Before we got here, they kept us in individual cells with daily meals and running water. The dried meat tends to get stuck in your teeth, but it is filling all the same." The grunt answered, keeping his head low in submission. I could sense some trepidation in his voice, probably from having to speak to someone of my standing.


    I then turned to the redscale aide and gave a slow nod. "I am pleased to see that my hunters are well. We-"


    "Chief Hunter Isif, in the flesh." I then heard a voice that was unmistakingly Tarva''s, though something was definitely off about it, like two people were speaking at once. Turning my head, I could see the venlil, though something indeed very off about her, a golden glow was emanating from under the fur, and her knees were bending in a weird direction. I then realized that she also had nostrils where previously there were none.


    Seeker Klapatch was trying to hold her back, fury evident in her eyes, and she immediately turned towards him, jabbing a finger against his chest. "No. I need to do this. For my own sake." She said forcefully, before pushing past the mezari and towards me. Her gait was confident, her gaze fierce, nothing like what we were used to seeing from Venlil.


    She stared up at me with a complete lack of fear, and I had to act fast or embarrass myself in front of the hunters. My image needed to go untarnished by this, lest I lose all authority and most likely my head. I hissed at the approaching venlil, but much to everyone''s surprised she wasn''t scared.


    "Were you expecting me to cower like an animal? Those days are over. I am reborn, as a true venlil, as we were before the Federation crippled us. Before those treacherous kolshians came, we were a race of warriors and mages. I have spent the last ten days reliving that past, learning of what was taken from us. From now on the venlil people will work to recapture our past and throw off the Federation''s lies."


    "Are you here to challenge me, Governor?" I asked. The feistiness in her was respectable, but I really didn''t need this right now, not in front of the prisoners.


    "No, I am not here to challenge you. I am here to secure my people''s future." The venlil then gestured for her mezari companion to come forth, a large container under one of his arms.


    Tarva took the container and opened it up, revealing dozens of slabs of meat packed inside. The walls of the container were covered in a light frost, telling me that it was some sort of ice box, only without the ice.


    The venlil picked up one of the vacuum wrapped pieces of meat and held it out to me, and I reached out to grab it. It was odd to see a venlil handling raw meat without any disgust, but if her words were true, she''d managed to throw off the Federation indoctrination that''d rendered other prey fearful.


    Ripping the plastic open, the scent of fresh, iron-rich blood filled the air. I wasn''t sure what animal this meat was from, but it was obvious by the lack of connective tissue that it must''ve been created by Seeker Klapatch''s meat growing program, rather than coming from a real animal.


    I turned the slaw in my hands, examining it. Besides the cold of the ice box, nothing else stood out about it, so I took the risk and swallowed it down. The texture was soft, easily breaking up in the mouth from the lack of connective tissues, but the taste was quite pleasant, no doubt very similar to what our ancient, Wriss-born livestock would''ve tasted like. This was the first time in centuries that any arxur had tasted iron-blooded meat, and it was far better than any alien meat, it felt natural, which was quite ironic.


    "Satisfied?" The venlil asked, closing the box with narrowed eyes. Despite having just watched me scarf down a cut of meat, she was still not twitching, which seemed to instill awe and respect in my underlings.


    "Very. When will mass production start?" I asked, standing tall so as not to give the hunters any ideas that I was intimidated, which in truth I was, if only a little. Seeing a venlil act without fear was... short circuiting my brain.


    "The plans are already in motion. The public have been told that it''s an initiative to feed the aurigans, and most of the workers in the factories are going to be aurigan at first, but we''re going to scale production with venlil volunteers once more and more of them open up to the idea. Any excess we produce every month will be traded to you monthly in exchange for its weight in venlil captives."


    I could see that the hunters in the cage were getting very suspicious of what was going on, and I had to think fast. I couldn''t let them think the prey were starting to dictate us around. Knowing full well that food would keep them quiet, I opened the container at Tarva''s feet again and threw everything inside over the fence.


    "Taste the future, my hunters. The aurigans give us iron rich meat, as we used to hunt on Wriss before the Federation came. Meat as we evolved to eat it."


    A few skeptical looks were exchanged, before the more desperate or trusting prisoners ripped into the plastic packs and devoured the meat inside. This made even more of them lunge for the meat, and in a few seconds it was gone.


    "More awaits us if we work with the aurigans on this exchange. They wish to keep the venlil close, but we will not go uncompensated for handing them over. You have faced their warriors and survived, most have not. You know that they are worthy of our respect, so I will honor their request to trade venlil for fresh meat."


    I could spot Tarva giving me a squinted look as I turned my head away from the hunters in the cage, before gesturing towards my ship to change the subject, and to get the exchanged finished. "The venlil are waiting on the ship, if you wish to inspect them before we release them."


    The governor remained stoic, and merely turned to walk towards the edge of camp and the cattle ship. I was glad to be out of sight of the prisoners, and hoped that they hadn''t seen through my mask of confidence. One more failure and the Prophet-Descendant would have me gutted.

 Chapter 30

    Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva Baol of the Venlil Republic


    Date [standardized Aurigan time]: 30th Day of the Month of Braying, Year 1 After Auriga


    <hr>


    The grays accompanying Isif to the camp gave me a wide berth as we made our way to the ship. They''d never seen a venlil walk without fear before, and were visibly confused by my countenance.


    The ship still exuded a sense of dread, even with my newfound confidence in the face of danger. I couldn''t help but shudder as we approached the boarding ramp, my wool standing on end, like a prickly mane, even more golden light escaping through it.


    "Careful now, you''re letting the darkness win. Remember what I told you, you have to push through the fear, else it will control you."


    Yes, Baol, I know. It''s still difficult though.


    "Nothing worth doing in life is easy. Now step foot on that ship and save your people."


    Taking a deep breath, we followed after Isif and his guards, while the other grays on the ship glared at us in misbelief. I had half the mind to snarl at them, but the last thing we needed was to ruin the entire plan for the sake of revenge.


    The cattle ship was full of tight, tall corridors, and the smell of blood and piss filled the air. I was starting to regret being able to smell, and I tried not to gag too much as we made our way the cargo bay.


    When the doors opened, I could see cages both along the walls and beneath the floor, venlil packed in tightly, their fur dirty and matted. Many were terrified at the sight of the arxur, but a few merely had blank stares in their eyes.


    I closed my eyes, trying to restrain my rage, my wool ruffling as if in a heavy wind as my skin twitched. "I''ve seen enough. Free them."


    "But they''ll stampede-" Isif argued, and I let out a low hum.


    "Then move your people out of the way and leave it to me." I pushed past the anger, the fear, and the stench, and knelt down on top of the floor grate, looking down at the terrified venlil below.


    Extending my fingers through the grate, trying to prove to them that I was really here, I whispered to the huddled masses. "Don''t be afraid, we''re here to free you."


    Several hands reached up to touch my claws, finally recognizing them as venlil hands. I let them linger there for a few seconds, before pulling away and grabbing the metal hatch, opening the floor cage.


    The venlil in the wall cages were starting to gather at the bars, staring at me in disbelief, while I reached down into the floor cage and helped an old woman out of the cage, golden motes wrapping around her to help me support her weight.


    Isif had already motioned for his people to leave, and so it was just me and the prisoners by the time I started helping them out of their cages. Seeing them all like this made my heart ache even harder. Isif clearly picked older or weaker venlil for the exchange, probably to avoid the ire of his government. It would likely be a while before we could rescue anyone younger.


    "Are you... are you a spirit?" A trembling male asked as I was helping him out of the cage, keeping his posture low like the grays did when showing subordination. I pulled him fully upright and wrapped my tail around his wrist.


    "No, but also yes. It is complicated, friend. You do not need to grovel, though. You are free now. You are the first, but you won''t be the last. Today will mark a new chapter in venlil history, today will be our first step out of the darkness."


    A few from the crowd inched their way towards me, unsure of themselves, before hugging their arms or tails around me, or just placing their hands on my arms and shoulders. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by a dozen souls all trying to hug me or touch me, croaking weak words of thanks.


    "You don''t need to thank me, please. Thank me when there''s no more people left to rescue. Until then, my work is not done."


    I struggled to free an arm from the crowd, before gently trying to push them off of me. "We need to leave, the arxur are waiting to have their ship back." I then said in a soft tone, trying to keep them calm and responsive.


    The reminder that the arxur were still around snapped the rescues out of their gratitude, and I did my best to guide them through the ship''s bowels. Thankfully there were no more arxur on the way, and I had no doubt they were instead following our movements on cameras.


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    Once the venlil were outside, I pressed at the small device in my ear, establishing communications with the other side of the colony.


    "They''re outside. Activate the aurora device." I gave the simple order, and within seconds a luminous ball of plasma formed on the other end of the field, slowly expanding until it collapsed in on itself, creating a portal to the refugee camps set up for the rescues.


    "Don''t be afraid, just follow me." I once more spoke softly, gingerly taking one of the rescues by the hand and guiding them towards the portal. Venlil and zurulian medical staff awaited on the other side, with prefabs prepared to serve as a field hospital.


    A few of the rescues were reluctant, but I didn''t want to force them. Thankfully, they too followed suite after the first few were safely through to the other side.


    Once everyone was secured, I gave the drakken the go-ahead on their end of the plan, and went through the portal to the other side. While the drakken were returning the gray prisoners, I stayed with the rescues, making sure they didn''t panic as they were processed.


    This was only the first step in their reintegration into society, and the road ahead was going to be long for all of them.


    As the doctors looked the rescues over, one of them kept staring at me, until he finally spoke up. "Y-you''re... you''re not a hallucination?" He asked in disbelief, reality finally settling it in.


    "No, my friend, I am very much real. Now rest, you''ve earned it."


    "How did... How is this possible? Why would the grays release us?..." He asked as the doctors were helping him up into one of the beds.


    "Because they''re not as powerful as the kolshians would have you believe. Much has changed since you were taken, but if you''re willing to listen, I''m willing to explain."


    "I... ok." He nodded weakly, though his eyes looked more focused than before, no longer as glassed over and vacant.


    "Let''s start with introductions. I am governor Tarva, what''s your name?" I offered, pulling a chair closer and sitting down next to his bed. I then picked up a brush and started carefully untangling his messy fur.


    "I think... I think it was G-Glim. I was... an extermination officer, doing colony work. It''s how they got me..." He looked over at the brush, staring at it for a few seconds, as if trying to process what was going on.


    I awkwardly cleared my throat and spoke up again after a few moments of silence, switching to a finer comb. "You might want to keep your profession to yourself. Extermination officers are frowned upon these days." I gave his shoulder a gentle pat, trying not to come off as harsh in that statement.


    "W-what, why?..." Glim croaked out in surprise, shying away from the touch for a moment, before leaning into the combing again, his eyes darting around the tent.


    "Because the Federation lied to us. Fear of predators is manufactured, and the war with the arxur is their fault. The kolshian High Chief admitted to everything live on camera. They erased the cultures and histories of species they found problematic, and replaced them with propaganda. And they even made gene edits to all the species that they thought were a threat to their falsehoods, even us."


    "W-why would we be a threat, I don''t understand." The rescue pulled himself up in his bed, one of his eyes falling back on me and his head tilting to the side.


    "Because our ancestors fought off predators, as well as fighting each other, rather than cower at the first sign of danger. That didn''t fit with their lie that prey were fearful creatures. So they removed our sense of smell, which helped us detect predators, and bent our knees so we couldn''t fight properly. And then they taught us that we should cower in fear from predators."


    "Is that why you look... different? Is that how you freed us? Fighting the arxur?"


    "Hmmm... no, not us. The aurigans fought the arxur, and secured your release in exchange for arxur prisoners captured at the Cradle. The aurigans are the reason that the conspiracy began unravelling, and it led to the High Chief revealing the truth. Which caused the Federation to splinter into a civil war."


    "I don''t understand... Our fear is a conspiracy? We could''ve resisted the arxur if not for the Federation? And how did these aurigans cause it to unravel?"


    "We don''t really know the reason yet, since we''re at war with the kolshians and their allies, but the way High Chief Nikonus spoke about it on camera, it seems that the conspiracy want to make the galaxy peaceful by eliminating all aggression. In reality they just removed our ability to defend ourselves against threats like the arxur, and then unleashed those very same arxur upon us.


    As for the aurigans... the Aurigan Federacy is an alliance of multiple species that didn''t fall into the Federation''s ideological mold. Their sheer existence proved the Federation propaganda wrong, and caused people to start questioning everything that was taught to them. Then a reporter finally confronted the kolshian leadership about the whole thing, and Nikonus openly bragged about everything they''d done."


    "What did they do, exactly?..."


    "All will be explained in time, it''s complicated, a lot has happened in these past few months. What''s more important is that you rest, recover, and regain your sense of normalcy. Just know that there''s people here for you now. You''re finally safe, Glim."


    I wrapped my tail around the rescue''s wrist and gave it a gentle squeeze, before standing up from my chair. The former exterminator gave me a weak nod, his tail twitching slightly.


    "I- I will try. Thank you." He said weakly, before returning to gazing around the medical tent.


    I motioned for a medic to come tend to Glim with my tail, before giving the rescue one final touch on the shoulder.


    "You sure you should''ve told him as much as you did? Your people are very irrational, he might leap to conclusions." Baol spoke up as we left the tent, heading to the shuttle meant to take us back to Skalga.


    I''m not, no. But there''s only so much lying I''m willing to stomach. In time he''ll learn about omnivory, but until then, I hope I''ve satisfied his curiosity.

 Chapter 31

    Memory transcription subject: Chief Hunter Isif, Arxur Dominion Sector Fleet


    Date [standardized Aurigan time]: 2nd Day of First Frost, Year 1 After Auriga


    <hr>


    Betterment¡¯s grip on Wriss had waned, as word of prey omnivores circled back home. Many citizens saw other meat-eaters as victims, of the same predator hatred that crippled us. They cried that the converts were genuine sapients, distorted by the enemy. Those revelations didn¡¯t inspire faith in our diet, nor did the Dominion¡¯s inability to reform.


    My crew had already tasted the benefits of an alliance with the aurigans, and word would soon spread of their lab-grown rations. As would the way they treat their prisoners. Once more and more of the general populace became enamored with their way of life, I was certain that the tension would reach a boiling point, and a rebellion would start in full.


    There were hundreds of clandestine discussion boards talking about the newcomers, many believing them to be myth, and most being baffled by their ability to co-exist with prey. But a sizable minority were convinced that the aurigans had managed to perfect predator society, working together with others was becoming more appealing in the eyes of these groups.


    I gripped my aurigan holopad tightly as I scrolled through a few of the clandestine forums. While officially anonymous, the Betterment Office was more than capable of tracking down users if it desired, and most of these people would no doubt find themselves whisked away for being defective if their talk got too revolutionary. I wondered why they were even allowed to operate for so long, but wasting resources on capturing every single defective arxur was not viable, so the answer was probably ''monitor them all but only bother with the most radical''.


    I was thankful for the piece of alien technology in my grasps. Ever since Seeker Klapatch gave it to me nearly a month ago, it allowed me to spend hundreds of hours on the internet, entirely unmonitored by Betterment. While it could connect to our websites and apps without issue, its security measures were so different that trying to hack it was beyond Betterment''s ken.


    Depositing the holopad in a desk drawer, I made my way to the comms chamber and scanned my form into the virtual interface. Prophet-Descendant Giznel''s hologram materialized in front of me, and he greeted me with his usual scowl.


    I bowed my head submissively for a moment, and he motioned for me to give my report.


    "Your Savageness, the aurigans returned our captured hunters, as expected. They were treated with respect and well tended to, as we''d hoped. The newcomers are proving themselves to be honorable, not just fierce. They will prove to be invaluable allies if used correctly."


    "We shall see, Isif. The aurigans claim Shaza''s sector for themselves, after they already bested your men at the Cradle. They are already turning their allegiance over to the prey, and that makes them our enemy. I''m sure you''re not so foolish as to not see that." Giznel grimaced with distain.


    "The aurigans see no point in fighting the prey, when they can be used as indentured servants instead. Since day one they''ve been extracting resources and labor from the prey. The venlil are providing them minerals and rare gases, the gojids are working in their fleets, and the zurulians are foolishly sharing all their scientific knowledge with them. With our manpower shortages, we could benefit from employing the prey as more than just cattle, no?"


    "The prey must be kept snivels and cowardly, Isif. If they don''t fear us, they will be impossible to control. Do you really think that the aurigans can control their ''pets''? One misstep and they''ll be targeted by flamethrowers and antimatter bombs again."


    "That is why their plan is long term. The prey will become so endeared to the aurigans, that over generations they will become complacent and dependable. Future generations will be born to serve predators, with no reason to think they could ever live otherwise."


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    "You are a fool, Isif. The aurigans will be the ones to grow complacent and fat. If they are tended to on hand and knee, they will become weak. They won''t know how to fight or hunt if they don''t need to anymore. What sort of predator is that?"


    "Hmmm... a weak one." I replied after some mulling, and the Prophet-Descendant''s eye showed a glimmer of approval.


    "Then you understand. I want Fahl and Sillis back under our control by the end of the week, and because of that I''m giving your fleet over to Shaza. She will command both, and show the aurigans that Betterment is stronger than their mollification. Until she returns victorious, you are not to leave your post again. I don''t want any more foolish ideas entering your head. Betterment keeps the Dominion strong. That makes us the superior predators."


    I let out a low hiss of submission and bowed my upper body low. "Yes, Great One."


    "Good." Came Giznel''s one word reply, before he shut off the communications, and I was left alone in the comms chamber.


    With an annoyed growl I stormed out and headed back to my office. I tried calling Coth back to my station, but he''d already been given the orders to move out while I was talking to Giznel. The old softbelly decided to route control over to Shaza while we were still talking, so that I couldn''t say anything to my men before they left.


    The only other hunters in the observation post were the prisoners, while everyone else around was support and technical staff.


    "Hmm... What was his- Ah yes." I mumbled as I was trying to remember Kaisal''s name for a moment. I then had the runt sent up to my station instead, fully intent on ribbing him about the aurigans.


    <hr>


    The scrawny grunt skulked into my office with his body kept low to the ground, and I let out a low huff of displeasure.


    "Sit up straight, runt, you''re not being audited. There''s no need to snivel." I informed him, waving a hand dismissively.


    "Of course, your Viciousness. What is it you require of me?" The grunt asked with a shaky voice.


    "Simple. You tell me what you think of the aurigans. I tell nobody else. A good trade, no?" I spoke plainly, in a low tone.


    The grunt mulled the request over for a few seconds, clearly unsure if this was a trap or not, before finally acquiescing to it.


    "I can do that." Came his response, and I motioned for him to continue. "They''re... strange. They don''t take kindly to cruelty, and see co-operation as more important than personal survival. They kept us well fed and gave us clean quarters, and even when they moved us outside they made sure our conditions were good. Despite being predators, they treat prey like friends. And despite being our enemy, they want peace, not victory." The young runt finished with an awkward shuffle, as if expecting to be punished, and I let out a low murmur from my throat.


    "Yes, but what do you think of them? You''re telling me how they act, you''re not giving me your opinion. Speak your mind, grunt. That''s an order." I then reprimanded, my tail slapping the ground in irritation.


    Kaisal gave a low gulp and backed away slightly, his posture lowering in submission again, before finally straightening up again with a fierce look in his eyes. "I think... I think they''re better than us! They treated me right while all my life the other arxur have treated me like shit. I think we''re fools to live the way we do, and that we should all live like them instead! I don''t care if that gets me killed, I should''ve died on the Cradle, but the damned aurigans showed me mercy there too. I have nothing to live for but to starve another day, so go ahead and kill me!" He shouted, breaking down into tears, and I had no idea how to respond.


    I watched in silence as he cried, until he finally collected himself as he realized I wasn''t attacking him. He stared blankly in my direction as I sat at my desk, contemplating what to do with him now.


    "Your opinion is noted, Kaisal. Wipe your face clean and return to our quarters. If I have need of you again I''ll call you back up. Oh, and send Trosaf up as well." Was my only response, though inwardly I was still trying to process his outburst. I''d never seen an arxur bear their emotions open like that, he must''ve really meant it when he said he had nothing to live for.


    The grunt gave an awkward nod and wiped away the snot from his nostrils, before making his way out, trying to pretend like nothing had happened. Despite his deeply emotional nature, I was sure he''d be an asset to any future rebellion, though his self-worth needed to be heightened. Perhaps a sense of purpose would do him good.


    Once the grunt was out of the room, I made a note on the aurigan holopad, adding him to the list of defective arxur I could possibly count on.


    Building an insurrection would take time, and I needed to investigate as many avenues for recruits as possible.

 Chapter 32

    Memory transcription subject: Chief Technician Onso, Yotul Geniocracy


    Date [standardized Aurigan time]: 1st Day of First Frost, Year 1 After Auriga


    <hr>


    When the chance to throw off the Federation yoke presented itself to us, we took the offer in a heartbeat. The way the Aurigans treated us as equals, rather than primitives, greatly impressed Ambassador Laulo, and the news spread like wildfire across Leirn.


    As the call for engineers and laborers went out, I immediately signed up. The description of the Aurigans'' wondrous technology fascinated me to no end. For the first time since childhood I felt a sense of wonder and discovery. Serving on an Aurigan vessel was like a dream. Everything was new and wondrous, from the way their reactors were constructed to the physics involved in their FTL methods.


    While the Federation warp drive relied on a vessel entering subspace, a dimension where distances were shorter, the vaulter metafolding drive worked by finding weak spots in space-time. By chaining millions of small jumps between two spatially distant points, a vaulter ship could cover interstellar distances in mere minutes rather than hours.


    The calculations needed to make each trip were mind-boggling. Each vaulter ship was calculating thousands of small jumps every second, scanning for so-called ''folds'' in the the walls between dimensions. I had no doubt that subspace was one of these dimensions, and my mind drifted to what other dimensions might exist out there. Perhaps a dimension without time? Or a dimension where space was stretched rather than compressed?


    "Boudakai to Onso. What''s our status?" A mezari hand was suddenly waving in my face, snapping me out of my daydreaming, and behind the hand was its irate owner, none other than captain Rill herself.


    "Oh- Weapons are green, ma''am. The upgrades have been successfully installed." I reported, nodding emphatically in mimicry of mezari mannerisms.


    "Good, let''s hope the prototype works as intended. Lock onto an asteroid and power up the beam. Fire when ready." The captain ordered, walking back to her station.


    I gave a resounding "Yes ma''am!" and prepared the advanced phase beam for its first field test. If all things went well, we were about to make history, the first fusion of Federation and Aurigan weapons technologies. The Federation wouldn''t know what hit them.


    Picking a nice, fat rock from those on my sensor readout, I powered up the beam generator, watching the power rise to 100%.


    "Firing!" I gave the heads up, before activating the antimatter inductor. A positron beam shot into the raction chamber, ionizing the hyperium gas into an incredibly compressed form of plasma. Magnetic field generators then forced the plasma down the weapon''s barrel, escaping as a bright, orange line that shot across the void, illuminating every asteroid it passed by. The impact with the target instantly shattered the icy rock, while also releasing a small electromagnetic pulse.


    "Weapons test successful, ma''am. Reaction chamber is holding, no abnormal readings, no radiation leaks." I announced with more than a little excitement, my fingers twitching with nervous energy. I couldn''t wait to see the expression on the kolshians'' faces when the Aurigans showed up with entirely new weapons tech just a few months into the war.


    "Good job, Onso. Pass my congratulations on to the engineering team. We''ll-" The captain paused mid sentence as a big red button lit up on her console. Without any hesitation she then pressed down on the button, causing the Aurigan governor''s face to fill up her holodisplay.


    "Sorry to cut your tests short, Kata, but we have a problem. We just got word that an Arxur warlord is planning to attack Sillis. We have no idea how many hostiles to expect, but we need every advantage we can get. Is that new weapon ready?"


    The captain gave a small nod and turned to me. "Think we can get it fitted on the whole wing in time, Onso?" She asked me for confirmation.


    "Yes ma''am. We should be able to refit the whole wing in two days, give or take one day to fabricate the parts and another day to install them." I responded, adjusting my holodisplay to one side, running the numbers in my head as I checked the weapon''s schematics one more time.


    "Good." Captain Rill replied, before turning back to the hologram of governor Petrov. "Tell the Sillis defense fleet to prepare for combat, we''ll be there in two days to reinforce them."


    Governor Petrov gave a solemn nod, before terminating the comms link. Captain Rill then turned to me again, walking over to my station. "Give the engineering team the go ahead for fabrication. I want the new phase beam refitted onto every ship in the flight group."


    Doing my best to replicate an Aurigan salute, I slapped my left wrist with my right paw, straightening my back to stand tall. The Captain gave me another small nod in acknowledgement, before dismissing me from the bridge.


    <hr>


    Once the ship was safely moored inside one of the Argosy''s bays, I made a beeline towards the engineering deck, where the rest of my team was waiting for the test results.


    Maero, a thorny arse of a Yotul, was the first one to say something, a smug look on his face. "Ah, there he is. How did the test go, Onso? Some of us were placing bets on whether or not you''d manage to blow yourself up."


    A few of the younger technicians laughed at his remark, an even smaller number actually exchanging credits with each other.


    "You won''t get rid of me that easy, knuckle head. Besides, how are you going to tell an induction cooker from a plasma manifold without my input?" I retorted, eliciting a few more chuckles from the others. "The test was a success, which means we''ve got more work to do. The Arxur are making their way to Sillis, so we have orders to install the new plasma beams onto every ship in Captain Rill''s flight group."


    "Every ship? That''s nearly a hundred ships. It''s going to take a few days at least." Maero responded in frustration, groaning loudly.


    "Well, the faster we finish, the faster the Aurigans can defend Sillis. So prepare to work overtime. We have the green light to start mass fabricating the components, so everyone get off your heels and start fabbing. Time is of the essence. We have a planet to save!" That final proclamation seemed to motivate the crew, and work picked up almost immediately.


    Though my estimate of two days from start to finish was a best case scenario, between the fabricators and the drones I had no doubt that we could finish the upgrades in time.


    Fabricating each weapon took around four hours, as nanite swarms assembled the components from raw materials, while installing them took around an hour each. We were managing to upgrade ships at a rate of three an hour (though in practice it was upgrading fifteen ships every five hours) thanks to the use of multiple fabricators.


    While drones and autonomous systems did most of the work, we still had to check their work at every stage, and ensure nothing was assembled incorrectly, or incompletely. As well as check the final assembly and then run the weapon through its paces to make sure it works.


    If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The checking and testing added even more time to the installation process, and after the second batch of weapons was finally done, it became obvious that we''d have to leave the fabricators running overnight if we wanted to get every ship upgraded by tomorrow night.


    With only thirty ships done in one day, and sixty-six more to go, we set the fabricators and drones into full automation. Hopefully by tomorrow we''d have thirty more weapons ready to install from hour zero of our shifts, and we''d be able to get those fitted and tested by the time the next batch was done fabbing.


    After setting up the fabricators to churn out components overnight, I was finally ready to call it a day and relax for the night. Mingling with the Aurigans was a nice distraction after a long shift, especially with the non-stop tavern at the heart of their town.


    A quick shuttle ride later and I was down on the streets of New Boudakai, the sunset glow of the Venlil sun bathing my fur, clashing with the arctic winds. Taking a deep breath of cold air, I then bounded my way towards the familiar watering hole, a white and black building covered in arches and awnings.


    As the warm air inside the tavern washed over me, I finally felt like I could relax. This was a place I could mingle with new and wondrous peoples, and not those Federation lobotomites that simply followed herd-think. This was a true forum of ideas, unmediated, uncensored.


    The atmosphere inside the tavern was as lively as ever, though instead of groups of Aurigans drinking together at the spread out tables, everyone was gathered together in the center, forming a ring around something. All the Aurigans were too tall to see past, but they were cheering and hollering, many with drinks in hand. I had to know what was going on.


    "Excuse me. Coming through." I tried to slink in through the mass of legs, careful not to step on any of their paws as I scuttled between them.


    In the center of the ring I saw two Mezari, a bald male with a large beard and a painted line down half his face, and a fire-haired female with black wings painted around her eyes. The two were pushing against each other using their shoulders, their long legs bracing them in place as they seemed locked in some sort of combat ritual.


    Every time one of them was forced to take a step back by the other, half the crowd cheered, and it became obvious the hollers were the two''s names: Tenekech and Nadjne. The two were seemingly locked in a stalemate, with neither being able to overpower the other and bowl the other over, and the crowd started chanting "Skull! Skull! Skull!" over and over.


    My confusion as to what they meant was quickly resolved, as the two Mezari pulled their heads back and headbutted each other, causing both to stumble around. It was probably some tie-breaker of sorts, no doubt, yet there was still no winner, with both of them stopping for a rest, the bartender giving them each a large mug of alcohol to drink.


    The two downed their mugs and did a funny little jostle, shaking their limbs, before putting their hands up in front of themselves, fingers splayed out as if they had claws, and lunged at each other. They then grabbed onto each other with both hands, and started trying to hook each other''s legs, trying to knock each other over once more, until finally the female used her whole upper body to slip her legs between the male''s and hook her calves around his, using her weight to send him off balance as she forced his legs apart.


    And with that the male fell flat on his back, grunting in pain as the female raising her fists in triumph with a whoop, the crowd cheering her name: "Nadjne! Nadjne! Nadjne!" At least now I knew which of the two was named what.


    "Best three out of five?" The male, Tenekech, protested, holding his arm up to Nadjne, eliciting a snicker from the other Mezari.


    "Maybe another time, don''t want you crippled before a fight." Nadjne answered with amusement, helping her adversary up to his feet.


    "Well then it''s official, the winner is Nadjne!" The bartender shouted over the noise of the crowd, who were now talking to each other about various bets and wagers. "That means you have to buy everyone who bet for you a round, Tenekech." The hunter behind the bar smirked, holding his empty hand out and making a pawing at the air as if squeezing it.


    "Yeah, yeah. Let me get my bearings first." Tenekech protested, before pulling himself into a seat at the bar, Nadjne sitting down next to him as the crowd mostly dispersed.


    Everyone who lost money on their bets moved closer to the bar, making light jabs at Tenekech''s expense. though I didn''t have time to pay attention to what they were saying as I got swept up in the crowd, unable to make my way around the mass of movement, quickly finding myself at the foot of Tenekech''s bar stool.


    The mezari looked down at me in confusion, blinking a few times as he wiggled his head. "Did I hit my head harder than usual? I don''t remember you here when we were taking bets." The hunter questioned, scratching his bald pate awkwardly.


    "That''s because he wasn''t here, lughead." Nadjne spoke up before I could, pushing her shoulder into Tenekech''s in some sort of social gesture. Despite slinging an insult at the man, her tone was warm and jovial, and his only reaction was to roll his shoulder in protest.


    "Careful with the back! It still stings." He then added in verbal protest, before looking back at the crowd, who were all getting drinks in his name, the bartender making a tally on a piece of paper. Tenekech sighed as he watched the Bartender, before turning his gaze back down to me. "So, what can ah do for you friend?" He then asked.


    "Oh! I just got swept up in the crowd, I wasn''t really intending to bother you. But since you asked!" I scampered up an empty bar stool opposite to the two Mezari, sitting down perched atop it. "What was all that about? With the pushing and the bets."


    "Oh, that! That was a Gauran game of strength. The winner is whoever pushes the other one out of the circle, and if there''s a stalemate you have to try to knock each other down." The bearded hunter answered, running his hand down his facial fur.


    "What''s the point of it? Just proving who''s stronger?" I asked, confused as to how such intelligent aliens would care about that.


    "Yeah, pretty much. It''s just a contest, like any other." Tenekech answered, before getting the paper note shoved in his face by the bartender. The bearded hunter picked it up and let out a pained sigh, squinting his eyes closed. He then pulled out a bunch of metal cards and set them down on the bar top. Judging by the glow of the metal these were made of Dust, the same wonder material that they used in all of their technology.


    "Why do your people use Dust as currency? Shouldn''t it be saved up for other things like making weapons?" I queried, leaning up in my seat.


    "Well, I suppose it is the only thing that is truly precious to us. It can''t be counterfeited, it has practical uses in every walk of life, and it can''t be made, so it''s a truly limited resource." Tenekech answered as the barkeep took his money from him.


    "And you can still use it if you really need to. As this way you always have some on you." Nadjne added, before ordering herself a drink. She then turned back to me and and offered a slight smile, one without bearing her teeth. Such a strange gesture, though I was thankful she wasn''t a Drakken. Their smiles were apparently terrifying to even the other Aurigans.


    "What''s your name, friend?" She then asked, her eyes fixed on me. I froze for a moment as I was imagining a Drakken smile, before snapping back to reality.


    "Oh! I''m Onso! I''m a technician on the Argosy. Building the new plasma guns for the ships!" I answered with pride, straightening my back.


    "Nice to meet ya, Onso. I''m Tenekech Attjla of clan Anjka." Tenekech was the first to introduce himself, holding his hand out to me. I wrapped both of my front paws around his wrist and shook it as I''d seen the Mezari do, Tenekech''s own hand covering my entire forearm as he closed the handshake.


    "And I''m Nadjne Zolya, of clan Zolya." The other warrior then answered, surprise washing over me, no doubt visible on my face judging by her snickers.


    "Wait, you''re related to the queen?" I managed to blurt out after a few seconds, still surprised.


    "Well, only distantly, she''s my great-great-great-great grandmother." The woman clarified with a chuckle, which only made left still shocked.


    "Wait, how old is she? How old are you!?" The questions left my mouth without me even thinking about them. These aliens were practically mythical already with their technologies.


    "Hahahaha. You''re cute when you''re flabbergasted. She''s half a millennium old by now, give or take. I''m only 26 though. Most of us don''t live such long lives, but those of us with the right ancient genes can live practically forever. According to legend our ancestors were immortal, probably due to advanced medical sciences not even we can understand." Nadjne answered, taking a swig from her newly arrived drink.


    "Many members of clan Zolya lived for hundreds of years, some reaching over a thousand. Nobody knows what the upper limit is, as most of them died in battle. We''ve had a long history of struggled, sadly, and lost many trying to survive. Not something we should burden new friends with though." Tenekech added, offering a faint smile with the corners of his lips.


    Raising my brow and with my ears pulled back, I felt a sense of indignation at the assessment. Of course I wanted to learn more about their history!


    "Oh go on, tell me! I want to know everything!" I demanded, leaping onto the bar top. Both Mezari were surprised, looking at each other as if trying to suddenly develop telepathy. Nadjne then gave a slight shrug, tilting her head to the side, before Tenekech put his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, Onso, if that''s what you desire."


    And so the two warriors began to recount the history of their people, from the ancient legends of star travel and the earliest heroic matriarchs, to the unification of the clans and the final days of Auriga.