The Nature of Predators - Cilany's Adventures (7/7)

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Memory transcription subject: Cilany, Harchen Reporter

Date [standardized human time]: December 4, 2136

The Duality of Humanity

Written by Cilany

It was a chance interaction online that revealed the United Nation’s policy of censorship. Known by Earth locals as Emergency Order 56, there are a set of guidelines prohibiting discussion of many behaviors and activities. When I set out to determine what this predator species was truly like, I was concerned what I’d find. A pattern of volatile, risk-taking, sometimes violent behavior presented from every crevasse of their society.

However, my startling realization was that Earth was a beautiful world. My alien readers across the galaxy might be convinced that I’ve been coerced into saying such a thing, but I write this with full-throated confidence. It’s beautiful in the same way any wilderness untouched by society calls to you; it’s not polished, or tranquil. New experiences, which lack predictability or reason, stir the more adventurous souls. Contrary to appearances, the activities gauntlet comes with some safety retained.

To understand what I’m saying, one needs to grasp what motivates a human. Their drive for entertainment is met not by inflicting cruelty, as the Arxur so callously undertake. Every Terran action is underlaid by their desperate desire for social interaction, even the passions which look so predatory on the surface. Being human seems to be a shared experience, though they’re happy to share it with outsiders where possible.

An anonymous Terran told me, “Humans feel it’s our destiny, to push as far as we can go, both individually and as a species.” In a nutshell, that quantifies what makes them feel whole and alive.

Framing what I saw in that lens, it was about humanity overcoming—no, defying their natural limitations. They lack particular acumen in most physical qualities, so their only methodology of surpassing much-deadlier predators was to be able to outlast every other predator. They back down from no challenges, and can grind through adversity for days if needed. Cresting mountains which reach to the clouds, or running for days on end; impossible physical feats that they somehow can achieve.

The crazy humans even enjoy fear, because of the satisfaction they receive from besting it. Their aggressive pastimes and violent entertainment aren’t about an enjoyment of suffering. It’s about sharing the experience of struggle and survival with their pack. I saw them simulate falling to their deaths on a train track, and slam into each other to enraged music at a concert. My conclusion is that these pastimes tie back to sharing emotions together, as well as that release of adrenaline they find so tantalizing.

How did my human friend put it? “When we rally behind a single banner, we feel like we’re part of something bigger.” That explanation suffices for what is otherwise a paradoxical duality.

You see, despite their alignment with chaos, the predators possess a softer side. Menial games are promoted as an excuse to foster community, and generate a common cause. Terrans can tap firsthand emotions from watching others partake in activities, thus seeking out spectatorship of their own volition. They show levels of interest in the lives of strangers that transgress on privacy; their society encourages near idolatry of artistically-gifted humans. It’s a proof of how strong their mirror neurons are, and, in turn, why they experience empathy when they have no selfish reason to.

The Venlil’s empathy tests are backed even when Earth has no filter. Definitive proof exists on-world that humans domesticate prey for reasons beyond livestock. A classic television show, one of the earliest imaginings of exploring the galaxy, depicted a unified interstellar community. They harbored no ill intent toward us. They tried to, and deeply wanted to, give us their beautiful side—the best of humanity.

Two off-hand remarks stick with me, and exacerbate my pity for how the Terrans have been treated. “Maybe you’ll come to think of Earth as beautiful, not just some monstrous land that birthed us.” Their home, encompassing everything they’ve known, is their pride and joy, yet it’s discussed as a savage land that’s irredeemable. The assumptions treat their species as a blight upon their own home, and bury anything the humans could ever proclaim.

The real dagger to my heart was the simple, “We’ll love you until you love us back.” How the lack of reciprocity must hurt them so.

Of course, not every human is benevolent, but the darker individuals are both outnumbered and outshined. Having seen Earth’s most daring and outrageous practices, I find that Emergency Order 56 was not necessary. If the Federation saw how passionate and emotive humans were, perhaps they wouldn’t have consigned them to death. Terran volatility shocks our sensibilities, yet in the same breath, evokes thought-provoking questions on what it means to be sapient.

For any herbivores who wish to visit Earth, I suggest that you give humans a chance. They’re capable of much more complexity and depth than anyone gives them credit for.  Perhaps you will even find a spark of affection for them that you never thought possible.

—

The human’s icy gaze darted across the screen, and his foot tapped absent-mindedly against the floor. I wanted Lars to commend my article; his approval mattered much more than that of the comments section. After my near-death experience at the fusion restaurant, this project returned a sense of safety that I hadn’t felt since Fahl. This was the only friend I had on Earth, and the first person who saw and validated my personal grief. It would be an injustice to misrepresent his species, after how accommodating and supportive he’d been.

Lars’ head snapped up. “Cilany, you said nothing about how cool I am!”

“You didn’t want to be mentioned by name in the article, ‘in case things go sideways,’” I responded. “I could edit in a note of gratitude, or—”

“I’m kidding. Lighten up, girl! You know, I said you couldn’t put everything into a pretty package, but I guess I sold you short. You get us. Now I gotta buy you some t-shirt that says, ‘I heart humans’ or something, seal the deal.”

“What?”

“Eh, you’ll see when you get a Christmas gift in the mail. Say, you thought about suing Zhao and that restaurant? High-profile, clearly liable—you could be set for life. I’m just saying, when life gives you lemons, lawyer up and sue everybody to oblivion. That’s a classic human saying.”

“I know none of your idioms, but I imagine that’s not the saying? I’m not trying to ruin anyone for an honest mistake, if that’s what you’re telling me to do. I have no right to seek compensation from humans.”

“Nonsense! Hell, just ask for payment under the table. Zhao’ll pony up, lickety-split.”

“Stop pushing, Lars! That dinner was a good evening for a while, and it’s a shame it ended that way. There’s no need to blow it out of proportion. Zhao feels terrible about it.”

“So use that against him! Twist the knife!”

“I already did. Got him to stop with the restrictions, and allow this entire visit. It was a traumatizing experience for me, and I’d like to leave it behind. Didn’t you promise not to touch the subject?!”

“Aw shit, I might’ve? Sorry! Gotta scheme a little on your behalf, and stick it to the UN while I’m at it. Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“You’re that bitter at the UN, Lars, over your arrest? Clearly, judging by the fact that you didn’t get arrested this time, Zhao doesn’t enforce 56 that strictly.”

“Pfft, even if it isn’t enforced with an iron fist anymore, he hasn’t repealed it. I sorta got him in a Catch-22…if I get arrested around you, Humanity First gets wind of it and loses their shit. Zhao would have to silence you too, and I wagered he wouldn’t want to do that.”

I scowled. “I see. All of this was just to get Emergency Order 56 revoked. That’s why you helped me.”

“Aw, don’t go acting like it was a hidden agenda! You wanted to expose it too! I woulda showed you fun stuff even if our interests didn’t overlap, but my whole pitch was about the suppression of free speech from the start. The UN got their ass handed to them in court, so they need, like, one more humiliation to kill the order altogether.”

“You know, I was actually going to miss you.”

“You still are…I’m an open book. Meant everything I said, and I totally enjoyed having you around. Though it probably works out that you’re heading away today; it’s a matter of time before work figures out I sure as hell ain’t sick.”

“You’ve genuinely been lying to your job to show me around the city?”

“Lying is an extreme word. Let’s say…putting on a performance?”

The blond dentist pinched two fingers over his nose, and growled my name for demonstration. I giggled in spite of myself, watching as he pretended to hack up his lungs. Lars groaned in faux-pain, which eventually morphed into a high-pitched wail. His antics were something else, though I was surprised his colleagues hadn’t seen right through this farce. There was no question I was going to miss the only predator I trusted, and one who was a frequent source of amusement to boot.

Definitely an oversized child. I have a difficult time labeling this goof as vicious.

The Terran’s smile faltered without warning. “Hey, Cilany? Well, I obviously know you were using me as a source for your story. Tell me the truth: are we real friends? Or is this the last time I hear from you?”

I froze on the couch, struck by the amount of insecurity I saw in those hunter pupils. Perhaps the fact that his Zurulian friend had little time for him led to feelings of abandonment. There were other stories for me to track down, and I needed to carve out my own life; even if Lars wanted me to stick around, readers would get bored if my content wasn’t varied. Without reporting, I would feel voiceless and powerless. However, that didn’t mean I couldn’t stay in contact with this silly predator.

“Everything on your tour was incredible!” I flung my arms around his broad torso, and the Terran exhaled shakily. “Look, I am what I am; if you tell me something that makes a must-read story, I’ll be running with that and peppering you with questions. But your kindness meant much more to me than the work I got done.”

“You’re just saying that,” Lars said glumly.

“I’m not the type of person who lies to make someone feel better. You inspired me to seek out a job on Earth, and you made me care about humans. I finally can imagine seeing this place as home. I don’t feel fear every time I step outside or see binocular eyes. I don’t feel ashamed for being a Harchen. You did that.”

“Wow. I didn’t realize that it meant that much to you. From the start, I was worried I’d scare you off…”

“Never! I was looking for a human who wouldn’t pretend. How can anyone have a meaningful friendship, if you’re censoring yourself and hiding things?”

“That’s what I thought. You can’t build anything real and lasting under false pretenses. Gotta be yourself.”

“Agreed. For what it’s worth, I wrote in my article that 56 was a mistake. The real humanity is the one I like.”

“You have no idea how happy that makes me, Cilany. Rejection from an entire civilization feels like shit. Hearing horrible things about us all the time…oh, I’m throwing a pity party, aren’t I? Enough of that downer, ‘woe is me’ talk! What’s next for you?”

“I don’t know. I was thinking I’d poke around in military affairs, and maybe try to figure the ins-and-outs of Humanity First. Those comments on my Kalsim post made me curious about how they recruit, and why people join them. If there’s one thing this whole visit has taught me, it’s that everyone deserves an objective analysis.”

“Uh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Maybe talk to some nice psychology professor about the mindset behind HF? Or, if you’re gonna talk to those jackasses, definitely not in-person. And probably shouldn’t tell them you’re an alien.”

“Are you worried about me? I’ll be safe.”

“Good. But I mean, if you expose those bastards, power to you.”

Lars’ snarl was more wistful, as he gently removed my arms from his torso. The predator stood, stretching his limbs out with blood-curdling pops. I knew I was about to say good-bye to the first Terran to invite me into his pack. It was important that I cultivated other friendships and connections, but the feeling was bittersweet. In a span of a few days, I’d grown comfortable with the Swede planning out grand excursions. The worst part of this farewell was missing him before our time had even expired.

“Well,” the human muttered, a hitch in his voice. “It’s about time for you to head to the airport. Not to throw you out, but we better get going.”

I bowed my head in agreement. “You’re right. Let’s keep in contact, regularly? Not for any story or greater cause…just to talk.”

“Bet on it. I am gonna introduce you to the best thing humanity invented: memes. I’m gonna send you a whole boatload. You’re gonna love the Nikonus memes.”

“Alright…I’m not sure if I should be worried, if the best thing you invented involves Nikonus?”

“That depends which memes I send you!”

“…right. Well, once I get settled somewhere, it’ll be your turn to come visit. I’ll have to plan an adventure for you this time.”

“Now that’s an offer I can’t resist. I’ll be there, Cilany.”

Lars Isaksson strolled out of his apartment, and I snagged my holopad off the coffee table. Still open was my article dissecting the merits of mankind’s home planet, perhaps to be read by millions across the galaxy. As I departed the human’s lair, I felt newfound hope about my prospects on this world. My goal was to heed my own lesson, about showing a species with extreme sociability and empathy the love they deserved. The truth was liberating, and it opened the possibility of meaningful friendships, with a sapient race like no other.

A/N - The end of the Cilany series! Our Harchen reporters churns out a flattering article, and parts ways with Lars Isaksson, who promises to introduce her to memes from afar. What do you think about the future articles Cilany is thinking of pursuing? Were you happy with her analysis of humanity in this article?

As always, thank you for reading and supporting! Lore one-shot to follow 129, and then we have a miniseries from the POV of a Farsul abductee coming. Exciting stuff to come!