The Nature of Predators - Predator Disease (5/8)

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Memory transcription subject: Bonsen, Predator Disease Patient

Date [standardized human time]: December 20, 2136

There was no questioning what William had said about his species. He…it proclaimed that it was a flesh-eating predator, and none of the other humans challenged it. That felt sour. After warming up to these monsters, I was forcing myself to use “it” with them, since using sapient pronouns was a major concession for a species of liars. Still, at this point, they’d won that battle; I wasn’t going to fight myself with every thought.

Aqil had been deceitful when he claimed that they were arboreal prey, yet I’d seen the binocular-eyed beasts eating plants. It didn’t make any sense! Also, why would the exterminators let a predator work for them? Everything William had said was terrifying, from “Venlil serial killers”, a phrase which I couldn’t understand, to him allegedly calling the Krakotl in the front seat food.

Luala should be more afraid of that, but she just seems angry? It’s almost like she’s goading him on, and trying to win a contest of dominance. Does she have a death wish? Maybe she’s depressed and needs intervention.

William was offering periodic groans, pressing his hands to his ears. Beautiful chirps ran up a scale at an increasing pace, with background whistles in lower notes; this Krakotl song was fully acapella. No instruments, just music. Mischief flashed in Luala’s eyes, as she diverted a wing from the steering wheel. The avian cranked up the volume controls, and the black-haired predator’s gaze snapped open.

“ENOUGH!” he wailed, reaching out to mute the music. “It’s fucking awful. No percussion…no beat…no words or meaning! It’s like having a hummingbird on my shoulder.”

The Krakotl laughed. “A deal is a deal. Should I turn the car around?”

“No, dammit. Just let up a little, my God.”

Dr. Bahri absent-mindedly patted my back. “I think you’re exaggerating your dislike for the music, William. This song’s quite interesting and creative, charged with optimism; I’d love to hear the musical compositions of the wider galaxy.”

Aqil narrowed his eyes. “I like it. It’s calming.”

Paulo said nothing, staring in sullen silence. That predator was definitely stewing in some dark desire. His injured arm was clutched in front of him, but he seemed detached from the physical pain.

“See? This song is exquisite. It’s a masterpiece!” Luala declared.

A growl rumbled in William’s throat. “Hmph.”

As the Krakotl returned the music to full trumpet, I allowed myself to gaze upon the human doctor. Complex patterns were woven into Bahri’s mane, perhaps signifying ropes used to tie up pacified prey. Still, my mind kept coming back to the relief I felt when they chowed down on the plant wraps. What else I couldn’t understand was that they’d done things that predators couldn’t do; they’d helped Paulo when he was wounded, they’d shown compassion to me, and they seemed to be able to work with prey species.

Luala isn’t afraid of William. Does she not know that he eats carcasses and admits it?

“L-luala, do…d-do you know what the humans are?” I choked out.

The Krakotl stiffened. “Predators. Arboreal predators.”

Perhaps the arboreal admission was a partial truth?

“But…t-they ate plants.”

William snapped his head around. “This again? I am so fucking tired of explaining basic—”

“She’s a child who’s been locked in a predator disease facility and tortured for five years. There’s no telling what their shocks did to her brain!” Bahri spat, venom dripping through her voice. “We’re the first humans Bonsen ever saw. Do you have any tact or sensitivity?”

“I…”

“You what?!”

“I’m sorry.”

Luala fluttered her wings. “Bonsen, ah, they do eat plants. They are omnivores, which is a rare but not unheard of trait that means they eat both meat and vegetation. They’re also nice, social creatures who are scientifically confirmed to have empathy…even William does, we think.”

“Screw you!” the predator exterminator growled.

“W-wait. Omnivores are not unheard of?” I echoed.

Sorrow glittered in the Krakotl’s eyes. “It’s unheard of to us because…the Kolshians genetically suppressed the trait, wherever they found it. They turned meat-eating species into herbivores by force. While these other races did not hunt the...ick, carcasses, themselves, like humans do, they partook in consumption…”

Luala seemed to be on the verge of vomiting; with the subject matter, I couldn’t blame even an exterminator for looking queasy. It was difficult to wrap my head around what she just said. Was the avian implying that Federation species used to eat meat, and the Kolshians stopped it without anyone knowing? That actually sounded pretty heroic of them.

Maybe the Kolshians are trying to cure these predators, and that’s why they’re acting like true sapients. Does that mean that I can trust them? Bahri seems nice, and I do like the way her comfort feels. If they have natural empathy, then there’s some good in there to dig up. Wait, I thought the Federation tried to kill the humans though…and who are the other omnivores? I can judge how well the cure works.

“Which species?” I croaked.

Aqil leaned forward, scrutinizing the bird’s demeanor. “Do you want to tell her?”

Luala drew a shaky breath. “Us. The Krakotl. I mean, also the Gojids, the Tilfish, the Duerten, the Harchen, the Onkari, the Jaur, the Verin…you get the point. All of them, and more races than I listed. Ten percent of the Federation.”

I recoiled in shock. “T-that’s…horrible.”

“Yes. I am coming to terms with it too.”

Paulo’s gaze had turned dark as the void. “You hate that you’re on the same level as us?”

“No. I hate to think that I survived off another animal’s suffering…their death. At least, indirectly through my ancestors.”

“Plants die for herbivores to survive. And if you had your way, humans die for the Federation to survive, even though that wasn’t fucking necessary. Existence is killing, and you Krakotl are a golden example!”

“Hey, leave her alone, Paulo,” Aqil growled.

“Oh, that’s rich coming from you! Tell her what you did in Kuala Lumpur.”

“I told you that in confidence. I regret it, so I’m stopping you from making the same mistake now.”

“Mistake…mistake? No, it was a war crime. Tell her. TELL HER!”

Aqil stared at the window, as his facial features tightened. I noticed Dr. Bahri watching the exchange with careful attention, not offering a word. It was as though she was analyzing this display, shrewd intelligence dissecting their slightest mannerisms. That predator had a way of making you feel like she saw through to your soul; nothing could hide from her sharp binocular gaze. Perhaps she had guessed this secret before I had a clue.

“There were Krakotl crash-landers going through the bunkers, killing anyone who survived,” Aqil began, with odd twitches in his pupils. “I watched them shoot a crying baby in a stroller. We started gunning them down, and two fucking cowards tried to surrender. I walked up to them, and I shot them in cold blood, point-blank. It was satisfyingly easy. Bullets to the temple…a faster death than they deserved.”

Luala was quiet for a long moment. “They killed children, like Will’s sister? Don’t lump me with them…please, I beg you. Those Krakotl deserved to die.”

“That wasn’t for me to decide. The UN swept it under the rug, like a lot of executions on Earth; we can’t charge that many people, for a crime that Humanity First would feel is justified. But I’m not HF. Maybe their intelligence would’ve been useful…”

“You know, I do identify with Humanity First,” William interjected. “Not with the terrorism or the threats, but with the idea that we protect our own and don’t kiss alien ass. Who gets to decide who lives and who dies? I just got back yesterday from testifying against Kalsim, who didn’t deserve a goddamn trial at all. The UN are soft.”

Bahri frowned. “Humanity First is a xenophobic movement, which thinks we’re inherently superior to all sapient lifeforms.”

“We fucking are! There’s nothing wrong with that. The future belongs to us, to lead…to fix xeno society. We shouldn’t have to be meek to not be called monsters, and maybe not be treated as second-class. We should be ourselves.”

“Amen, William,” Paulo mumbled.

Listening to two humans finding common ground in feelings of their own superiority, I could only connect that to humans thinking prey were lesser. Bahri and Aqil looked taken aback, not throwing their own agreement into the ring. Luala lowered her beak forlornly, before turning up the radio. This time, it seemed like much less of a defiant gesture; she didn’t want to hear this Humanity First talk.

The rest of the ride was filled by the Krakotl’s chirping music, veiling any conversation which would otherwise arise. I was sick to my stomach, knowing the flesh-eating humans were taking me to their ship. All I could hope was that Bahri wouldn’t let me go to a cattle farm. For some reason, a sliver of my mind wanted to trust this predator doctor.

Memory transcription subject: Dr. Kiara Bahri, Human Psychologist

Date [standardized human time]: December 20, 2136

Our arrival at the embassy proceeded without conflict, and I was relieved that Bonsen had remained calm. There wasn’t a chance I was letting the adorable Zurulian out of my sight; I wouldn’t allow the possibility of someone sending her back. William and Luala had left after dropping us off, not wanting to be sighted on Terran grounds alongside us.

The United Nations granted us sanctuary for now, but it wasn’t out of the realm they’d turn us over to the Venlil. I recalled before the visit ever commenced that they warned us not to cause trouble. At this moment, it was likely top diplomats were fielding calls about us. We were led up to the second floor via elevator, as heads turned our way from every desk we passed.

It’s a matter of time before word gets back to the Venlil government, and they demand that we’re given up.

Some staffer slipped Paulo a sling for his injured arm; the Brazilian was in no rush to seek proper treatment. Waltzing into a local hospital, as fugitives, was ill-advised. The Humanity First rhetoric was bounced around my head as I looked at him, fresh from the car ride. I could understand the psychological reasons for an extremist movement to gain traction. However, having supporters among UN personnel wasn’t going to end well.

Paulo and William had been adamant that we were a superior species; at times, it sounded as if they wanted to replace alien society and values altogether. Unsavory aspects such as mental health were one thing, but interfering with a people’s identity didn’t sit well with me. That sort of thinking had been damaging to marginalized groups through Earth’s history. Furthermore, it was exactly what the Kolshians and the Farsul did. There were more productive ways to handle grief, and better ideologies to espouse or fall back on.

It was my job to reshape the hurting individuals’ perspective, just as I needed to change minds and gather support from the Terran government. Drawing a deep breath, I saw that the UN aide was escorting us to the large office at the end of the hallway. The name etched by the wooden doors left me starstruck for a moment; AMBASSADOR NOAH WILLIAMS was written in Venlil and Latin scripts. The original photographs of him and Sara Rosario with Venlil dignitaries had captured the world’s imagination. He was a larger-than-life figure, especially after his famed speech on Aafa received billions of views, on Earth alone.

This was the highest-ranking individual in the United Nations’ diplomatic command. After how much Noah sacrificed and fought to get humanity any foothold with the Venlil, I couldn’t imagine he agreed with our gunslinger approach. His personality seemed laid-back on television, but I hoped he’d be moved enough to feel angry about the facilities, rather than our actions.

“Come in.” The ambassador’s voice was smooth as silk, and he gestured for the aide to shut the door behind us. He planted two fists on his desk, leaning forward with a commanding air. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? If we protect people who interfere with Venlil affairs of state, then it looks like humanity doesn’t respect Venlil sovereignty.”

“Sir, if I may, you have no idea what’s going on in those facilities,” I offered.

“No, I don’t! That’s why I asked Tarva to grant your request. We could address any concerns through proper channels, if you three kept your heads. Do you think you’re the only humans to feel slighted or upset by their society?”

“No, sir.”

“And you had to come back here. You put us between a rock and a hard place. We…the United Nations must pick our battles. The stakes are the very survival of humanity, and our true allies are in short supply.”

Bonsen’s chart, thankfully, had been stashed in my pocket when we went on our taco run. I said nothing in response to Ambassador Williams, and handed him the paper instead. The astronaut accepted it with a flustered sigh, fishing a visual translator out of a desk drawer. He mulled over it for a few seconds, before turning his pupils back to me.

“That’s why they diagnosed Bonsen with predator disease, Ambassador. She’s a child!” I cupped the Zurulian’s round ears, soaking in the velvety softness. “Please, ask her about the abuse dished out in those facilities. If you want to know what was happening, she’s a firsthand witness.”

Noah’s brown eyes softened. “I’m not in the habit of asking kids to relive their trauma before they’re ready, Doctor. You of all people should understand that.”

“Then take it from me. The staff put shock collars on their necks, use electroshock without anesthesia and to the point of bleeding, medicate them so they’re zombified, and submerge them in ice-water. That’s the tip of the iceberg. And they can do this to anyone who disagrees with the state talking points, or doesn’t fit in with their norms.”

“T-that’s true. Sialsi was a f-friend. Spoke out on the internet…about the Arxur having higher thoughts. They ruined her,” Bonsen whimpered.

Pity sparkled in Noah’s gaze, as he noted the burn marks on the Zurulian’s neck. The human ambassador reached into a large cabinet, and pulled out what appeared to be a dog bed. Did he keep that on-hand to offer smaller aliens a place to sit? He walked around the desk, taking Bonsen from my grip. I was hesitant to let her go, but if I couldn’t trust this man, the battle was already lost.

Bonsen tensed up as the stranger grabbed her, and I signaled encouragement with a head nod. Thankfully, I remember not to smile for reassurance; that translated as a menacing threat to unfamiliar aliens. Noah placed her onto the dog bed, before providing a fleece blanket from a couch.

“There you go, Bonsen,” Ambassador Williams whispered, kneeling beside the quivering Zurulian. “You’re safe here. With me, with us. You must be so tired. You can rest now.”

The astronaut stood with slow movements, and seated himself back at his desk. His pupils flitted over to Bonsen a few times, checking that she was comfortable. The Zurulian child yawned feebly, before closing her innocent eyes. Aqil and Paulo watched behind me, clearly feeling bashful throughout this exchange. A war criminal, albeit an understandable one, and a Humanity First sympathizer probably weren’t the best soldiers to be in hot water with me.

“I’m sorry about what happened in the facilities,” Noah sighed. “I’ll do what I can, but your actions made things worse in the big picture. We need the Venlil as allies.”

Aqil raised a hand tentatively, reminiscent of grade-school customs. “We have to make the right decision, even when it’s not easy. If not…we don’t stand for anything, sir. We’ve changed ourselves because of things around us.”

“What would you have me do?”

“Send Peacekeepers to storm the facility, and free the patients,” Paulo interjected.

I ducked my head. “I’m not a violent or militarist person, but I agree. This can’t be allowed to continue.”

“We are not conducting an uncleared military operation on our greatest ally’s homeworld! That’s not just a violation of sovereignty; it’s a declaration of war. The Federation are the ones who concocted this predator disease system, not the Venlil.”

“Please send help. Do something. We can free these tortured souls, and use them to show why the Federation’s dogma is wrong. There is nobody else to protect them but us. If we turn a blind eye today, who will ever see them as people?”

Noah crossed his arms, diverting his gaze solely to Bonsen. Compassion was winning in those brown depths, and I could see him mouthing my words to himself. His eyes then drifted back to his desk, where a 3D photo of him and Governor Tarva rested. Looking at it closer myself, the way the ambassador had his arm around her waist seemed very familiar.

Is that love in his eyes? No, that must be my imagination; the Venlil are a more touch-centered culture, and I’m applying human ideas.

“Alright.” Ambassador Williams knitted his eyebrows with consternation. He didn’t look certain about whatever decision he had reached. “I’ll try what I can to go after the predator disease facilities, but we’re doing this my way.”

I offered him a hopeful stare. “What does that mean?”

“We’re not going around the Venlil. I’m going to call Tarva, and try to get through to her. She’ll come around.”

My optimism for undoing the mental health treatment deflated; the Venlil governor already knew what was transpiring in these places. If she hadn’t done anything for her entire term, there was no reason to expect her to change. I decided not to argue, but I wondered if Noah’s emotional connections to Tarva were blinding him. In this instance, asking for permission was worse than asking for forgiveness.

“Thank you, sir,” I mumbled grudgingly.

Noah tapped at his holopad. “I’m not making any promises, but Tarva is reasonable…and kind. You’re going to help me persuade her.”

“Very well. Oh, and Mr. Ambassador, while we’re waiting on the governor, could I trouble you for one more thing?”

“Fine. Let’s hear it.”

“Would you look into the interactions of Adderall with Zurulian physiology, as well as an appropriate dosage for Bonsen if it checks out?”

The human ambassador nodded, and a bit of my cheery swagger returned. I might be able to mitigate Bonsen’s struggles, giving her proper treatment at last. If appealing to Tarva didn’t work out, then I could accept the consequences, knowing I’d helped a tormented child.

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A/N - Part 5 is here! William spouts some divisive rhetoric, while Luala informs Bonsen of the truth about omnivores. Ambassador Noah makes an appearance, hearing our humans' rationale for the incident at the facility, and agrees to help...by bringing in Tarva. Do you think the Venlil governor will be receptive to what we have to tell her?

As always, thank you for reading and supporting!