The Nature of Predators - Zurulian Miniseries (4/5)

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Memory transcription subject: Doctor Wilen, Zurulian Hospital Fleet

Date [standardized human time]: October 28, 2136

There was no telling how predators treated prisoners, but I imagined the conditions were awful. For all we knew, the United Nations was beating Lars at this moment. Their harsh justice might even lead him to be sentenced to death. With their violent impulses, it made some sense that predators couldn’t pardon minor infractions.

I begged every human wearing the emblem of the United Nations to allow me to speak to Lars, or update me on his status. Crossing the Terran government wasn’t my brightest idea, but I was worried. For some reason, I couldn’t stop hearing Lars calling my name, while I thanked the predators hauling him off. He had crossed several lines with egregious disregard, but we had withstood the trauma. Maybe it brought Fraysa and I closer together.

The point of this program is to learn about predators. Why bother if they’re being censored? Most people, besides myself, wanted genuine interactions with humans.

Beseeching Ambassador Chauson’s help was the last resort we decided on. The Zurulian scientist received my report, which I marked time-sensitive. I prayed his eagerness to learn about humanity would make him leery of censorship. To my relief, he escalated the matter within hours to the UN’s Secretary of Alien Affairs, Erin Kuemper. Both of us were invited to join his emergency meeting, and I knew my Terran partner’s fate hung in the balance.

It was strange to think of predators having any form of authority. The United Nations could play politics with us, but they needed some way of dominating the masses to maintain control. The Federation’s prior research revealed that in their primitive years, vicious humans took over large chunks of the globe by conquest and enslavement. While the modern regime favored egalitarian democracy, there must be some residual effects of those heavy-handed tactics.

Chauson marched in as soon as we arrived, skipping all niceties. I marveled at how little he feared confronting predators; the scientist was a brave fellow. Dr. Kuemper was seated in her office, with glass ornaments in front of her predator eyes. She looked up as we entered, and concealed her irritated scowl.

“Doctor Wilen has informed me that you arrested his exchange partner for engaging in typical human behaviors,” the Zurulian ambassador snarled. “Is this truly justified, over the mere discussion of predation? Neither individual is showing signs of trauma, as your officers claimed.”

Kuemper raised her hands. “Ambassador Chauson, this went beyond—”

“I’m not done. I have told humans time and again that you don’t have to apologize for who you are. Am I wasting my breath? I’ve tried to cultivate a healthy environment to learn about your culture. Is this really what you should be focusing on, with Earth in shambles?”

Concern flared in my chest, seeing Chauson antagonizing a human. The scientist had some nerve to interrupt Kuemper, and with such assertiveness too. I was amazed the Terran secretary didn’t round on him right there. She clasped her hands in front of her, and offered a tame sigh.

“We have a zero tolerance policy for intentional violations of our guidelines,” the predator replied. “The last thing we need is to alienate one of the few friends we have. We take your wellbeing and cultural taboos seriously, and we want Earth to be a safe environment for our allies.”

Fraysa lifted her chin. “These guidelines go against the spirit of bonding. Lars was just being himself.”

“Also, how did you even know what this Lars was up to?” Chauson sidled up to Kuemper’s chair, circling the human. “The Zurulian government must ask whether you engage in mass surveillance. Privacy is a fundamental sapient right.”

“Listen, Lars Isaksson wasn’t subtle about it,” the human retorted. “He volunteered his plans on social media, so we were monitoring him closely. We then received a tip from Kim Ji-yun, proving that he was following through.”

“Plans?” I echoed.

Kuemper frowned. “Lars was fantasizing about human things to expose you to all day. I…don’t think he grasps the gravity of all this.”

The Secretary placed several messages on screen, collecting them in a neat timeline. Lars was showing all of his teeth in the profile picture, which seemed untoward. I was curious what sort of things predators typically discussed on online forums, or what they elected to share with the world. Those platforms could tell us a lot about their behaviors.

4:12 PM I don’t think it’s right that the UN hides anything with a hint of predation. They haven’t even offered to let them try meat substitutes…they ban the mention of it. It shouldn’t be such a problem.

8:36 PM My alien buddies seemed upset at the hockey game. Professional sports aren’t for everyone, but I hope they can respect the grind.

9:46 PM Hm, wonder how the Z’s would react to horror movies. Their prey instincts would totally make them relate to being scared shitless.

10:30 PM I should have my sister bring her cat over. That would give the teddies a new view of predators. Just a little worried Mittens would pounce on them; they are the same color as squirrels!

A hint of confusion flooded through my chest at the last one. Did “teddies” refer to us? That snippet seemed to imply that humans kept other predators in captivity. While I wanted to defend Lars, the last thing I wanted was a wild hunter around me. Even he suggested worry that this ‘cat’ beast would pounce on me; I had no idea why he was thinking about introducing us.

Chauson wrinkled his nose. “I don’t know what half of these things mean, Kuemper.”

“Ambassador, that is by design. With all due respect, we are two vastly different species,” she said. “There are certain things in our culture that we believe would offend or frighten you. This isn’t about hiding anything; it’s about respect and a gradual introduction.”

I bared my teeth. “It’s too late for that now. What actually offended us was seeing Lars dragged from his own home. I don’t want anything to happen to him.”

Fraysa wagged her tail with a newfound respect; I’d never seen the medic look so proud of me. She was a human apologist from the beginning, so my current behavior fit with the kind of guy she wanted. Conviction caused my spine to straighten, and I prepared to double down against anything Kuemper said. I’d argue with a predator, invoking their ire, to impress the female Zurulian.

The human was beginning to drop the composed act. I imagined she wasn’t comfortable being cornered in her office to start with, and felt ambushed by Chauson not coming alone. The glint in her eyes suggested her annoyance, as none of those present were listening to her arguments. Alarm flashed through my chest, realizing that I could infer Terran emotions. That meant I was much more in-tune with the predators than I thought.

What if that’s the effect of the ‘meat’ sampling? Am I turning predator?

“There have to be consequences, or we signal that this behavior can be repeated at any time. Not everyone would be as gracious as you, Wilen.” The UN Secretary slammed a fist on the table, squashing my courage. “Did Lars not force you two to eat meat substitutes, using alcohol to impair your decision making? That’s by his own version of events.”

Fear caused my paws to tremble, before I shuffled away with consternation. That was the one faux-pas I didn’t mention in the report, since I knew the irreparable social consequences. Ambassador Chauson gaped at us with open disgust, when there was no denial from our camp. The Zurulian scientist backed away on instinct, though his stance shifted to a quizzical demeanor.

I wish I didn’t know what was coming. Nothing would sting more than being disowned by my family, and ditched by every acquaintance. I was lucky that Fraysa wasn’t disgusted by me, as marred as I was. My medical career, which I had attained after a grueling decade of study, would come to a permanent end. What employer wanted someone with a taste for flesh around blood and vulnerable people?

If Chauson determined I had predator disease, there was no telling what rehabilitation or tests I might be subjected to. Of course, I knew I wasn’t a sociopath, but my actions with Lars suggested otherwise. Perhaps there would be some sympathy that I could garner by claiming I was forced to the table. Kuemper’s phrasing offered me a way out.

Using coercion or alcohol as a cop-out would dissuade Lars’ release. The selfish choice was to defend my life, which I didn’t want to crumble. But Fraysa wouldn’t be interested in someone who didn’t take responsibility for their actions. Besides, how could I live with the knowledge that my human partner was suffering in a deep, dark hole? It was terrible to think of the playful predator crying in pain, feeling alone and abandoned.

The noble option was to protect both of them. I could live with the consequences, if it meant I saved two people I cared about. Somehow, that hairless predator had caused me to concern myself with his welfare too.

“We had a free choice, and I consumed the alcohol to make it easier for me,” I answered, after a long pause. “I was the only one who touched the fake meat, Chauson; Fraysa had nothing to do with it. It was a terrible mistake, and I accept my fate.”

Fraysa curled her lip. “Don’t lie for me, Wilen. I did it too, and you know, it wasn’t half bad.”

Chauson leaned back on his haunches. “You…I am lost for words. I never thought any Zurulians would make such a choice, consciously.”

“Whoa Ambassador, all parties agree that it was vegetables, not real meat,” Kuemper interjected. “Let’s all take a step back. While I regret the thoughtless introduction, you would not lambast a human for our dietary choices.”

“Humans are predators, and your empathy can co-exist with those urges. That diet is natural for your kind. But such behavior is not normal for Zurulians; the desire to eat meat is associated with psychosis. They’re doctors, they know that.”

I ducked my head in shame; Chauson was right. The scariest part was that I still felt like myself. The early onset symptoms of predator disease might be subtle enough that I wouldn’t notice them. Worse yet, Fraysa could succumb to the animalism before I did. It broke my heart, to think of the lovely medic devolving into a predator before my eyes.

“Do we seem like predator disease patients? I feel fine,” the female Zurulian yipped. “Wilen and I can watch for the symptoms in each other.”

I swallowed. “What are you going to do with us, Chauson? I beg for leniency.”

“This must be reported back home. If it was real meat, I would have you both institutionalized. All the same, you’ll need to submit psych evaluations every week.”

“Okay. That’s a good idea.”

“I’ll also be revoking your medical licenses indefinitely. I’d feel responsible if something happened, and I knew about this.”

My heart sank, at the thought of losing my doctor’s post. But if the ambassador was reporting this back to Colia, there was no overcoming the reputation damage anyways. Even if our licenses weren’t rescinded, we’d never set foot in a hospital ship again. The infamy would extend anywhere we traveled. Every passerby would recognize us as those corrupted Zurulians. I wasn’t sure I could take Fraysa on a dinner date without being denied service.

Disbarment beats most of the alternatives. We’re free, and have some semblance of a life.

I blinked meekly. “Thank you for not locking us up, Chauson. You are generous.”

Kuemper’s binocular eyes were wide, and I could tell she was taken aback. The human didn’t understand how light our ambassador’s punishment was. Psychological manuals suggested everything from electroshock therapy, indefinite incarceration, and even forced sterilization to prevent predatory genes from spreading. The fact that Terrans were involved with the exposure was likely what tempered his response.

“Wilen and Fraysa made their own…choices, and none of us want Lars punished for their indiscretion. Everyone involved here failed their planet’s moral standards,” the Zurulian ambassador sighed.

Kuemper scratched her scalp. “With respect, Chauson, we have the right to enforce our own laws on our own people. Just as you did with yours.”

“I have no idea if he’s being tortured!” I interjected. “Please, give Lars a second chance.”

“I like that big goofball too,” Fraysa declared. “You’re punishing Wilen by locking him up. Let him go.”

Chauson narrowed his eyes. “I do respect your sovereignty, Kuemper. Still, we’ve offered aid to Earth at no cost, and never asked a thing in return. You can’t release a single human as a gesture of gratitude?”

The Secretary of Alien Affairs slumped her shoulders, and pressed a button beneath her desk. She swiveled her chair toward the doorway, with a resigned scowl. Tremendous relief flowed through my paws, as two UN guards escorted Lars into the office. The human didn’t have any marks on him, and only looked a bit disheveled. The bags under his eyes suggested a poor night’s sleep, but that was curable.

I raced over to him, and nuzzled against his shin. The dentist almost tripped over me, but decided to crouch with his hand extended. His rattling laugh and feral snarl resurfaced, as I licked his fingers with childish ecstasy. The predator was alive, and his personality hadn’t been shattered yet. I realized, with a hint of surprise, that my desire to continue the program was genuine.

Kuemper wagged a finger threateningly. “You will adhere to your plea deal, Lars Isaksson. Ambassador, he’s required to aid UN rebuilding efforts for six months. Any further violations will result in time behind bars, no matter how much his Zurulian friends plead for him.”

“Thank you, Madam Secretary. Now, if you’ll excuse me; I have more important matters to deal with,” Chauson barked.

The human official watched as the ambassador exited. The forced pleasantness vanished, once he was out of earshot. The scorching glare she directed at Lars made me wither; I couldn’t imagine being the recipient. That silly predator was much tougher than me.

“Wilen, Fraysa, I apologize for my words. I didn’t mean to throw you under the bus.” Kuemper was still glowering at Lars, even as she addressed us. “Chauson’s reaction came out of nowhere. I hope your friend is happy, now that he destroyed your careers with his games.”

I sighed. “It’s not his fault. We both should’ve known better. We got off easy, only losing our right to practice medicine.”

The Swede gaped at me. “What? I’m so sorry, Wilen. I…never meant for that to happen.”

Fraysa sidled up to him, grooming her paw in a dejected manner. It stung the female Zurulian, to be taken from the rescue efforts on Earth. I had wanted to protect her, but she hadn’t let me. Everything we cherished in our lives was gone, except each other.

“I know, and I was worried when you got hauled off. I’m just glad you’re okay,” I replied. “But no ‘cats’, please.”

Lars nodded. “No cats. You have my word; I’m turning over a new leaf. I can be very sensitive, you’ll see.”

Fraysa squinted at him. “What is a cat? Why does your sister have what sounds like a predator?”

“Humans love to domesticate animals, and certain predators are just adorable to us. Cats are a pest kill—”

Secretary Kuemper’s eyes glowed with irritation, before she cleared her throat. The UN official gave a tiny head shake, and Lars pressed a hand to his mouth. I suppose the big guy was breaking a rule by even mentioning cats.

“Sorry, Fraysa. I’ll tell you later,” the dentist whispered.

Kuemper heaved a flustered sigh. “I heard that. Man, you really don’t get it. Get out of my office, before I change my mind about letting you go.”

“Wait! We can fix this for them, can’t we? There’s doctors needed here on Earth…and they could be our resident experts in alien medicine.”

“Hmph. That’s the first reasonable thing you’ve said, Lars. Zurulians could help with training and R&D. I’ll see what I can dig up.”

My instincts remained silent, as I trotted after the blond human. An extended stay on the predators’ world would suit Fraysa well, but I had trouble seeing a place for myself. The brash culture on Earth was ill-suited to my temperament. Interacting with Lars proved more than enough to juggle; humans were still a frightening variable that I knew little about.

My sole intent was to get away from humanity, forever. Hell, Chauson just reminded us that it’s natural for them to be flesh-eating monsters.

However, Terran propositions were the only way to retain a doctor’s position. Declining an offer automatically would be ridiculous, when nobody else would dream of giving us work. I was going to be stuck rooming with one annoying predator for the exchange program anyways. The average patient couldn’t be much worse, right?

I suppose it all hinged on what proposal turned up.

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A/N - Part 4! Wilen and Fraysa manage to free Lars, but face personal consequences for their "meat"-eating participation. Will they be able to find a home with a humanity?

This is the second-to-last part. Didn't want to rush the ending, so there will be a short epilogue to finish it off.

As always, thank you for reading and supporting!