Pest Control (Patreon)

If there's one thing that can be said of Grimalkin, it is that they love their job. For a species so highly voracious, often the most tricky part is ensuring they do not eat creatures that are meant to be on board. While this might cause stress in other critters, or lengthy questionings and database searching before determining if someone is a pest or a registered crew-member, Grimalkin skip the entire issue and simply work on the idea that if they don't recognize you, you are going to likely pass between the jaws.

Sure, they'll check the crew manifest afterwards, and sure many crew-members often report such treatment is if anything a relaxing enforced rest, but there is no guarantee that the Grimalkin will be quick about snacking on whoever they encounter in the corridors and maintenance vents. Sometimes, as here, the Grimalkin may make it's time, tossing the prey back bit by bit with firm, but gentle, squeezes of the jaws and tongue to ease out all the tastes they can before swallowing down the poor victim as casually as any lump of meat.

There is no malice in such actions, no malicious intent or grudge behind such actions. All that is reflected is the pure animalistic enjoyment of the meal, strong instincts purring their primal pleasure through the Grimalkins deepest brain centres with each chomp on the helpless meal despite all of their uplifted history. The taste and texture of the helpless rodent filling the Grimalkin's most primitive mind with endorphins.

There are no hard feelings with the Grimalkin if they let the poor Springhare out later, nor any regrets if that same Springhare becomes nothing but pudge on the Grimalkins tail. Whatever the outcome, all that is felt is a simple and rather pure delight in the process. Both the Grimalkin and the Springhare did, after all, sign up for this assignment fully knowing the consequences.

This is one of a series of pieces made by Timor to show more insights into the Inanis galaxy and the folk within, especially on the Fel Station.