The Nature of Predators - Star Crossed (2/?) (Patreon)

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Memory Transcription Subject: Kelvanis, Kolshian Asylum Seeker

Date [standardized human time]: January 5, 2150

I walked down the famed streets by the School of the Flora for what might be the last time; the rot was apparent in everything I passed. Buildings once graced by exotic flowers from across the galaxy were in disarray. The campus that once drew millions with its prestige and renown—that had made the city thrive—was now occupied by a handful of Kolshians, as few had any faith in their shadow-caste-engineered curriculum. It had been a long time since I’d seen any aliens on Aafa, though I wished I remembered the institution in its prime. As times grew more desperate, we were locked in a prison, and the stars were out of reach. Total anarchy might’ve unraveled our society, had the humans not propped up a few insurrectionists and freed prisoners into a government.

Even with some semblance of order, there was no sparing Aafa from quarantine’s ripple effects. A planet didn’t go from being the centerpiece of the galaxy, flush with all kinds of imports and trade vessels, to standing on its own without consequences. Rampant inflation and poverty led to recurrent violence in several cities, even though the humans dropped aid packages from time to time. They didn’t want to interact with Kolshian commoners in person, so they’d dispense supplies via drone. I knew in my heart that when they looked at us, they saw Nikonus, Maronis, and the rest of the shadow caste pricks. That was why I wanted the Terrans to hear my plea, in person, where it couldn’t be ignored.

All I desired was to chart new flora across the galaxy; I personally hadn’t done a thing to the Terrans. Just as they’d challenged the Federation hatred here, a decade and a half ago, I hoped to turn their tactics back on them; no matter how they reacted to me, this was something I had to do. Not to mention, it would be refreshing just to see an alien face, for the first time since I was a kid. It was a bit frightening to speak with a predator that I knew hated me, but younger citizens like me only lived to adulthood because they spared us. I was more alarmed at the way Maronis sacrificed evac ships from Aafa, and the Duerten’s bloodlust back during the battle, than a creature whose eyes pointed forward. I’d watched a lot of videos featuring humans to adjust to their faces, and to understand how they viewed us.

I’ve heard all sorts of stories about how the Kolshians that go up there are treated: some fantastical, but some with a sense of credibility. Why did humanity let us live, if they want to jail us all forever—if they view our whole species as monstrous? I wish they’d just…get to know me, as a person.

“Kelvanis, don’t get on that ship. I don’t want to lose you, and people…they don’t come back.” My sister, Volani, couldn’t understand why I was doing any of it: especially after I explained that it was more than saving my skin, or ditching my loved ones. The goodbye at the spaceport wasn’t going to be easy. “Haven’t you heard the stories about humans venting applicants for bothering them? How they compare us to some food called calamari?”

I folded my tentacles in irritation. “Kelvanis. Full name Kelvanis. Distancing yourself, huh? There’s no actual proof that humans are evil like that. They’re the only reason the galaxy didn’t kill us off, as the Duerten are so happy to remind us.”

“Kelvan, you can’t seriously want to live on Earth. There is at least some degree of truth in the fact that humans can’t stand us. They keep us locked down here, and it’s not just to appease the other preyfolk. They could throw their weight around if they wanted to.”

“That’s a more accurate assessment, at long last. I know they would rather not acknowledge that we exist, and that most Terrans sure as shit don’t want a bunch of Kolshians moving to Earth. I think they’re cold and indifferent toward us, not because we were right about them not having empathy…but because they blame us for everything. I’m not expecting a ceremonious welcome, sis. Even if I somehow got to Earth, it wouldn’t be an easy life.”

“Then why the fuck are you doing this?”

“I’m using my voice…telling my story, and taking whatever they throw at me…so that someday, people like you can be treated like sapient beings. We’re not lesser than the galaxy, and I’m tired of pretending they’re ever gonna let us out—even as Aafa burns a little more by our own tentacles every day. I know you don’t get it, Vola, but I hope someday you will.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “You’re stupid. So stupid. Why can’t you just accept that we’re stuck here? Why can’t you just…not leave me behind? Not go to a secluded place, where no one would ever know if they ate you or gave you sanctuary? I’d have no way of telling the difference.”

“There’s no reason to have those irrational fears. I’m only a little afraid of them, and I’m the one about to meet them face-to-face.” I paused at the edge of the landing pad, as the sight of the UN emblem on the fuselage made Volani even more distraught. “The humans will be pretty forceful and strong, I imagine. That’s it. I can handle that. I’ve had the will to survive total upheaval here. I’ve scrapped against Kolshians who dwarfed me, when they tried to steal Mom’s vase. Remember?”

“It was the only thing we had left of her, after…Caato. You took all those risks for an heirloom. You could’ve died, just to preserve her memory. I guess you were always braver than me, but this is different than some Kolshian thugs. These are apex predators who you can’t just tussle with.”

“Good thing I don’t plan to fight. Humans think we’re as nonsapient as a lot of us think they are. Their negative emotions scare me, and while I won’t bend, I won’t give it back. This is all fraught with danger, but I’m going to treat them like people regardless of what they do. The moral onus is on them.”

“That doesn’t fill me with confidence, Kelvanis. You’re way too calm for all of this. I’m increasingly worried that this is suicide by predator.”

Tired of arguing, I flung my cerulean arms around her waist. “Goodbye, Volani. In all likelihood, I’ll be sent back here and I’ll see you soon: to tell you all about what those predators are like. If I’m not, move on with your life. Your aromatics give a sense of normalcy that’s…needed.”

I breathed in her flowery perfume, a fragrance that demonstrated how much we once tried to absorb nature’s beauty. To think that we’d once shipped plants in from all over the galaxy for simple reasons, and taken our access to that bounty for granted. Volani and I had survived many hardships together to stay alive on Aafa, orphaned and with no support systems. It might benefit her not to be tethered to me, and to find ways to blossom on her own. I broke free of my sister’s arms, feeling where her tears had landed on my shoulder. As much as I would’ve liked to linger in her embrace, taking in the sights of home one more time, I didn’t dare test the Terrans’ patience.

Punctuality is important to not anger them out of the gate. I can’t let Volani see my own hesitation, now that it’s really here. This isn’t something I can take back, if I am wildly wrong about humans.

Refusing to let myself turn back, I trudged across the landing pad, and punched a confirmation code into a terminal. The spaceship’s door popped open, along with a notification that the vehicle was being remotely monitored by cameras. A sobbing Volani called my name, though I ignored her, hurriedly buckling myself in so the ship would take off. If I gave the reservations another moment of thought, I knew my resolve would dissipate in the wind. The last thing I needed was to give her a chance to chase me in here, beg me not to go, and possibly have the Terrans block the vessel from taking off. I didn’t even stall long enough to remove the bag from my back; the appointment confirmation had told me to bring enough necessities for a few days.

It was easy to gaze out the window through my periphery, studying the spaceport—a miles-wide maze that’d once hosted millions of flights a week. These days, it was a bygone relic, with most sections shuttered or filled by vagrants. The government had thought about demolishing some sections to build housing, but that would’ve angered the people living there already, who’d be displaced for the project’s duration. Local authorities didn’t have much obedience from the populace; there was little support to back their agenda or enforce their will. My gaze shifted upward, as the shuttle blasted far away from the surface in a matter of minutes. Above was a moon with orbital defenses, always pointed at us in case we stepped out of line.

“That’s no way to live…under an unspoken threat at all hours. Barred from the stars that we once knew,” I murmured to the camera. “I wish I could see what you made of the galaxy, humans. I’d…like to see that you really believe in those rights for all you speak of. What does all mean to you?”

There was no answer from the watchful eye of the camera, my only company after leaving my sister behind. I mentally played over different conversation scenarios with the humans, ensuring that I was prepared to respond in stoic fashion. It was possible they’d try to find an excuse to dismiss me as quickly as they could, since my presence wasn’t desired on Earth. A clever tactic would be provoking me with an incendiary question, in the hopes of eliciting a volatile response. Perhaps they’d attempt to frighten me away: a strategy that would work with many of my kind. Was firm but polite enough to prove I wasn’t going away? Would my plan to challenge how they treated my species anger the Terrans?

Not wanting to dwell on the worst possibilities, I took the opportunity to survey the indigo skies; very few Kolshians saw our world from this vantage point nowadays. My gaze oriented on our lunar satellite, a cratered body human soldiers had stormed with manic intensity a few years back. I wasn’t an expert in war, but common thought was that this was the site where the battle turned in their favor. My people’s insane decision to side with the Arxur—the embodiment of every claim the Federation made about predators—was just the deciding factor, in what would’ve otherwise been a messy bout. I faintly remembered seeing thousands of flashes that lasted mere microseconds overhead, along with streaking debris as it tore through our atmosphere.

Some ship bits fell into unlucky residences; the bulk of the civilian casualties could be attributed to that or the chaotic riots, and not the human soldiers who landed to the shadow caste’s spineless surrender. These memories took me back to a time in my life when I’d felt broken and powerless—when the grief for my parents had been a gaping, fresh wound. Reliving these snapshots of my life might be more difficult than staring down a hateful predator. Obviously, I’d have to push through, if I got to the part where I could plead my case. Crying would demonstrate weakness, and the Terrans didn’t see us as vulnerable innocents who needed protection. Strength and determination were how to get through to them, not letting my emotions win.

I hope that I can do this. Plenty of others have walked this path before, thought they were ready for a human face, and then crumbled in the moment. I need to have the courage to shine a light on our reality and to tell my entire story, without any exclusions.

A recorded voice that sounded not quite right for a human played over the PA system. “You have reached the sovereign domain of the United Nations. We hope that you find safety and comfort in this place. Thank you for understanding that our culture is vastly different from Aafa’s, and being mindful of that reality. Please disembark the vessel at this time, and remember to conduct yourself with respect and courtesy aboard the station!”

Through the veneer of politeness, I caught the thinly-veiled implication hidden in that automated message. The humans were addressing us like subsapient visitors that couldn’t exhibit decorum around other species. I resented that idea, but I didn’t let it show on my features. This was pretty tame, as far as insults I’d braced myself for. I exited the vessel with calm steps, and found that I was sealed inside a reinforced chamber that seemed designed to take an attack. It puzzled me why they expected an explosion from the inside, unless their spaceships crashed or malfunctioned that often. Terrans wouldn’t have crushed a millennia-old empire with that kind of engineering. It only clicked when a four-wheeled robot wheeled over to me, displaying a sort of “claw” meant for gripping.

“Put the bag on the floor, and identify yourself,” a voice called from behind a concrete door. I could see binocular eyes peering through a peephole.

I flinched, but knew I couldn’t fail the first test for being capable of living on Earth. “Hi. How do you do? I’m Kelvanis, and I have an appointment with someone named Chloe de Vries in a few minutes local time. Did I say that right?”

The human didn’t return my friendly greeting, focusing instead on guiding the robot’s arm; the automaton unzipped my bag, and sifted through my toiletries, holopad, and blankets one-by-one. Did they really think I’d come here just to do as much damage as possible to their station? The vast majority of Kolshians weren’t monsters, whatever these people thought. My hopes that they’d give my asylum request any consideration were beginning to sink. I forced myself not to startle as the door whooshed open, and the primate waved me in with a nimble hand. The Terrans must be certain I was unarmed, without anything on my person. Though I was certain to get walking and demonstrate compliance, I pointed a tentacle at my tote.

“Leave it with us,” the alien commanded, showing a flicker of the pointed teeth his species loved to display. “You’ll get it back later.”

I lifted my tail in acknowledgment. “Okay. The blanket is really soft; you’re welcome to use it. Do you ever just press anything up to your face because it’s so soft?”

The human didn’t answer my small talk attempt, and stormed through the hallways like he was eager to ditch me; I hustled to keep up, not wanting him to decide I was a nuisance before I got to my appointment. My eyes focused on the gun sticking out of his belt, and the flexible armor that protected his vitals like he expected a fight. Volani had been right to warn me about scrapping with the predators, and their willingness to get into a brawl. For a diplomatic station, a multitude of warriors were spread throughout the hallways, surveilling any foreign passersby. So much for having a conversation with the Earthlings—their social nature wasn’t showing.

“Right.” The guard stopped in his tracks and pressed his back to the wall. He gestured with an open palm toward a door that was sealed shut. “That office is where you want to go. You don’t go anywhere else without asking me. I’ll be watching you closely. Got it?”

I ducked my head to express submission. “I understand. You don’t have to worry about me. Thank you for showing me the way, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.”

“Hmph. Get moving.”

Feeling a bit deflated at the primate’s emotionless demeanor, I was doubtful whether I could have any impact on what they thought of Kolshians—especially with how they minimized the time I spent with them. It saddened me to think that this was how the galaxy would react to us, from now until eternity. Maybe I should give up my grand aspirations, and try to get out of here as soon as possible too. My sister told me to just accept that our species would be stuck on Aafa. Despite the sinking feeling in my gut, I still didn’t want to. A little adversity couldn’t cause me to give up, advocating for a better future for Kolshians. This wasn’t just for me; it was for everyone who’d come after me, and get the same cold shoulder treatment.

My legs carried me over to the door, and I rested a tentacle on the cold handle. The knowledge that I had zero leeway with the armed beasts was nerve-wracking, along with the fact that I’d signed up to be judged by a human. There was no telling what to expect from Chloe, who probably hated me too, but it was important to remind myself that I could do this. After drawing a single breath to steady myself, I pushed the door open. It was time to meet the predator that was supposed to hear my life story.

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A/N - Chapter 2! As Aafa is plagued by decline and upheaval, Kelvanis sets out determined to convince humanity not to condemn him for his species—or to at least give it a try for the sake of posterity. While he doesn’t buy the anti-human propaganda, Volani, his sister, is much more skeptical of humans and attempts to dissuade his plan. What do you think of the full security sweep and bag confiscation that Kelvanis got, and the attitude that he’s facing from humans on the station? After seeing both of their perspectives, how do you expect his meeting with Chloe to play out?

As always, thank you for reading and supporting!