The Nature of Predators - Nova's Children (5/?) (Patreon)

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A single act of mischief was, on occasion, the beginning of a chain reaction: something that snowballed to the point that it demanded explanation. Tarva hadn’t told her children the brutal manner in which her first daughter died: not out of dishonesty, but for fear that they were too young to understand that tragedy. It’d been heartbreaking enough to tell Ari about the existence of a bloodlusting predator species, and how people would equate humans to them despite a distinct lack of evidence. She was also afraid that the kids might judge her, for her decision to terminate her daughter’s life support…in essence, killing her child. Was it wrong of her to have another child at all? Did she deserve to, after snuffing out that first flame?

It wasn’t easy for Tarva to relive those memories, a wound that would never heal until the day she’d died. Her guilt was without accounting for the fact that she knew, in her heart, that she’d stood across from the Arxur responsible for that raid, and agreed to work with him. It was for the greater good, but it spit on her daughter’s memory. That had been an act of cruelty Isif targeted at her, as the Venlil leader: another reason it was her fault it happened. Another reminder of why her children could be in danger because of who she was. It might’ve been selfish to bring a new kid into the world with the risks it entailed.

Ari and Elia had met the extended family enough times to recognize their relatives, but one day, by chance, they found a single photograph, tucked away in a drawer and turned over. They’d been playing the human game hide-and-seek—a predatory game of trying to locate and flush out prey, if you asked some Venlil—and Elia couldn’t find Ari. The young primate had found a massive cardboard box, and placed it over his little body: to Elia, it might as well have not existed. The frustrated little Venlil refused to give up, checking and double-checking everything. She scoured drawers where there was no possible way Ari could fit, and came across the photograph.

After a few more minutes of searching, and finally locating her brother, Elia had brought Ari back to that finding to ask if he knew who was in the picture. It was Tarva with a strange, male Venlil she’d never seen, with tails interlocked like they were quite familiar with each other; the two were standing behind a Venlil about their age, who was holding a lunchbox to take to her first day of school. The children didn’t know that was a stabbing memory for Tarva. The joy of sending that kid off to classes had been dashed by what came not long after. The youngsters were clueless to how difficult their first trip to school had been for their mother—how she broke down, crying in Noah’s arms, several times throughout that day, and the ones that followed.

“Mom? Who is this Venlil kid?” Ari asked. “It’s not Elia.”

Elia snorted with derision. “Of course it isn’t me! I want to know why it’s hidden away. Who are these people?”

Noah glanced up from where he was sipping coffee, shooting a concerned look at Tarva. “I’m not sure your mother is ready to talk about this. It’s something that causes her a great deal of pain.”

“Why? She looks really happy in this. She’s looking at that kid like us…like it’s her child!”

“Stynek was my child,” Tarva whispered. “I loved her very much. Before I was married to Noah, many years ago, I was married to a different man. A Venlil who I was able to have a biological kid with.”

“You loved someone other than Noah? You left him even though you had a kid together? You’re…not going to leave me and Ari, are you?”

Ari’s eyes lit up, willing to gloss over the marriage detail entirely. “I’m not worried about that; you know they want us. This is good news! We have a sister? I want to meet her.”

“You…c-can’t, sweetheart. Stynek is dead. She’s been for a long, long time. Rellin and I…”

Noah stepped in, seeing Tarva struggle with her words. “If anything ever happened to you two, you can imagine how devastating it would be for your mother and I. I would endure anything to prevent anyone from hurting you, but that’s not always a given option. Sometimes, bad things just happen, but Rellin and Tarva both felt they were to blame. It took all of the happiness from their marriage, because they loved Stynek and missed her so much.”

“Was Stynek…killed because people hated her? Over Mom’s politics?” Elia whispered, fear igniting in her eyes.

Ari signaled “Stop!” in his rudimentary tail language. “It makes Mom sad to talk about it. We should drop it.”

“It’s alright,” Tarva managed. “You deserve to know. That predatory species that did awful things and ate people used to attack Venlil worlds. They…raided Stynek’s school to hurt me personally, as the leader of Skalga. If I hadn’t run for office, Stynek would be alive today.”

Noah’s eyes pointed at her with intensity. “Hey. It’s not your fault. It was an awful thing done by awful beings who wanted others to suffer. You’re not to blame for what they did, when you were just living your life.”

“Yeah, Mom. It’s not your fault,” the human child offered.

Tarva’s ears pinned back against her head, as tears rolled down her cheek. “I appreciate you saying that, Ari, but it’ll always feel like it is. I promised to do better with you two—and you don’t have to worry about it! The Arxur—those predators, they’ve been stopped from doing raids like that now. That’s why I haven’t told you to fear them.”

“But you said that other people might attack us. Put us in danger.” Elia’s ears twitched with apprehension, though another side of her mind wanted to fight the monsters that’d hurt Stynek. Nobody would take her brother away. “How can you stop that?”

Noah exchanged a glance with Tarva. “We both have plans to make sure that nobody can hurt you again. There are people that’ll watch out for you two. We want you to live your lives to the fullest, not in fear.”

“There’s nothing we won’t do to keep you both safe, and to limit the danger we put you in by being who we are,” the former governor added. “I have to trust that the steps we’ve taken…that the precautions we’ve agreed to will be enough.”

Memory Transcription Subject: Elia Williams, Venlil Athlete

Date [standardized human time]: October 2, 2152

There had been a stretch where I was too intimidated by Agent Wolf to pepper him with questions, but the curiosity was killing me. Clearly feeling like he couldn’t wash off the blood and guts, Ari had been in the shower for more than half an hour—most likely letting the water aimlessly run over his head. That left me alone in whatever this Terran safehouse was, which appeared like any other apartment near the old refugee camps: modestly furnished, unassuming, with a view overlooking a street. The camps had been rebuilt with nicer homes by Veln’s successor, Governor Laisa; she’d given incentives for Venlil to intermingle with the area, and tax breaks to businesses.

The Terrans were free to wander and welcomed in most residential zones now, but there was still a predominantly human presence here. It had less of a gloomy, hopeless atmosphere than its early days, with proper playgrounds and features from Earth. Governor Laisa turned a blind eye to any pets in this district, as long as they weren’t a safety threat. She gave blanket citizenship to anyone granted refugee status during the Battle of Earth, and generally improved the Terrans’ quality of life. Her administration was about as pro-human as Tarva’s, though I wasn’t sure she’d sanctioned this covert outfit. I really doubted Veln had, if these operatives had followed us for most of our lives. How were we going to explain any of this to Tarva and Noah?

I know Agent Wolf said he’d get in touch with our parents, but I don’t know how they’ll feel about human security stalking us. I’m just grateful they saved my brother’s life; if they arrived any later, Ari would be dead. I can’t imagine how traumatic it was for him, to have been knelt down for an execution.

“Does the Venlil government know you’re here?” I blurted.

Agent Wolf turned his head slightly to face me. “No, and they’re not going to. You’re not going to tell anyone. No social media posts…unless you want to create a shitstorm for humanity, your parents, and you and your brother. You should think very carefully about that. I don’t think Ari needs anything extra on his plate.”

“But then what the fuck are we going to tell Noah and Tarva? Ari’s really shaken up. I can’t hide this from them, for his sake.”

“Who said anything about hiding it from your parents? When we approached them, it was when you were both about to head off to school. They were quite receptive to the idea of protecting you from any nefarious parties. I imagine the reason they didn’t tell you was so that you wouldn’t try to ditch us; you know, out of some lesser concern that we see you misbehaving and snitch on you. Which isn’t our purpose, but we all know how kids think.”

I blinked in confusion, uncertain how to react to the human agent’s claim. Tarva and Noah signed off on us being tailed everywhere, without the slightest warning to us? These were stone-cold operatives from Earth, and judging by how they’d handled Ari and I being held as hostage, they were more than capable of eliminating threats. It was bizarre that my mother would let a foreign government lope after her children, without so much as tipping off the local government. How did this agreement work, during our visits to Earth? Did they follow us across planetary borders, and track us during our excursions there as well?

“I don’t know how to feel about being followed everywhere, and watched in my most personal moments. There’s…some things that I want to be private!” I lamented.

Agent Wolf’s face remained impassive. “That’s not an unfair sentiment. If it makes you feel any better, we’re not concerned with what you do, as much as the people around you. I think a jarring event like this would remind you that your safety overrules all other considerations, for your parents and for us.”

“Obviously, and I’m beyond grateful that you saved Ari’s life…but I’m just trying to understand. Do you follow us on Earth too?”

“We would tag along on any planet you traveled to, but our own is one of the easiest to make the arrangements on, with the United Nations facilitating our directives. There are humans who’d wish aliens harm, or have their own vendetta with Tarva or the Venlil. We’re here to mitigate any threats to you.”

My ears perked up, hearing tentative footsteps before Agent Wolf’s human eardrums could pick up a thing. Ari stumbled toward the couch in a daze, wearing a set of clothes left for him by the operatives. I stood to check whether he needed any help walking around, and my brother flung himself forward, ensnaring me with a hug. He buried his face in my fluff, and sobbed into it for several minutes; he clutched his fingers tighter into my spine, as if he wanted to rip out my fur. I hoped he wouldn’t, given how much that would hurt—similar to a Terran getting a wax treatment—but I’d have tolerated having my entire pelt ripped out if it meant Ari was alive.

To think that mere hours ago, my greatest concern had been running in a silly race that was a knockoff of a Terran idea, arguing with my parents about a college tour for some over-exaggerated sense of independence, and collecting test results for my brother. I didn’t need a piece of paper to tell me who his family was. Whatever insecurities were in his head, he belonged in the Williams’ residence, not with some humans who had given him away at birth! That’s what I should’ve told him when he first expressed his feelings: that he wasn’t going to be left alone by us, ever, and that I knew exactly who he was. I loved Ari not just in spite of his differences, but because of them.

If that’s still what Ari wants, I’ll help him…but he shouldn’t need that to find closure on his identity. What’s important is that we’re together, as inseparable family, and that he can get this out of his head. Something like this shows what’s important.

My brother struggled to speak through his unrelenting sobs. “They talked like I was a monster. I tried to empathize with them, but they just hated me more. I don’t belong on this planet, with these people: how can I not be scared of being burned alive or put down?”

Alarm sparked in my chest. “I know this was the worst time to have that predator spiel thrown at you, but they were fucking assholes. You belong here. I can’t imagine what my life would be like without my brother. I wouldn’t be me…and you wouldn’t be you, if you didn’t grow up with a Venlil sister. That’s the truth about your identity. You make our family whole, and I will headbutt that fact into you if I have to!”

“I…I didn’t want to survive instead of you, Elia. Don’t you ever do something like that again. I couldn’t bear the guilt, and I don’t need you to protect me.”

“How do you think I would feel, watching you lined up against the wall…having to watch you die? You have no idea how much that hurt in that moment. It was an absolute pit of dread. I never want to see anything happen to you, so fuck off: I’m protecting you whether you like it or not. And I’m going to do it better from now on.”

Agent Wolf raised a pointer finger. “Actually, it’s our job to protect you. Neither of you should be putting yourselves in danger. If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s ours for not clocking these guys sooner.”

“I saw a Venlil with her brains blown out, practically on top of me! Do you know how sickening that was? That image—the feeling of blood spraying on my skin—I’ll never forget that. I don’t want your protection!” Ari spat.

I narrowed my eyes. “Uh, I do, in case any other exterminator psychopaths come around. You’re not being rational.”

“I know I’m not. I thought I was going to die. I was abducted just walking out in the streets, in broad daylight. I feel so dirty, like the blood soaked into my pores—maybe I do have predator taint. I feel like I do. Fuck!”

Agent Wolf walked over to the table, handing Ari the envelope that’d been removed from the bloodied hoodie. “You need a distraction, and then a nice warm meal. When we spoke to your parents, they were relieved you were safe. They asked us to try to comfort you. I know you were eagerly anticipating this, so maybe that’s a start?”

“That envelope wasn’t worth what we went through. I really don’t care anymore. Maybe it’s better if I don’t know. Throw it away. You’re good at disposing of things.”

My heart sank, watching my brother flop down on the couch with a distant stare. Ari looked more broken than when he confessed about the ancestry test on the bleachers; there was nothing that I hated more than seeing him in this state. It was difficult for me to accept, after what we just endured, but Agent Wolf might be right about those results offering a valuable distraction. Letting Ari abandon his mission at the finish line would be selfish, just because I’d realized how much I couldn’t bear for him to leave our family. His happiness and validation went beyond my worries about him choosing blood relatives over us. Maybe it would take seeing what was out there for him to grasp that, despite the difficulties living on Skalga, this was where he belonged.

“You told me this was something you had to do. That you don’t feel fully human. You should never have to doubt what that part of you means. After we did go through all of that to get that test, I’m sure as shit not letting you throw it away now,” I hissed with indignation.

Ari scowled. “Don’t start.”

“Oh, I’m just getting warmed up. I want to know more about my brother’s life. If there’s a picture of you as a newborn, I plan to send it to all of our relatives to embarrass you. It’s way too late to close that can of worms.”

“It was a mistake to open it in the first place. What good can it possibly do?”

“Answers. It removes your uncertainty, and it’s something we can finish together. I’m a little banged up, and I’m not sure how I’m supposed to run a stupid race in front of the world after this. Do you think I should just give up?”

“No, but that’s—”

“We’re not quitters. It can’t hurt anything, because I’m trusting that we love each other. Like Mom and Dad, I’m trusting that’s enough, and I want to support anything important to you. Plus, there’s not going to be a better opportunity; I bet Agent Wolf is very helpful with tracking people down and looking into them.”

The operative shrugged. “I don’t imagine it would be difficult. There’s many people who’ve done ancestry tests, and found family they never knew about. No harm in expanding your personal bubble.”

“What he said, Ari. I let you put it off once at the pickup station, but having a ‘later’ option isn’t a guarantee. Be brave. Let’s put something good in this awful day.”

The human mulled over our words for a few minutes, before extending his hand in a gesture that asked for the envelope to be passed over. The test that would point Ari toward any living relatives had traveled light-years to get here, and now it would provide analysis of the coding that made my brother a unique individual. I watched as his fingers ripped open the paper, and he read it in silence; Ari was scanning over something that seemed like words, so it must’ve pinpointed some names. Several names. With a sudden nervousness, likely related to the idea of him ditching us for them, I moved myself closer to my beloved sibling—to read the Terran script with my own eyes.

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A/N - Part 5! We see how the children learned about Stynek's death and Tarva's old marriage, something which inspired her to go along with the UN's idea of a Secret Service detail; we also see a bit about how much the Venlil government knows, and what Laisa's administration is like post-Veln. Ari is traumatized by the deaths that happened right by him and the ordeal, but Elia persuades him to finish what he started; it seems the gene test has found a few names.

What do you expect Ari to find out about his birth parents? What do you think of the UN's protective detail and their setup?

As always, thank you for reading and supporting!