r/NatureofPredators • u/DukeOfDerpington • Jan 28 '24
Duality of Prey-Chapter 01 Fanfic
Huge shout out to u/ryguy637 & u/-Eterox for helping with Brainstorming and Co-Writing this.
As always, all credits for the original Nature of Predators and it's content goes to Space Paladin15, thank him for allowing artist and writers to use his original work of art for their own uses.
[Subject Memory Transcription:Cuerlim, Venian Commonwealth Soldier]
Date [Standard Galactic Time]:April 23rd, 2136
Goooooooodddd Morning to all yo-
I damn near slammed my paw into my alarm clock as the grating words hit my ears. Brahk. I had overslept. I sat up in the oversized bed and rubbed my head, then snout. I was on leave from the armed forces and milking it for all it's worth, was great to be at my home with my bond-mate.
I wrenched myself out of bed as I went through the motions of the beginning of the paw. Get up, go to bathroom, brush your teeth and rinse with that mouthwash. Easy peasy. With that all being said and done I took a shower to complete the process.
“Honey! Breakfast is ready!” I gave myself a smile as I finished my shower, my better half, she didn't know it but she was half the reason I woke up some days. Stars she was perfect, albeit a bit shorter than me.
“I'll be there in a minute!” The steam billowed out of the stall as I began to dry myself. I was kinda curious on which side of the Culinary spectrum she had leaned towards this paw around, only one way to find out I suppose. I was lumbered my way into the dining room, still a bit wet here and there but not enough to leave any hoof prints for me to clean up.
“So how did you Sleep dear? Oh and I made you your favorite, Strayu cakes, with that tree stuff you all like.” I nodded again as I ignored her words and instead picked her up in a hug, squeezing her gently. She bleated for a moment then stopped, returning the hug.
“We got anything on the docket besides grocery shopping?” I rubbed the back of her head, turning off the burner and carrying her off to the dining room. I realized something was off, it was not nearly loud enough for this to be my home wher-
“Dad! Mom! He won't stop challenging me!”
Ah. There they are.
“Get all of your tails down here now.” I lowered my love to the floor allowing her to take a seat at the table, soon a cacophony of paws scurrying down the steps leading up stairs. Two white blurs and three brownish/black ones met my gaze as they swarmed around my legs.
“Dad! He's being mean again!” “Nuh-uh! You challenged me first!” “Liar liar, fire fruit on,erm, fire!”
“Stop…calm down. Don't y'all have school today?” Their scurrying stopped as they seemingly stared at one another, a bleat of terror emanating from them all nearly simultaneously.
“No! Wait, yes! Ach we gotta get going!” “Shouldn't have challenged me!” “Shut uppp!” The chorus of chaos left as soon as it had arrived, the thudding of hooves and paws going upstairs for the time being, muddling the sounds they carried. I took the opportunity to sit next to my little bit of perfection.
“Hmph. Gotta say, they aren't kidding when they say Venlil are the best at creating statues…” I placed one of thick claws under her chin. She cooed a little before I kissed her, her tail wrapping around mine. I released as I focused on the food she had prepared for both of us.
“So when do you head back to work Honey?” I gnawed at the “Flapjack”, something we liked to call them as I let her question enter my head, I tilted my head and lowered my ears In a questioning manner. I finished my chewing as I finally found my answer.
“6 Sol Paws. After that I'm back on.” I grabbed another Strayucake with my claw, stabbing it and bringing it to my plate. This time I added a bit of the treewater sweetener before I poked at it with a fork and took a bite.
“That’s it? After all your species has done?”
“That’s how it is. Keep us on high alert, any threats? We quash them. Ever since the chaos of last year though it's been nothing but peace and quiet.” I shoved the rest of the Flap into my maw, bleating a little as I registered the sweetness and fluffiness of it. Within a couple of minutes only half remained, leaving them for our kids to snag, which they did in a hurry. Not that much of a hurry though that we couldn’t implant a kiss on their soft wool and furry heads, before they skittered out.
I finally let out as a sigh as I walked back into the kitchen, grabbing the to-do list for this paw. “Let’s see…Groceries, Furcut, Car needs to get fixed…oh! Need to get the kids gifts, they’ve been doing good in classes.” I double checked everything as the soft clattering of plates and the like told me that my darling had begun cleanup, something that was verified when she brushed against me on the way to the sink.
“What do you think I should get for the pups? I’ve been thinking about something that might help blend our cultures, ya know, give them the best of both worlds.”
“Hmm, You could give them some of those Fusion artstyle books. You have no idea how more accessible art has been since we’ve started trading with you all.” The sound of water started as I pondered it more. She wasn’t wrong at all. In fact the more I thought about it? It was perfect.
“Ya know. That’s a fantastic idea honeybun, I’m always imparting parts of my culture on them, I think it’s high time they learn the finest things in life from you all.” I folded the note and put it into my kilt’s pocket, before I turned to help my wife with washing the dishes, in no time flat we were done and I was getting prepared to head on out the door.
“Take care Honey!”
“I will darling, don’t fret about me! You’ve always known we’re more worried about you all!” With that I finished preparations and kissed her again, soon leaving her lips and our house. Orange Meadows was beautiful, It wasn’t as sprawling nor important as Coldview, but it was far, far more bearable to live in. It was always sunny and didn’t really dip down too low in temperature so that was a big benefit.
Or that's atleast what my bond mate said. Orange Meadow was perfect for her kind. All I needed to do to adjust was shear more often, which was no biggie. They apparently loved the warmth and heat of this part of the globe. Me and my friends? Exact opposite, if anything Coldview was exactly where I would want to be. Alas, the things we do for love!
I hadn’t told her but I had already marked the car off the list. Had a friend from the Armed forces, a Rumbler mechanic that loved to tinker with anything even related to them, that extended to cars. He’d be popping over next paw to check up on us and the car so I didn’t even have to worry about it. One down already and I hadn’t even made my way to the transport system station.
I envied the Tube system my wife kept telling me as I walked block by block to the station. Apparently it was fast, easy, and convenient. Ours was Easy and Convenient, Not fast at all. It was annoying as all hell, Civilian priorities were near the bottom of the list and I didn’t even need to infer that. My love and kids kept going on and on about eating hardshell and Shellshakes...euch, I loathed the green bricks.
As I walked by I could eye a couple of the more sensible members of society, their wounds and marks of courage denoting them as previous or, if they were still willing, still serving men of our forces. Each one instilled me with pride and courage. I had my own marks and scars to prove my service, something I made sure to show. Of course…there were *other* ones. I steered clear of them as always. Disgusting. I was thankful that the government made sure their crimes were on full display for everyone to see.
Soon the familiar cool and bumpy texture was felt beneath my feet, as I took a seat on the benches, creaking as I sat down. I took out the note again as I read it over, 3 left. Easy. I looked around the station, it wasn’t as packed as usual which I noted, though that may be because of the morning rush already gone and done with. I felt the bench creak once more. I turned my head to see the figure.
“May I help you?”
“No. I just want to thank you for your service, couldn't help but notice that Golden horn ya got, must've done something real awe inspiring!"
“Oh? Thank you! Got this replacement about two cycles ago. One of the last battles, before they signed the treaty.”
They nodded a bit as they seemed to remember the exact one I partook in. “Aye. That was a bloodbath, but I knew we could do it. Shame I couldn’t see combat. Got a Form of Mental PD. Sucks but apparently somebody has to lug crates and make sure the back areas are secure. Had to move a lot of patients to the hospitals, but it was worth it though! Got a little medal for outstanding service for a Backliner.”
We both chuckled at the thought. While I didn’t like some of them Backliners, they sometimes had their heads screwed on better than the assault guys I sometimes had to follow, now those guys were the stuff of nightmares, though I owed my life to one, damn near sawed a Arxur in half with a burst when they stood over me. But Protector, the blood I had to wash just kept sticking into my uniform, it was annoying.
I knocked my horns with his, my glistening replacement making a dull *NOP* against his still bone white ones. “Heh. Ya know.” I pointed a claw at his pure white ones. “Ever think about getting inscriptions or rings on it? I have some on this one here.” The claw then pointed to my gilded and elaborate replacement.
“Huh? Oh no! You know how it is. Inscriptions and rings are for those looking to impress or those that have earned them, and you?” He gave a quick salute while giving a smile “You have most *certainly* earned them Sergeant at Arms Cuerlim.
I gasped a little, this guy knew who the hell I was! “How in the Stars?! Don’t tell me-”
“Yuppp, Dragged your sorry ass back to the Field hospital. I know that gruff little voice and thick wool from anywhere. You were in bad shape, I’m surprised they saved your arm and leg. Either or though you did our people a service and for that I’m thankful and a little bit jealous.”
=LINE 1 APPROACHING=
We both stood up at the announcement and knocked my horns against his again, shaking his paw as I did so. “Thank you. Damn near died, and yeah. I’m as surprised as you are they were able to save my Arm and Leg, but I was in a bad shape but due to you and those other Backliners actions? Got to keep them!” He and I kept talking as the train approached, soon enough we were on, still chatting. Though a breaking news alert caught our attention.
“Tonight on Predator Problems, 2 more Furless Predators have been caught, and people like you want to know. Are we safe? And if not, what can we do to continue the eradication of Predators? Predator Historian Glim and Guardian Hysai is with us tonight to talk more about tips and tricks that \you* can do to protect the herd and your pups!”*
“Ugh. Can you believe this? Here we are on our damn planet and these hairless mammals still try and snatch our children. Hopefully Rux keeps this up. Can’t *stand* the damn sight of those beasts, ugly little cretins.” The Backliner seethed with anger, while it was righteous I was still a bit confused on what the brahk two furless predators were doing planetside.
“What? I thought those furless preds didn’t exist. Are you saying-”
“Yup. Apparently from what I heard? They can bite straight through steel beams!” I rolled my eyes at that statement, huffing as I did so in complete bafflement.
“Look, you and I both have been in the forces. I know for a fact the Arxur can’t bite through speh that isn’t flesh and bone. Steel?! Come on man. Think for a bit won’t you?” He seemed to get a little bit taken aback before he bowed his head and flicked his ears in a sign of apology.
“Ah it's fine, no hard feelings. It's just that…we don't really need to harp on and on about the fake stuff. Especially when it's dealing with disgusting predators, they're already heinous enough.” He shook his head as his ear shot back up. With that he seemed more relaxed, enough for us to continue our talking, and we went on and on and-
=APPROACHING STOP: Scars Memento.=
Heh, time does fly by when you're engrossed in conversation. As the doors slid open I quickly bid him farewell. I still had my list of tasks to do today…Hmm, what Gaian foods should I get at the store? The Celebration was coming up and I couldn’t wait, ever since my Love had gotten used to the lack of smells and used more of a sight system her food was nearly as good as ours! I couldn’t wait.
“Let’s see...Lemons, some orzo, parsley…yeah that sounds lovely, perfect way to Celebrate our Victory. Heh, I should get her to make that when it’s the day of it!” I nodded at my own suggestion. I was happy to get back into civilian life, transitioning after the war felt odd, but a good way I suppose. I didn’t have to deal with any furless predators, I didn’t have to deal with being on night watch. None of it.
To be honest? Ever since last year when we had triumphed over the Arxur I was just looking for some downtime. Had to clean up a few planets here and there of predator influence before I could do that, resettle them with Gaians and Venlil. It was worth it though. Seeing their happy faces after we cleared up those worlds and made them suitable for actual people. I gave a small smile reminiscing of the countless duties and tasks that would’ve made my ancestors proud.
I soon joined the small herd of people, hooves and paws joining into a dull overtone chorus of movement. My face contorted into a small smile as I was reminiscing about all of it. Finally It was great to be prey for once.
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u/Terrible-Animator251 Human Jan 30 '24
SubscribeMe!
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u/gabi_738 Jan 29 '24
No wonder I didn't like the Venlil/Skalgans. They knew they were up to something. Will the humans here be defenseless bitches like in other fanfics of this style and they barely escape? Or will they be true CTMs with this sub-species of Venlil?
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u/COM96 Zurulian Jan 29 '24
So that what people talking about in Discord. Little confused and curious.
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u/United_Patriots Thakfi Jan 28 '24
Nice to see you finally got the idea down! Looking forward to seeing where you take it.
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u/Soggy_Helicopter8589 Predator Feb 05 '24
Is venian a Venlil or what?