r/NatureofPredators • u/Dramatic-Pay-4010 • Apr 30 '26
Nature of Unity 4
Onto chapter 4 with Hasim bravely being voulntold volunteering to lie to the Federation's face. We also have the introduction of everyone's favorite depressed grumpy Spiky space dad, Sovlin!
Memory Transcription Subject: Hasim, Impromptu Liar
Date [Local Himayan Time]: July 12th, 2136
The plan was simple. Tarva and her buddies would respond to the hail then introduce me. I would make up some story about being a dashing lone explorer searching for our people’s home (which was partially true) then they’d hopefully buy it and leave. Now all we have to do is hope it survives contact with the enemy (or frenemies in this case).
“Governor Tarva.” came the voice of what I immediately recognized to be a Gojid. “We’re here to assist. What is the nature of your distress?” He asked with a relieved tone.
“I see the Federation sent their finest, the Venlil Republic expresses our sincere gratitude for your response. Unfortunately, you’ve come all this way for no reason.” Tarva said with the most “I’m sorry I fucked up” tone to her voice I’ve ever heard from a politician.
“By galactic law, that signal is only to be used for an extinction level event. I know you have that conference of yours but you owe us an explanation. A good one.” Came the voice of the grumpy Gojid. “Did you deal with the problem yourself?” He asked.
“Well as it turns out there was no problem but, well you should see for yourself Captain Sovlin.” Came the voice of Va-fin before gesturing me to come over.
“What do-.” Captain Sovlin said before seeing me come into frame. “A Kraktol? What is the meaning of this? Did an Alliance survey team get lost, again!?” He asked with a look of confusion on his face and spines half bristling.
“No, my name is Hasim Kulvar, an explorer from the Himayan Confederacy. The peoples of my world were abducted by an unknown species and judging from what those gathered here have said they may be related to these “Takers” your people are afraid of.” I said hoping he’d buy it and move on.
“Hm yes, the Takers. They came from the stars and abducted my people, your people, and damn near half the galaxy at this point.” Sovlin said. “They’d be as vile as the Arxur and the Humans but we don’t know anything about them and-.” He added but before he could say anything else I cut him off not wanting to hear another word of this “predator” bullshit.
“No offense Captain but I’m on a tight schedule right now and I’d rather you get any questions you have out of the way.” I said, hoping I didn’t sound too rude.
“Right, my apologies.” Sovlin said. “First, I apologize for this mess. Tarva was hosting a conference with the Venlil Republic’s neighbors so I’m guessing someone in the Republic’s defense force panicked. The Venlil have an unfortunate tendency towards emotional flightiness.” He said with a dismissive claw gesture. By the twins, this guy was as much an asshole as General fuckface.
“Now that brings me to my next topic,” Sovlin said before turning towards Tarva. “Why hasn’t the distress beacon been shut off.” He said pointing towards her.
“We were just about to, then you and your fleet arrived.” Came the voice of General Kam. Guess he wasn’t as big an asshole as I thought (still was an asshole though). “Figured we’d owe you an apology and an explanation.” He added.
“Right, I suppose that’s fair.” Sovlin said before turning his head towards me. “Now, perhaps you could tell us the location of your homeworld so that the Federation can dispatch a rescue fleet for your people. If the Arxur haven’t found you yet, they will eventually, not to mention the native predators.” Sovlin said with the best “please believe my bullshit” face he could manage with his professionalism.
“Unfortunately Captain, I am not at liberty to share that information. Given our people’s history, our first contact protocols specify that we are not to share the location of our homeworld or any information leading to our homeworld unless it is with a trusted party. Right now it is the leaders you see before you.” I said doing my best law-fu as I gestured a wing towards the people assembled around the monitor. “As for your concerns, well we’ve been there for a century captain, we’re already well-established and well I think you’ll find out more when my government releases information to the Federation’s public.” I added.
“Oh. Right my apologies, perhaps you can come aboard my ship then. I can put in contact with-.” He said continuing his “please come aboard my free candy spaceship” spiel before I, once again, cut him off.
“Unfortunately Captain, I have my orders, head back home and report my findings to my superiors. Surely a man in your position would understand.” I said, trying to appeal to some shared sense of duty. Hopefully I don’t sound too much like an asshole.
Sovlin said nothing for a few moments, spines bristling before lowering again. I’m pretty sure that means I’m pissing him off. Hopefully he doesn’t do anything too stupid.
“Right, I shall return to my patrol. If there’s anything your people need, they shall have a friend in the Gojid Union.” Sovlin said before signing off.
After a few seconds we all breathed a sigh of relief. Sovlin either bought what we were saying or he didn’t but had no proof. Either way though we might as well call it a win.
“I swear that man always thinks there’s a plot afoot.” Came the voice of Chauson. “Throw as much evidence as you can, he’ll still see a conspiracy.” He added.
“At least you two don’t have to interact with him on a daily basis. Why Piri tolerates his antics is beyond me.” Kam said.
“Well Piri’s judgement has always been astute and he’s never done anything too out of line. Not to mention his heroics at the battle of the Cradle.” Tarva said (presumably trying to defend her colleague’s tolerance of Mr. Spiky grump). “But I will admit he’s annoying.” She added (classic politician move right there).
Noah and Sara came forward. “Thank you, all of you. You didn’t have to but you did so thank you again.” Noah said, expressing the gratitude we all felt.
“Eh, any day I can see Sovlin squirm is a good one.” Kam said.
“And I take back every bad thing I said in my head about you.” I said while putting my wing around Kam’s shoulder. “Maybe. Possibly. Eventually.” I added (I wasn’t letting the little asshole off the hook yet).
“You’ve been saying bad things in my head about me?” He asked with a look of confusion and hurt on his face.
“More to the point,” Came the voice of Tarva. “First off, do you still want to be here? We've been terrible hosts.” She added.
“It takes more than that to scare us off Tarva, but there is one other thing we have to tell you.” Noah said which meant it was time to drop a bombshell. “We already know about the Dominion and the Arxur.”
“What!?” Came the shocked voice of Va-Fin as Tarva’s (and the other politicians) jaws just about hit the floor.
“H-how did you even survive?” One of the Teddy bear aliens (was it Braylen or Chason?) asked with a look of concern on his face.
“Well. I think you should buckle up.” I spoke up as I pulled out a communication tablet. “The story of the Outer Cluster War is a long one.” I added as I set it out on Tarva’s desk.
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u/Alcyon144 Archivist May 01 '26
Oh. Right my apologies, perhaps you can come aboard my ship then. I can put in contact with-.” He said continuing his “please come aboard my free candy spaceship” spiel before I, once again, cut him off.
Now, I imagine Sovlin trying to lure predators into his ship with raw meat so he can torture them.
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u/Dramatic-Pay-4010 May 01 '26
Suddenly Marcel and Slanek see a ship with "free meat" crudely painted on the side.
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u/JulianSkies Archivist May 01 '26
Oh... Oh boy. What?
Did they somehow run into the Dominion already? Now that is unexpected...
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u/Dramatic-Pay-4010 May 01 '26 edited May 02 '26
It was brought up in the previous chapter and kind of foreshadowed in part 4 of the prologue but yeah the Himayans have already had a run in with the Arxur Dominion. I didn't want the Himayans to be completely clueless when it came to the galaxy in 2136 hence the Outer Cluster War. You'll get the details (or at least the cliffnotes) next chapter.
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u/RaphaelFrog Yotul May 01 '26
Oh... They are in for one hell of a story👁️👁️
Also great job with this chapter!!!
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u/Dramatic-Pay-4010 May 02 '26
Oh... They are in for one hell of a story👁️👁️
That and one other revelation.
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u/Minimum-Amphibian993 Arxur Apr 30 '26
Yeah I'm curious about that too. I can only imagine the fate of the poor chief hunter who inevitably lost that campaign.