NoP: Rise of The eagle

Chapter 11: Attack of the Axur

Gojid city, the Cradle; March 27, 2570

Waves of Gojid reinforcements arrived after the predators' initial takeover. The humans' strategic advantage was that they could be liberal when hurling artillery into enemy ranks. Our opponents were more hesitant, bearing the knowledge that civilians were trapped within city limits.

To their credit, the Gojids adapted to the novel predatory tactics quickly. To counteract the unmanned UN ships, the fresh troops carried out manual surface-to-air missile launches. That made precision strikes a more challenging affair. From what I heard, most Gojid politicians escaped to an unknown bunker location, which meant the Terrans were also thwarted on their main objective.

The humans resolved to hold their perimeter, exacting a heavy price in blood for every inch they were forced to concede. They took up guard at positions with open sight-lines, and made Gojid advances suicide. With neither side able to make progress, the situation became a stand-off. 'Our rivals must be steaming at their failure to reclaim any significant landmarks.' Slanek thought.

"Slanek, you need to eat something. You haven't touched your plate. We're on next watch," Tyler mumbled through a mouthful of food.

The blond human was shoveling brown crumbles down his gullet, one after the other. This person, that Slanek knew and traveled with, was consuming meat. Real, actual flesh bits, like it was the most ordinary thing in the world. 'No wonder Marcel had taken Nulia away for mealtime, and told me I should eat alone.'

Slanek didn't want to be impolite when Tyler asked if he wanted company. The thought hadn't even crossed his mind, that he would indulge in such a savage feast. Slanek's appetite vanished as soon as he saw him bite into those rations. There were so many animal pieces, contaminating the entire meal. The queasiness in his stomach was swelling upward, like a thrashing wave at high tide.

'He's eating the burnt skin and muscle of a dead animal. Crunching it between his fangs. Fucking hell. This predator is swallowing those carcass shavings without hesitation. He's enjoying it, even.' Slanek thought as acid gurgled in his throat, and he spewed his stomach contents onto the ground. The human's blue eyes widened in alarm, and he rushed to SLanek's side. Tyler patted Slanek's back, whispering soothing words. He dabbed a towel against Slanek's mouth, wiping off the vomit specks.

"It's okay, buddy," Tyler hummed. "I didn't realize you were sick."

'How could this predator try to emulate normal behavior, after what he just did?' All Slanek could think as Tylar continues to comfort him.

Slanek tried to spit the taste of puke out of his mouth. "I...want you to leave."

"Um, yeah, alright. Let me get Marcel first, and he can check on you."

Slanek breathed a sigh of relief as the human exited the tent, and tried not to look at the meal remains Tylar left behind. 'Most of these predators here ate meat, didn't they? It was a standard part of their diet; Marcel was the rare exception that refrained from such horrid consumption. I couldn't have the vegetarian back at my side fast enough.'

Marcel returned with a sleeping Nulia tucked against his chest. The Gojid child had her leg fixed in a cast, and seemed to be in better spirits after a few days. Remarkably, her spines were laying flat on her back, despite being in the human's clutches. Marcel rubbed the bristles, careless to the fact that they could extend and prickle him at any moment.

"Marc," Slanek whined. "Please..."

Marcel hazel eyes landed on the table. "What the fuck, man? You brought predator food around Slanek?"

Tyler glanced at his plate. "Oh...that's why he threw up? Shit, I'm sorry. Slanek, I'm really sorry, bro."

"Get the fuck out of here!" Marcel growled. "And for God's sake, take your shit-ass MRE with you."