Grass Eaters 2 | Epilogue

High Council Palace, Malgeiru-3

POV: Cerbos, Malgeir (High Councilor of the Federation)

“High Councilors, we’ve just received a message from our embassy in Sol!”

“FTL radio traffic is finally going through now?”

“Yes, High Councilor, a channel has been opened just for us. Ambassador Niblui reported in from our embassy on Atlas.”

“What did she say?”

“The Terrans— they’ve managed to defend their home system! They’re purging the remaining Grass Eaters from their territory!”

“How?! Are they— did they— how did— how extensive were their casualties?”

“Surprisingly light in personnel, according to Ambassador Niblui’s report, though economic damage was notably severe in some areas in their asteroid belt shipyard facilities as well as their outer planets and—”

“And what?”

“They regrettably report that they had to make adjustments to the orbits of some planets in their systems. They advise our ships to update their navigational systems before planning trips into Terran Republic space.”

“Orbit adjustments— update— What does that all even mean?!”

“I have no idea, High Councilor. Also, they are requesting permission to transit several of their armed ships through Federation and Alliance space.”

“A formality. That will be granted, of course. Let them know we appreciate them asking anyway. Where will they be heading?”

“It— uh— they’re not being very clear about it.”

“What do you mean, Minister?”

“It— They— they claim these ships will be attacking directly into Znosian territory.”

“Hm… That seems aggressive, but the Terrans are known for their measured military operations. They must have a viable, calculated battle plan. Which system is listed as their intended destination?”

“They say — there must be a translation mistake here, High Councilors — they’re saying their ships are headed to Znos.”

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Grand Chancellery, Schpriss Prime

POV: Sonfio, Schpriss (Chancellor of the Confederacy)

“Ambassador Prinlaex, I’m afraid you cut out just now. Can you say that again?”

“I said: there has been a new species discovered in the vicinity of the Malgeir. They are… part Grass Eaters, and they have been covertly working with the Federation for some years now, which explains their recent—”

“No, no. We heard that part, Ambassador. But what I thought I heard you say was that this hybrid species with all of one habitable star system just defeated a Znosian Grand Fleet consisting of—”

“Yes, Chancellor, the attacking Grass Eater fleet had over two thousand space combat ships. And I have this figure from multiple independent sources that I trust!”

“How is that even possible, Ambassador Prinlaex?!”

“I don’t know, Chancellor, but there is also a very… concerning rumor going around that they are planning to open up and— and approach us to— to borrow additional resources from us to help them in their war. It’s not formal yet, but the request is coming. And they seem to agree with the official view in Malgeirgam that fighting against the Grass Eaters— the other Grass— that fighting the Znosians is a public service to all the peaceful predator species on—”

“Hold on a second. Borrow from us?”

“Yes, Chancellor. I think they meant ships, processed resources, facilities…”

“Ambassador Prinlaex, when they use the word borrow… that is most concerning to me. What do they mean precisely? Do we get our stuff back at the end or—”

“To be honest, Chancellor, I’m not quite sure the Malgeir understand it either: my source who talked to one of them said something nonsensical about a house fire and garden hoses. I’m officially meeting with one of them next week; there’s a first contact ceremony. I’ll try to find out what they’re talking about.”

“What if we reject their request, Ambassador? We can inform them we are a neutral species in this war.”

“I’m not sure, but I imagine they’d be pretty unhappy about that.”

“Like how the Malgeir have been unhappy with our official policy of neutrality?”

“Yes, Chancellor. But unlike the Malgeir, they chewed through a couple thousand Znosian missile destroyers over the weekend with half a battle fleet, so I imagine we might have a slightly different diplomatic stance on not making them unhappy.”

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END BOOK TWO

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Note:

As we approach the conclusion of Book 2 of Grass Eaters, I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your support, which has made all this possible, and to share my plans for the future of the series.

In the immediate future, I am still working on publishing the first book of Grass Eaters. I've secured an audiobook deal with Tantor, and I've set a tentative date for the publishing of the ebook. In the process, I've commissioned a book cover, which you can find on my new website (readgrasseaters.com). I'll keep you updated on this process here and on discord.

As for the story: Grass Eaters is not over.

On Friday, I will begin posting the first chapters of Book 3 without interruption. Again, I want to thank everyone who have stuck with this story and helped me throughout it, and I hope to see your feedback and support in the next one:

Grass Eaters 3: On Every Front

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Recap: The Story So Far

As humanity reached out into the stars, the nations of the world joined the newly formed Terran Republic. Through discreet interstellar exploration, the Republic found the neighboring galaxy a place of wonder and prosperity, filled with peaceful civilizations like the Malgeir Federation, the Schprissian Confederacy, the Granti Alliance…etc. Perfectly ripe for the taking for the uniquely bloodthirsty herbivore species, the Znosian Dominion, known to all other species in the region as Grass Eaters.

Motivated by a religious and psychological need to expand, the rabbit-like Znosians invaded the bear-like Granti. Despite the peaceful Granti species receiving direct military assistance from their old friends, the canine-like Malgeir, they were overwhelmed and forced to evacuate their entire territory, including their homeworld of Grantor. The Znosians then turned their sights to the Malgeir, who they proceeded to also dominate on the battlefield due to their superior understanding of interstellar war and logistics. In the course of the brutal invasion, the Znosians colonized, then efficiently exterminated any predators remaining on the occupied planets.

When the presence of one of its recon ships was observed during a raid between the Malgeir and Znosian ships present, the Terran Republic finally decided to join the war covertly on the Malgeir side.

With centuries of experience with constant war, excellent logistics, computing technology, and wild underestimation from the Znosian enemy, the Terrans helped the sworn-to-secrecy and retrained Malgeir Sixth Fleet beat back an invasion of the Malgeir core world of Datsot, capitalizing on enemy missteps to push them all the way back to the occupied Malgeir system of Gruccud, finally trapping and forcing the surrender of the invasion fleet with technological deception.

But the Znosians were not done; they struck back. As the Terran Republic was distracted by an internal conflict around Saturn, the Znosians discovered the full extent of the capabilities and location of Sol. They mustered a massive fleet of thousands, the Grand Fleet, and set their engines for Terra. On the way, they displayed the psychopathic determination characteristic of the Dominion, as well as their preparedness against the tricks that had previously burnt them.

Through the actions of the newly integrated Terran and Malgeir fleets, the Republic barely survived the onslaught. They managed to stop and destroy the Grand Fleet as it entered the orbit of Terra. However, this came at a heavy price: the Ceres shipyards were devastated, and to deny the enemy fuel for their campaign, the Republic had to permanently destroy every refueling point inside its borders outside of Sol.

And the enemy still lives. Though greatly wounded, their massive population and resource advantages remained. With every battle, every day that passes by, they learn more about their predator enemies. Their leaders think in centuries and generations, not operations and weeks.

Even as they plan their retreat from the occupied territories of the former Granti Alliance that they can’t hold for much longer, the Grass Eaters are planning their next move…