The Nature of Predators - Human Exterminators (9/9)

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Memory transcription subject: William Kane, Human Refugee

Date [standardized human time]: November 8, 2136

The press conference to announce the Intestine-Eater’s demise was slated for today. Volek wanted me front and center, though I was still processing the entire ordeal. I’d been on paid leave the past few days, due to killing a Venlil citizen; the exterminators assured me the review was merely standard procedure. It worked for me to have time to sort through my emotions, and to check on Rauln while he was in the hospital.

The court’s stamp of approval came through today. I don’t think that I intended to be the first human judged by the legal system for killing another person, but shit happens. Just another day at the office, right? Once I returned, Volek wanted my help hiring human CSI techs to review all other attacks. The new department would handle murders, and would also train Venlil on our techniques.

As for my colleagues, they got commendations for their courage. The temporary truce between Luala and myself held, though I’d never befriend a Krakotl. It was more of a tolerance, despite extreme mistrust I held for her. Fyron checked up on me, somehow obtaining my holopad contact. She also invited me to her book club, which I declined because that sounded boring as hell.

“You ready, William? No cursing, I fucking mean it, or any of your arsenal of responses,” Volek hissed. “People have seen the videos on social media, but this is the first announcement of us hiring a human. I’ve heard that there’s some death threats against you online, from Venlil and humans? Have you seen those?”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. “Yeah, I’m well aware. Lucky me. And now, I’m supposed to recruit others to this psycho outfit. ‘Hey guys, I almost got gutted by a serial killer. Apply for a job here today!’”

“You’re not the one who got stabbed in the neck,” Rauln growled.

The smoky-furred Venlil had been released from the hospital yesterday, and had a swath of bandages around his throat. Volek was more than willing to give him time off, but the teenager came back to work immediately. Even if he could only sit behind a desk, I don’t think he wanted to dwell on our stressful encounter. From what I gauged, he was kicking himself for not recognizing Nam’s ruse earlier.

I could tell him that the murders weren’t his fault, but that would be rich coming from me. While neither of us were the killers, there were things we could’ve done to prevent the worst. If Rauln could go back in time and be more vigilant, I’m sure he would. Due to his mental health, Volek had opted not to place my partner on TV. However, he insisted on attending…“to make sure the predator didn’t exaggerate his heroism.”

“There are going to be reforms, which we can discuss when other humans join up, right?” I pressed. “There’s things you do that have nothing to do with animals or wildlife at all. What you do to individuals with ‘predator disease’ is abhorrent.”

An odd glint flashed in Volek’s eyes. “I agree. People shouldn’t be handled like they’re predators—that applies to humans too.”

Why does Volek agree so swiftly? Perhaps it hits…a bit close to home. She’s a strange Venlil, though she’s a breath of fresh air.

“You hired me because you wanted reforms,” I stated.

She flicked her ears. “If the guild doesn’t adapt with the times, it will die. It’s self-preservation. As for you personally, William…you’re unpolished, an agent of chaos. Chill humans weren’t going to shake things up, or bring about radical change.”

“What are you two on about?” Rauln asked suspiciously. “We’ve kept the Venlil public safe for centuries! Will drags his ass out of bed for three work days, and you’re talking about radical change?”

“Your understanding of ecology is utter horseshit!” I fired back. “Someone has to do a public education campaign, if you actually want to keep people safe. Any wild animal may be dangerous…and no, that’s not the green light to kill everything that touches grass.”

“Oh, you were so brave, weren’t you, keeping that dog alive. It was chasing a prey animal across the park when we arrived!”

“That’s nature. Sucks to suck.”

“Bah. I should’ve stayed in the hospital, if this is what I’m being subjected to. The human sees hunting in action, and’s all ‘Oh well.’ What kind of exterminator are you?”

“A non-serial killer one. Not that it’s a high bar to cross, but I think I’m better than your last partner.”

Rauln recoiled, and I realized my error. Nam was a sore subject for the young fluffball, so it wasn’t something I should rehash. Volek narrowed her eyes, nudging the smoke-furred exterminator toward Luala and Fyron’s seats in the audience. She then shot me a scorching look, perhaps a final reminder not to act moronic on planetary television. The receptionist shoved me toward the podium, where reporters trained cameras on me.

I thought about how other humans had reacted to my presence in the exterminators’ ranks. After this press briefing, they were going to know both my face and my name. Anyone could track me down, or confront me on the streets. The vitriol had mellowed out after I uploaded case files to the internet, as the discussion was shifted to outrage over the loose murderers. However, showing up with a flamethrower for a dog call didn’t earn me any favor.

Man, what I wouldn’t give to recede to a drunken stupor, and pretend my old job still existed. I missed Earth so bad it hurt. The mom-and-pop coffee shop on my street corner, the sight of palm trees blowing in the summer wind, and the taste of a greasy burger from a food truck. It was hard to get any “predator food” on Venlil Prime, outside a few shitty rations stored in refugee encampments.

“You got this, Will!” Fyron cheered from the audience.

Luala threw her beak back. “That’s right! You’ll do great.”

Rauln must’ve learned the human expression of disagreement somewhere, because he was shaking his head in an emphatic no. I think it would amuse him to no end if I froze under the camera lights, or fell flat on my face. A small smirk tugged at my lips, in spite of myself. Now, the Krakotl’s presence still gnawed at me, even as she was attempting to be supportive. The exterminator crew I had could be worse.

If there’s a Krakotl I have to not chuck out the window, at least it’s one that’s civil. I can’t believe I let her put her wing on me at the market…

The microphone couldn’t be raised to human height, so I awkwardly lifted it by the stand. I held it close to my lips, and surveyed the reporters. A handful flinched as my binocular gaze passed over them, though to my surprise, most hardly batted an eye. I noticed a few Terran reporters at the back; some seemed to be working for Venlil media outlets.

“Ah, hello reporter folks! You know, back on Earth, we have this ritual where you lot scream at your interviewee, shove microphones in their face, and chase them in a giant horde to their car.” I made clawing motions with my hands, and gave my best Dracula smile. “This is, of course, after camping outside their house like some zombie movie. You guys have the trespassing pass, I guess.”

A few snickers came from the Terran journalists, though the Venlil were unamused by my ramblings. A low hiss emanated behind me, and Volek inched just out of the frame with a livid glare. The PR specialist definitely was tiring of my shit. Somehow, she managed to be intimidating; in a hypothetical fistfight between her and Rauln, my money was on her.

“Well, my name is William Kane. I’m the first human exterminator…very nice to be standing on the other side of a flamethrower, might I add. Easily a top five most painful way to die. There’s these things called guns that are quicker, portable...”

“I’ll put you back on the wrong side of a flamethrower, if you don’t quit dicking around,” Volek whispered, nigh inaudible.

“…and less likely to burn local scenery. Much speculation has been made about why I’ve joined. Really, I just wanted to stop the exterminators from burning dogs and cats. The first time I walked by the office, there was a picture of a box of kittens saying, ‘Kill on sight.’ If I don’t stop it, who will?”

“So you’re pushing for reforms from the inside?” a human reporter called out.

“Bingo. The deeper I poke around, the more horrible things I uncover. Things unrelated to animals that fall under exterminator territory. They throw folks with mental illness in a deep dark hole like they ain’t even people. The same folks torching Mittens are deciding whether Venlil kids have a screw loose. How the fuck does that make sense?”

Volek lashed her tail. “No cursing! The bashing us stops now too. You’re on your last strike.”

I wheeled around to face her. “I’m not finished! I won’t fawn over you, or cover for your dark underbelly. Humanity deserves the truth. Like the fact that you burn dead bodies, hire literal children to work for you, and that you have no fucking clue which animals are threats.”

Murmurs rippled across the gathered reporters, and a few humans conferred with Venlil colleagues. It didn’t matter if Volek yanked me off the air, or fired me; I’d gotten the truth out live. I gave the Terran refugees fodder to use against the guild. The exterminators needed to be forced to reform, rather than us tiptoeing around their lunacy.

Does Volek truly desire “radical change” or not? If she wants me to take a sledgehammer to the system, that’s what the fuck I’m doing.

The exterminator stiffened, padding into the camera frame. “I brought William to discuss his hiring, and a recent case of predator disease which he so diligently uncovered. I believe the stress of the ordeal has impaired his judgment.”

“She wants me to talk about the case. Happy to oblige!” I continued. “The Intestine-Eater killed dozens, across two planets, and the attacks were blamed on a predator. Nope, it was a psychopathic Venlil who’s unworthy of being named. Oh, don’t worry, I killed him. Put him down like the wild animal he was.”

More murmurs spread through the crowd, and the Venlil reporters looked disquieted. I figured they didn’t like a predator bragging about killing one of their kind. Meanwhile, human correspondents were on the edge of their seats for my next words. This dramatic conference must play well on the morning news.

“If you’re wondering how I’m certain it was him, first off, he stabbed Rauln over there,” I said, pointing to my partner, “in the neck and held him hostage. The bastard admitted it verbally. Also, he carried sedatives matching the ones found on the bodies, which nobody thought to tox screen. Y’all are fucking brilliant. Firing on all cylinders.”

Fyron scrunched her ears in the audience. “Quit being a prick, Will! How many times do I have to tell you?”

“I’m not being one…not this time. I’m just telling the truth. Listen, most ‘predator attacks’ were done by people. We can’t write them off, for the victims’ sake; it’s a matter of time before a human gets killed, and nobody investigates properly. The murderer can walk by soaked in blood, and everyone goes, ‘Wow, a predator attack happened!’ Just think about it.”

“What do we do?” a Venlil journalist piped up, in a nervous voice.

“You’ve done enough. You need to sit back, and let us humans fix it!” I paused, trying to slow my tangent. “There is hope for you xenos, honestly. Once your sheer lack of logic is pointed out, of course. I have to give credit to…Luala, for finding a key clue that cracked the case.”

Surprise flashed in the Krakotl’s eyes, as if she’d expected me to take all the credit for nabbing the killer. While her guess was wrong, it sent me in the right direction. It sucked to give the bird a shoutout on live TV, but it was the unfortunate truth. I didn’t want to decry these aliens as useless altogether, even if humans were sharper.

“Right. I need help to overhaul this place, so I’m calling for humans to apply for the exterminator guild. Detectives and CSI techs are the most needed additions, though anyone in pest control or psychology is welcome too.” I sighed into the microphone. “We’ll make proper separate branches, and a tipline for investigations. We could also form a committee to discuss new animal policies, and try to make our changes widespread.”

Volek offered a blank stare, as I placed the mic stand down. Reporters lobbed questions at me, but I’d spoken everything I intended to address. Furthermore, I hoped it was clear to my species that I wasn’t on the exterminators’ side. Accepting the job had been out of necessity, but it had been Volek herself who told me to seek change from the inside.

My hand was pushing open the rear exit before any colleague pursued me. Rauln grumbled, and walked stiffly after the snarky human. Fyron and Luala tailed after him, perhaps ensuring that he wouldn’t collapse. The teenager seemed a bit frail, following his scrape with death. I would never speak these words aloud, but I was relieved the Venlil had pulled through.

Should I give him a hard time and tell him to walk faster, or ease up on the teasing? Truly a tough decision.

“I’m amazed Volek hasn’t fired you,” Fyron remarked.

Rauln flicked his ears. “Same here. Please don’t tell me we’re actually hiring more predators. I can’t handle more Wills.”

“Too bad, ‘cause nobody asked your opinions. We’re taking over!” I declared.

The Krakotl offered a derisive trill. “Taking over the lunch room, maybe. If they’re anything like you, the other humans will be there all day.”

“That’s not fair.”

“It totally is,” my Farsul friend added. “So Will, you coming to book club? Luala was tagging along…I can catch you and Rauln up on the story, and we can make it there right on time.”

“I’d rather eat my own toenails than go to something like that!”

Rauln’s expression seemed queasy. “It’s incredible how I hate every word he says. I’ll try a less extreme metaphor. I’d rather have Will as a partner forever, than go discuss romance novels in a group, Fyron.”

“Suit yourselves.” Fyron beckoned to Luala, and the reconciled duo wandered off. “Don’t get into any more trouble.”

I smirked. “No promises. I’ll be getting some unpleasant stares, at the least, back at refugee housing. I won’t start trouble, though.”

My hands shoved into my pockets, and I turned my eyes toward the ground. Rauln padded after me, even though I was drifting aimlessly. Most people who came across me, xeno or human, would know me as that exterminator guy now. It wasn’t clear if what I’d said about the guild would alleviate the human hostility; plenty of people would prefer to rebuild it from scratch. I used to be one of them.

“Will? Do you really think the other humans will give you trouble?” the Venlil exterminator piped up.

I shrugged. “Sure. Question is how much trouble I’ll get. Some folks will see me as one of you, and there’s nothing I can do.”

Rauln was unusually quiet, as his expression grew more perturbed. While I appreciated that he’d voiced indirect concern, I doubted my situation was the only thing troubling him. The encounter with Nam left him rattled, and could lead to some trust issues. The words to tell the Venlil it wasn’t his fault fizzled out in my throat once more.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked, softening my voice.

“…all those years. I didn’t know it was Nam. Hell, I told him about the dog sighting; that’s why he got that last kill.”

“You don’t know that. He would’ve found a way, even without you. You’re young and naïve…he abused that. Remember, it was the entire guild he played; not just you.”

“I guess. I just…I keep seeing the body in my head.” Tears welled in Rauln’s eyes, as they gained a far-off quality. “And I can still hear Nam and you having that awful conversation…as I choked on my own blood. I thought I was going to die, and I wasn’t ready.”

I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. You should take some time off. You’ve been through a lot, and some downtime at home might help you heal.”

“No! I don’t want to go home. I’m…I’m scared to be there alone, Will. I’m so scared.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to you, you hear me? I know exactly what it’s like to feel overwhelmed, and…scared of dying. I wouldn’t wish for anyone to make the mistakes I have because of that feeling. Please, tell me what I can do to help.”

“W-well, your refugee housing is shit. Maybe…maybe you could come live with me. At least for a little while.”

My eyes widened, as my immediate reaction was surprise. Rauln wanted a human as his roommate…me, to protect him in his frightful spell. I wasn’t sure how to feel about lodging with a xeno, but I liked the idea of being needed. Listening to my partner’s hatred a week ago, I would’ve never thought he’d accept me. Shared trauma had a way of forging bonds that were stronger than steel.

The fact was that I craved a purpose, following the loss and tragedy. Overhauling the guild was a part of that, but caring about someone was what contributed to a fulfilling life. Rauln was the equivalent of a little brother to me, even if he was an idiot sometimes. Despite the self-centered reasoning behind my survival, I was still alive today. I owed it to my family’s memory to try to build a new life.

“Yeah, I can do that,” I decided. “I gotta fetch my stuff first, but I’ll be there in a flash. As long as I can borrow that glorious blanket of yours on a regular basis.”

“Hmph, I don’t want it back, ever. It touched your oily, predator skin. Gross.”

I grinned like an idiot, shaking my head. There was no telling how much humans could reform the exterminators, but the guild had changed my life in drastic fashion. For the first time since Los Angeles went to the heavens, I felt a spark of happiness. This dried-out husk going by Will Kane latched onto that feeling, and ensnared Rauln, my fluffy little brother, in a hug.

With any luck, the future would grant us both a fresh start.

Human Exterminators - Season 2 

A/N - The conclusion of human exterminators! Volek hints at her rationale for hiring a volatile predator, and Will calls for humans to join the guild to set up proper CSI, mental health services, and everything else lumped under the extermination umbrella. Rauln is traumatized but alive, and Luala and Fyron made amends; Will even gets a new roommate arrangement.

As always, thank you for reading and supporting; hope you enjoyed this one! A mystery-topic one-shot launches on May 3rd, and per the overwhelming skew of the comments, the May 7th launching series will instead focus on predator disease facilities and a human psychologist! Dossur content may still happen down the line...but we'll see more Felra in main canon.