Spooker

Grass Eaters 2 | 61 | Margins V

ZNS 1006, Datsot (21,000 Ls)

POV: Stsinkt, Znosian Dominion Navy (Rank: Ten Whiskers)

The place where the planet McMurdo-6 was supposed to be — it was now empty space; even its rings and satellites were no longer there.

“What in the name of the Prophecy is going on?” Stsinkt asked, her voice deadly quiet.

“Ten Whiskers, the Digital Guide has compiled and cross-referenced all our astronomical records on this system. We have captured records fr...

Grass Eaters 2 | 60 | Margins IV

ZNS 1006, Plaunsollib (4,700 Ls)

POV: Stsinkt, Znosian Dominion Navy (Rank: Ten Whiskers)

“What did they get?” Stsinkt asked, her face stony as she watched the predator shuttle carry their Marines off to safety… twenty minutes ago.

“Uncertain, Ten Whiskers. They did get onto the bridge, but the ship data should be heavily encrypted.”

“That’ll stop them long enough for us to reach the Great Predator Nest?”

“The Digital Guide th...

Grass Eaters 2 | 59 | Margins III

ZNS 4291, Plaunsollib (5,400 Ls)

POV: Baedarsust, Malgeir Federation Marine Infantry (Rank: High Pack Leader)

In the background, Lemming Squad could hear radio traffic between a few of the other squads also making their way through the ship, punctuated by some shooting and explosions elsewhere. Baedarsust turned it down. They had their own work to do.

He had the whole ship’s layout memorized in his head but pulled up a 3D map of the Thumper-class battlec...

Grass Eaters 2 | 58 | Margins II

TRNS Crete, Datsot-3 (1,200 km)

POV: Carla Bauernschmidt, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Captain)

“I shouldn’t order you to do this, Carla,” Amelia said from her screen. “Your people aren’t even supposed to be there. Your Puppers are supposed to be on leave.”

“I know,” Carla replied simply. “But we are. So you will.”

“So I will,” Amelia confirmed. “Those are your orders.”

“I understand. The stakes are too high.”

Grass Eaters 2 | 57 | Margins I

ZNS 1006, Preirsput (2,800 Ls)

POV: Stsinkt, Znosian Dominion Navy (Rank: Ten Whiskers)

The Great Predators struck when the fleet was exactly half refueled. The maximum number of ships in the fleet were deep down in the gravity well of Preirsput-6 with their fuel scoops fully deployed and processing.

Even in the expanse of space, the wave of Kestrel missiles came in like a silent tidal wave. The ships caught in it found their most vulnerable modules target...

Grass Eaters 2 | 56 | Invasion VIII

Znosian Siege Fleet, Gruccud (20,000 Ls)

The missiles from Sixth Fleet, controlled by the computers of the TRNS Amazon nearby, attacked in three waves.

The new generation Kestrels arrived first as programmed. Twenty-four missiles, focusing on what the Terran computers thought were twelve of the Znosian fleet’s most important ships, including all six of its missile destroyers with FTL jammers onboard. Though not designed for long-range operations, their targets were following s...

Grass Eaters 2 | 55 | Invasion VII

MNS Oengro, Gruccud-4 (3,000 km)

POV: Grionc, Malgeir Federation Navy (Rank: High Fleet Commander)

Grionc and the rest of the squadron leaders patiently listened as Loenda laid out her case over the battlemap.

“From Terran Naval Intelligence, we know the Grass Eaters’ secondary fleet is stationed in Grantor,” the elderly squadron leader said, pointing at the occupied former Granti capital. “We know they are combat-ready. And if they come in to rein...

Grass Eaters 2 | 54 | Invasion VI

TRNS Amazon, Gruccud (21,000 Ls)

POV: Kiara Agarwal, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Commander)

“Set general quarters for blink transition!”

“General quarters! General quarters! All hands, battle stations. Transit forward and up on starboard side, down and aft port side, secure loose items for compensator-free maneuvers!”

“SWO, bridge. Unknown gravidar contacts. Resolving. Approx two light hours distance.”

“CIC, request Automation Lev...

Grass Eaters 2 | 53 | Invasion V

MNS Oengro, Gruccud-4 (3,000 km)

POV: Grionc, Malgeir Federation Navy (Rank: High Fleet Commander)

“Another jammer gap, High Fleet Commander,” Vastae reported. “Only fifteen milliseconds this time. It appears the Grass Eaters are getting more efficient at this operation, despite the foolishness of its premise.”

Grionc grinned. “Excellent. They can keep getting better at it for all I care. Did the admiral give us anything this time?”

“No...

Grass Eaters 2 | 52 | Invasion IV

Republic Senate Complex, Luna

POV: Samantha Lee, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Commander)

The usually orderly chamber, lined with portraits of historical figures, echoed with a cacophony that was atypical for its hallowed walls. The room buzzed like a hive of agitated bees. The chair struggled to maintain order, gaveling for silence, each attempt to restore decorum seeming only to fuel the fervor in the room.

“Order!” Senator Blake Wald shouted into his ...

Grass Eaters 2 | 51 | Invasion III

ZNS 1006, Gruccud (20,000 Ls)

POV: Stsinkt, Znosian Dominion Navy (Rank: Ten Whiskers)

“All four of our battleships, Ten Whiskers. And one of our orbital transport ships. Their lives were forfeited to the Prophecy the day they left the hatchling pool.”

Stsinkt nodded. She bowed her head in recognition of their sacrifice. “That must have been the Great Predators’ rare blinking missiles in their arsenal. Was the destruction of the orbital transport s...

Grass Eaters 2 | 50 | Invasion II

Orbit Transit, Gruccud (22,000 Ls)

POV: Thunderbird “Missile 4”, Terran Digital Intelligence (Base Build: 2124-A)

Back at the system limit, Missile Four actually had decided on a name way earlier, but it was just too embarrassed to reveal it to its three friends: Destiny. It knew that they would probably laugh at it if they knew, except maybe Cameron. Cameron was too polite. But Cameron would probably laugh at Destiny on the inside anyway.

Blake would ...

Grass Eaters 2 | 49 | Invasion I

MNS Oengro, Gruccud-4 (3,000 km)

POV: Grionc, Malgeir Federation Navy (Rank: High Fleet Commander)

It felt like every alarm and siren on the ship went off all at once as the bridge crew of the MNS Oengro sprang into action.

“High Fleet Commander, we’ve got blink emergence! Resolving bandits!” Vastae reported.

Grionc nodded calmly. “Offload the work to our thinking machine tablet if necessary. And message Loenda: order Squadron 6’s last few ...

Grass Eaters 2 | 48 | Inside Baseball

Red Sands Stadium, Mars

After the invention of the inertial compensator, the baseball community divided bitterly into two factions in what outsiders called the Great Baseball Schism.

The traditionalist faction insisted that real baseball could only be played at one standard gravity: under Terra gravity conditions, even if it meant setting up an expensive — at the time — gravity field on another planet or moon to do it. The adaptationist faction laughed at the traditionalists...

Grass Eaters 2 | 47 | Ghost Fleet III

Lima Mine, Titan

POV: Ace of Clubs, Terran (Republic Most Wanted #1)

“Fine. How’s it going down there at Lima Mine?”

The Ace of Clubs froze.

“Cold there this time of year?” Amelia asked.

“W—What?” she stuttered. “What are you talking about?”

“You heard me. We know exactly where you are. Lima Mine, northwestern Titan, in the old ice-mining sector. We’ve got a flight of fire support ships overhead right now.”

Grass Eaters 2 | 46 | Ghost Fleet II

Glaent City Center, Gruccud

“Code yellow. Code yellow. All civilians. Immediately head to your nearest designated underground shelter. Do not bring any non-essential belongings. Code yellow. Code yellow. All civilians…”

For the second time ever, the warning sirens of Gruccud blared this particular message with urgency.

At the thousands of bunkers seeded throughout the planet, lines of Malgeir waited patiently as emergency supplies and equipment were distributed. Only...

Grass Eaters 2 | 45 | Eyes Open I

Naval Station Europa, Europa (100 km)

POV: Amelia Waters, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Admiral)

A few decades ago, Europa was one of the most popular destinations outside the asteroid belt. Its xenobiology research facilities were the most prestigious in the Republic. Its scientists fawned over the strains of alien microbes and signs of life below its frozen ocean surface. Then came the discovery of sapient aliens: the Malgeir; most of the xenobiologists found th...

Grass Eaters 2 | 44 | Border

Black Site Deimos, Deimos

POV: Baedarsust, Malgeir Federation Marine Infantry (Rank: High Pack Leader)

“What is this place?” Baedarsust asked, glancing curiously at the sealed hangar door from the back of the shuttle ramp.

Aida looked at him darkly. “The place where you keep quiet and don’t ask too many questions unless you don’t want to leave until your fur turns gray, High Pack Leader.”

“Ah…” Baedarsust nodded in understanding. 2024-08-26 16:47:00 +0000 UTC View Post

Grass Eaters 2 | 43 | Meritorious

Republic Navy Radio

“Just how bad is it out there?”

“You know, there was an old joke they used to tell here. A victim of the Navy anti-Resistance campaign says, a squad of people in military uniform broke into my residential unit. They ransacked my apartment, stole all my valuables, murdered my dog, and beat my husband unconscious. Then, one of them turned to the other, and they said, we have to get out of here now. The Reps are coming.”

“Heh. I’ve heard that o...

Grass Eaters 2 | 42 | Ghost Fleet I

Lima Mine, Titan

POV: Felix Lamar, Terran (Civilian)

Felix tracked the suborbital superiority jet buzzing across the sky until it disappeared beyond the horizon and breathed a sigh of relief.

Sixth time this week. The Reps have been patrolling the sector aggressively. Rationally, he knew that if they really discovered this abandoned mining facility, the next thing that would come out of the sky was going to be either an orbital bombardment best described w...

Grass Eaters 2 | 41 | Munitions Depot

Republic Senate Complex, Luna

POV: Amelia Waters, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Admiral)

Amelia looked up at the Senate committee dais as she began to read her briefing statement from her tablet.

“This May has been the most successful month in Red Zone counter-terrorism operations in decades. For the first time ever, Assault Carrier Squadron 1 has successfully captured the Ace of Hearts and the Ace of Diamonds, as well as six Face-level operatives. We have...

Grass Eaters 2 | 40 | High Value Target

Black Site Deimos, Deimos

POV: Amelia Waters, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Admiral)

The Ace of Hearts stared at the interrogation videos with feigned disinterest, but she wasn’t fooling anyone.

Amelia turned the tablet around. “So?”

“Fake videos,” Ambre said dismissively, but there was a raw edge to her voice that Amelia didn’t need a mind reader to understand. “Blatant deception. My sons are dead. And their blood is on the hands of your...

Grass Eaters 2 | 39 | History

Huygens District Court, Titan

POV: Court Transcript, Huygens District Court

“All rise for the Honorable Judge Camille Couture.”

A whoosh of air heralded the middle-aged judge’s entrance, her robes flowing behind her.

Reaching her bench, she fixed her eyes on the two attorneys in the room, and her voice resonated through the room. “Please be seated. We are here to discuss the matter of Terran Republic v. Doe et al. Case number 84-CR-117442. Mr...

Grass Eaters 2 | 38 | The Hunt II

TRNS Crete, Saturn (182 Ls)

POV: Carla Bauernschmidt, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Captain)

“Civilian cargo spacecraft Free Zone Forever, registration C-129421, power down your drives,” Carla said into her headset with her best “I’m bored” voice. “This is a routine contraband inspection.”

“Rep boots and bootlickers! We’re in the middle of an expensive transfer burn!” came the pilot’s angry reply from the radio.

She didn’t even ...

Grass Eaters 2 | 37 | The Hunt I

Atlas Naval Command, Luna

POV: Amelia Waters, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Admiral)

“The Ace of Hearts is the key,” Amelia said, pacing her office.

Carla’s face appeared on her tablet. “That’s not what Atlas says.”

“Hey, I’m Atlas too,” she insisted.

“The Colonel in charge of Raider Regiment wants to go for the Ace of Clubs first. Their first raids— they’re already trying to find her.”

Amelia snorted. “Unimagina...

Grass Eaters 2 | 36 | Channel One

TRNS Crete, Charon (400 km)

POV: Carla Bauernschmidt, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Captain)

“Can you raise your chair a little? The lighting looks better that way.”

Carla looked uncomfortably at the camera as she adjusted her command chair up slightly.

“Hm… not quite the effect I was expecting,” the alien camera operator said, observing the results on his datapad with dissatisfaction.

“Are you the one doing the interview?” Carla as...

Grass Eaters 2 | 35 | Funny Business III

My Snout Is Sealed, Datsot (18,000 Ls)

POV: Eupprio, Malgeir (Executive)

“I have decided,” Eupprio declared, looking out the fake windows — screens showing the external camera sensors — of her newly leased SC-22 at the liberated and rebuilding planet. The whole process of buying the Terran-built shuttle was initially an ordeal… until she figured out how to navigate the alien bureaucracy.

Things were run differently in the Republic. When the gover...

Grass Eaters 2 | 34 | Wingmate VI

18+ CONTENT WARNING

This chapter contains explicit descriptions of sex. If you are uncomfortable with that, a censored version is posted alongside this one, and you can read that one instead.

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Naval Station Charon, Charon

POV: Bethan Woods, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Lieutenant)

“I love your hair,” Beth declared, concentrating on carefully pronouncing her yips in the unfamiliar language she was practicing with Uin...

Grass Eaters 2 | 34 | Wingmate VI Censored

Content Censored

This chapter has been censored. The original chapter was written with explicit descriptions of sex. If you are comfortable with that, an uncensored version is posted alongside this one, and you can read that one instead.

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Naval Station Charon, Charon

POV: Bethan Woods, Terran Republic Navy (Rank: Lieutenant)

“I love your hair,” Beth declared, concentrating on carefully pronouncing her yips in the u...

Grass Eaters 2 | 33 | Consequences

Atlas Naval Command, Luna

POV: Blake Wald, Terran (Senator)

Senator Blake Wald adjusted the microphone to his height, looked at the camera, and held up a stack of papers. He began to read his prepared speech from it.

Good morning. Today, we present this report and these recommendations to the President of the Terran Republic. To the Terran Republic Senate. The Terran people. And to our allies in the Malgeir Republic. This report represents the majority...