Fanged God's Cat's-paw
Author's note: The Author's Kzin alien technological threat breakdown, as of the time of this story. Defined by the Patriarchy and the Conservators.
(-5000) Sub Kzin level (single planet, animal level).
(-1000) Sub Kzin level (single planet, stone age or early metal use).
(-100) Sub Kzin level (single planet, pre industrial).
(-10) Sub Kzin level (single planet, industrial, pre nuclear).
(-5) Sub Kzin level (single planet, no space capability, nuclear capable).
(-0.5 to -1) Sub Kzin level (single stellar systems but less advanced).
(-0.1 to -0.5) Sub Kzin level (multi stellar systems but less advanced. Incidentally, this is humanity when first discovered by the Kzin in Niven's books).
(0) Kzin level (multi stellar systems, Kzin level technology).
(1) Single stellar system able comparable to all of Kzin.
(10) Single space fleet comparable to all of Kzin.
(100) Single space vessel comparable to all of Kzin (Puppeteer level at the time of this story, not that the Kzin know of the Puppeteers at this point).
(1000) Single individual technologically comparable to all of Kzin.
(10000+) Fanged God.
Since the Jotoki were taken over by the Kzin the Kzin did not face any true competition until they met humanity. They get close to winning against the humans, but lost once humanity got the hyperdrive as superior mobility and surprise can defeat a superior technological foe. Also Kzin are a hunting predator species, meaning small populations per planet and would never think of the type of things humanity would do to win, for example sterilizing planets is not something that Kzinti would do, but humanity…? Well, I suppose my answer would be to go ask the Carthaginians. And if you don't know what that means then shame on you for not paying attention in history class.
If you have not read Larry Niven's work then you should as he is one of the true greats of Science Fiction.
Part 5a: Now (Kzin Homeworld)
And Darkchilde learned anew a lesson any cat owner knows (although does anybody ever really own a cat?), that being cats have the most annoying tendency to not do what you want them to do. Shadow, upon being released had stretched, drunk of the water that had been left by her, before slicing a chunk of meat from the hanging carcass and slowly eating said chunk, all while ignoring Darkchilde. Upon eating Shadow then found a comfy spot in a bit of sunlight and proceeded to take a nap, while continuing to resolutely ignore Darkchilde's clacks of her sticks to fight.
Stone was rather amused by all this but simply sliced more meat to chew upon as he sat with his back against a tree, then a hrrrr of observation once Illyana gave up and went to go sit by her fire.
"No nettles."
"Hrrrr?" Was Shadow's annoyed reply, she was trying very hard to appear nonchalant.
Stone repeated. "No nettles." Meaning stinging insects, quite common in the jungle. In fact… no stinging, biting, or any annoying insect life at all.
Shadow stretched as she pretended to wake up. "Yes. More oddness." Then a sniff. "No smells other then smoke and her oddly changed scent." Meaning the more common insect repellents were not present.
Shadow leapt to her feet. "We're done here." And strode into the jungle.
A glance from Stone at the odd monkey creature, who just flicked her tail and gave one final clack of her sticks before lying down by the fire, as if in imitation of Shadow, before he hurried after Shadow.
A casual inquiry from Stone. "So we just leave?"
The anger was broiling off of Shadow. "I… we are not slaves. Forced to fight as some alien eat of plants wills."
"Omnivore." Pointed out Stone. "And a trained fighter."
A grudging reply from Shadow. "Granted." Then a less angry tone. "So… origin? It… she… obviously has advanced tech. If escaped then a new species, either captured or from a conquered world?"
Stone mused. "Such tech would indicate the potential of a major threat. Such news would be known."
"Yes… so possibly a new species that has been captured but escaped."
Stone was not so sure. "Or…"
"Or?"
"A new species has instead found us."
Shadow has not thought of that possibility. And if one's only reference is what the Kzin do to new worlds then… "That is… concerning."
Stone continued. "Or…"
Shadow flicked her ears in amusement. "Or we have found an actual monkey demon."
"Either way the elders will…" Shadow stop speaking as they stepped around a tree, only to find themselves back in the clearing with the monkey alien, who was trying to look asleep with her back turned to them, yet somehow gave off the a smug impression.
"Hrrrr…did we somehow walk in a circle?" Inquired Stone as the ears laid back on Shadow.
"No…" With that they left again, but carefully paid attention to their direction and after long minutes of travel…
Emerged into the clearing, again with the sleeping creature's back tuned to them.
No words between them, this time, they just left the way they had arrived and after a long journey of unfamiliar terrain they…
Again entered the clearing from the same location. This was most concerning.
This time the creature was sitting up and giving them a closed mouth smile as her tail flicked back and forth in anticipation.
"Hrrr, Shadow… I think…"
Shadow finished his words. "I have any choice."
Part 5b: Then (Kzin Homeworld)
A small convocation. Just Patriarch's Claw, Zkkrr-Conservator, Ritt-Conservator (Conservator to the Patriarch), Wkkzir-Ritt (the brother of the Patriarch), Wkkvir-Ritt, the Patriarch himself.
Held not in one of the more large and impressive rooms, instead it was in the private office of Patriarch.
"Impressive detail." Growled Ritt-Conservator at the briefing they had received.
A briefing that both exonerated Zkkrr clan of any wrongdoing and laid out the evidence than an unknown alien was present on their world. An alien that appeared to be working with Kzinti elements, either some yet unknown pride or off world elements.
"We suppose the creature was either reacquired or rescued as it were by the unknown elements." Finished Patriarch Claw. "One supposes such a diminutive creature to be an escaped captive but… It certainly knows how to fight."
"Mammalian, and in appearance female." Commented Wkkzir-Ritt. "One swipe of my claws should be sufficient to eviscerate it and yet…"
"She… it… was the one doing the eviscerating." Finished Wkkvir-Ritt. "Brother, reach out to the Voices of the off world Great Prides. Have it be known that we search for this one, and any who conceal information will be viewed most negatively."
Wkkvir-Ritt continued. "Ritt-Conservator, likewise please consult with Conservatory and the conservators of the Great Prides as well as the priesthoods as to this issue." Then a statement to all. "A new species is always Nikkk'n." (the Kzinti word for both risk and opportunity).
Wkkvir-Ritt flicked a claw and the video salvaged from one of the grav cars played again. It was a bit jerky and flickered with static, but it clearly showed the car circling the creature on the savanna as the sun haired creature wielded some kind of glowing sword, its mouth agape in a fanged snarl of challenge as its tail lashed about behind it. Behind the creature were the bodies, well the dismembered bodies, of some Kzin who had apparently landed in an attempt to capture the creature. The creature made a gesture and then nothing, which was supposed due to all the remaining grav cars exploding when their batteries overloaded.
Another tap of a claw and the image rewound, froze, then zoomed in on the humanoid. A horned humanoid that looked disturbingly like a mythological Monkey Demon.
Then a comment about Patriarch Claw's alternative interpretation of the evidence from Wkkvir-Ritt. "Hrrr, the possibility of a level zero or higher race finding us is most disturbing."
"What would you do brother if you were to find a new, untouched world? Inhabited by technologically lesser creatures." Inquired Wkkzir-Ritt.
"Hrrrr, taste the air, feel the earth between my paws." Then a look at all those present as he spoke one more word. "Hunt. Test and taste the prey."
"And how… disparate would the technological levels have to be if that was your first inclination?" Zkkrr-Conservator asked of the Patriarch.
"More then… comparable. Prudent is the hunter when stalking unknown prey. To arrogantly do what this one appears to be doing… I am… concerned as to the implications."
"And the destroyed data center?" Quietly growled Patriarch Claw.
"Either unknown parties covering their tracks. Or…" Mused Wkkzir-Ritt.
"An entity capable of protecting its secrets from prying cubs." Growled Wkkvir-Ritt in anger. "Find this thing. Find the kshat who are responsible for this. And summon the Black Priests, the request for telepaths has my scent on it and I'll have the ears of any who stand in my way."
Part 5c: Now (Kzin Homeworld)
Clack clack! Went the monkey creature's sticks as she watched Shadow put on the practice gear. She would strike one with the other by first putting one under the other with her palm facing upwards, and then do a flip as if flipping a burger that was smack the stick down upon the top. Then she would repeat but with the other hand now doing the flip, or as it is actually known, the flick.
Clack clack!
Finally Shadow was ready, Shadow had dressed slowly to demonstrate her distain for the monkey alien and to hide her unease about what had happened; and that perhaps monkey demon really did offer a better description then alian.
Clack clack!
Plus she had taken time to do some grooming and arrange her fur just so. An act that appeared to anger the creature if the lashing of the tail was any indication, but then the creature had behaved oddly, making strange panting cries as it sat down and…
Laughed. Darkchilde (as she thought of herself instead of Illyana) laughed.
Laughed in actual amusement at the antics of Shadow, just like a cat trying to avoid doing something. Laughed for the first time since... Since…
Cat.
Since Katharine was lost to her.
A topic her mind shifted away from as if she was touching a hot wire.
"I think you have amused it." Stated Rock with humorous flicks of his ears.
"Or it is choking." Growled Shadow with just might have been a hint of hopefulness. "Perhaps some allergic reaction is causing its sudden demise?"
Darkchilde's chuckles died down. She had been amused but now was annoyed at having been amused as she gave Shadow a glare; a not uncommon event when those grieving find themselves not grieving. The mood had suddenly changed and Shadow had the feeling that any more delays were inadvisable.
The two met, gave each other a slow nod of the head, and training combat began.
Well, kind of training. Shadow did not use her claws, but was not very inclined to pull any punches as it were. Resulting in Darkchilde getting knocked about quite a bit in just a few minutes as her greater strength was clearly demonstrated. When one trains rather then fight you pull your strikes or angle the strike to not harm. Shadow kind of did that in that she did not use her claws or strive to break limbs but… smacking about was just fine by her.
And of course Darkchilde tired of this rather quickly as she spit out some blood and a tooth from the latest strike from Shadow as she pushed herself off the ground. Training partners are not supposed to inflict this level of harm, the other tiger creature, Stone, had understood this. So… bad kitty was her conclusion as she stepped back a few a few steps and gave Shadow a glare. Who did not look at all ashamed, just like a cat that has knocked something off a shelf after you said no.
"Shadow…" Warned Stone.
Who was having none of that as she sniffed. "I do as I please."
Okay, enough was enough was Darkchilde's conclusion as her scent of lilacs morphed to a strong tang of ginger (she had caste a spell to communicate her moods, meaning scent, as a Kzin) which certainly got the Kzin's attention as she gestured for Shadow to stand in a specific location.
Which of course Shadow promptly complied, as in not. Meaning she hissed and then stood in a different location with one lip curled back to show a fang of distain.
Darkchilde snapped her right fingers once. Prompting the hereto unseen coiled up ropes to raise as if they were cobras and suddenly surround Shadow, who promptly swiped at the ropes only to have the ropes dodge her claws.
Stone tensed but did not yet move as he quoted a favorite axiom of Weapons Master. "I told you Shadow. Think with your mind and not your liver. Just what are confronted with."
Snarls from Shadow as she spun about striking at the dodging ropes as more ropes slithered into the fray.
This… this was not going well. Darkchilde came to the conclusion that actual communication was needed if she was going to get what she wanted, meaning practice instead of combat. Sigh… she did not wish to speak, but perhaps written communication would work. A wave of her hand and burning Kzin writing was floating in the air (Note Kzin writing looks like a series of commas and quotes).
,'',,'',,,,',',','',',',',, (What is your problem?)
Shadow stops twirling about as burning letters floating in the air tend to give folks a pause as she mutters. "So the creature can communicate."
"In a most interesting manner." Growled Stone. "I suppose she cannot speak."
Darkchilde frowned as the characters reshaped themselves. ,,',' (Wrong.)
Shadow's anger was being replaced by curiosity and some confusion. "Then why don't you speak?"
Which… was a good question. Why didn't she? She… she did not want to speak. Speaking was something… Something….
A sudden stab of a headache made Darkchilde wince. This thinking was taking her out of the now and the now was where she wished to exist. To not live in the now meant that…
Again characters reshaped themselves. ,,','''',,' (I do not wish to.) As Darkchilde went to got sit by the fire as she suddenly felt sad, her angry ginger scent fading way to leave just the normal scent of the creature, the stench of her sweat, and… distress? The ropes around Shadow lost animation and fell to the ground.
The headache was getting worse as Darkchilde began to have a nose bleed as she started to rub her head. She was remembering now, remembering what she did not want to remember. To remember hurt.
"Shadow…" Spoke Stone as he rose and examined the burning symbols. An extended claw was hastily pulled back. "They are actual flames. This is high level tech, beyond anything I know of, if it is tech."
Shadow was now hurriedly rethinking everything that had happened, and that this creature had defeated the both of them when ambushed. "What… are you?"
This… Darkchilde wiped away the blood that was on her lip from her nose bleed, was not fun anymore. This… They... Were making her think. Exactly what she didn't want to do.
A cry of pain from creature as the symbols morphed again. ''',,' (Demon).
Then a wave of confusion and…
The alien was gone. Likewise the log, ropes, the meat hanging from the tree, and the fire. Any evidence that the creature had been here. The two searched for sometime but found nothing. With resigned flicks of their tails and ears they left and made their way back to their Pride's home.