i want to know what happened during the Vorax raid,
ESPECIALLY if the Human was perhaps away, and the Vorax, being not COMPLETELY inept, had waited for that to happen to commit to said raid...
- @internutter/challenge-02840-g283-for-great-fit -- Adam in Darwin
The Vorax were learning. They learned to scan potential victims from a distance. They learned to detect dangerous Humans and at least keep their distance. Human Kin did not scan as threatening. They were smaller and slighter than most Humans but, since the Vorax were really learning fast, they also waited until Human Kin was out scouting an asteroid before they attacked.
Unfortunately for the Vorax, Human Kin had taught the Havenworlder crew everything they knew. Raid Chief Lyshk was very confused when the Havenworlder crewmate in their path intercepted his charge and sent him tumbling into the most inconvenient bulkhead.
Three more Havenworlders in the neighbouring hall refused to run, but stood in a specific and uniform way. There was a look in their eyes that was not naturally found in Havenworlders. Why were they not terrified? They were Vorax!
"Run, nuggets," threatened Lyshk. "I will feast on your marrow!" It was bad kou to draw a weapon on a weaker enemy when claws and might were right there. If Lyshk had been dealing with a Human, it would have been a different story. These were Havenworlders, they should have been easily defeated.
'Should', as the wise ones say, is not 'is'.
Raid Chief Lyshk was not a wise one. With luck, he might survive to become one. The third time he was thrown into a protruding valve control, it ruptured his livesuit and the scent of confidence almost overwhelmed him.
He stayed down, urgently trying to message his raid crew to stop fighting. These Havenworlders were not prey any more. They had been trained in the ways of Deathworlder defence.
His crew were not wise ones, either. They kept fighting until their livesuits were locked and incapable of supporting them in hostile situations. Like -for example- hard vacuum.
Raid Chief Lyshk let himself be dragged off to the brig with all the others. "I would like to formally apologise for my previous statements," he said. "I had assumed you were easy prey. You are formidable warriors."
An urgent clanking drew his attention to the arriving Human. Clad in full livesuit, they rushed to the scene and stopped in a very familiar stance before they realised that it was unnecessary. This must be the Deathworlder that taught them.
"Do not have a concern, Human Kin," said one of the Havenworlders. "You taught us well. Besides, they are showing signs of intelligence."
"I do sincerely apologise," said Raid Chief Lyshk. "Very emphatically."
"We're still turning you and your lot in for the bounty," said the Human. "Perhaps you can learn less painful lessons in custody."
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Tamara1K]
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