Page 56 of Monsters After Dark

Invaded

Cass Alex

DAYZEE

I made it here alive!Today marked day 1 at UGP outpost 7*KUr.

Why the Unified Governing Patrol felt they needed me on this particular planet, I have no idea. It’s hot, it’s humid, I’ve never met any of the species living nearby, and it turns out they all barely tolerate each other and probably hate us. Lucky me! It looks like I’ll be assigned here for the next half a year, minimum. I’d say I’m gonna need more chocolate but it would never survive this heat.

I did get to walk the perimeter of the camp when I arrived, while my new commander briefed me on my assignment. CDR Firken was cute! Single, early 30’s, and I think he’s a Pisces.

The base has two neighboring species that appear to heavily dislike each other and the UGP seemed to think that a sociologist with psych training could possibly make a difference. Let’s be real — they just didn’t have a Species Specialist available so they had to settle for me. I’ll take what I can get and try to make a name for myself.

The nearby aggression appears to be a dispute over a shared section of land. That area has some type of fruit-bearing trees, possibly with rooted vegetables and herbs nearby, and both species use them for sustenance.

I need to study the two separate groups and the shared land in question and report back my findings. The goal will be to figure out what needs to be done to find peace between them since their upset is riling up all the other species out here.

I’ve seen — albeit low-quality — pictures of these things and I’m thinking the last thing they want to do is hold hands and sing Kumbaya. Hell, one doesn’t even have hands, just layers of tentacles.

I need to find a way to communicate with them without them feeling invaded by us newcomers.

Aside from that, the sleeping quarters here are small bungalow-style houses just big enough for a bed, a footlocker, a small table and chairs, a toilet and sink behind a divider, and the world’s smallest kitchenette.

I’ll call it cozy and leave it at that. At least I am not in the barracks and for that I am grateful. Well, except for shower time.

* * *

DAYZEE

Well,it’s day three and I finally got to see the neighbors. They’re interesting, to say the least.

One is a bird-like hybrid species that nests in the local cave system, located just above a large section of the beach. The rocky alcove slopes down to the sand and is riddled with large holes that the species has taken over as its nests.

They have colorful ‘feathers’ around the crown of their head and down their backs which look to be stiff and sharp, and a fan-like ‘tail’ that they can open and brandish. I saw this happen with one particular bird-man when he spotted a squid-guy nearby — he rattled his ass feathers at him in warning.

The rest of their bodies look soft and downy. They have shorter arms with quad-digited ‘hands’ tipped in claws, and their downy legs look powerful and end in large-boned feet with sharp talons. If a T-Rex and a bird screwed a human, this might be their kid. They also have large almond-shaped eyes, and their ‘beaks’ are more like humanoid noses but slightly hooked in appearance. They all have different facial expressions and personalities, but the one I am studying, his default setting appears to be ‘cranky’.

The other species is some sort of cephalopod hybrid. A squid-octopus type being that stands upright and actually has an elegant gait despite having many limbs. I wasn’t positive these were even sentient until I saw one interact with one of the bird guys. They kept their distance but appeared to yell and threaten each other. I may have my work cut out for me.

The octo-squid has eight arms plus the two extra-long snake-like tentacles but they radiate from the body like they would an octopus, and are thicker and stronger like an octopus. There are two layers with the upper being slightly thinner than the lower, and I thought I saw smaller tentacles between the layers. Their head shape is somewhat bulbous and extends into a mild crown, and they have multiple eyes. None that I saw have less than two, or more than nine. They have a flatter, sloped nose, a mouth, and many facial expressions. They seem easy-going and social.

Next goal: Seem harmless enough that they won’t attack when they meet me, yet friendly enough that they engage with me.

I’m not a miracle worker, people! Remember that when it’s time for a raise review. Maybe if I do well enough I can switch to that nice little bungalow at the corner of the territory. It has its own shower!

Oh, and CDR Firken smiles and nods when he goes by but hasn’t talked to me again. The others just pretend I am invisible. Literally invisible. Some asshole stepped on me as I tried to walk past him. I know I’m short but give me a break, I know he saw me.

If this keeps up I am going to make sock puppets and talk to myself because it’s going to be a really lonely six months.

* * *

KHAW

I arosefrom my nesting spot and moved to the opening of the cover to feel the heat of the rising glows on my quillens. My face raised to the skies, my eyes closed as I spared a moment to enjoy my awakening. The air was ripe with the scent of bloomings and nectar pods from the nearby eating sources, and the sounds of many creatures beginning their globe durations.

No sooner had I slid back both of my lids when suddenly there he was. That zotlsh from the wet. My eyes narrowed on him as I watched him rise from the wet and move slowly towards the feeding sources. He tended towards the ground ones as much as the nectar pods, but I did not like to share either with him. There was something about this one of the wet that I simply Did. Not. Like.

I stomped my lower talons at him and loudly shook my quillens. My warning growls barked in low huffs from me in an attempt to ward him away from the feeding sources. And also from the new creatures that have settled nearby as they had no talons or fangs, and seemed defenseless as they roamed nearby areas in their flesh coverings.

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