Chapter 11: Ravenous One

The Zeta-series project is a success!

When we observed lab one’s X-series project through recorded video, we realized specifically what it was that we had been doing wrong.

We’d been using carbon based atomic designs for our projects. It is standard practice, in our defense. Despite over sixty years spent in Stillera, research into the carbon-like element stillon and its structures was extremely limited. In a research paper authored by Dr. Heravon, the idea that stillon was originally carbon that had been altered over millenia of exposure to Rift particles was at first dismissed outright. Nearly every other element, when exposed to Rift particles over an extended period of time, were either completely destroyed or unchanged. Early research into Rift particles likened it to alpha particle radiation, as it had no observable effect on intact cells.

However, it is now known that Rift particles, scientifically known as hera radiation after Dr. Heravon, do in fact radically change carbon-based physiology with prolonged exposure. The Rift Horizon has been observed to alter DNA in all living organisms that cross it. Curiously, the Rift Horizon seemingly has no effect on non-organic substances. However, all attempts to artificially recreate this effect have been met with failure. Thus, carbon-based structures have been the basis for all subjects for nearly twenty years now.

It came as a surprise, then, when Dr. Rester proposed a test subject that utilized stillon as its atomic base. The Colonel and Dr. Grant were trepidatious about such a proposal. To do so meant to bring back still unconstructed Rift flesh over the Rift Horizon, an expedition that would mean casualties and massive losses of resources. However, Dr. Rester was a genius with a perfect record of successes, and as the head of lab one, a certain amount of prestige was afforded to...

… apologies, Dr. Grant.

… Yes, I’ll fucking omit all previous statements not related to Zeta1 in the official report. Apologies for my language.

…

You’re transferring me to lab one!? Fucking why!?

NO! I WILL NOT CALM DOWN DAMMIT! JUST BECAUSE I ACKNOWLEDGED THAT DR. RESTER IS A GENIUS DOES NOT MEA-

-End of recovered audio log from lab one research assistant, Junior Researcher Rose Clementine.

…

Awake! Out of stasis!

Climb down from tree.

AHHH!

Frustration.

This one forgot to remove the developed brain to ascertain whether or not maintained structures reverted back to the main body due to lack of biomass or lack of brain. Idiocy!

AND THE BIOMASS THIS ONE HAS SAVED IS ALMOST DEPLETED! Why!?

Was it combining Core? Is that why the biomass is almost gone!?

Hungry.

Will have to observe during the next stasis. But for now…

Analyze the new structures!

Mmm… mutated elk anatomy is very interesting. Is not meant for combat, but has combat capabilities. More so than coward porcupine or weak songbird. Its antlers are used for intimidation tactics, and combat. The legs are superior designs for running, and don’t consume as much biomass. But instead of having claws, has hooves.

Hmm… May be used to chase cowardly prey that attempts to escape, but for now hound legs will remain the favored movement structure.

It’s digestive tract is… interesting. Instead of consuming prey, it relies on ground structures (grass? And fruits?) for biomass, and has a four chambered stomach. Superior design when compared to hound stomach. May incorporate later.

It also relies on microstructures to break down this grass into biomass. Superior, lots of grass when compared to available prey.

Confused.

Why don’t all prey choose this method of gathering biomass?

…

Must test.

Develop Elk anatomy, modify altered digestive tract to retain biomass release function but resemble elk’s, refine all.

Mmm… strange urges. Rub antlers against tree, sharpen and mark territory. Gather multiple female elk, breed and protect. Graze.

So. Hungry.

Eat the grass!

Eat eat eat eat eat.

Calculating gained biomass…

ONLY GAINED 6% OF BIOMASS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN STRUCTURES!?

INEFFICIENT!

WOULD HAVE TO DEDICATE LARGE PORTIONS OF AWAKE CYCLES JUST TO MAINTAIN STRUCTURES!

Confused!

Why would any prey choose this method of gathering biomass!?

Disgusted. Waste of biomass and Core energy to develop anatomy. Change back to hound anatomy.

But thinking of Core energy…

Currently at 94%.

… strange. Feels like this one has more Core energy than before combining cores. Was this always the case?

And...

New Core ability: Minor osteokinesis (Active use consumes Core energy).

This must be what the elk-prey used to control its antlers and separate them from its main body.

Interesting. Still have not attempted to utilize other Core abilities, but must find a way to test them in the future.

List of available Core abilities: Analyzation and adoption, shapeshifting and major regeneration, psionic link and assault, minor telekinesis, invisibility, minor osteokinesis.

Rustle.

Twitch.

Ears swivel to locate source of noise.

Sniff.

STINKS! DON’T LIKE SMELL!

Growl.

Wave tentacles.

Rustle… SKREE!

… prey. Hungry.

But it stinks! Reluctant.

So hungry.

…

Hunger wins. Must search for the stinky prey.

Move. Forelegs move the main body forwards.

Howl!

“The Ravenous One is searching for the Den! FIGHT IT!”

The Ravenous One?

Hear pack-prey in the distance, where the stinky prey was making noise.

Must move faster! Before all the prey is gone!

RUN! RUN AS FAST AS POSSIBLE!

This one runs through the forest, trees speeding past as eye tentacles wave in the air. Develop canine auditory nervous system on tentacles! Refine! Must locate the prey!

SKREE!

“NO! MOON-CALLER! PACK, RETREAT!”

Finally burst out into open area. See… wtare? Have not encountered wtare since this one left its home. Know that most anatomies require wtare to survive.

Smug. Inferior designs.

Three pack-prey are lying on the ground, still. See more pack-prey fleeing. COWARDICE!

Eating one of the pack-prey is another, larger prey.

…

Prey is… odd?

Resembles the preys this one fought very early in its life cycle, but… larger. Still smaller than this one’s main body though.

Long claws, fur. Fur is all black on sides, but white from top of the head to thick tail.

Announce this one’s presence as the prey eats.

Growl.

Prey stops eating, looking around to find the main body.

Prey stares at this one.

SKREE!

Not growl, sharper, more piercing.

Intimidation? Useless.

Growl.

Wave tentacles.

Prey is undeterred.

Recognize look in the prey’s small eyes.

…

Hatred.

The prey hates this one. But why? Have not encountered prey before.

Prey charges! Very fast!

Pierce with tentacles!

Prey dodges to side, resumes charging.

YES! FINALLY! A NOT COWARD PREY!

The prey pounces towards the main body, claws scratch against refined armor. Smug, will not pierce. Stab with tentacles!

Pain!

Prey severs tentacles before they can pierce, resumes attacking the main body.

Roll, attempt to crush prey beneath main body.

Prey jumps off, lands, and charges again.

Stubborn. THIS ONE LIKES! SATISFACTION! FINALLY FOUND PREY, NO, COMPETITOR THAT UNDERSTANDS FIGHTING!

Swipe at competitor-prey with claws, dodges. Bite!

Competitor-prey snarls, scratching at head pain with claws and biting where armor is not. Prey rips away part of head.

Toss the competitor-prey to the side, repair and stab with more tentacles!

Pierced competitor! USE TEETH TO REND FLESH FROM BONES!

PAAIIINN!

Competitor severs more tentacles, but!

Riiip!

Tear away one of the prey’s limbs. Prey charges again! Even more hatred from prey!

…

Strange, why is prey turning whi-

PAAAAAIIIIIINNNNN!

SAME PAIN AS POKING INSTRUMENTS AS PAAAIINNN PREY’S CLAWS SCRATCH AGAINST ARMOR! NO, PREY’S CLAWS PAAINNN RIP OFF PARTS OF ARMOR! HOW!?

STAB MORE! PAIINN! BUT CONTINUE STABBING! PAAAAIIINNN!

PREY JUMPS AWAY, CHARGE AFTER IT! STAB WITH ALL TENTACLES, PREY DODGES BUT SWIPE WHERE PREY JUMPS! SUCCESS PAAAIIINN BITE PAAAIIIINNN PIERCE WITH TENTACLES!

VIBRATE TENTACLES INSIDE OF COMPETITOR! DESTORY INTERNAL ORGANS, THEN CONSTRICT TENTACLES AROUND ITS SPINE! CRUSH!

Prey goes limp, the white fades.

SATISFACTION! GOOD FIGHT!

Happy.

Wiggle.

The poking instrument pain from tore off pieces of armor. Destroyed 50% of main body, most of internal organs, 20% of brain, no damage to core. But…

Worth.

Finally. A non-coward prey, that fought like this one fights! Liked the competitor, even if it stank!

Did not flee, even when almost killed!

Now…

Hungry.

Consume!

Eat eat eat core! Eat eat eat.

More rustling.

Another COMPETITOR!? EXCITED! Main body is heavily damaged, still repairing, but ready!

...

Oh… is just coward pack-prey.

Disappointed.

Disgust.

Store new Core inside of main body, to be combined later.

Growl.

The pack-prey immediately lowers itself to the ground, whimpering.

Disgust.

Cowardice. Disgrace to the competitor.

Move tentacles to pier-

“Wait!”

Blink.

…

Confused.

Did the pack-prey just communicate? But no vibrations or sounds.

Wait. This is similar to...

“Yes! We have formed the psionic link. You can communicate with We. You have killed the Ravenous One, and We have sensed you have a Core! We wish to bring you, the Great One, to the pack!”

…

What?