Getting Soft

Photo by: Al Forbes

The Yautja culture (known as Predators by humans) was dictated by the warrior code. Advancement in the society was driven by accomplishments in battle. Planetary Governors hunted wily Humans alone to prove themselves. Sector Governors lead teams to hunt Aliens.

But times were changing. The Yautja were getting soft. As a starfaring society, uninspiring work needed doing. Garbage needed collecting, and computer programmers lived at their desks. Politicians were the worst, more skilled at being served than serving.

Those who remembered the old ways hated the decline of warrior culture.

So when the planet Bitya’cur needed a new governor, Administrator Harkul insisted the contestants prove their worth in real battle. Eight of them were dropped off on Earth’s Komodo Island to hunt Komodo Dragons.

“I don’t know about this,” fretted Kauti, watching through the hunters’ cameras. “They look dangerous.”

“Bah!” scoffed Harkul. “They’re slow, dumb lizards. The contestants have plasma cannons! What could go wrong?”

But then…

“Ooh!” winced Kauti.

“Oh my!” gasped Harkul.

“Oy! That had to hurt!”

“Ooh, right in the…”

“Oh, this is bad.”

Within hours, all contestants were dead.

“You see?” said Kauti.

Harkul covered his face, mortified. The species was surely doomed. “Fine! We’ll do the usual.”

“And…?” prompted Kauti.

Harkul sighed, “They can go back to hunting squirrels.”
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Written for Sunday Photo Fiction: https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/sunday-photo-fiction-may-28th-2017/

Author’s Notes:

Predator from the movies: http://avp.wikia.com/wiki/Yautja_(Predator)

Aliens from the movies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliens_(film)

Komodo Dragon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komodo_dragon