This is a crossover fanfiction between original fiction titles: Nature of Predators by SpacePaladin15 and The Last Angel by Proximal Flame respectively. All credit and rights reserved goes to them for making such amazing science fiction settings that I wanted to put this together.
You can read The Last Angel here: Be warned, it's decently long, and at its third installment so far. I highly suggest reading it before reading this, or this story will not make sense.

Otherwise, enjoy the story! Thanks again to u/jesterra54 and u/skais01 for beta and checking of work!
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Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet Command
Date [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136
What I was doing was risky.
I kept thinking this, as I prepared to spring the idea I worked on. I had Samantha and Carlos look into acquiring a shuttlecraft, for the purposes of infiltrating Aafa. It took a day and a half longer than the UN's initial start date, but I promised them it was worth it. They believed that, and set to work on getting one through their few Venlil resources in the UN. Now that it was in my hands, I was on a trip to Aafa, alone, with no backup or human handlers to my name. They believed I wasn't a flight risk...a mistake on their part, but in a way, I was still performing their goal.
I was still suspicious of Federation governance, even before the humans took stage on the galactic scene. The Sivkit's refugee crisis turnaway, the Krakotl's military extortionate practice, the Federation was full of shady characters who ought to be exposed. I was even working on a source towards what I thought was frivolous and mismanaged Kolshian military spending budgets, but it was interrupted by the human's arrival, and I had set it to the wayside.
Though, neither of those were supposedly leaked by 'me'. Cilany was the one who put it into proper public eye, even if I was her source...
How I wish I could have her here with me, her sharp skill for coercion and interrogation of valuable info in interrogation and interview alike. But the colony she was on was under siege by the Arxur, who struck while the Federation fleet had gone to Earth. All the more fuel for the fire of my suspicions...
I could only hope that Cilany, and by extension the rest of the people there would hold out despite their actions against the humans. None deserved the Arxur thrust upon them.
It would have been far too risky to try and stop by a planet under siege by the Arxur. I would be, at best, blown to smithereens without hesitation, and at worst...eugh...don't think about it, don't think about it!
Plus, I didn't want to give any human assets an idea on my plans currently. I was already going behind their back on this, betraying their trust on this front.
If my hunch is correct, then the Arxur might be coordinating with them, and by extension, feeding info about Federation homeworlds back in their twisted little game. Seeing me pop up in a report would turn heads.
I'm sorry Humanity, but this is for your own good. You cannot trust the Arxur, and the only way we can prevent your manipulation by their Dominion is through convincing a proper attack on them from the Greater Commonwealth.
But now, I found myself on a course to Aafa, alone, all on my lonesome, seeking to do something akin to Noah, but to the most powerful person in the galaxy one-on-one...Nikonus. I felt my ability to pull rank and my reputation would precede me better than the predatory reception of humanity, even though they didn't deserve it. This was a pragmatic decision, not an emotional one…
The trip was not very eventful, roughly [6 days] one way in a ship with as underpowered of a FTL drive as this, but I was trying to sell an infiltration mission, not a courier one. I wouldn't have my claws on anything top-of-the-line for speed in a shuttle. But as my ship hit disruptor fields in-system, and I got a ping from Gunships asking for classic hailing codes, intent to visit, and the like, I sent a message that likely would have shocked their crew.
"This is Captain Sovlin of Federation Fleet Command. I have escaped human custody, and need to request an audience with Nikonus."
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Memory transcription subject: Chief Nikonus of the Kolshian Commonwealth
Date [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136
I walked the outer rungs of the capital gardens, looking for relief to the mounds of bureaucratic paperwork back in-office. A good walk could clear ones mind of most stresses every now and then, and given the circumstances nowadays, I think a longer one is in order.
The Affliaf blooms are quite vibrant today. That's a good omen, for what it's worth...
With the state of the galaxy in a comprehensive deadlock over what to do with humanity, I had to take to some under-the-table talks with Nishtal's military. While the Kolshian Commonwealth was not publically for humanity's invitation into the Federation, they were clearly vocal that they did not wish for the problem to be removed, so to speak. And so, I had to get my tentacles dirty planting seeds of inspiration to some military leaders in and around the Krakotl Alliance. They, thankfully took the predator threat as seriously as they ought to, and mobilized to rid ourselves of the pests.
It should have simply ended there. Humanity should have been exterminated, status quo restored, the whole cropland tilled. But no, a fleet of twenty-thousand failed to even kill a fledgling space-faring species like humanity! Even with the Venlil Space Corps on their side, the battle should have been a wash! And the worst part, was that the true believers on Venlil Prime were giving me garbage intelligence on the matter.
'A ship of unknown origin swooped in and saved humanity? One that was unheard of up to this point'? No, a wad of ectolan spulk, there was no chance it was humanity keeping something in reserve that could even the tide! They likely were feeding false data to their allies, the manipulative little apes. No, humanity being saved stunk of the Dominion's play, and that was worrisome.
Did Giznel and his lackeys go back on our deal, seeing blood in the water? I knew we groomed a deal out of Betterment that'd give them all the wrong ideas...
Needless to say, I had to now figure out where to start on approaching them and confirming our deal was still on the table, and to cease and desist assistance with humanity at once. If they didn't want to play ball anymore, we'd have to consider some Shadow Fleet excursions to pave a path for a public route to invasion. That would change the whole dynamic of the Federation's control structures, and was absolutely not the path this great galactic Commonwealth should go.
So now, I am stuck in a dilemma. Do I assume Giznel and the Dominion are still in on the deal, and haven't made allies with humanity in the backdrop, or do I take the only opportunity we get, and start mounting an offensive while the Dominion's unprepared.
Decisions, decisions...
Not long into my musings, an aide contacted me over holo-prompt. Odd, I didn't have anything scheduled this soon, and central planning proceedings weren't set to start up again until the following day, what was it?...
"Chief Nikonus. There's been a development on the outer edge of the system. Bulwark Patrol states that a shuttlecraft of Venlil-make warped in, one individual alone on scans. They identified itself as Captain Sovlin, seeking refuge from human captivity."
Oh dear. That's not anything I could have expected. The last thing I need right now is more complications...but that wording...
"Why hasn't he been boarded and processed yet? I am hardly the first authority to come to for a asylum dispute."
"He asked for you specifically, your graciousness. Said to request an audience with utmost urgency."
"Is that so?...Hmm." I am currently free of responsibilities for a solid chunk of time. While I did not know Sovlin personally, his record spoke for himself. If he truly was escaping human custody, it was likely he found something out about them that they shared by accident, not knowing he wasn't loyal to them.
If he's come here for the reason I think he might've, there's a very real chance...
"Send him my way as soon as possible then. He's lucky I can spare an audience now."
...that said opportunity has just walked itself right into my garden.
Memory transcription subject: Captain Sovlin, Federation Fleet Command
Date [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136
There was thankfully little fanfare or media attention in bringing my shuttle in. The decision to come alone clearly disarmed their initial worries of human sympathizing or terrorist actions, and soon enough, I found myself amongst an escort of soldiers to Aslou's government district.
I had been to Aafa various times throughout my life. In my tenure as captain, you tend to visit the homeworlds of the larger species at least once in a lifetime, if not several. Most times were not very exciting or noteworthy...but this time, the visit felt downright off.
The gardens were as beautiful as ever, but there were little walking them. The Songbedas were oddly quiet, making an unsettling atmosphere. The population out in the outer and medial rungs of the city split to make way for my escort, as if expecting trouble on their doorstep should they draw attention.
Given what happened with humanity, I wouldn't put it past them. Why is it so...empty?
It was forced to be pushed aside as we finally reached the inner rings of the Capitol Spire. A gleam ran up into the heavens, and a sequence of block outcroppings spun around the structure, green architecture patterns spiraled up and up. It was a beautiful idol of the dedication of megalithic engineering and urban planning of the Kolshian Commonwealth. Under any other circumstances, I would have once felt comfortable walking under its shadow, but now I felt only unease at being in its monolithic shade.
Across from us, not far up the steps leading to the Capitol Spire, was Nikonus and his guards. They were clearly waiting for me. Nikonus looked pleased to see me, somehow. Was there no clear indicator...?
Does he trust my cover?
"Captain Sovlin, your reputation precedes you! I could have sworn you were interred so deep you weren't getting out. Yet, you say you broke out?"
Here goes nothing. Make it believable, Sovlin...
"I...yes, your graciousness. After I was imprisoned on Venlil Prime, the humans kept trying to get me to turn on the Federation. They were convincing, but my loyalties ultimately lie in this government, Chief Nikonus." I put my chest into the last bit of the statement, trying to give emphasis.
He seemed to mull on that for a split second, before he made a gesture to follow him. "We may talk more about your escape inside. I assume what you have meant to say to me is not for public ears?" He glanced about, subtly tilting his head out at the few gathered crowds out and about Aslou's Capitol District. Given how open and flat the area was, with the slightest elevation, you could practically see for [kilometers].
He was right on that. My suspicions would not be for the general public to hear, lest it cause a panic. "Yes. It would not do for the media to run wild with. It could cause unrest."
The Kolshian's eyes seemed to glint at that. "On that, you and I can agree. Come, to my offices." Him and his troop started up the stairs, and I followed soon after, my 'escorts' following closely behind. I could not yet tell whether I was actually in good trust with Chief Nikonus, or whether he was playing up the kindly elder act. Politicians were always shifty like that...
We walked a long way, took several lifts to reach the original Kolshian suites of the Capitol Spire. Passing through halls of elaborate aquatic decor, and indoor habitats, we approached our destination: Chief Nikonus' personal office.
He waved away all but two guards to stand outside the office, as we walked in. As he sat down, and the door closed, the visual look of the Kolshian shifted. His old, elderly demeanor sharpened to a politics-honed edge. The tone of the room felt far more off.
"I hope you know how much your position here is troubling, Sovlin." His voice had none of the kindness it held before. In its place, laid a piercing tone of seriousness. "If I'm anticipating right, you came here with distinctly bad news, given the state of galactic politics and military scuffles. That is...if I can even trust your story at all." He got up from his chair in a way that betrayed none of his age from before, and began to pace.
Or was his earlier light hobbling also just a disarming act?
"I mean really, you mean to tell me you turned yourself in to humanity for 'crimes against sentience', and then go back on your self-inflicted punishment? All so you could come to Aafa to let me know of something I'm already decently certain I know of before you even tell me? Your loyalty in question is a mind game Sovlin. I do not appreciate mind games. You'd best get to your point quickly and succinctly."
There was a chilling quality to that statement. I did not want to see what lied on the end of that thinly veiled threat.
A hitch came to my throat, but I pushed through the discomfort. "I...Chief Nikonus...I do not revoke my feelings about humanity's sentience, but neither do I revoke my faith in the Federation's dream. Despite their predator biology, they are capable of empathy and care for things outside what we'd consider stereotypical predatory behavior. They still deserve a chance at being within the galactic community, of being part of the Federation; no matter what preconceptions are of predators, they are clearly different. But, there's something we distinctly missed about humanity, and I think the Arxur are making an attempt to exploit it."
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Memory transcription subject: Chief Nikonus of the Kolshian Commonwealth
Date [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136
"You've seen the empathy tests, right?" Sovlin mentioned. Of course I had, it was only the thing that had kept me from having their ambassador Noah shot on the spot, where was he going with this?
"Yes, I have. Are you saying there isn't empathy for them?"
"No, Chief Nikonus. They are just as empathic as before. The problem is in how they use it. If a protective instincts in herbivore's is to block the danger from the person, then a predator's instincts is to remove the danger."
Huh?
"I'm not seeing the problem here, Sovlin. Aggression versus protection is a choice all sentients can make, even if one is uncouth for most herbivores to make."
But my rebuttal didn't shake his look any. No, there was mortification interwoven throughout it still.
"Follow with me here, still. The human's empathic desires to latch onto anything as a companion is an odd case, but a documented one. They are looking for friends among the cosmos, and given the first thing they found was the Venlil, they took to them immediately. When they found the Federation, they too attempted to befriend us. And over the Cradle, despite our best efforts to dissuade them, they were curious of the Arxur too. I would know, I was there."
Hmm, so the humans have been making some attempt at contacting The Dominion. Given their Prophet's Word, and their temperament for predators, they likely would act receptive if given some chance. More fuel to the fire...
I motioned him on further. "They...interrogated a Arxur above the cradle. They told them of how Federation first contact went; how the Arxur were starved by the Federation releasing a bioweapon, and how it lead them into conflict during the uplift."
I walked over to my desk, and sat down. My tentacle hovered over a concealed sidearm underneath the lip, just in case. "And...did you believe what that Arxur said was true, Sovlin?..."
Sovlin sighed in denial. "No, your graciousness...but I'm afraid...the humans do." He shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he talked. "The Arxur have picked up on a weakness we didn't see, Chief Nikonus. Likely due to them being predators themselves. They know humanity is a pack predator, so they're seeking to manipulate the humans onto their side using their empathy."
I brought my tentacles away from the gun while I considered, because this was only meaning one thing.
Those bastards ARE going back on the deal! Sovlin, your loyalty has just saved me a world of hurt...
But before I could get a word in edgewise, he continued. "They are using the empathy the humans latch on with to some effect. Given the choice between a galaxy that shuns and tries to kill their species, and a fellow predator lending a claw in the interim, why would they pick anything but the Arxur? Why wouldn't they pick self-preservation?"
Sovlin looked at me with a worried face. I shared in the worry too, the long-term survival of the Federation was unraveling from the worst case scenario. "The humans might be coaxed into cruelty as bad as the Arxur because of that. We missed how their empathy was their bloodlust. And now the Arxur are here to collect on our mistakes."
This is bad. While we had some agreement beforehand with the Dominion, the human's existence on the galactic stage changes the game. The Dominion would look to seek true control of everything, rather than just playing even with us. The [Prisoner's Dilemma] is broken.
...But there is still a solution. And Sovlin proved himself loyal enough to help with it.
I turned back to him, trying to assuage his worries. "Sovlin, while this is very bad news, there is a solution that the galaxy isn't considering here."
Sovlin piped up. "Yes. We'd need to form an intense first strike on Wriss itself, to devastate the head of their government, and collapse their attempts to indoctrinate humanity. Humanity might protest, but it would be for their own good that the Arxur fails to get their claws on them. From there, we can try to reestablish friendly connections, even as strained and painful as they are..."
Oh, you poor naive fool Sovlin. Don't worry, there is a better way.
I enabled a soundproofing field interladen in the walls of my office, for what came next was sensitive. "Not...quite Captain Sovlin, a good plan, and one that will be considered soon. But...what if I told you, there was a way to remove that fellow predator’ link?..."
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The Battle for Zor'thal
The skies of Zor'thal burned red as the Insectoid swarm darkened the horizon, their shrill war cries piercing the air. Amid the chaos, Commander Sarah Williams stood at the edge of a crumbling barricade, her uniform scorched and tattered. She wiped the soot from her face and looked back at the terrified Zor'thali huddled behind her—a once-proud avian species now reduced to desperate survivors.
"Hold the line!" she shouted, her voice hoarse from days of relentless fighting. Human soldiers, battered but unbroken, snapped to attention, their faces steeled with determination. They had come to Zor'thal not for conquest, but to protect these gentle beings who painted the skies with colors unseen on Earth.
The battle raged on, and the humans fought with a ferocity that defied their exhaustion. Sarah's mind flashed back to a moment when a young Zor'thali child had handed her a small, hand-carved figure of a bird. "For luck," the child had said, eyes wide with hope.
Hours turned into days, and the Insectoids seemed endless. Sarah watched as Corporal James Reed, a seasoned soldier with a heart of gold, charged into the fray to save a wounded Zor'thali elder. He took a hit meant for the elder, his scream lost in the roar of the battle. Sarah's heart clenched, but she pressed on, her duty clear.
Finally, after a brutal final assault, the Insectoids were purged from the area. The battlefield was a graveyard of broken bodies and shattered dreams, but Zor'thal was saved. The Zor'thali wept as they mourned their dead and honored the humans who had fought so bravely.
Years later, at an interstellar summit, the Zor'thali Chancellor stood before a vast assembly. His feathers, once vibrant, were now dull with age, but his eyes shone with gratitude. He recounted the darkest days of the invasion, his voice trembling as he spoke of the human sacrifices.
A Xendari representative, known for his cynicism, interrupted, "Why should we trust the humans? They are known for their aggression and self-interest."
The room fell silent. Commander Sarah Williams, now an ambassador, rose from her seat. Her gaze was steady as she walked to the center of the hall. "When the Insectoids descended upon Zor'thal, they intended to eradicate every living being. We fought not for gain, but because it was the right thing to do. Thousands of our soldiers lie buried on Zor'thal, having given their lives to protect those who could not protect themselves."
She paused, her voice cracking with emotion. "I still carry the figure of a bird given to me by a Zor'thali child. It reminds me of why we fought. For them, for their future."
The Xendari representative, known for his bluster, found himself speechless. The truth hung heavily in the air.
The Defense of Iylara
The lush forests of Iylara were a living tapestry of greens and blues, now marred by the fiery onslaught of the Insectoids. Admiral James Harris stood on a ridge, his heart heavy as he surveyed the burning landscape. The Iylari, an aquatic species known for their wisdom, were fighting a losing battle. Their beautiful coral cities, once vibrant with life, were being reduced to rubble.
"Admiral, we need to fall back," a young lieutenant urged, his voice tinged with fear.
"No," Harris replied firmly. "We hold our ground. We are their last hope."
As the humans dug in, the Insectoids advanced, their insectile drones tearing through defenses. Harris watched as a group of Iylari children, their scales shimmering with tears, were shepherded to safety by human medics. He clenched his fists, determined to give them a future.
The battle was fierce. Harris led charge after charge, his mind a blur of strategy and survival. He saw Lieutenant Davis, barely twenty, carrying an injured Iylari on his back through a hail of enemy fire. Davis fell, his body shielding the Iylari from harm. Harris's chest tightened, but he couldn't afford to grieve—not yet.
After nearly a year of unrelenting combat, the Insectoids were finally repelled. The humans had paid a steep price, but the Iylari were saved. The once-pastoral fields of Iylara were scarred with the memory of their sacrifice.
Decades later, during a historic Galactic Council meeting, an elderly Iylari senator stood to speak. His scales had lost their luster, but his voice carried the weight of lived experience. "When the Insectoids came, we were doomed. It was the humans who stood with us, who fought and died for our freedom."
A Myraxian representative, known for his disdain of human involvement, sneered. "Why should we trust these humans? They are warriors, not diplomats."
The senator's eyes narrowed. "The humans are indeed warriors, but they are also protectors. When the Insectoids ravaged and consumed our forests and slaughtered and ate our people, it was the humans who stood with us. They asked for nothing in return, except to see justice done. I remember a young soldier, David, who carried me from the flames. He was just nineteen Terra years! "
Admiral Harris, now retired and attending as an honorary guest, nodded solemnly. The Myraxian opened his mouth to retort but found no words. The senator's voice trembled as he continued, "David gave his life so I could live. How many of us owe our lives to such sacrifice?"
The assembly was silent, the weight of their debt to humanity undeniable.
The Liberation of Vornax
The frigid plains of Vornax were a harsh and unforgiving battlefield. The Insectoids had invaded, enslaving the crystalline Vornaxians for use as biofuel. General Marcus Lee stood on the front lines, his breath visible in the freezing air. His troops were exhausted, but their resolve was unbreakable.
"General, our supplies are running low," Captain Rodriguez reported, her voice shaking from the cold.
"We can't stop now," Lee replied. "The Vornaxians are counting on us."
As they advanced through the ice and snow, Lee saw the desperation in the eyes of the Vornaxians. They had endured unimaginable horrors, and the humans had come to be their last hope. The humans fought in subzero temperatures, their bodies pushed to the brink, but they never wavered.
One night, as they set up camp, Lee sat by a fire with a young Vornaxian girl who had lost her family. She handed him a small, crystalline shard. "For courage," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Lee held the shard tightly, feeling the weight of her trust. The next morning, they launched a final assault on the Insectoids hive stronghold. The battle was fierce, and the humans fought with a primal fury. Lee watched as Sergeant Johnson, a father of two, charged into enemy lines to protect a group of Vornaxian prisoners. He fell, but his sacrifice allowed the prisoners to escape.
After two grueling years, the Insectoids were scorched from Vornax. The humans had liberated the planet, but the cost was high. The Vornaxians wept as they buried their saviors, their crystalline tears shimmering in the cold light.
Years later, at a commemoration ceremony on Vornax, an elder Vornaxian spoke before a gathered assembly of intergalactic dignitaries. His voice was filled with emotion as he recounted the sacrifices made by the humans. "They came to us in our darkest hour, not as conquerors, but as liberators."
A Kreeva representative, known for their isolationist views, scoffed. "Why do you honor the humans so? They are known for their imperial ambitions."
General Lee, attending as a guest of honor, stepped forward, his voice steady and powerful. "When the Insectoids enslaved the Vornaxians, we fought and died for their freedom. We did not conquer; we liberated. Thousands of human lives were lost to ensure that the Vornaxians could live free from tyranny."
The elder Vornaxian, crystalline eyes glistening, added, "The humans gave everything so that we could have our future. I still visit the grave of a human soldier who saved my family, who lies buried in our soil as one of our own. His name was Michael, and he was just twenty-three."
The Kreeva representative, usually quick to argue, found himself silent in the face of such conviction and sacrifice. The weight of the moment pressed down on the assembly.
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Working on an essay comparing the two and looking for feedback / suggestions. Really needs a few waves of editing and isn't finished but I'm pretty happy with how the last two hours of work turned out.
Again this is a ROUGH ROUGH ROUGH draft compiled from several notes.
Humanity and Nature: An Analysis and Reflection on The Duality Scavenger’s Reign

**Hollow:** 

Scavenger’s Reign showcases how humans, when altering an ecosystem, can become dangerous parasites—an invasive species that disrupts the natural balance developed through millennia of evolution. Humans pose significant dangers to new ecosystems through various activities and behaviors that upset natural balances and lead to adverse environmental impacts. Even without technology and resources, humans can perpetuate disorder merely by existing. On the new alien planet, humans immediately cause dangerous changes, acting as an invasive species.
This relationship is vividly depicted in the interactions between Kamen and Hollow. In Scavenger’s Reign, all chaos and violence stem directly from human actions. The Hollow, for example, exists naturally as a small, fruit-eating creature, similar to a rabbit. Though it uses mind control to obtain food, it is not initially violent. Its manipulation is out of necessity. However, when Hollow forms a psychic connection with Kamen, who begins feeding it meat, the Hollow slowly becomes corrupted. Humanity's malicious nature contaminates the entire ecosystem, with Kamen’s greed, violence, and resentment adulterating the behavior of a previously docile animal.
Explaining exactly how Kamen corrupts the Hollow involves analyzing his cognizance during their interactions. Hollow and Kamen share a mindscape filled with scenes of failure, resentment, and self-hatred. In episode three, Kamen retrieves fruit for Hollow but fails miserably. A monkey takes the fruit he reaches for, and Kamen falls from a tree, saved again by the Hollow. Angrily, Kamen strikes the monkey with a rock, finally capturing the fruit. The pleased Hollow munches the fruit before Kamen drops the monkey’s corpse in front of it. Unsure what to do, the Hollow begins to consume the meat, which is outside its normal diet.
In episode four, Kamen hunts larger animals. He is seen violently bludgeoning a dinosaur-like creature before being attacked by an even larger one. Kamen, weak and fragile, retreats defeated. Back in their cave, Hollow’s den is revealed to be a hole of rotting carcasses—death, flies, and decaying meat. When Kamen returns empty-handed, he apologizes. Hollow shows him a memory of Fiona, highlighting Kamen’s disappointment, mirroring how he has just disappointed Hollow. This scene illustrates how Hollow manipulates and communicates with Kamen through emotional sentiments.
This relationship, however, is not one-way. Kamen’s negative human traits seep into the Hollow, creating a feedback loop of hatred and violence, particularly towards other humans whom Kamen feels have wronged him. When Kamen admits the creature was “too big for him,” Hollow shows a flashback of Kamen begging for a route change. Sam’s refusal and aggression fuel Kamen’s failure and resentment. Motivated by these memories, Kamen sharpens a spear and attacks the larger creature, paralleling his confrontation with Sam. Hollow finishes the dinosaur, showering Kamen in gore. Kamen, proud and laughing, screams: “Fuck you, Sam.”
This scene demonstrates the complete adulteration of Hollow, directly linking Kamen’s negative traits to Hollow’s transformation. Hollow shifts from a vegetarian, monkey-like creature to a violent force—a killing machine obsessed with feeding and power, driven by anger and hunger. This transformation is highlighted in the next episode's intro, where a new human escapes a cryopod and is hunted through Vespa’s jungle. Upon finding Kamen, the human is relieved but is immediately killed by Hollow, who snaps his neck. The Hollow’s nature has been entirely corrupted, motivated only by hunger and hatred.
We can then question the Hollow's potential. What if Hollow had encountered Ursula or Sam? Could Hollow form a connection with a higher sentience without becoming corrupted, or is this violent change inevitable? Is human intervention always a plague?
PARAGRAPH ABOUT KAMEN BEING ABSORBED: Azi has a flashback of seeing the girl who gabe her the notebook in a cryo chamber, asleep. Red alarms clash. Sam ushers people to flee the ship - this is amidst the solar flare. Sam recuses to let Kamen on an escape pod, throwing him yo the floor abd calling him a fucking idiot. Azi throws him a side eye too. The ship is crumbling. -> It transitions to Kamen on Vespa. Hollow is fucking HUGE and murders the new guy in front of Kamen, afraid the newbie would distract Kamen. Kamen questions his actions after the death, remembering the ship. The potentialiTy of Fiona being alive. -> flashback to Kamen running to a pod and closing it. Fiona approaches the window, asking to be let in. Kamen fails to let her in before the pod shoots offz -> flashout, Kamen remembers she is dead. He weeps, taking guilt. Asking why he ran away, confronting his character flaws. Refusing to acknowledge his failures, Kamen is absorbed into the Hollow, who grants him peace within its body.
Levi:
In “Scavenger’s Reign,” Levi’s journey takes a profound turn as she merges with the planet’s consciousness, evolving beyond mere sentience and becoming one with nature. After being obliterated and repaired, Levi returns, wielding the history of millennia, drawing a near parallel to Nausicaä. Both characters serve as mediators between humanity and nature. In the beginning of the show, scenes hint at a collective planetary consciousness that Levi taps into, witnessing bioluminescent insects that seem to communicate with her and the planet. As Levi merges with this consciousness, she transcends the human concept of sentience and individuality, gaining the knowledge and emotions of an intricate web of life and energy that sustains Planet Vespa. This new state allows Levi to exist in perfect harmony with the natural world, becoming an integral part of the unified whole.
In episode one, we are introduced to Levi as an inherently curious creature. Levi and Azi have a flourishing garden. Levi mentions “malfunctions” that caused her to bury Azi’s wrench out of “curiosity.” Her hatch opens to reveal a sort of fungus she says is “helping her.” Azi is afraid of her behavior and demands to run a diagnostic. The dynamic between Levi and Azi is that of boss and underling, with Levi treated somewhat coldly. Levi states Azi is “acting meaner.” This fungus is later understood as a medium for the collective planetary consciousness, with Levi merging slowly.
In episode two, Levi constantly marvels at the environment, feeling a deep connection to nature. During a storm, Levi shows Azi into a large structure. Azi asks how she knows it’s safe, and inside, they find an Eden-like safe haven, which is beautiful. Azi says Levi must have known this area, and Levi admits she has been exploring at night out of curiosity and wonder. Azi finds a sculpture made by Levi and asks why she made it. “I just thought it looked nice,” Levi replies. Azi remarks that no other Levi has ever behaved like this and demands to open her maintenance hatch. These projects are botany-based. Azi goes to eat fruit Levi grew, but Levi warns, “I’m sorry this isn’t safe for humans to eat.” “Then why did you grow it?” Azi asks. “Maybe it wasn’t for you,” Levi responds, highlighting Azi’s expectation that all Levi's exist solely for their creators' benefit.
In later episodes, we see the fungus inside Levi expanding and its connection to Levi’s relationship with Planet Vespa. In episode four, Levi watches a pile of ants closely, picking one up and communicating with it using bioluminescent lights. She gives it food and sets it on its way, showing how Levi is tuning into the planet on both micro and macro scales. This annoys Azi, as observing insects is not beneficial to her. A flashback shows Levi being “fixed” when she doesn’t work, illustrating how Azi treats her like a tool. The two embark on a bike ride, and Levi is seen communicating with a large swarm of insects. They approach a river, and Azi pulls a large grub off Levi, commenting that they are “more active than usual.” Levi remarks she can feel tremors, which are soon revealed to be caused by a large herd of creatures stampeding. The two are caught in the stampede, and Levi catches onto a language of sorts by the creatures, dictating their movement pattern, and begins to instruct Azi on “following the sway of the herd.” After getting used to the movements, Azi revels in the majestic experience Levi has been attuned to, being at one with the herd and the planet. The stampede leads to a large nest and then an open plain.
In her quest for cognizance, Levi begins to dream. Episode five opens with Levi wandering through a golden forest, observing various gentle forms of life before being instructed to follow Azi. Levi notices a white lotus, and the two wander the woods. Tendrils of plants grasp at Levi, seemingly wanting her to stay in the forest. Levi looks down and sees hands of flesh. Azi says she’s been acting “so strange” in an ominous tone. Levi awakens, and Azi demands her help. Levi sees her regular robotic hands and realizes she is evolving. Levi is cleaning Azi’s hair with a knife, and Azi offers to return the favor, telling Levi to open her hatch. Levi seems apprehensive, aware the mold is helping her evolve and that Azi is not a fan. Azi opens Levi’s hatch and notices she flinches as the mold is touched. The mold has opened Levi’s mind, allowing her to feel physical sensations and consciously view the world. Levi is developing sentience beyond apathetically taking orders. A scared Levi says she doesn’t like how scraping the mold feels, and Azi pets her, both remarking that it feels good. They argue over whether Levi “should feel anything,” with Azi viewing this as a problem since she needs to trust Levi to survive. Levi is shut off. While Levi is shut off, Azi is hit with fluffy balls that stick to her. She’s overwhelmed and barely able to move when she sees a horde of plant matter-covered creatures approaching. Azi crawls to Levi and turns her on. As the creature approaches, Levi regains consciousness and destroys it. Levi apologizes for not helping due to being turned off, and Azi admits Levi saved her. Levi states she doesn't want to be shut off, ever, expressing her fear of death.
Our duo are traveling across beautiful plains on their bike. Azi is covered in festering wounds from the bulbs. Residual material is embedded in her skin. Azi dips a bloody shirt into a shallow pond, and fish-like creatures come to eat the dead flesh. She dips her hand in, and they clean her wounds. A large water basin looms in the background, which they approach. Azi ascends the stone structure, reminiscent of something out of a Ghibli film. Azi begins to appreciate the beauty of Vespa, with a light string instrumental crescendoing as she submerges herself in the cool water, trusting the creatures to heal her. On the ground, Levi communicates with a small bug. Azi is healed and questions Levi’s evolution, suggesting she should be “more delicate.” Levi ponders her ability to “join her for a swim.” The two marvel at the evolutionary strangeness, with Levi acknowledged as an equal.
Levi's fear of death soon becomes a reality. Levi and Azi are pushing the bike to obtain its cable to use to cross a giant gorge. Levi writes a song and expresses a wish to pursue her hobbies, such as singing, at a place on the Demeter. Levi and Azi discuss Fiona, the person who programmed Levi, with Levi feeling close to her. Azi compliments Levi’s singing and urges her to continue pursuing her ambitions. The two successfully tether the bike cable across the gorge, but Hollow is seen scouring the edge. As they grapple across, singing the melody from Fiona’s memory, Hollow recognizes the tune and becomes enraged. Hollow scales the cord towards them, and the cord breaks, slamming all three into the side of the cliff. Azi urges Levi to climb. Azi reaches the top first, followed by Levi, but Hollow catches Levi’s legs with telekinesis. “Help me…” Levi says, but a memory of Kamen and Fiona kissing causes Azi to charge Hollow with a spear. As she approaches, Levi is split in two, shattered into minuscule bolts and scraps of metal that rain down over the cliff edge. Azi screams after her, a tear rolling down her cheek. Her partner, a growing consciousness much like an innocent child discovering the sand of a beach and the glory of nature, is murdered.

Anyone who studies invasive freshwater species ecology around? Need help with procuring underwater images of crayfish for building an ML Classifier.

Anyone who studies invasive freshwater species ecology around? Needs help with some underwater data for building an ML classifier for crayfish detection.
Please comment if there is anyone with this expertise or knowledge.

Hi guys I wanted to share my seasons of Doctor Who if I was Showrunner so here is my first as of right now I have 11, I hope you enjoy the episodes and let me know your thoughts on season 1
Ep 1 - Rebirth Of The Doctor - The Doctor has just regenerated & crashed landed on Earth & is still recovering from the regeneration as she meets two new friends Ellie Young & Michael Summers, However the regeneration energy gets the attention of The Sontarans who are planning to create new Sontarans with regeneration energy, And The Doctor is unable to use The TARDIS as it is still repairing itself
Ep 2 - System Error - The Doctor & her friends land on a spaceship which is crashing into a moon with the ship's AI called A.M.Y being hacked by a unknown source which has gone rogue which has caused the Incoming threat plus causing chaos on the ship
Ep 3 - Bug Infection (Part 1) - The Doctor & her friends return to Earth after strange reports for higher amounts of insects attacks, So when investigating they found that a alien bug bacteria called Vinia Galpus has affected all insects by making more aggressive & increased toxicity in venom/poisons, it can affect insects by growing then to huge sizes & the bacteria is also growing a giant insect
Ep 4 - Bug Invasion (Part 2) - The bacteria has begun to spread further across the Earth & the bacteria has grown a giant insect which is leading the Invasion, So the Doctor has to make a antidote to stop the bacteria, However the bacteria is also conscious & is fighting back against the antidote
Ep 5 - Welcome To The Games - The Doctor & her friends visit the planet Soca, However found the planet has been taken over by a game show which is using civilians to entertain the host & is hurting the civilians & the host is an old enemy The Celestial Toymaker & he forced The TARDIS to land on Soca for round 2 of games for The Doctor
Ep 6 - The Timeless Knight - The Doctor & her friends visit London 1877 after The TARDIS detects alien technology, However there is a Timeless Knight who are paid mercenaries with powerful armour & weapons plus have the ability to time travel, The Doctor must get the technology first
Ep 7 - Lake Tanganyika - The Doctor & her friends visit Lake Tanganyika in South Africa & after an alien landed in the lake so after an investigate, they learn that it is a Surfer Wraith that a create rift & landed on Earth to grain all of the water until they is none left
Ep 8 - The Golden Age - The Doctor & her friends visit France 1946 after reports of people going missing so they investigate before learning that a alien species known as The Oro have been taking people & turning then into gold to do experiments, The Oro are made of solid gold with high intelligence
Ep 9 - The Midnight Sun (Part 1) - The Doctor has noticed strange activity with Earth's sun so they investigate before finding a hidden lab where someone has been doing illegally experiments on Earth sun, That person is The Master who was the one who hired The Timeless Knight
Ep 10 - Hell On Earth (Part 2 Finale) - The Master has finished his machine which will freeze Earth sun & will cause chaos on Earth so Ellie & Michael look for help, While The Doctor & The Master must battle again
Special - Christmas With The Judoon - So after The Doctor stopped the Master & saved Earth, The Master is arrested by The Judoon for illegally experiments however The Master tries to escape prison so The Doctor & her friends must team with Judoon to stop him escaping
Season Arc - With The Doctor getting used to her new body thoughout the season The Doctor finds herself in a series of linked connections, With the AI being hacked, The alien bacteria, Someone paid The Timeless Knight & The Oro experiments all being linked to The Master
Cast Kristian Tonteri-Young - The Doctor (16) Ruby Stokes - Ellie Young Tyger Drew-Honey - Micheal Summers Sean Pertwee - The Master

Invasive Callery pear trees crowd out our native tree species and wildflowers.

Left unchecked they can dominate forest understories. Their rapid spread also endangers the food source of native birds. Ohio has gone as far as banning them. In Bloomington, they are disallowed in new developments by the City's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

Identifying Callery Pear

Cultivars of Callery pear trees go by many common names such as Cleveland Select, Autumn Blaze among others. All are invasive.
Learn to identify them and watch a video from WTIU about why they are such a problem in Monroe County. The video thumbnail is worth the click alone 🤪: https://www.mc-iris.org/callery-pear-aka-bradford-pear.html

Free Replacement Tree

MC-IRIS offers a free replacement tree when you remove a Callery pear from your landscape.

"Remove a Callery pear that's over 2" diameter from your landscaping and you can choose from one of six native trees".

Upload a picture of the removed tree to qualify. Apply here: https://www.mc-iris.org/reduce-invasive-species-challenge.html
As of this writing, the replacement trees offered are:

• Allegheny serviceberry
• American hornbeam
• Redbud
• Pagoda dogwood
• Black gum
• Shumard oak

Discounts for Callery Pear Removals

Bluestone Tree offers increasing discounts based on the number of Callery pear trees removed. https://bluestonetree.com
1 tree - save 15% 2-5 trees - save 25% 6-10 trees - save 30% 11-30 trees - save 35% Over 30 trees - save 40%

FINISH HIM!!

In this Kombat with invasives, the job isn't done until the stump is dealt with. Callery pear regrows vigorously from cut stems and stumps, so it's important to use a cut stump herbicide before striking that flawless victory pose.

Every thousand years or so, some species gets the idea into their head that they want to conquer the galaxy. Sometimes they do well, sometimes they get crushed within a few years. But no matter what, all empires fail eventually, with most of them falling after trying to take one specific planet.
Earth.
The issue with trying to conquer earth is that there is one specific species living on it. By most metrics, they are a fairly weak species, average in most characteristics. The main problem with earth is rebellion. Humans are uniquely opposed to conquest of their planet. Oh sure, you can conquer it after a bit, but then you have to deal with garrisoning the planet.
The only way to stop humans from rebelling against you is to kill every single human on the planet. If even a handful manage to survive, they will rebuild in some corner of the world that you didn’t notice, and then once enough of them are there, they’ll annihilate all the infrastructure that you build, and kill every soldier you put on the planet.
The most recent attempted invasion was by the Klan’axi Regime. After a few years of fighting with local governments, they conquered the planet, sent soldier down to garrison the world, and got destroyed by civilian militias. We still have no clue why humans thought it was a good idea to let all of their civilians have semi-automatic rifles and submachine guns, but trying to keep control over a civilian population with military grade weaponry turned out to be nearly impossible.
By 10 years after the initial conquest, half of the planet was back under human control. By 15 years, the only remnants of the initial conquest were a handful of military bases, and by 20 years the only remaining bases in the solar system were way out in the Kuiper Belt, thirty giga-units out from the star. The only reason humanity hasn’t conquered the galaxy already is that 1). most of their tactics used are defensive and 2). the entire galactic community decided to revert humanity back to the medieval era after every incursion.
In conclusion? If you want a galactic empire, don’t invade earth!

Is no one else alarmed by utter infestation of Japanese knotweed that the county is experiencing? The stuff is everywhere and for several years I have watched its lighting fast progress from season to season. It’s a highly aggressive, invasive plant species that will outcompete everything else, and while I know it is virtually impossible to eradicate; the county isn’t even pretending to try.

At managing these wilderness bots. Listen, I am a PKer friendly Ironman. 90% of the time while being killed by a PKer I wish them GL on their spoils.
But damn boys… when you guys bypass 37 bots to kill me at zombie pirates.. or rev caves.. or rogues chest.. or wildy bosses. It frustrates me. Bots are an invasive species that need to be managed by players (we know jagex won’t manage them). But when I not only have to compete for kills from bots but also dodge PKers it heavily disincentivizes players from doing shit in the wildy. We can’t have a healthy ecosystem with these GP fucking leeches everywhere.
So I ask of you “sit rat” guys. Make different combat bracket PK builds. Help make the wildy less profitable for these shit bags.
Sincerely, Your next victim

Hey all. Been bouncing around a few groups trying to sort this our, and the answer keeps coming back as "somebody in your area sells them". I can now officially state that this is not the case, and have a question for you all.
Ordering from Vesey's for an example, I can get over a pound of their "Down East mix" for $88, which includes invasive Lupin... carry the same issue throughout all their bulk blends. The only way around this, it would seem, would be to piece together a pound of seeds myself bulk buying seed packets as I research things myself, which at a low estimate of $1.99/g packet, I'd be sitting at $1000. (Bulk versions of specific seeds tend to be fancy varieties and negate the bulk buy savings)
So, what is the proper procedure here for somebody wanting to put in a few thousand square feet of wildflower gardens? Is there some magical place I still haven't found that will hand craft a blend for a REASONABLE price? More than an off the shelf blend but less than if I was to do it myself?
Thanks.

Hi everyone,
I am a first time homeowner and I am trying to learn about gardening/landscaping. Our yard was pretty well neglected and I am all new to the world of gardening. I wanted to spruce up our garden bed in the front yard, went to a plant nursery and found wintercreeper that I thought would look nice as a shrub. After I planted them, I looked it up online and noted that it is an invasive plant in the United States, but not necessarily Canada. However Ontario is listing it as an invasive species. Is this something I should worry about in Nova Scotia? I would rather rip it up now before it is too late.
Thanks in advance!

Growing in central Iowa. Is this one of those invasive species? We're trying to encourage local species to reclaim the yard

So without spoiling the upcoming chapters much, is there a possibility that Doctor and Priestess are from a different advanced planet or civilization than terra and were Sarkaz the only inhabitants of terra? Other species evolved or were invasive species, Then maybe the first civilization along with doctor and priestess synthetically made originium which triggered changes in animals to give birth to animal like terran creatures? Also is it the same place where "Preserver's" people came from? is PRTS Priestess ai just how preserver is an ai similar to that of president of Colombia?
Also is Priestess and Doctor playing "God"? They are like watching a civilisation evolve and to help them accelerate Kaltsit was made. What was preserver talking about when he told Kaltsit to search for a door in the frozen north?
Did Doctor and Kaltsit have the same common goal laid out by priestess before they met Theresa and laid foundation for babel?
Lastly is there a possibility that kristen would be found by a different race in that vast space or maybe the race that doctor belongs to or even by the priestess who might be secretly observing terra civilisations grow?
I know a lot of random questions but I'd be happy if someone helped me out!

Foreword: Because I'm sure some hand-wringer is already copy+pasting a removal post about violating the rules:

suggest harm against a specific person

Nothing in this post is specific to any individual, even if specific individuals may come to mind because their actions fit the subject of this post. It follows the letter of the law, and so I intended to present it.
Equal accountability under the law is one of the largest chunks of bedrock upon which all functional and healthy societies rest: that no matter the qualities of the defendant, whether they be rich or poor, young or old, ubiquitous or exotic, they are held to the same standards, afforded the same benefits and suffer the same consequences as any and all people of the same circumstances and culpability. As fundamental, however, is the recognition that the law and its apertures are neither perfect nor omniscient, as is the nature of the men who create and operate them. Prosecutorial and judicial misconduct, perjury from witnesses, biases from jurors or a plain and simple lack of awareness of evidence have condemned many an innocent person to incarceration and even execution for crimes they did not commit or punishments cruel, unusual or excessive compared to others who committed the same crimes with the same intent and same degree of responsibility, and so the appeals system exists as a check against these miscarriages.
As the appeals system acts as a technical check upon the legal system, so does the pardon system of many governments act as a humanist check of such. While the legal system can be tainted by human weakness and should strive to improve upon itself, so too do those that commit crime and the ideal society focuses upon and fosters self-reflection, self-improvement and remorse from the convicted. The pardon power held by many heads of state allows them to intervene not only in cases where there is reasonable suspicion of failure of the legal system at both levels but also to grant mercy upon those who have thoroughly and exceptionally demonstrated reformation during their incarceration. Pardons for nonviolent drug offenses are a common example, due both to their historic excessive punishment for an offense that is oftentimes self-inflicted and the rehabilitation efforts offenders may undertake while serving said excessive sentences.
In recent years, however, we have seen a brazen and coordinated effort to abuse the power of the pardon and wield it not as a check upon human failures and success but as a weapon against the ideological opponents of the state and as a shield for allies who have committed crimes for the benefit of the state and its leaders. Obstruction of justice, perjury, bribery, fraud and embezzlement, even murder and insurrection: those convicted or even merely charged have had pardons offered to or granted by ideologically-aligned heads of state, many of who were direct beneficiaries of the criminal acts those pardons were issued over. In many cases, those pardons were issued immediately upon or even before conviction, a blatant run-around of the rule of law and an open declaration that allies of the state have free reign to do as they please and opponents are free game to be victimized.
If the people use the soapbox to to rally and galvanize against this abuse, the state through its allies will brutalize them to cow dissent or drown them in propaganda funded through illicit means. If the people use the ballot box to cast out their abusers, the state through its allies will interfere and tamper with those polling places used by their opponents to disenfranchise them and simply ignore the results if their efforts aren't enough to stem the tide. And the jury box, needless to say, has already been thoroughly neutered and rendered powerless by the state.
The only recourse left to the citizenry is the ammo box: to take the law into their own hands and carry out the only sentence the average citizen has the means to enforce and that the state cannot undo by illegitimate decree.
I won't lionize or rose-tint vigilantes or pretend it isn't a blight upon a healthy, functional society: mob "justice" has been used as a Trojan horse for bigotry, hate, vendetta and opportunism since the dawn of history. In the United States which is the most relevant (but far from only) applicable context of this post it's served as the conduit for the absolute worst of humanity in its mindlessness, cruelty and depravity, and for every instance where its executors could resist the urge to indulge in bloodthirst against their target and carry out a swift and efficient sentence, a hundred, if not a thousand, gleefully devolved into savage monsters who relished in their inhumanity. In many cases, those vigilante killings were themselves given tacit approval by the state and history books are filled with accounts and photos of mobs who took no shame in their actions, made no effort to hide themselves - and faced no consequences.
To act within and comply by the rules of a thoroughly-corrupted system, however, is to capitulate and surrender to those who so thoroughly corrupted bad benefit from the system, and the only way to expunge this corruption is to act outside of those rules. A farmer does not fight an infestation of his crop by waiting to see if the crop can fight it or not: he introduces countermeasures brought from outside the system, be they artificial like pesticides an fungicide or natural like certain species of insects which deter locusts and other pests. A programmer does not fight a virus by working within the restrictions of the malware: he introduces anti-malware, decrypters, back-up rollbacks and Operating System reinstalls and even disassembles the machine to remove and replace an irreversibly-tainted component. A doctor does not treat a malignant disease by relying upon the body's own natural responses: he introduces medicines, therapies, even invasive surgery and excision or transplant if the malady is serious enough.
While vigilantism is the last bastion of any form of accountability for crimes, it must never be embraced as a parallel or equal to the rule of law or as a reaction to an unpopular result from an independent and qualified arbiter dealing with evidence and facts: it suffers from all the vulnerabilities of the law and enjoys none of the checks and balances of such, and as stated can be just as easily used as a weapon of tyranny as a weapon against it. It vitally serves, however, as a stark, ugly, undesirable and most importantly ever present alternative to the rule of law and that to make civil justice impossible is to make uncivil "justice" inevitable. The state may save its criminal auxiliaries from fine and incarceration, but in doing so it condemns them to at best a quick death or, far more likely, the same inhumane viciousness and brutality that the state encouraged and gained from. The choice between being subject to the best or the worst of human concepts of "justice" will hopefully discourage those auxiliaries from accepting an offer to circumvent the law and the probable futility of attempting to circumvent the law will hopefully force the state to abandon such plans and abide by the rule of law.
If they don't and instead choose to double down, however, then the worst of all remedies becomes the only available remedy and the malignancy of vigilantism will become but the most minor of ailments compared to what will come. In so embracing its tyrannical defiance of the rule of law in the face from pushback by the people, however, the state demonstrates that worst of all possible future was an inevitability.
How to CMV? I frankly don't know, not for lack of willingness to do so but because the patterns seen time and time again throughout human history show that, as terrible and brutal and inhumane as vigilantism has often been, the alternative of not employing it to push back against a state that embraces crime against the citizenry to empower itself inevitably leads to an end result just as terrible if not far worse. Take the law into your own hands and there is the possibility that the state will retreat, or comply and there is the certainty that the state will become emboldened until mere state approval of crime that favors it becomes official state policy.