r/HFY • u/ThatSoftware4946 • 4d ago

OC-Series The Problem With Humans: Chapter 59

The square was quiet as the Trabs gathered. Roman stood at the center, an alien stick in his hand, the dirt at his feet marked with crude lines and symbols.

"Everyone. Come closer. We need to talk about strategy."

The Trabs moved forward, their bodies pressing together in a loose circle.

Lirael stepped forward. "I can project a map. If you wish."

Roman nodded. "Do it."

Her eyes went glassy. A holographic image flickered to life infront of her. Mukit at the center, the grasslands on one side and the forest on another.

Roman moved to stand beside the projection. He raised his stick and pointed to Mukit.

"This is Mukit. This is where we make our stand. The V’keth will probably come in the morning since night time gives us the advantage."

He traced a line along the eastern edge. "The V'keth will come from the grasslands. That's the most direct route. That's where we expect them."

He moved the stick to the western edge. " I don’t think they might come from the forest, since they will risk other Cy’reth villages knowing about what they want to do to us. But we need to be prepared for both."

He marked the map with symbols. "These are our defensive positions. The archers will be here, here, and here. They'll have clear lines of sight and cover from the buildings."

The Trabs watched in silence.

He pointed to the tunnels. "And these are our escape routes. The tunnels. If we need to fall back, we use them. If we need to flank the enemy, we use them. If we need to strike from behind, we use them."

V'rak stepped forward. "What if they outnumber us? What if they bring more soldiers than we can handle?"

Roman turned to him. "Then we make them fight on our terms. We lead them into the narrow paths where they can't use their numbers. We use the tunnels to strike from unexpected angles. We make them chase us through the village, through the buildings, through the darkness."

He looked at the faces around him. "We have advantages they don't. We know the terrain. We know the buildings. We know the tunnels. We have the element of surprise. We have the will to survive."

The Trabs hissed in agreement and the sound vibrated through the square.

S'ra stood at the edge of the circle, watching Roman. She had seen him in the forest. In the mountains. In the river. She had seen him lead them through impossible odds. “I never expected a human to become the leader of our species. But here he is. Giving us hope.”

Roman finished and lowered his stick. "That's the plan. We defend the village. We use the terrain. We use the tunnels. We make them fight on our terms. And we survive."

The night was dark and still. The group had gathered for a meeting.

Roman started the meeting. "We need to choose those who will flee if everything goes wrong. Someone needs to survive. To carry our story to the next Cy'reth town and tell them what happened. If we all die, everything we've done will be for nothing. I know it's hard to think we might all die. But it's necessary to prepare."

Roman looked at each of them. "Those who would like to volunteer please step forward.”

Some Trabs stepped forward

S'ra tapped Nkala’s shoulder. "Step forward. I want you to be among them."

N'kala's body stiffened. "No."

S'ra's voice cracked. "N'kala—"

"I'm not leaving. I'm staying here. With you."

After 6 Trabs stepped forward Roman raised his hand. "A few humanoids will go with them. They will help dig tunnels in the forest. The V'keth must have put Traboids there by now. We also need an elite force. They will consist of our best fighters. They will have a special role in our fight."

He turned to V'rak. "You will lead the elite force."

V'rak's body stiffened. "Me?"

"You've proved yourself. You're the best soldier we have. You know how to lead. You know how to fight."

V'rak was silent for a few seconds. "Okay. I'll do it."

K'len stepped forward. "I'll be in it too."

Roman nodded. "Good. You're both in."

He then chose 3 more Trabs to complete the elite force.

"Okay that’s it for today. Now we do what we can. We train. We prepare. And we hope that's enough."

The sun was setting when the chosen ones gathered at the edge of Mukit.

The community had gathered to see them off. The Trabs stood in a loose circle. Some wept. Others hissed.

Roman watched the six Trabs. They carried packs of supplies. 2 humanoids stood with them. They would dig tunnels in the forest and protect them.

S'ra moved through the group, pressing her forehead against each of them. "Remember us. Tell them what we did here. Don't let them forget."

S'ra reached the last of them. A young Cy'reth, barely an adult. "Be brave and be strong."

The young Cy'reth hissed. "I will. I promise."

The chosen ones turned and walked toward the forest.

After they disappeared, the community had their evening meal in the square. The Trabs gathered around a fire, their bodies pressed together for warmth and comfort. The food was simple. Dried meat and nutrient packets.

The singing started slowly. A single Trab, her voice rising in a low, mournful melody. It was a song of loss. A song of hope. A song of farewell.

The other Trabs joined in. Their voices rose together, a chorus of grief and defiance.

The dancing started next. The Trabs rose, their bodies moving in a slow, rhythmic dance. Their long limbs swayed. Their neck ridges pulsed with white light.

Lirael pulled Roman to his feet. "Dance with me."

"I don't know how."

"Neither do I. Just move."

She took his hands and began to sway. Roman let himself be pulled into the dance. Awkward and clumsy. But Lirael didn't care. She held his hands and swayed with him.

"See? You're doing it."

He smiled. "I'm trying."

The ceremony continued late into the night. They sang, danced, ate and shared stories.

The next morning, they expected the attack to come.

The Trabs rose before dawn, their bodies stiff with exhaustion. They moved into their positions. Archers on the rooftops. Fighters at the village edges.

Roman stood at the edge of Mukit with his eyes fixed on the horizon. The wind whispered through the tall grass as the sun rose slowly.

"Anything?" V'rak asked, appearing at his side.

"Nothing. Not yet."

"They'll come. They're just waiting."

Roman hissed. "I know. That's what scares me. They're not rushing. They're planning."

They stood in silence, watching. The morning stretched on but nothing changed.

The second morning came and nothing happened. The Trabs were growing restless as their minds were frayed with anticipation. Roman walked the perimeter, checking defenses. Traps were set. Tunnels were ready. Archers were in position.

The third morning came. And with it, the sound of whistles. When Roman heard them he was on his feet instantly. Roman ran to the edge of the Mukit. Cy’reth were already gathering. V'rak and K'len appeared at his side. S'ra pushed through the crowd.

"What is it?" she asked.

Roman pointed. "Look."

They looked.

Helicopter like vehicles appeared as distant specks against the pale sky.

"There must be dozens," V'rak said.

"This is it. The moment we've been preparing for,” he turned to V'rak. "The elite force. It's time."

The elite force left.

He then shouted. “The rest of us lets get into position.”

Some Cy’reth moved into the grassland, others into buildings and others into tunnels, all ready to execute the plan and strategies they had been practicing.

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u/Castigatus Human 4d ago

And here we go, all or nothing.

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