The Cflen, were more than aware, of the loss of one of their own. “Tajarin could not be found! We discovered some broken branches, where it seemed, she had tried to land?” “Fodawke!“ "We found one of their feathers." The female lowered her head truly upset.
“We agree, there is no other explanation.“ “Another attack. There have been too many of them lately! I think it may be time for us to carry out another culling of the creature."
The Cflen, monitored the attacks. The increases in the number of Fodawke, varied on what we would have known as a ‘Seasonal’ level. The culling solution, lay in finding the nests and then extracting from the eggs the highly nutritional proteins..
After they had done this, they injected the egg with an enzyme, that killed off the embryo. It helped keep the Fodawke numbers down. It was not, nor ever would it have been, a deliberate attempt, to rid the planet of the species entirely. Tothe Cflen, such would have been unthinkable.
The Cflen encampment, was secluded, well hidden, you could not see it from the air. It was too camouflaged, to be identified as anything, except a rocky mound with forest around it. Yet beneath the canopy of trees was a compound of buildings and dwellings, not unlike our own.
Sleeping areas and relaxation areas, plus the huge cavern inside the rock mound, which held the hall, in which over fifty Cflen were now in discussion. “You are sure.“ She nodded.
There is no doubt! They are the ones Tolgani warned us about! ‘Human(a).’“ “So we, do not trust them.“ Tolgani warned us of the others; he tells us.“ She produced an electronic device, which she now activated.
A holographic unit, now illuminated. They knew, it was not their technology, but a gift from Tolgani, to help them learn and understand, about other races, ones he had encountered on his travels. Knowledge gleaned and recorded plus, his legends!
He had shown her and she had taught, some of the other select few to use it. It gave a brief history of the Earth and its peoples. “They’re a very destructive race.“ “I think we should hope, they will finish whatever they’re doing and leave?”
“I say we keep ourselves hidden!” From the back, came the voice of another female Lokinsin.“Tolgani told us, not to jump to conclusions? Isn’t that, what he said, sometimes starts wars? I say we watch, observe and if it comes to it, hear them out.
Find out about them, before we turn our backs on them.“ Some were in agreement. Others voiced their concerns. Lokinsin wanted hearing out. “The Fodawke attacks are getting worse. Far more of them than I can ever remember. Building their nesting sites ever higher and making it difficult for us to raid them.
Every other day, we risk a fatal encounter with them. The more their numbers grow, I genuinely worry that soon they, will be the dominant species on this planet.
We know we stand, little or no chance with them if that ever happens! How many more of us need die in the jaws of the Fodawke when these strangers probably have weapons, we can use, or they can use to cut their numbers back!”
“I am not surprised to hear that argument from you!“ Another female moved to the front to face her. “They’re no more a threat, than they ever were! We’ve just got careless.
Complacent, because we culled them decreasing their numbers dramatically. Few attacks and letting ourselves think, we did not need, to stick to our normal culling rituals. That does not mean they will DOMINATE us!" She was shaking her head, grinning.
"Now they’re growing again, so we cull them again! You know as well as I do, their eggs, are rich in nutrients, that we can pass onto our young to give them immunities, they would not otherwise enjoy. Their droppings, help the lands fertility.“
The ‘discussions’ , went on into the early hours, arguing? No one was winning either way as it came to a close and they drifted off, to their resting places. The Queen looked on at the last few, her thoughts were a mass of confusion. “I’m uneasy, I sensed trouble, when I was at their encampment.“
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