[ WP ] A peaceful alien race is besieged by another race in the same galaxy . As their last planets fall and their home-world comes under threat they do the unthinkable . They ask for aid from the only known creatures more brutal than their foes in exchange for FTL technology . Humans accept the deal .

`` High General Kalo'son,'' the High Elder's hirsute and armored attache greeted him with a bow, and a dipped arm, a sign of respect for the Harkorian Grand Commander, `` High Elder G'fanlon is awaiting you in the Citadel with the council.'' 
 
 Kalo'son nodded, he had doffed the battered battle armor, but his over-repaired under-armor and battle clothes were his only coverings. Times were tough for the Harkorian Empire, and with their war against Calbolnians who were denigrated with the comparison to kanabs, a hard-shelled crustacean that were bottom feeders in the oceans. 
 The insult though was that these Kanabs had been disabusing the Harkorian's for near two centuries now of their territories and the might of Harkorian's military prowess. The Empire was crumbling, and solar systems had began to `` surrender'' to the Calbolnians. 
 
 Kalo'son laid his satchel on the marred table that also served as a secretarial and security desk. Apparently a few cowards in Parliament had taken it upon themselves to end the war by assassinating the High Elder. 
 
 But, like all wars, things changed. Kalo'son waited at the elevator that would take him down to the chambers of council. His thoughts drifted to when the war first started. 
 
 Yes, we kind of did start this one. The elevator door slid open, and he stepped in with the Attache. And we did kind of allowed our conceit to push the Calbolnians into a corner... seriously, we blatantly grabbed three systems they had founded, and were developing. Korafora, or in the Calbolnian's harsh language, `` Bhaklak'' is... um, was a beautiful ocean and island world. He would never go back there. Ever. 
 
 He bowed his head as the memory of what he witnessed blasted back to his mind. It's war, he told himself, and shit like this happens in war so do n't think about it. Just do n't think about it. For the love of the gods, just do n't think about it. 
 
 Letting out a strong exhale which drew the attention of the Attache, Kalo'son nodded with a weak smile, and returned his attention to the door. 
 
 The elevator stopped, and Attache took the lead and that is when he noticed that the Attache was packing one of the Terran's Powered.50x75 pistols. He'd seen what those things did to the Calbolnians, what it did to their armor, and to whatever was left after it penetrated. Swallowing hard, he flexed his shoulders, and followed. The memories were inching back again. 
 
 The Attache opened a finely chiseled wood door of a pastoral woodland with Harkorian's lounging around trees, and lakes. For some reason he stopped to take in that scene. It looked like a dream, one of which a person of faith would hope to see again even though they know they never would. Kalo'son knew inside there would never be a peace like that for him. He had seen to much. 
 
 `` Ah, High General, I'm so glad to see you!'' The High Elder arose from his seat, as did the council members whom all seemed to be in much higher spirits than they did a few years ago. The High Elder came to him, and clapped him on his shoulder, enraging a sore spot from the last battle. 
 
 `` High Elder.'' Kalo'son bowed as he greeted his brother, and friend. `` And of course, Council.'' Again he bowed. 
 
 `` So,'' began G'falon,'' We have won the war! This is great news for us!'' 
 
 Kalo'son looked at his brother, then at the council, `` I think you've over estimated our contribution to their victory, brother.'' Kalo'son ignored his brother's frown, and moved to the wet bar where he helped himself to a Black Water Kep, straight, no ice. Tipping the crystal glass, the soft tink of the rim hitting his canines was the only other sound in the room. Even the drink ca n't wash away these damnable memories. 
 
 `` Not at all,'' G'falon looked at the frowning faces of the council as he approached his brother. `` you should have been in on the council conference when that prima-donna King B'tikak beg me, he begged me to accept his surrender right then and there... ah, brother, it is a good day!'' 
 
 `` The Terrans, brother...'' But G'falon waved that off. 
 
 `` We'll have them back on their back water system in no time.'' 
 
 Kalo'son barked a sharp, disdainful laugh. `` you have no idea what we've unleashed, do you?'' 
 
 Setting the glass down on the counter, Kalo'son stepped around his brother to look at the council. That Terran commander was right, we do look like their dogs... what did he call those things, their pets, yes, pets. 
 
 `` You sent me to the Terran's to help us unfuck our fuck-up.'' His arm swinging wide now, his memories flooding back in. `` You told me to give them Faster than Light Travel so they could do our bidding, and fight the Calbolnians. A war we started. I want that to sink in. We started this war, not the Kanab's, us, we here in this room. We pushed for war, and the fucking Kanab's took us up on our offer, and beat us... like'dogs.''' Frowns from the council members and his brother told him that they were not familiar with that particular Terran word. 
 
 `` But we won.'' His brother said with determination, with several of the Council members barking their agreement. 
 
 Kalo'son shook his head, these dolts just do n't get it. `` No, no'we' did n't win a damn thing, the Terrans won.'' His eyes lost their focus as he watched the Terrans infantry, millions of them after their victory on Korafora, starving from the lack of supplies began eating those poor Kanabs dead and soon to be dead. What was that word they kept saying, `` batter?'' No, `` butter?'' Yes, butter, all they talked about was how much better the kanabs would be with butter. He could hear the shells being cracked open, the sounds of sucking and slurping as their innards were being devoured. By the gods, what have we done? 
 
 `` But we are Harkorians, this is our Empire!'' The Council started nodding vigorously as G'falon slammed his palm on the counter, and then pointing at Kalo'son, he snarled, `` And you will thank the Terran's for their service to our Empire, have them surrender any ships with our FTL engines, and then put them all back into their system. And if they have a problem with that, then we'll put them down like we did the Pallagins.'' 
 
 Kalo'son levelly looked at his brother and then at the council, the rage he should be feeling did not explode as he thought it would, `` As you wish, Brother. I will deliver your message.'' He could n't tell his brother what he had seen at Korafora because then he would have to tell him what he saw at Falkomon, a decimated Harkorian city. There, the Terrans were also eating the dead, and dying but this time it was the Harkorians who filled their bellies, and in some cases, their own kind. It was a never-ending nightmare that would only find peace when he went was sent to his long sleep. 
 
 He would deliver the message, turning to the Attache as they walked out of the chambers, `` You might want to leave the Citadel... and soon.'' 
 
 `` Why?'' 
 
 Kalo'son thought for a moment, `` because I'm going to go kick a giant, and if we're lucky he'll squash us like a bug.'' 
 
 `` and if we're unlucky?'' 
 
 Kalo'son stepped into the elevator and pressed the up button to the ground level, as the door was closing he replied, `` he'll slap us down, and eat us alive.''
