The Tribe - A future story built within the After Earth series

"Kill every male and take the samples!"  The leader shouted as the cruiser hatch opened.  Armored figures poured out the airlock and spread through the massive ship.  Wires sparked, lights flickered, and smells of burnt flesh were everywhere.

The attack went as it was planned.  Do a quick jump and deceleration from the magnetic catapult to where the freighter had just turned around so it could slow its speed in anticipation of the course alteration.  The rail guns mounted on the cruiser were top of the line, and heavy hitters.  The shells were designed to travel at maximum velocity, but flatten when it hit the hull.  The concussive force would damage systems ship wide.  The installed hypersonic generators would incapacitate the crew.

"There is one of the crew!"  The soldier said, raised their weapon, and fired.  The blast was a sonic pulse, concussive in nature, and knocked him onto his back.  His bones would be shattered.  The soldier walked up, and lifted the visor.

"A...woman?"  the man said, in utter agony.  She smiled sadistically.

"Not just any woman.  I am a soldier of the Tribe."  She unsheathed a large blade, ripped his shirt open and cut away his pants.  In one quick slice, she pulled away his genitals, then stabbed him through the heart.

It was a small mercy the Tribe seldom extended.





"We have sixteen on ice, Captain!  Sixteen!"  She smiled.

"It was a good hunt.  That should help us keep our numbers up, and keep our genetics diverse enough for the doctor.  And the progenitor."  They lowered their eyes respectfully.

"How is our lord?  Has he woken up yet?"  She shook her head.

"He's old, but he taught us well.  Remove all threats to your family, and trust no male."  They nodded.

"Save the progenitor.  Save the First One."  The chorus of agreement ran through the members of the Kat, a cruiser that had been rebuilt into a heavy assault cruiser, and was more powerful then any ship currently not part of the Tribe.  It wasn't even their most powerful ship.  Just the most versatile.

"Alright, get to your stations, and set course for home.  The directors will want to speak to us."





"Who hit us?"  The CEO said angrily, and smashed his fist against his desk.

"We're still trying to piece it together, sir.  They sent the ship into overload , and looted it.  There isn't much left to examine.  We can't tell if its cargo was removed prior to the explosion, or after.  The bodies are not intact enough to autopsy, and the computers are far too damaged to find any logs about the attack.  They didn't get off a distress signal before they were attacked, so the signal must have been jammed."  the director growled.

"Pirates.  Bloody hell.  We barely survived the first Pirate War, now we have to survive a second?"

"Sir, there are reports of the Tribe operating in the area as well."  He threw his hands up before falling backwards into his chair.

"Wait, the Tribe doesn't loot ships.  They are more advanced then we are, and have more supplies."  His assistant nodded.

"True, but that may be due to their salvage capabilities, rather then mining and manufacturing operations."

"Alright, then change the flight patterns!  We don't want to tangle with those lunatics again!"  He shook his head.  "Fuck me, now we have warrior women who hate and kill all men they come across because of the crimes of others!  And they seem to kill us for fun!  Taking....taking....damn, I can't say it!"

"Yes, sir.  To have your genitals removed while you live is not the way I would chose to die.  Can we hunt them down?  Thin their numbers a bit?"  The CEO shook his head.

"That would have taken the whole fleet of the old UMMC back before they left the system, and I'm not sure they could do it either.  No, their numbers are increasing, their ships are faster, have more firepower, and are tougher.  If we go against them openly, they will declare open war and come at us in force."  He shook his head.  "Increase the number of patrols, and send escorts with the freighters.  Scout ships too.  If they get a look early enough, they might be able to out maneuver them, or at least get off a distress signal and send us the information we need."  He growled.

"I don't want war with the Tribe!  I want to know what they want, and where they are going next!"  He closed his eyes wearily.  "We'll lose a war, so we must avoid it at all costs."




"The original five directors are aging, Captain.  Who will replace them when its time?"  A scarred soldier asked.  Her captain turned towards her.

"Whomever they chose.  They are the Five, the hands of the First One.  When they speak, they speak for the Tribe."  The soldier nodded.

"As its always been, from the time our parents were rescued from the cruel hands of men, and eaters."  That brought an unconscious habit forth.  They all spit on the term for the most hated of the males.  Human cannibals who had turned feral, of which almost all were male.  The few that were female had been forced there with constant training, and abuse.

"The Coral survived them, and so did the Kat.  All the Five survived the eaters...."  She gagged again. "And it was thanks to the training, and the plans of the Progenitor."  She closed her eyes respectfully.  "The only male to be trusted.  He saved us all."  She cleared her face of the rampant emotions she felt any time the First One was mentioned.  Awe.  Worship.  And a loyalty that was bordering on love.

"He sleeps to regain his strength in the chamber, but he says it will soon be his time."  She swallowed hard at that bit.  It was difficult as she had also been allowed within the inner circle, and allowed to offer comfort to the progenitor.  He only took her up on it the last few times, when it became obvious she didn't offer through obligation only.  He hated sex offered through obligation, and that made her smile.  One of the only men she knew of who did not take advantage of his station.  "He said he must make us ready to take the future in our hands!"  The soldier lowered her eyes.

"And what future does he speak of, Captain?"  The captain's eyes began to shine in their intensity.  She had power in her small frame, and walked among the elite for her unyielding loyalty to the Five.

"A glorious end to the sins of the past!  And a bright future for the Tribe!"

"What future?"  She asked, and felt the weight of words not yet spoken.  The words felt significant even before she said them.

"The Tribe will go to WAR!"