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Name of short story told from perspective of mechanical alien?


I seem to remember a short story I read once that had an alien protagonist on a metallic world (trees with solar panels, full metallic ecosystem, etc). It was sort of mechanical/robotic, had a 'wife' that was manufacturing a child, hunted other machines with spears for parts, etc. Humans land, and the protagonist can't figure out what they are (thinking that the big one had offspring or probes or something), captures one or two small ones, kills one (accidentally?) and can't figure out why it has an outer skin and no metal. Other holds his 'wife' hostage and gets back to big one. Protagonist tries to kill big one but it escapes (takes off) I think.


Anyone have any idea what story I may be talking about?



EDIT: landers aren't explicitly stated as human, just squishy bodies in soft-suits that confuse the protagonist. Protagonist is not really technologically advanced (think prehistoric level of intelligence). Can't remember if it was first- or third-person.




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