Ensign Jaran Jira - Roots Don't Sound Like That
Jira Jaran
((Down a Hole Somewhere Below the Upper Plateau on The Ruins of an Ancient Radio Tower - Callis I))
Imril: ::groan:: I’m getting there. What did we crash into this time?
Jira wasn't sure how to answer this.
oO A hole? With a deeper hole in it? Oo
But they supposed the lieutenant deserved an actual answer, so they tried to take in what they knew. The lieutenant also deserved medical care for that bump. Something they also could only do a small bit with.
They knelt next to Imril and gave them a look over, using a few of their precious medical supplies to keep the swelling down and prevent any infection.
Jaran: ::speaking while they worked:: We're in some sort of shallowly covered cavern. It's pretty musty down here. I'm guessing it was a sinkhole waiting to happen.
Jira stood up and brushed their hands off.
Jaran: You're cleared for duty, sir.
Imril stood unsteadily then almost immediately looked back down. They reached to pick up some of the detritus around them and held it up to what light there was.
Imril: ::Eyes wide:: Concrete!
Concrete? That was unexpected. Concrete was something crafted, and that means an intelligence had been here to craft it.
Jaran: Are you sure? Like, it's not just some natural agglomeration of rock?
Imril: Either this was washed in from somewhere else, or this ‘cave’ was somebody’s basement a long, long, long time ago.
Jaran: I guess you're sure. Wow. Not what I guessed we'd find today.
Munro: Imril! Jaran!
Jira could definitely hear the quiet sounds of a distant voice, and they thought it sounded like Munro. They were glad that didn't take long, and that they hadn't gotten too far separated. Their little team was already far too vulnerable and small.
Imril: ::turning to Jaran:: Did you hear that? ::Without waiting for an answer:: Starfleet! We’re here!
Jira saw the pained reaction from Imril's shout and reached out to steady them.
Jaran: Hey, cool it. I said you were cleared for duty, but listen to your body. Allow me. ::facing the hole above them and shouting:: Starfleet! Down here!
Munro/Silveira: Response
Jira realised they were going to need a way out of here, a team up top or not. It seemed like the swarm above had moved on for now, and the light filtering in was enough to look around.
Wincing a little and remembering the tiny wounds inflicted on them by the swarm as they moved, they stopped for a quick self-check. Their skin was pockmarked by what seemed to be bites. Was that a tiny pinprick of a dark spot in the center of a few? Oh, how they itched, too! Fuzzball, what they'd decided to name their critter, was covered a few too. They would need to do something about that sooner rather than later. An infection (or worse) on this planet could really cause some problems.
oO Ha. Wouldn't want any problems cropping up on this death planet we crash landed on. Oo
Jaran: Lt. Imril, watch those bites closely. If you notice anything changing with them, let me know immediately.
Imril: Response
Jira looked around the space for something they could use to get out of the pit they've found themselves in. Some of those roots along the walls looked sturdy but flexible enough to act as a kind of rope, perhaps?
They tugged at one and some of the creepers gave way, but the root stayed firm. A stronger tug, and it began to peel away from the wall with a lot of resistance. Jira tired before it came away entirely, though, and it sprang back to the wall with a clang.
oO Clang? Oo
Jaran: Did this root just clang, or am I imagining things?
Imril: Response
Jira braced themself and pulled on the root with everything they had left. With a cracking and a creaking, a large section finally ripped from the wall and up from the floor. Halfway there. The root remained firmly attached to the roof, but it was progress.
Attached to the back side of the root, as if it had been in the process of being absorbed by the growing organic mass, a thin metallic conduit ran along the length the root. A little more evidence that they were in a purpose-made space, rather than something natural. Intelligent minds had been here. Who knows what else they had left behind. Jira shuddered.
oO Or why they're not here anymore. Oo
Jaran: Are you feeling up to helping me get this free? Once the Commander and Silveira get here, they might be able to anchor it up top and we can climb out.
Imril: Response
TAGs/TBC