Lt. JG. Gnai - Workaholism As An Excuse
Lich
(( Cave System - Coastal Cliffs, Outside Bantlox Colony, Laoi III ))
In their escape from the collapsing cavern system, Gnai had fallen behind its comrades. The suit that it wore was meant to keep it safe and mobile, but that didn’t make it at all speedy. If anything, it was a hindrance, as it dropped behind the two and their charges. But it followed diligently, even as a stalactite smashed down right in front of it. With a bit of mechanical effort, it pulled itself over, before resuming its pace, trying to reassure its comrades that it wasn’t injured. There were more important things at stake right now.
Gnai: ::loudly:: This is fine, this is fine, just slow! Keep going!
Ahead, it watched as the others started to climb through the entrance to the cave, exiting into the daylight. First to leave was one of the boys, assisted by the other child and Lt. Vailani.
Vailani: Let’s get her out of here.
Lt. Sadar handed her charge off to the two children that were already outside the entrance. She wasn’t doing well, from what Gnai could see as it caught up.
Sadar: We’re here! Ahran, Iruh, take Nimo!
Nimo: I can’t walk, it hurts!
Sadar: You have to. Move!
Despite the child groaning in pain, she was extracted from the cavern, leaving only the Starfleet officers behind. There was still some more ground to cover, but Gnai flashed with relief to know that at least the civilians were safe outside. It would make it too, if luck held out.
Sadar: Vai-net, next is you.
As Lt. Sadar looked back to check on Gnai, it waved with the arm of its suit, trying to signal that it was fine. It was almost there, barely any further back now than the other two were. Lt. Vailani pulled herself free, leaving only Gnai and Lt. Sadar.
Vailani: :: to the children :: Stay where you are!
From outside the cave, Gnai watched as a shadow cast over the entrance again and Lt. Vailani’s voice rang out.
Vailani: You two better move it!
Gnai: Aye sir!
Following Lt. Sadar, Gnai clambered up out of the cave, thankful for the robust arms of its suit. For all the shortcomings it had, the transportation suit had many perks, as it had seen twice today already. The strength to save someone, as well as to save itself, when it came down to the wire.
When they reached the outside, Lt. Sadar took shaky breaths, and Gnai knew exactly how she felt. It wasn’t the exertion that caused her reaction (not that Gnai had exerted itself much at all) but the stress, the fear. Knowing that the children were safe made everything else come crashing down on them, and Gnai pulsed with little lights of relief traveling up and down its tendrils.
Sadar: Phew... Not a moment too soon. Everyone okay?
Vailani: :: nods :: Yes :: returns attention to the children :: Let’s get them back to their parents.
Gnai: ::bobbing:: Aye, sir!
((Timeskip a few hours - Evacuation Zone 1))
With a bit of self-pride, Gnai joined Lts. Vailani and Sadar outside the main Evac Operations tent. They’d set up exactly where Gnai had pointed out would be a good location, and it seemed that so far everything was going swimmingly, pardon the pun.
Gnai: Hello, sirs!
It was chipper seeing Starfleeters again, instead of the mildly insipid colonists that had been hounding it about the ocean on this planet, and how best to build a resort town. What did it look like, a tourist? Gnai had barely spent any time on Risa this shore leave, and for good reason. The beach reminded it of home, and it wasn’t in the mood to think back on Galador II at the moment. Nor did it really want to encourage the building of a new ocean-front destination on a colony world.
It was a scientist, not a resort-builder!
Vailani: Any word from Lieutenant Silveira’s team?
Gnai: This hasn’t heard anything yet… but this has also been busy. ::beat:: Quite busy.
Sadar/Valiani: Responses
Good to hear that they got out safe and sound.
Gnai: What’re the next plans, sirs?
Sadar/Vailani: Responses
All reasonable, and it was looking like saving this colony was going to go smoothly from now on, which Gnai was thankful for. Most of what they needed it to do was simple, now that the majority of the operations had concluded.
Gnai: Sounds good– ::sound of a bit of commotion from across the way, someone yelling for Gnai:: Please, sirs. If you could give this more work to do… ::flashing with a bit of embarrassment, then speaking more quietly:: This does not want to get dragged back into conversations about an ocean-front colony.
Sadar/Valiani: Response
Flashing with relief, it bobbed an acknowledgement to the others in its tank, before fleeing to its assigned tasks. More work meant less chance for it to be bothered. Perfect.
Tags/End scene for Gnai :)
((OOC: Removed tag for Sadar/Nimo, as Gnai wouldn’t hear it, see Vailani sim for tags! Felt like this was an appropriate time for Gnai to dip out and close up the scene.))