Commander Ava Munro - Primal Directives
Ava Munro
((Campsite in the Rocky Nook - Somewhere Between The Edge of the Forest and the Mouth of the Gorge - Callis I))
((14 hours since crash))
Ava woke to the brightness, and that purple hazed sky. It felt like a dream world. Something that wasn't real. She wanted to go back to sleep and wake up in her quarters.
Instead she pushed herself up and turned to Jaran.
Munro: What's for breakfast, Doctor?
Jaran: No fresh leg of beast roasting over the fire, sadly. But if you like ration bars, well... ::raises eyebrows::
Ava wasn't sure if it was the pain from her bruise as she moved or the mention of roasting leg that made her cringe. The possibility that they'd need to hunt and then kill an actual animal left her a little queasy.
It didn't stop her hunger from panging … loudly.
Imril: ::Mild disappointment:: Still no Koala.
Silveira joined the others.
Silveira: Don't worry, when we get back to the Artemis I promise to cook to everyone
Ava stood up and after a few stretches she took stock of the environment. Now that there was light, and no raging storm above them she could take in their surroundings better.
It would appear that they were no longer on the side of the gorge. Instead they were on a plateau of a mountainside. Below them was a dense carpet of trees.
Beyond that was dark, purple mountains. They looked unnatural, like they were shining. And then she saw it…
Smoke, a light grey smoke told her it was likely coming from a controlled campfire … in the centre of the jungle. Survivors?
She smiled.
Munro: :: points :: Take a look at that :: hopeful :’ We aren't the only ones that made it?
Jaran had come up beside her to observe.
Jaran: It could mean that, I suppose. If their night was anything like ours, they could be injured, too. Better to check it out than sit on our hands, at least.
Ava nodded in agreement. She was aware that it could be a multitude of different things. A normal forest fire brought on by the storm, indigenous people (who may be dangerous) or it could be survivors from the Karnack. Or other survivors from previous crashes.
The last two possibilities solidified in her mind and gave her purpose. Purpose would be what seen them through.
She had told Jaran that they'd have a plan today. And, perhaps, the Prophets had heard and delivered it to her.
Or maybe she was losing her mind. Whatever it was, she had set their destination.
Imril: ::To Jaran:: Unless you want to be injured, I suggest you wrap that rock you took in something insulating, or stash it in your sleeping bag. We don't know when the next storm will start up, and your uniform won’t block lightning.
Ava returned to the area of the camp and took a seat, and followed Silveira's lead in devouring some rations. She made sure to eat just enough to give her energy. The food was dry, chewy and unappetising.
It was still better than the food Mackenzie forced her to eat at that restaurant on Ferenginar.
Silveira: I think we will eventually find out.
Jaran: Before we go. Lieutenant Silveira, you still owe me exam time. I may not have much with me, but I can't just let us go off into those trees with anything hiding under the surface.
Silveira: By all means Doc.
As Silveira submitted himself for an exam by the doctor, Ava stored her leftover rations so she could eat it during their hike. Then she turned to the remaining packs. During her watch she had managed to fashion two spears from the longer sticks that Silveira and Imril had gathered.
She had made two larders that would store several litres of water. The several containers were filled and she transplanted the water from them into one of the larders. It wasn't enough to half fill it.
Jaran: You're as good as you're going to get, Lieutenant. Do with that what you will, but be safe about it.
Silveira: Of course Doctor, thank you.
Munro: Everyone get ready to go. I don't want to hang around here. The fire would have helped keep away any wildlife but eventually they're going to get curious.
A possibility she knew was inevitable but she'd feel much better if they were packed and ready to run if a large creature made chase.
She noticed that Silveira had fashioned some kind of sling to hold more of the gathered wood. She couldn't help but be impressed.
Munro: Good work, Tarzan.
As Jaran returned, Ava’s eyes widened. They were holding some kind of creature. It was long bodied and furred with a snout.
Jaran: ::speaking loudly back at the group:: Hey, all. We have a new crewmate for a bit. I smacked this guy pretty bad last night. Gotta make it right. Sorry.
Imril: ::skeptically:: You had a much more interesting watch than I did, looks like.
Silveira: I kept something away during my watch, it looked like it picked a more likable friend.
Munro: Do what you need to do Doctor and then release it. I'd like to minimise our impact on the eco system of this environment as much as possible :: serious :: Don't get bit, we don't know what diseases they carry and what we carry that can harm them.
Imril: We shouldn't assume that the campfire down there belongs to our fellow crewmates. And we can’t discard the possibility that the natives, if any, won’t be friendly. ::To the creature:: Present company excluded. I hope.
Imril put to voice her own fears.
Silveira: I agree
Munro: :: nods :: Imril's right. We better expect anything.
Jaran: Response
Imril: If we’re going down there to check out that fire, I suggest we cobble together a few more weapons before we do. Enough for everyone to have at least something to defend ourselves with. Just in case.
Silveira raised his makeshift club.
Silveira: We can get a few more of these.
Ava gathered up the two spears, kept one and handed the other to Jaran.
Munro: You aren't the only one who can make a weapon, Tarzan :: laughs :: Sorry Silveira but the name isn't going anywhere. When we get back to the Artemis I'll stop calling you it.
Jaran: Response
Imril: Maybe we should practice our le-matya calls? In case we get split up?
The Bactrican continued.
Imril: Well, maybe we come up with a different signal. But something that we’d all recognize.
Silveira: I believe we can just shout Starfleet. That we all recognize. I would recommend we keep together… And close.
Munro: I don't intend for us to split up. If we do, head for the smoke. If that isn't safe :: points :: the base of those purple ‘mountains’. What is it? Maybe two or three days hiking through that jungle?
Imril/Jaran: Response
Vitor nodded in the smoke direction.
Silveira: I suggest a direct approach. We don't have much resources and after all we are supposed to seek new life…
Munro: No detours. Agree.
Imril/Jaran: Response
Silveira shrugged and raised his club on his free shoulder. He tipped his head from one shoulder to the next
Silveira: We can trade this wood if peaceful, or use this if not.
Munro: We won't be attacking anyone unless it's self defence. If they are hostile, retreat. That's an order to all of you. Remember we're the foreign element of this world. If we encounter any natives then they're likely to be frightened and scared. The Prime Directive is clear on this. We do not initiate contact.
The words that were left unsaid hung in the air.
oO even if our survival depends on it Oo
Silveira/Imril/Jaran: Response
((OOC: feel free to imagine some time here as you tend to the animal or gather gear))
Munro: No use hanging around catching flies. Let's go.
Silveira/Imril/Jaran: Response
Ava took the lead and set the pace. Quick and steady. She counted her steps, much like when she would run, to get into a rhythm and the tempo of the walk. It was refreshing to move the body, even if her side ached.
More than that, it was having something meaningful to do. They had a mission. Find out what the smoke was. And hope.
It could be other survivors.
Munro: Careful here.
There was a drop of several metres next to a slope of dirt. Ava went on to her bottom and allowed herself to slide down the slope onto the plateau below.
Silveira/Imril/Jaran: Response
As the others followed, she began to hear a sort of buzzing noise … it grew louder as she waited for the others to slide down. She looked around and could see a dark cloud approach at an unnatural speed.
Munro: Noooo…
It wasn't a cloud.
Silveira/Imril/Jaran: Response
Tags/TBC
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2