Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Bang! Bang!
Addison MacKenzie
Storm: ::Holding her head in both of her palms.:: They’re here. ::Pointing at her head.:: Here!
MacKenzie wrapped her arms around the woman's shoulders and put her lips very close to Storm's ear.
MacKenzie: ::whispering:: You have to be quiet.
There was another growl, though this one lower... Almost less menacing. It was much different than the one before it, and almost seemed like it wasn't quite as close. The commanding officer could feel her own heart beating in her chest and in her head. For as much as she was trying to regulate her own breathing, there was little to nothing she could do to comfort Storm. She didn't care about that, after all - at least, not as much as she did about whether or not they'd be able to remain safe.
MacKenzie: Are they telepathic? Is that what triggered them?
Cole: ::quiet, steady:: If they can sense us like that… firelight might already be a beacon.
Yet another growl echoed outside. MacKenzie raised an eyebrow as she tried to draw all her attention to her ears, as though it would make a difference.
Storm: ::in a barely audible whisper only MacKenzie could hear:: Not … telepathic … sense … its … use.
Brexis: Response
The commanding officer's lips pulled back. Her attention turned to Cole and Brexis near the door. She pointed definitively, tugged on her ear, then raised her arms in question.
MacKenzie: ::mouthing:: Can you hear them?
After a moment, Storm leaned forward and started retching. MacKenzie shook her head to herself, hoping that if it produced any vomit, that it splatted away from her. At the same time, a thunderous impact slammed into the door, sending Cole into the air several feet backward, and MacKenzie back with a start. The door buckled inward
Cole: ::hoarse, forcing the words out:: Door’s holding… for now!
The creatures didn’t break through. MacKenzie waited to hear if there would be a second impact...
Cole: ::breathing hard:: They’re strong… but they’re not committing. Not yet.
There was another growl: lower, and less menacing, as though it was farther away.
Storm: ::in a whisper:: I’ve given birth without pain medicine. That was less painful than this was by at least a factor of ten.
MacKenzie: What happened?
Brexis: Response
Before she could get an answer, another impact hit the door, though not as hard this time.
Cole: ::grim realization dawning:: They’re learning.
In front of her, Storm planted the sole of one foot on the floor, then pressed her hands against that knee and stood.
Storm: ::in a whisper:: I think they’re gone. Maybe they don’t think they can get in.
MacKenzie: Let's hope...
Brexis: Response
Storm took a step in Cole's direction, but the recent experience likely hadn't cleared her head and she slowed. Cole, meanwhile, took a step forward and also hesitated.
Cole: ::thought, distant:: That breath… wasn’t a herbivore’s.
Cole tumbled to the floor. MacKenzie moved to her side and helped her sit up in the hopes that she'd regain her bearings. There wasn't much she'd be able to do with no medical equipment if it turned out the woman had a concussion, or something worse. Then, there was another growl. This time, in the distance.
Storm: ::Slightly above a whisper.:: Either our friends have retreated for the time being, or a new friend is joining them.
MacKenzie: Let's hope the former. They appear to be triggered by telepathy...
Brexis: Response
Storm: I would wager that the people on this planet were telepathic. If these creatures could immobilize the occupants that way, they would be easy prey.
MacKenzie: That's certainly one explanation. I'd find it hard to believe that the idol we found doesn't belong to them. Fortunately, some of us aren't telepathic.
Brexis/Cole: Response
Storm: That fact alone, might give at least some of our group an advantage. Hopefully, if we ::Looking over at Brexis:: don’t use telepathy, we won’t be as easy a target.
MacKenzie: Agreed. The other problem is that they know we're here... Is the door going to be secure enough for the night in case they come back, or should we try to find other shelter?
Brexis/Cole: Response
Storm walked over to the door and ran her fingers along the stone. The door was cracked, but not completely broken through.
Storm: The door’s still mostly intact, but I don’t know if it can survive another assault of that level… ::Her voice trailed off, and she pivoted around on the balls of her feet to face Brexis and MacKenzie.:: As hard as that door was to close - and now with it skewed on its hinges, has anyone given any thought to how we get OUT of this building?
MacKenzie: I'm hoping we won't need to be here very long before Starfleet sends a rescue party... Hopefully leaving becomes tomorrow's problem.
Brexis/Storm/Cole: Response
MacKenzie stood, put her hands on her hips, and paced back and forth near the fire.
MacKenzie: I think we should prioritize keeping the fire going and trying to get some sleep. We should be able to use the fire as a weapon in case they come back.
Brexis/Storm/Cole: Response
She pursed her lips and rocked her head back and forth from side to side as she pondered the thought.
MacKenzie: Maybe they're nocturnal? If so, it might be easier to try to find food and potentially better shelter tomorrow...
Brexis/Storm/Cole: Response
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A