[End Act 2] Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Mountains, Glorious Mountains
Addison MacKenzie
In a stroke of good fortune, MacKenzie and Storm happened upon a building that both contained supplies and could serve as a more fortified structure than the monastery where they were currently staying. The fortified bars and shutters on the windows were beneficial, and the separate living quarters upstairs would make for a nice change of pace. The added possibility of having a space to actually prepare food, instead of eating the wild leaves and berries (that evidently carried hallucinogenic properties for Suliban), meant that they might be able to start adding some variety to their diet if they were able to catch one of the birds they saw outside, or fish in the streams.
The only question now was whether or not they should take the risk of actually moving the others to the shop. Dusk was approaching - much of what she could see outside was still illuminated, but bathed in shadow. The sun was setting quickly, and they needed to move fast if they were going to return to the monastery, collect the others, and move their gear. MacKenzie moved toward the wall and picked up one of the machetes, and grazed the edge of her finger along the blade to test its sharpness. Satisfied, she held up the weapon on display to Storm, then pointed the blade at the door.
MacKenzie: In that case, I'm in. Let's get moving.
Storm: Yeah. Daylight’s waning. We should hurry.
MacKenzie: After you. I'm right behind.
Storm took a breath and pushed herself back through the door's small opening and broke into a jog. MacKenzie followed suit and, once she was out in the open, picked up the pace trailing just behind the tactical officer. Above them, it seemed that the deep blue bird’s shadow crossed and recrossed their path. The trio moved past the remnants of the fountain, and as they ran, they were able to appreciate the beautiful setting of the sun and the glorious shades of reds, golds, pinks, and purples spread across the sky.
Time was short.
Storm: If we were on Earth or Betazed, I’d let you know we have about thirty minutes before the sun is completely down. I’m not sure how quickly it works on this planet, but we don’t have much time.
MacKenzie: Let's hurry.
The pair took the spoke of the on which the Monastery was located. As they ran, the shadows cast by the sun grew longer and longer as dusk grew near. Turning down the short walk to the monastery door, the dark blue bird had accompanied them on their journey, and now screeched at them. Storm stopped to humor the animal.
Storm: What is it that you want, huh?
The bird ruffled its feathers and glared at her.
Storm: Fine. Have it your way. I’m busy.
The pair ducked into the doorway. The fire was lit in the corner, giving some illumination to the room.
Storm: Not much of a light, but you did leave it on for us, so thanks!
Alex held up her machete, which glinted in the light of the fire, and nodded toward the one that MacKenzie carried as well.
Storm: Look what we found! And there’s more where these came from.
Syn: ::slurring:: With your powers combined, you should be able to get my head off in one chop no problem!
MacKenzie's brow furrowed. It seemed that the state of the Suliban officer had morphed from hallucinations to slurred speech. All things being equal, she had to consider this a moderate improvement.
MacKenzie: Everyone gather your equipment. We found a space in the city with gear that is more secure... But we don't have much time - it will be dark soon.
Brexis/Cole/Storm: Response
Syn: ::dazed:: Are we leaving?
The commanding officer wondered if the Suliban officer was still under the influence. ...it didn't matter. She looked to Cole and gestured to Syn.
MacKenzie: ::to Cole:: Are you able to help it?
Cole: Response
Brexis/Storm: Response
Cole helped Syn to their feet, and the others scooped up what they could carry in their arms.
Syn: ::leaning heavily on their guard:: Sure you don't wanna lock me up here, come back later?
The thought had crossed MacKenzie's mind, but she thought it in poor taste to leave the Suliban here like a caged animal in case the dark things returned. Instead, she extinguished the fire while the others finished gathering equipment.
Brexis/Cole/Storm: Response
The group made their way out of the monastery for the final time. Outside, they were met by the fast-approaching dusk, the dark casting long shadows as the sun hovered just above the horizon. The captain made a quick scan of their surroundings, wondering if it was dark enough for the creatures to bother with an appearance, or if they'd managed to attract any unwanted attention. With the coast clear for now, they had to move out, and quickly.
They dare not run this time: between Syn's condition and the weight of the supplies they'd managed, running would be a mess at best. So, the team walked quickly, casting long shadows of their own behind them as the sun made an all-too-quick retreat. MacKenzie guided them on the reverse trek down the path she and Storm had taken not several minutes before, making the appropriate turn at the wagon wheel, and then toward the shop.
As they walked, Syn's delirium still made its presence known.
Syn: ::giggling at the edge of sanity:: Hello, little beasties. ::turning to Brexis:: Aren't they cute like this?
Brexis/Cole/Storm: Response
MacKenzie couldn't take the time to establish if there were actual beasts, or if it was still hallucinating. She led the team back through the city, once more accompanied by the dark blue bird, until they'd reached the shop. The commanding officer put down the items in her hands and wedged herself in the door they'd left partially ajar. Bracing her back, she used her feet to stabilize her core as she pushed the door open wider so that the team could enter with their equipment without struggle.
MacKenzie: Home, sweet home. ...Again.
Brexis/Cole/Storm/Syn: Response
MacKenzie: Storm, secure the doors and windows. Cole and Syn, see if you can get a fire started. Brexis, see if there's a pot somewhere around here... I want to try cooking the berries down into a jam and see if that makes them more tolerable for our delirious crew member...
Brexis/Cole/Storm/Syn: Response
MacKenzie: Oh, and I forgot the best part of our new abode - separate rooms.
She was sure that the playful wiggle of her eyebrows was now hardly visible in the dark room.
Brexis/Cole/Storm/Syn: Response
(( Timeskip: the next day ))
It had been an uneventful night - if the dark ones had ventured into the city, they either didn't know where the Starfleet team was holed up, or they knew that any attempt to breach their new hideaway would have been futile. The captain, well-rested and emboldened by the good fortune of the new stash of equipment, rose early and set out once the sun was just high enough in the sky. She'd set out to explore what lay beyond the outer limits of the city in the opposite direction, from the monastery, while she'd left orders for the others to set up camp and find out if there was anything else useful in the building surrounding the shop.
MacKenzie traversed the terrain with an efficiency that allowed her to cover as much ground as possible while using as little energy as necessary. Along the way, she found another source of water - this one closer than the one on the other side of the monastery - and she took advantage of the privacy to bathe in the stream. The water was cool on her body - a welcome feeling on her skin in comparison to the warm sun above. As she scooped handfuls of water over her body, small fish continued to bump into her legs and continue on downstream.
A protein source for later.
After exiting the river, she allowed the heat from the sun to warm her body and evaporate the water that remained on her skin. When she was most of the way dry, she tied her uniform jacket around her waist and tucked her machete into her newly-made belt. The sun was likely to toast her shoulders, but proceeding in her vest was another way to help keep her cool and minimize water loss through excessive sweating.
...and the jacket likely stunk anyway.
She carried on for several kilometers, exploiting the relatively flat terrain to make good time. In the distance, there were a series of tall hills, and beyond them a series of mountains that would likely be difficult if not impossible for them to traverse. The captain decided she'd proceed a little further before turning back. If there didn't prove to be anything of use out there, at the very least, she could try to catch some fish to take back to the team. They would all benefit from the protein at this point.
She proceeded over the first hill, disappointed that there didn't seem to be much for vegetation - at least, nothing they could eat. She'd try the next highest hill, and then turn back. At the very least, she'd get a view of the sun shining down on the mountains.
And a view, she got. As MacKenzie reached the crest of the next hill, she got a full view of the mountain ridge, and all its glorious rocky features. There was one section in particular that caught her eye: the sun was reflecting off of something partially embedded in the base of the mountain...
The Karnack.
MacKenzie: No way.
[End Scene for MacKenzie]
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A