Lt. JG Natasha Cole - Choosing What Breaks
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Natasha Schell
Jan 12, 2026, 3:05:37 PM (3 days ago) Jan 12
to sb118-...@googlegroups.com
((Unknown Monastery - Callis 1))
MacKenzie: ::mouthing:: Can you hear them?
As Natasha leaned her ear against the door, a thunderous impact slammed into it from the outside. Hitting with enough force she could smell its breath in the air. In that instant Natasha felt the world slow for the briefest of moments as her feet left the ground.
The force drove the breath from Natasha’s lungs as the door buckled inward. She was thrown backward, several meters across the stone floor before slamming shoulder-first into a low pillar. Her spear clattered away, skidding out of reach.
She gasped, trying to get air as her vision flashing white.
Before she could fully recover, a second, heavier THUD reverberated through the monastery walls. Dust rained down from the ceiling.
Cole: ::hoarse, forcing the words out:: Door’s holding… for now!
The creatures didn’t break through. Instead, the pressure eased—just enough to feel deliberate. Testing. Measuring.
Natasha dragged herself upright, using the pillar for leverage. Her shoulder screamed in protest. She ignored it.
Cole: ::breathing hard:: They’re strong… but they’re not committing. Not yet.
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.
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: ::Quiet and a bit confused:: I don’t know… But I growled at them…
Another impact hit the door, not as hard this time. Almost… restrained.
Cole: ::grim realization dawning:: They’re learning.
Storm: ::in a whisper:: I think they’re gone. Maybe they don’t think they can get in.
MacKenzie: Let's hope...
Brexis: ::Mostly to herself:: Maybe I scared them.
Natasha’s knees suddenly felt weak. She took a step forward and the world began to tilt. The last thing she registered before darkness crept in was the smell.
Hot. Wet. Meaty.
Cole: ::thought, distant:: That breath… wasn’t a herbivore’s.
MacKenzie moved to Natasha’s side and helped her sit up in the hopes that she'd regain her bearings. Without proper medical equipment there was little more she could do. 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: It’s possible. It sounds kind of crazy, but I growled at them. That’s when they backed off. Maybe we just have to let them know we are bigger and scarier than them.
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: How lucky for you…
(( Observation Deck – Unknown Location ))
Natasha’s eyes snapped open.
She was sitting upright on an observation deck she didn’t recognize. Instinctively, she braced for pain, none came. No fire in her shoulder. No ringing in her ears. She flexed her fingers. Everything worked. That alone set her on edge.
She stood and turned toward the viewport.
There were no stars. No nebulae. No light at all. Just a vast, absolute black absence rather than space.
Then she noticed the reflection that wasn’t hers.
Someone stood behind her, perched casually on the edge of a table, like he’d been there the whole time. Watching, Waiting.
She turned.
He looked human. Late thirties, maybe early forties. Calm eyes. No rank pips. No insignia, just a blue jumpsuit with a gold stripe sweeping across the chest and shoulders. An old design. Familiar in a way that tugged at memory.
A cold realization crept in.
Was she dying, and this was her idea of the afterlife?
An observation deck stripped of stars. Endless black. A man who looked like a memory given form.
That was… disappointing.
She squared her shoulders anyway.
Cole: Who are you, and where am I?
((Unknown Monastery - Callis 1))
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: It’s hard not to use my telepathy when those creatures make it painful, but I’ll do my best. As for shelter… ::pointing to the fire:: I don’t think we can move that very easily. Staging here might be best.
(( Observation Deck – Unknown Location ))
He tilted his head, as if she’d interrupted a conversation already in progress.
Man: I think you already know who I am. As for where you are… you’re on Callis I. In a monastery. Your Captain’s there. So are the others.
Her stomach sank.
Cole: …You’re Corad.
A small smile touched his mouth, not pride, not indulgence. Recognition.
Corad: Kinda. And before you ask, yes. You’re still breathing.
That should have reassured her. It didn’t.
Cole: Should I be? I misjudged the threat. I got thrown. I left them holding the line while I …
She stopped herself, jaw tightening.
Outside the viewport, purple clouds rolled in, lightning flashing soundlessly across them. Shadows danced across the deck.
Corad: Those are his words.
Cole: Whose?
Corad: Your father’s. They don’t sound like you.
She swallowed.
Cole: He taught me leadership means not falling. Not hesitating. Not becoming a liability.
Corad turned to face her fully.
Corad: And what did you choose?
((Unknown Monastery - Callis 1))
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.
Charlotte stayed close to Nat, occasionally squeezing her hand, trying to get her back from what was hopefully just an adrenaline crash and not something worse.
Brexis: We’ve got to keep ourselves going until that help arrives.
(( Observation Deck – Unknown Location ))
Cole: I held the door. I read their behavior. I warned the others. I stayed standing until I couldn’t.
Corad nodded once.
Corad: That’s not failure.
Cole: Well it doesn’t feel like success.
Corad: Success is a report written afterward. Survival happens in the moment.
The storm outside slowed.
Cole: I don’t want to become him.
Corad: You won’t. You already didn’t.
She met his eyes.
Cole: How do you know?
Corad: Because you didn’t ask how to win. You asked who needed protecting.
The deck trembled faintly.
Cole: Others would call it recklessness.
Corad: Your father believed discipline was control. I believed discipline was restraint.
Fear tells you to freeze or strike blindly. Discipline tells you to wait one more heartbeat and choose.
She nodded, quietly.
Cole: I don’t want chaos touching the wrong people.
Corad smiled, soft, certain.
Corad: Then you’re already making the right choices.
((Unknown Monastery - Callis 1))
Storm: 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.
Charlotte gave Natasha’s hand another small squeeze and moved towards the fire.
Brexis: I will work on keeping it going. As it is right now, I don’t feel them close. So maybe we are in luck?
(( Observation Deck – Unknown Location ))
Cole: The void beyond the viewport thinned. Light bled in. Weight returned … pain, distant but real.
Cole: So this was a pep talk before I wake up?
Corad: A reminder. You already know what to do. You just needed permission to trust yourself.
He began to blur at the edges.
Corad: Strength in adversity isn’t about not breaking.
Cole: It’s about choosing what breaks instead.
Corad’s grin widened.
Corad: Looks like you didn’t need me after all.
The deck dissolved, light rushing in, sound crashing back, pain blooming sharp and undeniable.
((Unknown Monastery - Callis 1))
Storm: Response
MacKenzie: Maybe they're nocturnal? If so, it might be easier to try to find food and potentially better shelter tomorrow...
Brexis: Daylight is safer either way. ::pointing to Cole:: I think she’s comin’ around.
Cole: ::barely audible, unfocused:: Wait one more heartbeat…
Storm/MacKenzie: Response
Charlotte knelt back down next to Natasha and nudged her a little bit.
Natasha gasped sharply, pain slamming back into her body all at once.
Her shoulder burned. Her head throbbed. The smell of smoke and damp stone filled her lungs as she sucked in air greedily.
Someone was saying something to her.
Brexis: You alright?
She blinked, vision swimming, but starting to focus.
Cole: ::small nod:: I will be. Door still holding?
Storm/MacKenzie: Response
Charlotte pointed between the fire and Natasha a couple times.
Brexis: Maybe you should get closer to the fire. ::beat:: But you know. Don’t fall in it or anything like that.
Cole: ::faint smirk:: If I fall in, feel free to mock me first, then rescue me.
Natasha gingerly leaned forward to get up. She braced herself with her right arm, the pain shot through her shoulder, it felt dislocated. Probably from hitting the collum when she was thrown backwards. She stopped, braced herself with her other arm as well pushing herself up and sat down by the fire.
Storm/MacKenzie/Brexis: Response
Cole: ::looking at MacKenzie:: I know better to argue with you Captain.
She braced herself as the Captain dusted off her medical skills and popped Natasha’s arm back into place.
Cole: Mother [Expletive Redacted] … ::sheepishly:: Sorry, and thank you.
The pain was sudden and more intense then she expected as she immediately slapped the floor with her other palm. While the immediate pain subsided almost immediately, afterwards it settled into a dull throbbing pain.
Storm/MacKenzie/Brexis: Response
Cole: ::flexing her shoulder carefully:: Okay. That sucked. But I’m functional, and that’s enough.
Storm/MacKenzie/Brexis: Response
Tags/TBC
-----
Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4
MacKenzie: ::mouthing:: Can you hear them?
As Natasha leaned her ear against the door, a thunderous impact slammed into it from the outside. Hitting with enough force she could smell its breath in the air. In that instant Natasha felt the world slow for the briefest of moments as her feet left the ground.
The force drove the breath from Natasha’s lungs as the door buckled inward. She was thrown backward, several meters across the stone floor before slamming shoulder-first into a low pillar. Her spear clattered away, skidding out of reach.
She gasped, trying to get air as her vision flashing white.
Before she could fully recover, a second, heavier THUD reverberated through the monastery walls. Dust rained down from the ceiling.
Cole: ::hoarse, forcing the words out:: Door’s holding… for now!
The creatures didn’t break through. Instead, the pressure eased—just enough to feel deliberate. Testing. Measuring.
Natasha dragged herself upright, using the pillar for leverage. Her shoulder screamed in protest. She ignored it.
Cole: ::breathing hard:: They’re strong… but they’re not committing. Not yet.
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.
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: ::Quiet and a bit confused:: I don’t know… But I growled at them…
Another impact hit the door, not as hard this time. Almost… restrained.
Cole: ::grim realization dawning:: They’re learning.
Storm: ::in a whisper:: I think they’re gone. Maybe they don’t think they can get in.
MacKenzie: Let's hope...
Brexis: ::Mostly to herself:: Maybe I scared them.
Natasha’s knees suddenly felt weak. She took a step forward and the world began to tilt. The last thing she registered before darkness crept in was the smell.
Hot. Wet. Meaty.
Cole: ::thought, distant:: That breath… wasn’t a herbivore’s.
Her vision tunneled. The floor rushed up … and then, nothing.
((OOC: Keeping other character’s actions, for pacing while Natasha is unconscious.))MacKenzie moved to Natasha’s side and helped her sit up in the hopes that she'd regain her bearings. Without proper medical equipment there was little more she could do. 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: It’s possible. It sounds kind of crazy, but I growled at them. That’s when they backed off. Maybe we just have to let them know we are bigger and scarier than them.
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: How lucky for you…
(( Observation Deck – Unknown Location ))
Natasha’s eyes snapped open.
She was sitting upright on an observation deck she didn’t recognize. Instinctively, she braced for pain, none came. No fire in her shoulder. No ringing in her ears. She flexed her fingers. Everything worked. That alone set her on edge.
She stood and turned toward the viewport.
There were no stars. No nebulae. No light at all. Just a vast, absolute black absence rather than space.
Then she noticed the reflection that wasn’t hers.
Someone stood behind her, perched casually on the edge of a table, like he’d been there the whole time. Watching, Waiting.
She turned.
He looked human. Late thirties, maybe early forties. Calm eyes. No rank pips. No insignia, just a blue jumpsuit with a gold stripe sweeping across the chest and shoulders. An old design. Familiar in a way that tugged at memory.
A cold realization crept in.
Was she dying, and this was her idea of the afterlife?
An observation deck stripped of stars. Endless black. A man who looked like a memory given form.
That was… disappointing.
She squared her shoulders anyway.
Cole: Who are you, and where am I?
((Unknown Monastery - Callis 1))
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: It’s hard not to use my telepathy when those creatures make it painful, but I’ll do my best. As for shelter… ::pointing to the fire:: I don’t think we can move that very easily. Staging here might be best.
(( Observation Deck – Unknown Location ))
He tilted his head, as if she’d interrupted a conversation already in progress.
Man: I think you already know who I am. As for where you are… you’re on Callis I. In a monastery. Your Captain’s there. So are the others.
Her stomach sank.
Cole: …You’re Corad.
A small smile touched his mouth, not pride, not indulgence. Recognition.
Corad: Kinda. And before you ask, yes. You’re still breathing.
That should have reassured her. It didn’t.
Cole: Should I be? I misjudged the threat. I got thrown. I left them holding the line while I …
She stopped herself, jaw tightening.
Outside the viewport, purple clouds rolled in, lightning flashing soundlessly across them. Shadows danced across the deck.
Corad: Those are his words.
Cole: Whose?
Corad: Your father’s. They don’t sound like you.
She swallowed.
Cole: He taught me leadership means not falling. Not hesitating. Not becoming a liability.
Corad turned to face her fully.
Corad: And what did you choose?
((Unknown Monastery - Callis 1))
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.
Charlotte stayed close to Nat, occasionally squeezing her hand, trying to get her back from what was hopefully just an adrenaline crash and not something worse.
Brexis: We’ve got to keep ourselves going until that help arrives.
(( Observation Deck – Unknown Location ))
Cole: I held the door. I read their behavior. I warned the others. I stayed standing until I couldn’t.
Corad nodded once.
Corad: That’s not failure.
Cole: Well it doesn’t feel like success.
Corad: Success is a report written afterward. Survival happens in the moment.
The storm outside slowed.
Cole: I don’t want to become him.
Corad: You won’t. You already didn’t.
She met his eyes.
Cole: How do you know?
Corad: Because you didn’t ask how to win. You asked who needed protecting.
The deck trembled faintly.
Cole: Others would call it recklessness.
Corad: Your father believed discipline was control. I believed discipline was restraint.
Fear tells you to freeze or strike blindly. Discipline tells you to wait one more heartbeat and choose.
She nodded, quietly.
Cole: I don’t want chaos touching the wrong people.
Corad smiled, soft, certain.
Corad: Then you’re already making the right choices.
((Unknown Monastery - Callis 1))
Storm: 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.
Charlotte gave Natasha’s hand another small squeeze and moved towards the fire.
Brexis: I will work on keeping it going. As it is right now, I don’t feel them close. So maybe we are in luck?
(( Observation Deck – Unknown Location ))
Cole: The void beyond the viewport thinned. Light bled in. Weight returned … pain, distant but real.
Cole: So this was a pep talk before I wake up?
Corad: A reminder. You already know what to do. You just needed permission to trust yourself.
He began to blur at the edges.
Corad: Strength in adversity isn’t about not breaking.
Cole: It’s about choosing what breaks instead.
Corad’s grin widened.
Corad: Looks like you didn’t need me after all.
The deck dissolved, light rushing in, sound crashing back, pain blooming sharp and undeniable.
((Unknown Monastery - Callis 1))
Storm: Response
MacKenzie: Maybe they're nocturnal? If so, it might be easier to try to find food and potentially better shelter tomorrow...
Brexis: Daylight is safer either way. ::pointing to Cole:: I think she’s comin’ around.
Cole: ::barely audible, unfocused:: Wait one more heartbeat…
Storm/MacKenzie: Response
Charlotte knelt back down next to Natasha and nudged her a little bit.
Natasha gasped sharply, pain slamming back into her body all at once.
Her shoulder burned. Her head throbbed. The smell of smoke and damp stone filled her lungs as she sucked in air greedily.
Someone was saying something to her.
Brexis: You alright?
She blinked, vision swimming, but starting to focus.
Cole: ::small nod:: I will be. Door still holding?
Storm/MacKenzie: Response
Charlotte pointed between the fire and Natasha a couple times.
Brexis: Maybe you should get closer to the fire. ::beat:: But you know. Don’t fall in it or anything like that.
Cole: ::faint smirk:: If I fall in, feel free to mock me first, then rescue me.
Natasha gingerly leaned forward to get up. She braced herself with her right arm, the pain shot through her shoulder, it felt dislocated. Probably from hitting the collum when she was thrown backwards. She stopped, braced herself with her other arm as well pushing herself up and sat down by the fire.
Storm/MacKenzie/Brexis: Response
Cole: ::looking at MacKenzie:: I know better to argue with you Captain.
She braced herself as the Captain dusted off her medical skills and popped Natasha’s arm back into place.
Cole: Mother [Expletive Redacted] … ::sheepishly:: Sorry, and thank you.
The pain was sudden and more intense then she expected as she immediately slapped the floor with her other palm. While the immediate pain subsided almost immediately, afterwards it settled into a dull throbbing pain.
Storm/MacKenzie/Brexis: Response
Cole: ::flexing her shoulder carefully:: Okay. That sucked. But I’m functional, and that’s enough.
Storm/MacKenzie/Brexis: Response
Tags/TBC
-----
Lt. JG Natasha Cole
Security Officer
USS Artemis-A
Writer ID A240205NC4
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