Lieutenant Vailani Zoyara - Trapped
Luxa Lorana
(( Near Cave System - Coastal Cliffs, Outside Bantlox Colony, Laoi III ))
Whilst trying to evacuate the colony they had found themselves on the hunt for some children. After a possible collapse for the cave system in the ground below them, she had been attempting to locate the children on her tricorder.
Just as a slither of panic began to unfurl in her mind. The echoing questions of doubt would shriek in her head. She wasn't good enough.
Then, as if a gift from The Prophets themselves.
Vailani: I'm getting movement?
Gnai: It seems to be coming from that direction ::pointing towards the coast::. There’s some residual thermal readings that grow stronger towards there.
Vailani: You think there's an entrance down by the coast? Maybe the children have moved?
Sadar: If their parents’ words are anything to go by, these kids would know the caves better than anyone. ::nods:: Lead the way, Vai-net. Judging from that cave-in, we don’t have a lot of time.
Zoyara tried to pinpoint it. The truth was they didn't really have much else to go on.
Gnai: They might be aware of another egress point, that the adults wouldn’t.
Vailani: When I was little my brothers used to disappear for hours in the Jefferies Tubes, they got to know every section and junction better than any engineer I've ever met. I'm certain these kids won't be any different. Let's go.
She didn't waste much time, only slowing so that Gnai, in the heavy mech suit, wouldn't be too far behind.
Eventually, they came upon a hole in the cliff-face, far bigger than the previous cave entrance that they had stumbled upon.
Sadar: It’s not ideal, but it’s the best we’ve got. Lights on.
Zoyara nodded and switched the light on her tricorder.
Gnai: Aye, sir.
Three beams of light pierced the darkness of the cave entrance.
Vailani: Hello?!
Sadar: ::cautiously loud:: Iruh? Ahran? Nimo? If you can hear me, come towards me. ::to the others:: Make sure to keep fifteen feets’ distance to each other. If another cave-in is triggered, we don’t want to get trapped together.
Zoyara allowed Gila to take the lead, she was best skilled to help any injured children. Lieutenant Gnai seemed comfortable to take the rear.
Zoyara focused her torchlight ahead but she noticed the children's etchings, carvings and figures that had been scored into the cave walls. It would seem that this was a regular hideout for the children.
Gnai: ::loudly through its speakers:: Iruh? Ahran? Nimo?
The cave echoed with the names of the children.
Vailani: :: reads tricorder :: I'm picking something up ahead. Still not an accurate read on life signs.
Sadar: Response
A scream interjected the conversation.
Gnai: Sir! They’re somewhere ahead of you, did you catch that?
Vailani: I heard it! Gila do you see anything?
Sadar: Response
There were definitely sounds that Zoyara was hoping came from the children. What she didn't like was the sound of grinding and falling rock.
Gnai: ::loudly:: Sir, the stalactites…
A stalactite fell with a loud crash and narrowly missed the Galadoran and his mech suit. She threw the light of her torch upwards. There was several cracks formed.
Vailani: Are you okay, Lieutenant?
Sadar: Response
Gnai: ::quieter, speaking quickly:: This is fine, but the children… If the stone is destabilized by loud vibrations…
Vailani: We need to hurry this up, those cracks are getting bigger.
Sadar/Gnai: Response
As if to reinforce the danger, another stalactite fell just up ahead. Then they heard the voice more clearly. It was definitely one of the children.
Vailani: It's okay, we're here to help you. Are you with your friends?
Sadar/Gnai: Response
Iruh: :: crying :: They got scared and left me.
A small Bolian child emerged from a small egress and approached Gila. The tears that stained his cheeks shone against the light of the torch.
Vailani: Can you show us what direction your friends went?
Sadar/Gnai: Response
The boy pointed further down the cave, which showed signs of partial collapse. A scream that sent shivers down her spine came from that direction.
Iruh: I think Nimo got caught in the rocks!
Sadar/Gnai: Response
Tags/TBC
Tags/TBC :)
Lieutenant Vailani Zoyara
Chief of Operations
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2