LT Gila Sadar - Under the Open Stalactite-Free Sky
LT Gila Sadar
(( Cave System - Coastal Cliffs, Outside Bantlox Colony, Laoi III ))
Ahran: Help! Help us, please, Nimo’s stuck and I can’t get her out! The rocks just fell, we didn’t touch anything, I swear!
Gila couldn’t fault the boy for his fear. A cave-in was a frightening thing, doubly so when the leg of a small girl was trapped between some of the rocks. What she did need him to do, however, was quiet down.
Sadar: ::shushes:: Ahran, please, you have to be quiet. It’s okay, we’ll get Nimo out. ::to Vailani:: Vai-net, thoughts?
The blonde Bajoran seemed to consider the situation, examining the wall of collapsed rock in front of them. After a few moments, she indicated the area around the girl’s leg.
Vailani: I think we can move this section here if we can prop something underneath.
Unfortunately, they didn’t have the time to leave and replicate something, and at a glance, Gila couldn’t see anything in the cave itself that would serve as leverage. This wasn’t a mine, after all, but a naturally formed cavern. Which meant, they had themselves to rely on.
Sadar: Lieutenant Gnai, your suit’s carrying capacity was somewhere north of 200 kg, right? Is it possible you could offer some counterweight so we can slide Nemo’s leg out?
Gnai: ::bobbing slightly, both from its own choice and also from the residual motion of rushing:: Yes, sir, of course.
Vailani: Thank The Prophets you were here Lieutenant. If you get underneath here :: indicates the spot :: And I’ll support the leg, and Gila will pull backwards once I give the order?
Gnai: Aye, sir.
Gila nodded in agreement, sitting down by Nimo. The girl was still sobbing, trying to get her leg out from between the rocks, and flinching whenever her attempt to do so only succeeded in making her leg hurt more.
Sadar: We’ll have you out in a second, Nimo. Calm down.
It helped a little, but Gila knew that this was a temporary fix. They needed to get her out.
Vailani: Let’s go.
Lieutenant Gnai lifted the rocks, and Gila heard the rocks groan and shift, multiple small pebbles dislodging from the cracks in which they’d settled.Nimo screamed as the rocks were lifted off of her leg, but Gila steeled herself, waiting for Vai-net’s order.
Vailani: Gila, now!
Gila pulled the small girl away from the wall itself, and Gnai released the rocks that had had her pinned down.
Sadar: Nimo, you okay?
Nimo: ::wailing:: No, it hurts!
Unfortunately, between Nimo’s loud wailing and the vibrations of Lieutenant Gnai releasing its hold on the fallen rocks, they had well passed the ceiling’s tolerance level for disturbances, and Gila’s tympani vibrated uneasily as she heard the sound of rock tearing above them.
Vailani: We have to go now.
Gnai: Aye, sir!!
Vai-net had already started running, dragging Ahran behind her, and Gila lifted Nimo onto her back as she set off after her. While Gila’s speed was impacted by having to carry a 9-year old, she still managed to overtake Lieutenant Gnai’s, whose suit had obviously not been made for speed.
Vailani: Response
The fact that the five of them also needed to be cognizant of any falling stalactites, lest they be impaled as a consequence of a lack of due vigilance, also impacted their advancing speed. Thankfully, as they turned a corner, they were able to see the light from the exit up ahead.
Gnai: Looks like Iruh has already made it out!
Sadar: Iruh’s outside, Nimo! We’ll be there soon.
The small child tightened her grip around Gila’s throat, and Gila could feel the whimpering that associated their hasty jog.
Vailani: Response
Just as Vai-net and Ahran approached the exit, Gila heard another rocky groan above her. She veered strongly to the right, just as a large stalactite crashed down behind her, right where she was certain Lieutenant Gnai had been with its suit.
Sadar: L-Lieutenant!?
Gila saw a pulsing flash of light, Lieutenant Gnai’s optical transmissions of emotional states, before the suit clumsily clambered over the debris left by the stalactite.
Gnai: ::loudly:: This is fine, this is fine, just slow! Keep going!
Gila set off again at the Lieutenant’s assurance, coming up to Vai-net and Ahran at the entrance. The older child was already climbing through the entrance, aided by his friend on the other side of the threshold.
Vailani: Response
Sadar: We’re here! Ahran, Iruh, take Nimo!
Gila moved Nimo around so the two children outside could reach her, despite the girl’s protests.
Nimo: I can’t walk, it hurts!
Sadar: You have to. Move!
Aided by the friends, Nimo was soon pulled through the egress, leaving just the Starfleeters to leave. Gila looked over her shoulder, checking on Lieutenant Gnai’s progress.
Vailani/Gnai: Response
Sadar: Vai-net, next is you.
Vailani/Gnai: Response
Finally, the three of them all reached the outside of the cavern system, and Gila rested her palms on her knees, taking a deep, shaky breath. Between this place and Mizar IV, she’d had her fill of unstable caverns, frankly.
Sadar: Phew... Not a moment too soon. Everyone okay?
Vailani/Gnai: Response
Tags/TBC
LT Gila Sadar
Medical Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1