1LT. Ithri Sh'shelor - "FIrst Thing First"
Amanda Nordstrom
(( Raft, After the Sinking of the Sower ))
Although the Sower had sunk down to the bottom of the sea, the three crewmembers were not defeated. They had taken a beating, were sore, and only half function, but they were also Starfleet. Such situations were challenging, but they had been taught and trained to rise to any challenges that came their way.
So, despite their injuries, the group fought for survival. The raft provided buoyancy that would allow them to travel, and hopefully bear them toward the land. Keeping in rhythm with Lohkina, Ithri watched as the dark patch became a dark line, then took on more features the closer they got. Soon enough, they didn’t need a telescope to see that they had come upon an island.
Sh’shelor: Catch the motion of the waves - it will help us move faster to the shore.
Lohkina: (a slight groan) Anything that helps.
Anything, yes. The raft had no mast, and thus they had no sails to ease the effort. Instead, they could only increase the forward momentum by using their strength. Watching Lohkina in front of her, Ithri kept up the pace. Every stroke sent a slice of pain down her legs and into her lower back, but she bore it in silence. Only the stiffness of her antennae gave away any discomfort, and that was not usually noticeable by non Andorians - or those who weren’t as familiar with their emotive context.
However, with the island closer, the waves grew a little stronger, eager to make landfall, and they used that to their advantage. At first, Ithri was concerned they might have to avoid rocks, but whatever the island was, the land beneath the water, and that which rose above the water, was smooth, slick sand. Between the two women and the water’s regular motions, they bobbed up and down and finally ran aground.
Lohkina: Let's never, ever do that again.
Sh'shelor: I make no promise.
They had made it to land. Now they needed to survive until help could come - and hopefully keep out of the attention of whomever had brought down their vessel in the first place.
O’Reilly: Well, that’s certainly good news. (looking down at his arm) If you wouldn’t mind (looking at Lohkina) helping me get this up (holding up a canvas) Once it’s up we can start the journey. (beginning to unfold the canvas) These are meant to retain heat as well, should help reduce any signature we give off.
With the raft on the ground, Ithri could do nothing but sit there and watch the other two as they set up the shelter. They did so easily, for Starfleet’s technology meant all they had to do was press a couple of buttons. With the weight of fatigue that settled upon her now that she was forced to remain still, she had no doubt that they were exhausted and ‘easy’ was exactly what they needed.
Lohkina: You want us to move with this thing now? Or set up camp here on the shore?
The question perked Ithri up a bit, and she lifted her head, her eyes taking in her surroundings, while inwardly, she chided herself for letting her guard down. Shifting a bit, her face immovable despite the stab of pain that lashed out with the motion, she lifted a hand and pointed to the line of trees.
Sh’shelor: We are vulnerable in the open. It would be better to seek shelter in shelter.
O'Reilly: Responses
Lohkina: Sure, no problem.
She said that so flippantly, but Ithri knew it was a problem. They were all in a problem, and she wasn’t really saying they weren’t - it was simply a way that some species expressed themselves. Ithri’s face didn’t usually move much, but her antennae shifted, conveying discontent, and even in that moment, her lips thinned as she tried to deal with both pain and think of what they had to do.
Sh’shelor: We must also be careful of what is in there. Wildlife may not be friendly.
Not everything was out of the raft - after all, they still had to get a game plan, and Ithri reached for the rifle she had insisted on taking.
Lohkina/O'Reilly: Responses
Sh’shelor: I am not able to walk, but I can guard the rear if I am carried.
Most likely, that meant dragging her, which wouldn’t be pleasant at all, but they wouldn’t leave her there, and Ithri was not so noble as to suggest they do so. Besides, they were not in that dire of a straight, as the humans said. Not yet.
Lohkina/O'Reilly: Responses
The Andorian’s eyes went from ground to sky and perused the heights. Above them, she saw only clouds, and no evidence of any ship or danger. That didn’t mean there wasn’t, it just meant that in the immediate moment, they were all right. All of them knew that could change any second, but considering their situation, Ithri knew they had to figure out many things, but first thing was first. Unless she could sit down and do a task, she could do little but shoot at things. However, O’Reilly was more functional in a way, though he still needed tending to.
Taking the gun in her arms and at the ready, Ithri focused on watching their surroundings. With her down, that was the best she could do for her comrades. Anything coming after them would still have to deal with her. While she kept watch, they could tend to other things.
Sh’shelor: First, medical treatment for O’Reilly. Emergency kits should have moldable splits. It will not be pleasant, but it will allow him to put some weight on the leg. Then, we should carefully move to the sanctuary of the forest.
And once they were there, then they could plan their next moves, like where to set up camp.
Lohkina/O'Reilly: Responses
-- 1Lt. Ithri Sh'shelor Marine Intelligence USS Octavia E. Butler M239008AD0