Ensign Maramox - Fffvvffvvvvvvvvvvzzzz

[Sunny-Miles Summers]

((A Geyser Valley, Northern Hemisphere, Peekaboo))

Perax: You think it used its antlers like a lightning rod. For what purpose? Defense? metabolism?

Lystra: Hmm. Good point, but I didn’t shoot it in the antlers. The Chrondite would explain why it was resistant to the lower settings, if it’s got some of that in its body. And bioluminescence makes sense in this place. Some creatures use that as a deterrent to other animals and predators, right?

Yirah: Bioluminescence can be used in hunting, mating, as a deterrent to others...

He trailed off, Maramox wondered what else could cause bioluminescence as a benefit.

Maramox: It can be useful in a lot of creatures. It’s not common in places of bright light.

Perax: I just thought animals used bioluminescence to look pretty, but then I’m an engineer not a biologist.

Maramox decided to take this time to feel the… Fur? The was a lot thicker than they thought it would be. Paying attention to the space around them took second as they thought about if the relkie is a prey or predator.

Lystra: Response

Perax: Should we leave it here or take it with us?

Yirah: How’d we even get it down to the shuttle.

Maramox: If we do leave it, we should hide it. I don’t feel right about it getting… Hurt because of us.

Lystra: Response

Perax: Spots! I don’t know. Maybe it likes trail mix.

Maramox: There’s lots of plants around – maybe it's a herbivore.

Lystra: Response

Perax: We could try to hold it in stasis in a transporter buffer, and rematerialise it inside the shielded runabout. That would take care of weight, hopefully it would dematerialise properly.

Wanting to move the relkie got some mixed reactions. That’s a frown from the team leader though.

Yirah: Wouldn’t transporting it carry the same risks as us transporting?

Maramox: Likely.

They take a second to look at the plant in the now self-named “Plant Pocket”. One of its leaves looks split; but that is likely because they’ve been moving so much. Not much to note for now.

Lystra: Response

Yirah: I’m just not sure that we need two peraoxstra-relkcoons.

Maramox: I second this; preferably. If it means anything.

Lystra/Perax: response

Yirah: While we would be able to study it better in the labs. I don’t think that we should be taking it out of its environment at the moment. Not until we know that transporting it would be safe.

Lystra/Perax: response

Maramox: Can we hide her for now? Just to ensure she doesn’t get eaten because of us.

Yirah: And lets not forget why we decided to head up here originally, We still need to get the signal enhancer working to communicate with the Conny.

oO I did forget this. I got a little caught up and excited about this little beast… Oo

Lystra: Agreed. If we can make contact we should definitely get some advice from some experts. Lieutenant Ilix from Intel has a background in exozoology. I see him around Sarek all the time. If we do study these creatures he’d likely be the one to get the proper procedures on how to do so safely.

Perax: You’re right, we should get moving. ::he spoke with more confidence this time.::

Perax: How much farther?

Lystra: Based on our earlier survey we’ve got about another two hundred meters to ascend. From what I can tell it should be an easier walk now that we’re up here on the ridgeline.

Lystra: Ready when you all are. Looks like there’s more Relkcoons on the other side of the ridgeline from us. We’ll be moving away from them so hopefully we won’t have to worry about getting charged at again.

Perax: It’s still uphill.

Maramox stuck close to Yirah and watched the tricorder that he trained on the relkies. They took the time to ponder if they missed their friend. Hopefully it would return to them shortly.

Maramox adored the darkness and the way the storm made everything look pretty. The flashes of what the planet was actually like felt exciting. The noises… Not so much. They kept holding their breath and trying not to react to the loud cracks above them.

oO No matter how beautiful. Remember the danger first. Oo

Maramox yelped with a gut of fear while he heard Lystra scream. The lighting was too close to their walking path. The bubbles of light that littered their vision had them trying to blink it away as quickly as they could to check on their companions.

Perax: Wait for the effects of blindness and deafness to pass. The suit compensates for the worst with insulation and light filters, but that was too close.

Yirah: Is everyone alright?

Maramox: Yes, I’m fine ::they sounded out of breath:: It was a scare more than anything.

Lystra: I’m alright. I swear this place doesn’t want us here. ::she grumbled:: Give me a moment, my vision is still adjusting.

Maramox: I’ll be checking everyone’s visual response in a moment. I promise you that much.

Perax: That’s a long way down. There is a natural formed steam vent up ahead, it might be good for a mineralogical survey when we have time.

Lystra: Will this spot work?

Perax: We can but try.
Maramox took the time to properly pull out the transported plant. The split had grown a little more. Still not enough to be noticeable. Especially not to someone who is still making every effort to blink out the bright spots. They put the plant back into their pocket, not thinking anything was wrong.

Maramox: Here to check in when we have a moment.

oO Medical is needed for emergencies but I do feel a bit like dead weight. Oo

Perax: Who should I try to contact first? I can keep two signals open, but I can’t tune both simultaneously. Should I try to hail the Constitution or the other away team first?

Yirah: The Constitution.

Maramox nodded in agreement.

Lystra: response

Perax: We better hope there are no pre-warp civilizations with the ability to detect our signals. This signal is powerful enough to be a flare on a dark night.

Maramox felt a little ease as (at the same time) they looked outwards from their group and Yirah did the same. They hoped there wasn’t one; for the sake of the prime directive.

Yirah: Well… I don’t think we really have another option at the moment.

Lystra: response

Maramox: It’s the best option. For now.

Perax: =/\= Perax to the Constitution, can you hear us? =/\=

Fffvvffvvvvvvvvvvzzzz.

oO Static. Great. Oo

Yirah: Was that a response or just some sort of feedback from the storm?

Maramox: Feedback. I believe.

Lystra: response

Perax: Let me try to clear it up. I can try to adjust the signal slightly. ::he turned a few dials, and tapped some buttons on the screen.:: =/\= Perax to Constitution, repeat last message. =/\=

Bridge:  =/\= <static>...barely hear you...<static> ...receive. =/\=

Yirah: =/\= We hear you Conny. =/\=

Maramox: It seems like the storm is only letting a little bit through.

Lystra: response

Yirah: ::to Perax:: Is it something you can fix?

Lystra/Perax: response

Maramox: Some species of creatures sometimes have static that affect reception; but I doubt this is one of those cases.

Yirah: Should we move locations again?

Maramox made a ‘ehhhhh’ noise with their mouth and hoped that sufficed as their answer.

Lystra/Perax: Response

Yirah moved his hand to the helmet of his EVA suit and smacked himself in the face. It made his next instruction feel softer by proxy of him seeming more person-like rather than superior-like.

Yirah: Can we try to get into contact with the other away team? You said that you could keep two signals open at the same time. Does not having a stable connection with the Conny change that.

Lystra/Perax: Response

Maramox watched Perax attempt contact with the other away team. They hoped to hear Cade’s voice and feel a sense of normalcy. As much as their excitement on the new planet had masked a lot of their nerves; Cade hadn’t failed to calm them yet.

Lystra/Perax/Yirah: Response

It may have been slightly staticy – but it was there! A response from the other runabout crew!

Iaonaiae Crew: =/\=Response =/\=
_____
Ensign Maramox (they/them)
Medical Officer
StarBase 118 Academy
C240209M12
@pickledpike on discord (they/he)