Lt. Commander V'Lar - The Movement Gave No Token
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Chris M
May 12, 2026, 5:30:49 PM (15 hours ago) May 12
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((The Vineknot, Gateside Dimension))
V'Lar was mindful that, in this alien dimension, nothing could be taken for granted; the very laws of physics that governed their native reality might not apply here. Still, logic dictated that every action within this chaotic environment would provoke a proportional reaction, even if those reactions were unexpected. V'Lar mentally traced the chain of causality that had led to their current situation. Her detachment had passed through the dimensional portal located within the Gibaria Outpost to locate the missing scientists. To survive the intense radiation, they were wearing specially treated environmental suits and had been inoculated with the anti-radiation treatments her team had previously synthesised in the outpost's medical laboratory. Yet, shortly after commencing their search, they had encountered an area so dense with xenoflora that they were rendered effectively blind. The near-total darkness had necessitated the activation of their suit illuminators. It was the exact moment they introduced artificial light that a violent tremor had occurred, and the transponder signals of the missing personnel had begun rapidly accelerating towards their coordinates.
While V'Lar was aware of the fact that their sensor readings could be in error, it was statistically unlikely that their combined readings would not just be incorrect, but incorrect in the same way. Though they had only been in the area for a brief duration, V'Lar felt it prudent to consider why they were observing what appeared to be such rapid and unexpected movement and whether there was any link to their presence.
V'Lar: If the structural vines are indeed in motion, we must consider the catalyst for this sudden activity. It is statistically possible that our artificial light sources, despite their low yield, have triggered a phototactic response. If this environment acts as a predatory organism, we may have inadvertently designated our coordinates. Remaining exposed would seem tactically unsound.
The prospect of being actively hunted by a massive, irradiated botanical predator would invoke a fear response in most intelligent species. V'Lar, however, experienced no such distraction.
oO There is no fear to process, only the logical requirement to reposition before such a threat arrives. Oo
V'Lar was mindful that, in this alien dimension, nothing could be taken for granted; the very laws of physics that governed their native reality might not apply here. Still, logic dictated that every action within this chaotic environment would provoke a proportional reaction, even if those reactions were unexpected. V'Lar mentally traced the chain of causality that had led to their current situation. Her detachment had passed through the dimensional portal located within the Gibaria Outpost to locate the missing scientists. To survive the intense radiation, they were wearing specially treated environmental suits and had been inoculated with the anti-radiation treatments her team had previously synthesised in the outpost's medical laboratory. Yet, shortly after commencing their search, they had encountered an area so dense with xenoflora that they were rendered effectively blind. The near-total darkness had necessitated the activation of their suit illuminators. It was the exact moment they introduced artificial light that a violent tremor had occurred, and the transponder signals of the missing personnel had begun rapidly accelerating towards their coordinates.
While V'Lar was aware of the fact that their sensor readings could be in error, it was statistically unlikely that their combined readings would not just be incorrect, but incorrect in the same way. Though they had only been in the area for a brief duration, V'Lar felt it prudent to consider why they were observing what appeared to be such rapid and unexpected movement and whether there was any link to their presence.
V'Lar: If the structural vines are indeed in motion, we must consider the catalyst for this sudden activity. It is statistically possible that our artificial light sources, despite their low yield, have triggered a phototactic response. If this environment acts as a predatory organism, we may have inadvertently designated our coordinates. Remaining exposed would seem tactically unsound.
The prospect of being actively hunted by a massive, irradiated botanical predator would invoke a fear response in most intelligent species. V'Lar, however, experienced no such distraction.
oO There is no fear to process, only the logical requirement to reposition before such a threat arrives. Oo
Pace/Tahna: Response
V'Lar continued to monitor the rapidly shifting location data on her tricorder. The science team should not be able to move at such a pace through this environment unaided. Given the apparent lack of technology, logic dictated three primary probabilities: the native xenoflora was functioning as a biological conveyance system; an indigenous lifeform was being utilised as transport; or a predator had ingested the team, or at least their transponders, and was heading their way.
While she could hypothesise, she lacked sufficient empirical evidence to validate any single theory, hence her prior request to Lieutenant Pace regarding a possible spectral analysis of the vines in the direction the transponder signal was coming from. Ascertaining whether the vines were being violently parted by a physical mass, or if the botanical structure itself was moving in a coordinated manner, would provide the crucial data with which to refine her theory. What she needed now, was more information.
V'Lar: Have any other teams, either from the Gorkon or from the outpost itself, reported encountering any native lifeforms or anomalies that could account for these readings?
Pace/Tahna: Response
V'Lar continued to monitor the rapidly shifting location data on her tricorder. The science team should not be able to move at such a pace through this environment unaided. Given the apparent lack of technology, logic dictated three primary probabilities: the native xenoflora was functioning as a biological conveyance system; an indigenous lifeform was being utilised as transport; or a predator had ingested the team, or at least their transponders, and was heading their way.
While she could hypothesise, she lacked sufficient empirical evidence to validate any single theory, hence her prior request to Lieutenant Pace regarding a possible spectral analysis of the vines in the direction the transponder signal was coming from. Ascertaining whether the vines were being violently parted by a physical mass, or if the botanical structure itself was moving in a coordinated manner, would provide the crucial data with which to refine her theory. What she needed now, was more information.
V'Lar: Have any other teams, either from the Gorkon or from the outpost itself, reported encountering any native lifeforms or anomalies that could account for these readings?
Pace/Tahna: Response
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