Lt. Commander Samira Neathler - Turning into a plant
Samira Neathler
(( Tanglewoods - Gateside Dimension ))
She stood still for a moment, contrary to what she believed earlier, it wasn’t silent around them. There was the moving and growing of the vines. Maybe that was it. The way forward.
Neathler: What if we focus on one vine, or one structure and follow it to the source? That would get us somewhere. Maybe mark it somehow, so when things changes again we can still spot which vine we’ve chosen?
Espinoza: What if we stick a tricorder or comm badge in the mech ‘n see if we can’t have the vines drag it off? Have it stomp on another vine or somethin’. With any luck, it’ll perceive the suit as a threat, not us, ‘n drag it off. We might be able to follow the signal and see where it leads us.
Doz turned towards their mechanical companion with her both hands on her hips.
Finch: What do you think, Mister Mech? Fancy the role of a lifetime?
Why was it that when you were planet side, that there was always something missing in your backpack? The list of things she had packed kept growing each adventure but something new popped up every single time. She shook her head, not having anything on her that could mark the vines without hurting or cutting into it. Glancing around she picked a vine and took a few steps forward, only to discover the ground beneath her boots suddenly gave way, and she felt herself slipping and falling downwards.
Her gloved hands reached up, trying to grab one of the vines but all she met was a tangle of roots and vines and her fingers just slipped. Her boots were treading in the air with a similar result. The tips of her boots didn’t find anything to stop her downfall. Her heart raced in her throat, she didn’t even have time to cry out or warn the others. Suddenly she felt a jolt going through her shoulder as something or someone grabbed her wrist and stopped her from falling. Her own fingers somehow found the wrist from whoever was holding her and she grabbed it.
She heard her ragged breathing inside her helmet, the visor getting foggy and she knew she had to calm her breathing. When the fog disappeared and she carefully looked down she saw nothing but dark beneath her. Slowly she looked up, locking eyes with Espinoza.
Espinoza: Jus’... jus’ stay real still. I got you. I think. Goddamn. Did you step on somethin'?
Neathler: Staying still.
She repeated softly. Her eyes reached up further. Espinoza’s other hand was holding a thicker vine. It was the only thing that kept them from falling into the abyss.
Finch: A bit of a redundant question this, but are you two alright!?
At those words, Samira caught a glimpse of Doz’ head as the elder woman stared over the edge in their direction, the mechanical suit standing next to her. Getting her breathing under control, Samira’s eyes roamed over the lattice of vines and roots and moss, anything that she could grab, to spare Espinoza somewhat. Dirt and grime hit her helmet and Samira looked away.
Espinoza: Don’t - don’t suppose you installed a portable tractor emitter in our metal buddy, Commander? ::he calls up to Finch::
Finch: Didn’t quite have the time for that, lovey, but don’t fret! There’s other options, he’s a very versatile being. One mo!
Once the downfall of grid and dirt stopped, Samira’s gaze went back to the vine Ethan was holding on to and she followed it downwards hoping she could grab a part of it but was met with some disappointment as the vine disappeared behind the grid of tanglewood.
Espinoza: Can you see anythin’ to grab onto? I dunno if this is gonna hold with both of our weight.
Samira didn’t respond, her eyes now frantically seeking something, anything to hold on to. She kept her legs still against the tanglewood, knowing that the more she moved, the more strain she’d put on Ethan’s grip. There was a length of rope in her pack both useless on her back.
Finch: The suit and I are going to climb down and anchor ourselves a little bit above you both. He’s solid and sturdy enough for the job, as long the ground doesn’t shift around us again.
Hundreds of thoughts raced through Samira’s mind. Would the vines be able to hold the mechanical suit? What if the whole thing, the tanglewood, the suit and the three of them tumbled down? She was about to shout but it was too late, the robot was already climbing down with Doz on its back.
Espinoza: Response
Finch: Hold on tight, we’re coming down! And about as fast we can without sliding towards oblivion.
Neathler: Should have giving him wings.
What seemed like a funny comment the first time, would have been a lifesafer now. But the suit didn’t have any wings, nor did their suits and thus they had to do with whatever was available. In this case not much. Samira didn’t know how long she could hold on to Ethan, or how long the ensign was able to hold his grip. She swallowed and no longer looked up but looked at the tanglewood in front of her.
Espinoza: Response
Her free hand moved along the tanglewood, carefully poking and prodding the grid in front of her. Her fingers pried into the vines and tangles when she found an opening but it was as if the vines knew she was looking for a handhold and moved closer each time she found an opening, as if deliberately preventing her from getting a grip.
Neathler: How you’re doing Ethan?
Finch / Espinoza: Response
Her hand moved closer to her chest. When would he release her if he no longer could her? Her fingers found a bit of an opening in the tangled net in front of her and she squirmed her fingers into it, and pulled herself up a few centimeters. She felt less strain on her stretched arm and hoped it helped Ethan somewhat. If only she could find a similar gap for her other hand.
She looked away as more grid and dirt suddenly came down on her. At least she didn’t have to worry any of the dirt would end up in her eyes. She grabbed on to the plants a bit firmer but something felt off. When she looked down, it was with some horror that she noticed smaller vines and roots were steadily growing over her gloved fingers and hand.
Neathler: I…, this thing is having a hold on me.
Finch / Espinoza: Response
Neathler: The vines, they’re covering my glove.
Finch / Espinoza: Response