Lt. Commander Ayiana Sevo - Smorgasbord
Aaron Schimmel
((Moss Fields, Gateside Dimension))
While trying to avoid a pack of plantimals (quite a nice word to describe the plant-animal hybrids, she thought), another, predatory pack burst through the distant treeline, making a beeline directly towards the grazing herd in the depression. This caused the grazers to dash off in a way only prey animals were best at. Unfortunately, they were running directly towards the group of officers watching. Ayiana tried to run for cover, only to find herself pulled back in some sort of cartoonish rendition thanks to the tether that held the group to each other, an otherwise great idea at one time.
The worst part was that there was no cover to run *to*, at least, not in the time they had. They were wide open, with both the fleeing prey and the chasing predators heading directly towards their position.
Sevo: I’ve got an idea, but it may not work.
zh'Tisav: It's not like we have many options. What is it?
Sevo: Quickly, think of a large group of boulders! Something big enough to hide behind!
zh'Tisav: What!? Are you crazy?
Yes, quite possibly. The jury was still deliberating.
Sevo: It’s either that or a big tree to climb! The place responds to thoughts in some way; let's use it!
Kairis: I— I can try, but—
It was then Ayiana realized her idea might not be the best. She was easily the worst of the three in terms of psychic strength, as seen by Vylaa manipulating a plant, while Ayiana could barely spring up a single leaf from the ground without blowing an artery. Vylaa would be disproportionately doing most of the work, so to speak; a thought that seemed to be backed up by annoyed whispers through the comms.
For Ayiana’s part, she thought of a set of boulders artfully landscaped around in the Quad at the Starfleet Academy on Trill. It was a common spot to hang out for cadets; she found herself sitting on or around them under the trees more than once, catching up on reading or schoolwork.
Whatever contributions the trio made to the psychic field in the area manifested as a large group of rock erupting from the ground directly beneath them. This was not something Ayiana anticipated, and soon found herself falling on her rear as the rock continued to grow and rise. It wasn’t plain granite or something so mundane. The rock was interspersed with veins of onyx and silvery-looking metals.
Kairis: Oh, that's— ::She swallowed, relief scratching out through a dry throat.:: That's one way to do it.
Sevo: Was not what I expected, but it works. ::She said, sitting up, propping herself up with her hands.::
zh'Tisav: Can't exactly control where they pop up… ::She paused.:: If you like I can put them back and try for a different placement?
Kairis: I don't think it gets much better than this.
Sevo: No, this is fine. It seems to be working.
As the rock stopped growing, Ayiana peered over the side to see sheer faces. On some of the gentler slopes, a couple of plantimals tried climbing, but gave up and went around. Unfortunately, these stragglers were the first to be caught by the predators. She had seen her fair share of nature, and knew intellectually where predator-prey relationships ended up. But this encounter was not what Ayiana had been expecting. The prey animals caught in the natural weapons of the predators screeched and howled as one expected something to be in such a painful situation, but everything after that was different.
Where Ayiana expected blood of crimson or viridian color, instead flowed a more viscous, golden liquid more akin to sap. Which made sense if these things were partially plant. And instead of flesh and muscle being ripped away, there seemed to be leaves and small vines being thrown around. It would be fascinating if she wasn’t caught quite literally in the middle of it all.
zh'Tisav: Don't throw up. You'll be wearing it until we get home.
Kairis: No, I— ::She frowned.:: There's no blood or organs. It looks more like... sap? And fungi?
Ayiana felt no desire to empty the contents of her stomach at that moment; perhaps she had been desensitized over the years, or the pure difference from contemporary spectacles skipped her offensive sense.
Sevo: Looks like sap to me; which I guess makes sense if they’re plants, right?
zh'Tisav: Response
Despite the situation, Ayiana had her tricorder out, scanning the frenzy beneath them. She’d analyze it later when they made it home; (she long ago thought in terms of “when,” not “if” in dire circumstances. It made her mental health a little better to think optimistically, even if she often presented pessimism).
Kairis: If this place wasn't so hostile, the exobotanists would have field day.
Sevo: Best they’ll have to settle for will be scans. ::She tapped her tricorder.::
zh'Tisav: Response
The spectacle seemed to be ending. Most of the grazers had escaped while the predators were busy chowing down on the stragglers they caught. A couple of them tried to get at the group, but the sheer faces of the rocks prevented them from successfully reaching the trio. Settling for the meal the predators had, they moved off back to the trees; it seemed to be where they nested.
Sevo: Any…uh…any way we can get down from here?
zh’Tisav / Kairis: Response
Sevo: Hey, it seemed like a good idea at the time.
zh’Tisav / Kairis: Response
Sevo: Well, we’re tethered together. Maybe we can lower each other down one at a time. Unless you guys want to give a go at thinking these rocks away.
zh’Tisav / Kairis: Response
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Lt. Commander Ayiana Sevo
Mission Specialist
U.S.S. Gorkon
V239109AS0
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