Lt. Commander Tahna Meru - Litany to Science
Tahna Meru
((The Vineknot, Gateside Dimension))
The vines were getting to them, Pace especially. The typically-upbeat science officer had admitted to being terrified of their current situation, and Meru couldn’t blame her. They were deep in a tangle of vines that might try to eat them, looking for people who might already be dead, and they had no idea how they were going to get back to their own dimension. Doctor V’Lar had made an attempt at being comforting and encouraging, in her own rigidly logical way, and it was…surprisingly effective. “You wield the power of the scientific method and there is no aspect of existence that falls outside the purview of science” was a little wordy for a battle cry, but it worked. They did wield the power of the scientific method, and so far, it had served them well.
Tahna: Perhaps we start with further recon. While it’s unlikely the civilians survived, it’s not impossible, and determining with certainty whether this is a rescue or recovery mission could change how we proceed.
Pace: Aye, sir.
Meru stared in the direction of the transponder, though even with their new lighting she couldn’t see very far into the vines.
Pace: Well, at least the transponder signal is still strong. The plants haven’t destroyed everything they have stashed away!
V’Lar: I would theorise that since the transponder broadcasts on a subspace band it is essentially invisible to the local flora and therefore the transmitter itself has not been targeted.
Pace: How should we proceed once we get closer to the transponder, sirs?
V’Lar: Once we close the distance, it should be possible to cut through the sensor interference and determine whether the scientists are present and what their status is.
V’Lar extended her hand, holding out Meru’s tricorder to her.
V'Lar: Since the tricorder I was tracking is no longer transmitting I no longer require yours. Do you wish to resume possession, Commander?
Tahna: You can hang on to it, Doctor. Just give me our heading.
In the grand scheme of things, it was more important that the only medical professional on the team have access to a working tricorder than Meru. Especially if the civilians were still alive somehow, as they’d likely be injured.
V'Lar: A vector bearing zero-two-five appears to offer the most efficient path forward. However, the terrain will likely become increasingly uneven as we approach the central root system.
Tahna: So watch your step. ::Meru frowned.:: Let’s untether, now that we can see. It’ll decrease our chances of getting caught on something.
Or caught by something. Meru didn’t say that part out loud, just unclipped the cord connecting her to the others. If they had to go dark again, they’d risk getting separated, but as long as they could still see (and their modified lights didn’t seem to be aggravating the flora anymore) it was safer to not be linked together.
Pace: Response
V'Lar: ::Quietly:: Remember your training and trust in your skills, Lieutenant.
Pace: Response
Meru smiled slightly at the exchange, turning sideways to slip through an opening in the vines ahead. If any of them could avoid getting crushed to death by hostile vines, it was probably Lieutenant Pace, with her roller derby training and the exoskeleton offering her extra support.
Ahead, past the squeeze, the vines opened up into a small clearing. They still tangled overhead, but there was clearing running between the growth they’d just come from, and the one that lay ahead. And the knot of vines just ahead was moving—not toward them, not in any way that appeared inherently hostile, but it was not still and unshifting like the vines they’d just come from.
Tahna: So our transponder is in there, then.
V’Lar / Pace: Response
Meru frowned. She walked along the edge of the writhing vines a little distance before returning to her team — there was no clear, easy way in. They could force their way in…or they could attempt another distraction, but that might not buy them much time…
Tahna: Are we close enough to begin picking up lifesigns?
V’Lar / Pace: Response