Lieutenant JG Vesela Pace - Melted, Squeezed, and Shook, Oh My!
C Souers
(( The Vineknot, Gateside Dimension ))
In a forest made of sentient vines that hunted humanoids in a terrifying way, three Starfleet officers were making their way towards what they hoped would be a rescue mission. Unfortunately for them, the forest was about to get even more horrifying as the ground stilled and the sound quieted.
Pace: That’s… odd?
V’Lar: The telemetry feed from the deployed tricorder has abruptly terminated. The final readings indicated the duritanium casing was under significant pressure. It is highly probable the device has been sufficiently damaged to disable its optical emitter, thereby pacifying the environment.
Vesela felt her stomach drop.
oO So the vines can melt you and squeeze you to death?? Oo
Tahna: Alright, so using that one as a lure or a weapon is out. And I don’t want to risk wasting another.
Pace: Understood, sir.
V’Lar: Given the force that would have needed to be exerted on the tricorder, proceeding is risky. I would strongly advise a contingency.
Pace: ::A bit shakily.:: How do we make a contingency with a forest that can melt us and crush a tricorder?
Vesela looked down, trying to synthesize her thoughts and calm her brain. How could they plan a contingency against a forest that seemed absolutely set on devouring any humanoid lifeforms inside or any perceived threats it could find?
Tahna: Alright. Light agitates it. We seem to be safe with our modified suits, but that could change as we go deeper, so we need to be prepared to go dark again. If we have to do that, we’ll still have the echolocation program.
Vesela took three deep breaths, trying not to panic.
Pace: Aye, sir.
V’Lar: Response
In the dim light, Vesela could see the first officer’s fists clench and unclench.
Tahna: We could set up a tether to a less dense section of the vines, so we could pull ourselves out, but given the force exerted on the tricorder… I think we may need to worry more about constriction than just being trapped. The suits will protect us against that to an extent, but likely not enough.
Pace: I wish there were some way we could defend ourselves against the constriction, sirs. Thats… new and a little bit terrifying if I’m being honest sirs.
V’Lar: Response
Commander Tahna refocused towards the transponder. Vesela dreaded what they would find there, but maybe the scientists had survived? Scientists could be very resourceful, they just had to hope for the best.
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.
Tahna / V’Lar: Response
Pace: Well, at least the transponder signal is still strong. The plants haven’t destroyed everything they have stashed away!
Tahna / V’Lar: Response
Pace: How should we proceed once we get closer to the transponder, sirs?
Tahna / V’Lar: Response
———
Lieutenant JG Vesela Pace
Science Officer
USS Gorkon (NCC-82293)
G240106VP4