Lt. Commander Samira Neathler - Diving
Samira Neathler
(( Tanglewoods - Gateside Dimension ))
Her hand moved closer to her chest. When would he release her if he no longer could hold 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 grit 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 onto 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: What thing, Commander? What is it?
Neathler: The vines, they’re covering my glove.
Finch: Are they hurting you? Trapping you?
Espinoza: Preferably not pullin’ you.
Did it hurt? No, the only thing she felt was a little pressure on her glove. Did they trap her?
Neathler: I don’t know.
She not only had herself to think about, but also Ethan who still had a hold on her, luckily. The last thing she wanted was to put the young man in even more danger than he already was. Nor did she want to find out who was stronger, the vines and plants or her suit that was protecting her against the radiation. The mechanical suit halted, more dirt and soil rained down on them.
Finch: Can you rip them out at all?
Espinoza: Jus’ give it a gentle pull, if you try. The last thing we need is to bring all this down around us.
And that was exactly what was holding her back. If she had been alone, she might have given a good tug with her hand, but now. She stretched her fingers and pulled her hand back gently. The vines slowly slid over her glove. With some relief she shouted.
Neathler: It’s letting me go.
For now she added silently as she gripped the tanglewood again, hoping to put less strain on Ethan’s grip. The vines quickly took their original position again as they were reluctant to let her go.
Espinoza: If we can’t get back up, we might have to look at goin’ down… do you have a light you could toss down, Commander?
The light Samira had was strapped on her rifle, which was on her back. She was willing to toss the flashlight but not her rifle and with only one hand available it was unlikely she could grab the light.
Finch: Response
Espinoza: We might still be able to find a way back up from the bottom. But that seems… real, real deep, and I ain't the biggest fan of, y'know... pitch black, gaping, terrible pits of dread.
Finch: Response
Samira looked from Ethan to Finch and then she moved her head and looked down at the abyss below her. There was nothing but blackness. Though the longer she looked, there was a subtle difference in blackness.
Espinoza: The only other thing I can think of is to try ‘n trigger the vines again. We’ve managed it twice by accident: once ‘cause the suit stepped on somethin’, once ‘cause Commander Neathler stepped on somethin’. If we can trigger another shift, we might be able to reverse it.
Neathler: Not without knowing what exactly it is that triggers the vines.
Finch: Response
She kept staring down, there was something down there, something that might break her fall. Perhaps it was exactly the thing Ethan had seen.
Neathler: It can’t be weight, I’m sure I weigh a bit less than the suit.
Finch / Espinoza: Response
Neathler: Wasn’t there a scream before any change happened?
Finch / Espinoza: Response
Samira looked back up, her gloved hand still covered with vines, her other hand grabbing Ethan as he held on to her for his and her dear life. How long could he hold on? Her gaze then shifted towards Finch.
Neathler: There’s an incline there I think, what if I let go and risk it. If I disappear, you can find a way back up.
Finch / Espinoza: Response