Lieutenant JG Vesela Pace - Science is Magic

[C Souers]

(( The Vineknot, Gateside Dimension ))

Vesela was not expecting to feel worse here than she did in the Borg dimension, but she was definitely having trouble threading her thoughts through the needle. Her grandmother would tell her to steady her hands and steady her mind. But how does one steady anything in a breathing forest?

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.

The doctor held the hand with the tricorder out, offering it back to the first officer.

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.

Commander V’Lar angled the light to illuminate the vines ahead of them. In the dim light they almost looked harmless. Almost.

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.

oO Great news… Oo

Vesela took a deep breath and remembered what the Commander had said. Science was on their side.

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.

Vesela nodded. Less chance of getting caught on or by anything was definitely a plus in this dimension!

Pace: Aye, sir. Careful’s my middle name!

Vesela looked curiously at the doctor as she approached her, she hoped everything was okay.

V’Lar: ::Quietly.:: Remember your training and trust in your skills, Lieutenant.

Pace: ::Quietly and after a short pause.:: Thank you, sir. You’ve got a knack for pep talks, has anyone ever told you that, sir?

Vesela grinned. While at first she’d been intimidated by their new chief of medical, she had to admit she was both impressed by her medical prowess and kindness. She turned sideways and held her breath as she slipped through a tight space between the vines. She didn’t need to hold her breath, but it made her feel slightly better.

Just past the tight squeeze, the vines opened up into what passed for a clearing in this dimension Vesela supposed. Up ahead, there was a knot of undulating vines. Not necessarily hostile, but definitely unnerving.

Tahna: So our transponder is in there, then.

Pace: Wow…

V’Lar: Response

The first officer approached the knot and walked its perimeter, then returned to the team.

Tahna: Are we close enough to begin picking up lifesigns?

Pace: Uh, we should be sir, let me check!

Tahna / V’Lar: Response

Vesela studied her tricorder, nervous at first. She hoped for the best but took a deep breath and prepared for the worst.

Pace: Sirs… I can’t tell how many, but I am picking up lifesigns!

Tahna / V’Lar: Response

Pace: I can try and get more specifics, but it might take a little bit. The knot-thing seems a bit like a fortress?

Tahna / V’Lar: Response

———

Lieutenant JG Vesela Pace

Science Officer

USS Gorkon (NCC-82293)

G240106VP4