Lt. JG. Haukea-Willow: "Man is a creature who walks in two worlds and traces upon the walls of his cave the wonders and the nightmare experiences of his spiritual pilgrimage"
Aly Drolet
((Canyon, Byzatium))
Corey, who tapped the shuttle console as the rear door descended, raised his rifle out of instinct. Haukea herself gave an unnatural grimace in response to the action. Despite the weapon not using the ancient technology of a bullet, which could come straight back down when shot upwards, it was still bad practice to point a phaser upwards without a target to aim at.
Wethern: Well at least the weather is nice for a field trip, after you all.
Fairhug: I'll take point. Lieutenant Willow, you cover our six.
Willow: ::Moving as to cover their six:: Not to be acting like a know-it-all, but let's try and get in the habit of aiming our weapons down unless we are actively shooting, that would be fantastic. Would help us avoid some friendly fire.
She certainly understood the natural instinct to aim upward so as to be ready to shoot. However, the phaser beam could glance off and actually injure a friendly individual which was not advised. Despite that, as they stepped further away from the shuttle, the increase in gravity became abundantly clear. Haukea’s foot came down hard in the dirt as it crunched underneath them. Likewise, the air was warmed by the bright luminescent sun, reminding the Risian of home, despite the multitude of thick tropical canopy surrounding them.
Fairhug: Mister Wethern, are you still reading the life signs? Are we heading in the right direction?
Wethern: You are definitely the expert Willow I'm much better dealing with the aftermath. Few bags habits from before Starfleet. Life signs are still showing a little way ahead through the undergrowth.
Fairhug: Lieutenant Willow, keep your eyes on the forest. ::motioning above them:: If they have seen us arriving, they may try to ambush us.
Willow: Roger.
She was far more serious than her previous more playful response. And as a seeming contradiction to likewise previous statements, she worked to aim her rifle further upwards in case of an aerial assault. This was due to the prolonged reflex time it would take to aim from the ground to slightly above her chest or higher. Even then she kept her finger off the trigger point to avoid an accident.
Though as a way to protect the trio further, Haukea, on instinct and training, occasionally turned around, 180 degrees, to peer off behind them, checking for anything unusual.
Wethern: Hold on there is something up ahead movement in the bushes.
Fairhug: ::speaking quietly:: Keep moving…slowly. We’re too open here, if that is someone tracking us, there are some rocks up ahead that we could take cover behind.
Willow: Try to walk with as little noise as possible. We don’t want to alert them to our presence.
Wethern:What is that up ahead? Animal life?
Fairhug: Let’s hope so.
Away in the distance could be heard the russell of tree branches as their leaves swayed in the slight breeze. Further off in the distance was the squawk of local birds, easily mistaken for humanoid voices, causing Haukea to quickly turn, pointing her rifle around in a fluid 360 before turning it skyward for a brief moment.
Willow: Watch!... ::Her voice died as she realized the noise she had heard was merely a flock of native birds scattering:: Got to be on alert, right?
Corey himself spun around at Willow’s exclamation. It was obvious he had little expectation as he watched the brightly colored birds scatter into the hidden crevices of the jungle.
Wethern: That was a close call, wonder what spooked the birds.
Fairhug: That’s a good question.
Willow: Any little noise can mean something. Be on alert.
Carefully Haukea slung her rifle back over her shoulder so that she could pull out her combat tricorder, activating the tactical functions on the device. For now she was interested in what terrain data it could give them; tell them which areas to avoid. On inspection it showed a shallow creek off to the left, winding its way through the trees.
Wethern: Which way Willow not sure we want to go in a direct route to the front door. Presuming there is a door.
Fairhug: Yeah, probably not the best strategy.
Willow: According to tricorder data, there is a shallow creek to our left. Let’s not get too close, yet following it could lead us to civilization.
Wethern: We could follow it closer, would hide our tracks and also give us a chance to refill our water supplies it is hotter than chefs chilli here.
Fairhug: Perfect. Let’s move.
Haukea certainly had not considered the fact that the creek would provide valuable resources such as drinking water. That was why Corey was a doctor after all, he understood such things. Haukea herself, as they ambled their way towards the bank, was only beginning to understand such medical necessities, from an academic standpoint.
As the sun shone brightly upon them, Haukea watched for a moment as Corey took out his tricorder, scanning the nearby landscape.
Wethern: It is actually a beautiful planet. ::looking around at the fauna:: Water is drinkable if you want to stock up.
Corey filled his canteen, as Gogi stretched, and took a sip of the cool water, his rifle slung over his shoulder.
Willow: Might as well.
Haukea cupped her hands, dipping them into the water before taking a drink. Afterwards she dipped her military style canteen bottle into the cool refreshing stream.
Fairhug: It’s a bit too quiet, for my liking.
Slowly capping his canteen and packing it away, Corey pulled out his original kit. Haukea herself merely gave an involuntary shutter at the q word, “quiet”. That word could change the whole course of events in the blink of an eye.
Wethern: Do we have any indication as to when may be the optimal point to return back to the trees. We can't be far from the life signs now.
Fairhug: Whenever you’re both ready. It’s better to get under cover and we don’t have much time to waste. Landi only knows what conditions our people are being held in.
Willow: Usually when the stream turns away from us is a good indication.
Wethern: Presuming we are going to try and go in quiet? I'll need a few minutes to assess anyone. If Madison is fit and healthy that will be an easier task. If anyone needs transporter evac that may be a different story.
Fairhug: That’s the ideal scenario, but going in quiet might not be an option. ::turning to Willow:: Lieutenant, any thoughts on a plan B?
At the mention of Madison, Haukea momentarily froze. It was uncommon for a Risian to grow anxious over a situation, yet, Hauake certainly felt a temporary unease at the thought of her girlfriend coming home injured, if not traumatized. At least it gave an opportunity to provide the other woman with love and comfort, preferably in the form of snuggles.
Yet, blinking, she quickly brought herself out of her daze, thinking quickly on her feet.
Willow: It all depends on where the lifesigns are originating from. An open area will require a distinctly different approach than a more closed off environment.
Corey himself merely nodded in acknowledgement.
Wethern: Suppose we should get on with it then shouldn't we.
Willow: No time like the present.
In no time Gogi’s combadge vibrated with an incoming call. Thankfully the trio was gathered in a rather isolated location, no one in earshot. Even then Haukea, as uncharacteristic as it was, raised her hand to bite at her nails, anxious as to the results of the conversation.
Fairhug: Hold that thought.
Quickly Gogi answered the call, tapping at his combadge.
Fairhug: =/\= Fairhug here, go ahead. =/\=
Ross: =/\= It's Ross. Are you alright? Are we clear to speak? =/\=
Fairhug: =/\= We’re clear. What do you have for me, Lieutenant? =/\=
Ross: =/\= Great news. Listen, I might have some directions for you. Can you send over your location? =/\=
Reaching into a side pocket, Gogi pulled out his tricorder, swiftly sending off the data.
Fairhug: =/\= You should receive them any second. =/\=
Ross: =/\= I think you're pretty close. Nearby there's a lot of energy readings that match the Byzatium profile. They are underground though. I'll send them over. =/\=
Fairhug: =/\= Underground. Of course. =/\=
Ross: =/\= There seems to be a pretty elaborate cave system underneath your feet. Once you find a way to enter it, you should find the place they hide our people. But be careful, you guys shouldn't dive too deeply. Further down I have no readings at all, even though there has to be something. I propose you try to stay above 100asl, or generally just as far away from sea level as you can. =/\=
Fairhug: =/\= We’ll bear that in mind. Thanks for your assistance, Lieutenant. =/\=
Ross: =/\= Good luck, Commander. Bring them home safely, yeah? =/\=
When the comline finally closed Haukea gave an unconscious sigh of relief, lowering her hand from her mouth, not having realized she had been biting at her nails and skin.
Fairhug: We will. ::turning to Wethern and Willow:: Well, you heard Ross, sounds like we’re going underground.
Haukea, having grown up on Risa, a tropical, sandy, beach environment, had spent many days in her youth swimming, if not diving down exploring coral reefs, and undersea caves. This would certainly be the first time she’d enter a cave system and still be above the water level.
Willow: Never been in a cave above sea level before.
Wethern: Response
Fairhug: Any indications as to an entrance?
Once again she pulled up her tactical tricorder, accessing terrain data. The only indication of a cave entrance was a shallow mound of earth further off as the creek turned.
Willow: The creek takes a turn up ahead near a mountain, cliff, hill? I’m not sure what to call it, but it’s the only indication that there might be some sort of entrance.
Wethern: Response
Fairhug: Like you said, probably best not to knock on the front door. Maybe there’s some other kind of way in?
Willow: Unless there is some underwater entrance we are unaware of, I doubt it.
Wethern/Fairhug: Response
Willow: I would personally suggest we continue to follow the creek for a while longer, see where that leads us.
Haukea-Willow started to walk further along the bank of the creek, ambling as she spoke.
Wethern/Fairhug: Response
Willow: We can only do so much with the information we have, being unfamiliar with the terrain.
Wethern/Fairhug: Response
Willow: ::Pausing in her ambling:: Likewise, did anyone bring a flashlight?
Wethern/Fairhug: Response
