Lt. Haukea-Willow: flight, fight, faun, freeze, or flop
Aly Drolet
OOC: All opinions are that of Haukea and the other characters, the author does not take these views as a reflection of other writers. Likewise tossed in a few song lyrics - ten points to the nerd fandom of your choice if you can find them and name where they are from - among my other plan movie references.
((Camp Hemera - Drakos Prime))
Leda: We had no friends in this sector, knew no one. When they turned up with an offer —
Another rumble - deeper, closer. Machinery rattled, walls sighed against the wind, scattering particles of dust throughout the camp. The proximity alarm began to wail, echoing off curved walls, dissipating into the air.
Willow: What is the protocol?
Sylvax: Everyone arm yourselves — now!
Holding the title ‘Chief of Security’ Haukea-Willow, in normal circumstances, would have completely and utterly taken charge. However, in this instance, knowing the cover they were under, she felt it would have her appear exceedingly over confident, beyond her ability and training with Lurtz Enterprises. Likewise, having heard the way Leda spoke after the first quake, giving indications of a regular occurrence, a routine protocol could have been established. Haukea never wished to step on toes.
Yet, as Sylvax shouted, voices over lapping, the Risian’s hand disappeared under her cloak, searching blindly for her phase pistol - the Grevad - a thus far unseen creature, striking the tundra at extreme speed - heard the echoes of screams.
The Grevad lumbered fast, large, unwieldy, furry, the striking of teeth.
Sylvax: Take cover!
On instinct Haukea flung her woolen travel cloak over her, covering her whole body, crouching low, assembling her limbs into twisted compact shapes. Not necessarily out of pure fear, more so in subconscious reaction to a charging threat.
In humanoid biology an individual was liable to have several distinct reactions: flight, fight, faun, freeze, or flop. Haukea had chosen flight, though close second to fight, while Ivalyan froze directly in the path of the assaulting Grevad - which to an experienced officer with extensive combat and weapons training, appeared dangerous, self-destructive.
Willow: Anything! We must get to a safe zone.
While having dived, gracefully, akin to throwing herself off a surf board, out of the direct path, it was true, staying slightly astray for the Grevad was equally a misfortune and a vaguely brainless - more painless for the brainless - idea.
Sylvax: Move! Now!
The Grevad's sensory pits swung toward a cluster of Temurian personnel scrambling left, moving at an obscenely wrong speed - a surprise to which had Ivalyan’s jaw slack.
Sylvax: It's tracking vibration — keep your steps light!
Despite the chaotic nature of the encampment, Haukea performed a likewise absurd act, nearly without thinking, swiftly, deftly, sending her laces unraveling, jerking off her thick boots. She was after all a heavy footed individual, unaccustomed - unaware - of her own volume, but softer in her navigation when barefooted, practiced from sand and coral.
Leda: Response
For a brief moment the Grevad ceased its movement - impatient in its waiting - illuminated veins receding - shaking its large skin laden head back and forth, searching for a target.
Ivalyan: ::too loud, aimed at no one and everyone:: It's not just reacting... the veins.. when it stops moving they slow down...it's thinking... it's picking a target....
Finally, after all eternity, Ivalyan took a grateful step forwards, directly and further into the creature’s path, who instinctually swung towards her.
Willow: Move the other way!
Sylvax/Leda: Response
The Grevad found its target. Haukea waiting, wishing that Ivalyan’s flight instinct would kick in.
Sylvax/Leda: Response
Ivalyan: P-p-p-p....::she swallowed::
When the expected reaction did not arrive, Haukea-Willow deftly tugged on Ivalyan, yanking her out of the direct path of the charging creature - rolling. The pair tumbled out of reach.
Sylvax/Ivalyan/Leda: Response
Willow: You’re welcome.
Sylvax/Ivalyan/Leda: Response
Willow: ::Turning towards the rest:: I have a phase pistol. I can shoot the creature, however that might provoke it further. Is there a side tunnel where we can hide?
Sylvax/Ivalyan/Leda: Response
Lt. Haukea-Willow
Chief of Security - Crisis Response
Starbase 118 Ops
M239512BG0
Ad Astra Per Aspera/To The Stars With Difficulty - Una Chin-Riley
