Lt. Haukea-Willow: Safety.
Aly Drolet
((Drakos Prime - Outside Cave System))
In an ideal situation Haukea-Willow would have chosen to be adorned in her Starfleet standard combat uniform, yellow armor plating a shield protecting her against the unknown of the planets, contacted or otherwise, that she stood upon. Carried over her shoulder would have equally been another piece of standard Starfleet kit, her trusted phaser rifle. Yet, in a situation that called for undivided loyalty, to a script of belonging to another organization, she prepared instead in the opposite manner, non-descript, devoid of attention, species or organization (Starfleet) identification. Therefore, tucked under her fleece cloak was a hand phaser of immense quality, small, hidden, but bold.
Billowing in the sharp, icy wind, Haukea’s cloak ruffled, as pale blue clouds of lightning ran from end to end, illuminating the mountain range. The Risian’s breath fogged the atmosphere mere inches before her, mind a light with images of sunshine, and sand.
Sylvax: Those storms weren’t exaggerating.
Haukea never believed in the weather to exaggerate.
Leda: ::A small grin broke out on her face:: Makes you feel alive, doesn’t it?
Willow: It certainly keeps me awake alright.
Ivalyan: Response
It was here that Haukea watched as Ryden balanced on his toes, low, studying the deep grooved tracks etched into the permafrost, meters from the established camp, forehead lines like rivers, a winter gloved finger brushing the edge of a single marking. The Risian, Haukea, would have exhibited patients regarding the investigation, finding herself asking additional questions, establishing a checklist of parameters necessary for safety. Yet, Sylvax found an entry point, diving through the ice head first.
Sylvax: These aren’t territorial markings. ::He straightened slowly.:: Something’s hunting out here.
Leda: ::Leda crossed her arms as she stared as well:: See what I mean? My people have been living in space for generations now, but our ancestors were terrestrial. We’ve passed down stories of every kind of beast on the land and the sea, but the Grevad are… they’re different. Cruel. I’ve never known an animal to be cruel…
Willow: Perhaps these creatures have some level of intelligence, wanting to show some level of “criminal” intent towards others. That, or it’s merely a fancy way of saying they are extremely territorial.
Ivalyan: Response
Moving through the permafrost, Leda led them to the forward camp, built partially into the mountains hillside. Camp itself was overturned, broken glass layered on the ground, bent floodlighting, defensive barriers.
Sylvax: Whatever lives in there... ::A small pause followed.:: it’s been testing your perimeter already. ::She looked back over her shoulder to the Trill, who was staring into the mouth of the cave::
Leda: That it has…
Willow: It’s a wolf trying to break into the hen house at night. It wants to do it without getting shot dead by the farmer.
Ivalyan: Response
Sylvax: Let’s hope it’s as interested in staying hidden as we are.
A sharp incline of Leda’s head was directed towards the trio, ushering them through the main perimeter, through to the main camp lodgings.
((Camp Hemera - Drakos Prime))
The camp, blocking the harsh winter wind, held a modicum of warmth, filled with the antics of numerous individuals shuffling about in an attempt to appear occupied by cleaning or fixing weapons, machinery, cooking, studying.
Leda: ::She turned back to the group:: Welcome to Camp Hemera! This has been our base of operations since we landed our ship in orbit. Please, make yourselves at home.
Willow: Thank you for allowing us to visit.
Haukea once again inclined her head in a show of respect, the way she had done upon their first arrival.
Ivalyan: Response
Leda: ::She pointed at a large screen that dominated one of the back walls:: Too much Temurian blood, sweat, and tears have gone into making it, but this is our map of the cave system so far. You can see where we’ve marked various encounters with the Grevad, cave-ins, passages we’ve seen in person, versus what we’ve mapped with drones and LiDAR, versus what we haven’t been able to access yet. Any information we have is yours.
Leaning over, pulling her cloak tight around her, the Risian studied the map provided before her.
Willow: I appreciate you being willing to share this display of your dedication. Any small exploration of the cave system allows us to use more cation upon our venture.
Ivalyan/Sylvax: Response
Haukea lived in the moment, patiently waiting for information to pass between The Temurians and the ‘Starfleet’ officers, stabilizing herself as an aggressive rumble passed through the camp, forcing everything to still, holding their breath.
Leda: ::shuddering:: Must have been the thunder. There are a lot of storms passing close today. ::turning back to the map:: The Orions have supposedly been working on a way in from this direction, but somehow they never seem to make any progress. It’s starting to feel deliberate.
Haukea-Willow sent a deliberate look towards Rdyen and Ivalyan. Was that thunder? Was that a cover for something far more nefarious?
Ivalyan/Sylvax: Response
Leda: ::crossing her arms tightly:: 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. The proximity alarm began to wail.
Willow: What is the protocol?
Ivalyan/Sylvax: Response
Willow: ::Haukea’s hands disappeared under her cloak, searching for her phase pistol:: Anything! We must get to a safe zone.
Ivalyan/Sylvax: 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
