Ensign Jovan Genestra - Exfiltration
Jason Gilmore
The discussion gravitated to an additional survivor. If someone else was alive, they couldn't leave them behind. At the same time, it wasn't Jovan's call to make. He hoped that Renaie would do, what he viewed as, the right thing. Starfleet was an ideal, it was a belief set. There were times that morality would be challenged, there would be times when officers had to give orders that would end up costing life. Assessments had to be made and maybe that was why Oswald did what he did?
Ch'viqit: Mia is a good friend to me. They all are--were. I will not stop looking for her until I know for certain, one way or another.
Shortrith: ::firmly but gently:: We will help you.
Varek: ::to the Andorian:: Are there any other survivors of the Yantar in that direction?
Ch'viqit: ::shakes his head:: No. My other three friends had passed before I regained consciousness. I can only hope they died upon impact before they knew what was happening. They...they were good people. They deserved a painless death.
Shortrith: My deepest condolences, hopefully we find Mia alive.
Genestra: Let's see if we can make that sooner, rather than later.
Varek: The presence of the Gorn changes the situation considerably. Those life signs may be survivors, but they may equally well be what is hunting them. Unless our new acquaintance can give us reason to believe otherwise, I would recommend returning to the buggy, retrieving our equipment and reassessing the situation from there.
Ch'viqit: A buggy? Well, of course Starfleet would come well-prepared. If you are detecting life signs, that may well be Mia - she is a Betazoid, if you are scanning for particular lifesigns.
Shortrith: I'll make a point of keeping an eye out for a Betazoid by herself.
Ch'viqit: We unfortunately were not able to do any kind of new mapping prior to the crash. The old data - from the USS Arrow, I believe - is what we have had to base our assumptions on. It is particularly sparse, but there are major landmarks here.
Shortrith: I'm hoping that it's mostly familiar, but I don't think that'd be a fair call with how little information we have - and as a result, no knowledge of how much has changed since the Arrow was here.
Jovan was listening to them speak, but his eyes were scanning the trees for any movement. The team was not in a situation where he could let down his guard. He noticed Varek doing the same, keeping his head on a swivel.
Genestra: ::looking at the Andorian: It'll be like ice skating uphill.
Ch'viqit: While it may not seem like it, considering that I am a cartographer, I am still Andorian - and well-trained with a phaser. ::pats the borrowed one at his side:: I promise I shall be of use getting through this jungle.
Shortrith: I'll appreciate your assistance in any form. This instance is a rare one where I actually have a phaser, but it'll only be set to stun because of my oath. ::to all three of the others:: I recommend setting your phasers to stun where possible.
Jovan nodded. His phasers were already set on stun and had been since they began. It was the Federation standard and the default setting for Starfleet officers.
Genestra: ::to the group:: We should get moving.
Ch'viqit: Lead the way, please. I shall keep my senses tuned towards potential predators.
Shortrith: I'll follow behind again, that way I'll have your backs.
Varek: I’m right behind you, Ensign.
Genestra: Copy, I've got point. Let's move.
The team, plus one, was on the move. They needed to retrace their path back to the buggy. In the back of his mind his thoughts drifted to Oswald. He had hoped that by now the android would have caught up with the team. But he had not. Now, they were going back the same way they came. If something did happen to the Commander, they would at least be able to confirm.
Shortrith: ::to Ch'viqit:: Do you feel pain anywhere other than what I've covered? I'll get a chance to properly treat you when we get to the shuttle.
Ch'viqit: Response
As they pushed farther back from whence they came, the team arrived at the spot where they lost Commander Oswald, at least the best they could tell. Now it was fully dark on the planet, the only light was emitted from the team and bioluminescence spread throughout the foliage. As they got close enough, Jovan noticed no sign of Oswald. That was good and bad. Jovan half expected the android to be in pieces, as he definitely wouldn't be on the menu.
Shortrith: I can't see the Zelph. We should be good to head back to the buggy and then back to the shuttle.
Jovan felt the intent behind Varek's look. They had just preached about not leaving anyone behind, yet here they were, eager to push on to complete the mission. And now that the Gorn were involved the threat level was starting to spiral. Again, Oswald would fail to be a tasty snack for the Gorn either.
Varek: Shouldn’t we wait for Commander Oswald at the buggy? The route back to the shuttle is long and difficult on foot.
This time Jovan remained silent. The suggestion was made, but the call still had to be made by Renaie. It almost felt like they were getting ready to abandon him again.
Ch'viqit: Response
Shortrith: ::to Genestra:: You still alright to drive?
Genestra: Aye, Lieutenant.
Ch'viqit: Response
Varek: Lieutenant, I'd suggest we take another chance at a wide, active scan before we board our buggy. We know there are Gorn nearby, and I don't want us to walk right into a trap when we get to the buggy.
Shortrith/Ch'viqit: Response
The group stopped, and Jovan watched as Varek dropped to one knee before opening his tricorder. Jovan had a good idea about what was about to happen next. As the tricorder came to life, so did the jungle around them. The sounds and colors were more noticable and Jovan began visually scanning the area. If there was a threat, he wanted to see it coming.
Varek: I’m not getting a clear reading. The atmospheric interference seems particularly strong in this region and is affecting the scans. I’m picking up a few lifesigns, but I can’t pinpoint them precisely. They don’t appear to be very far from us, though.
Genestra: We need to keep moving.
Shortrith/Ch'viqit: Response
Varek: Is it just me, or is the buzzing getting louder?
Shortrith/Ch'viqit: Response
There were new lights adding to the glow and they were moving in quickly from the sky, weaving between the trees as they rapidly approached the team. As they got closer the buzzing sound became louder. The tricorder was enough to lure them from wherever they came from. Now, it looked as if they were going to be the prey for yet another thing on the planet trying to kill them.
Genestra: Incoming!
Varek: I’ve turned off the tricorder. We should get clear of this area quickly.
Jovan resisted the urge to fire, instead he tried to move to the other side of a tree to take cover as the swarm swooped in. As he moved around the tree, he wasn't quick enough. Just as he turned his arm was caught by a mandible of one of the creatures. It cut right through his uniform and into his bicep. Jovan felt something hit him, but did not feel any pain. The adrenaline was pumping hard enough to keep him operational. With a quick breath, he peaked from his position and aimed his rifle. With two rapid shots, he hit two targets flying toward Renaie. As they were hit, they fell to the ground. As soon as they fell, the others in flight gained altitude and started to move away. Rolling his eyes, he moved from cover.
Genestra: I hate this planet!
Shortrith/Varek/Ch'viqit: Response
Genestra: Let's move before ::pointing to the ones on the ground:: they wake up or ::pointing in the direction the remaining creatures flew off to:: they come back with more friends.
Shortrith/Varek/Ch'viqit: Response
It didn't take much longer for the team to make it to the buggy. In that time, the adrenaline had worn off enough for him to notice the pain in his arm. He had also been careful to keep his wounded arm on the opposite side of Renaie. He had nothing against field triage, but it was lower on his priority list. There was plenty of time to get patched up when they got back to the ship. Jovan pulled the remote PADD from his bag and held it up.
Genestra: Driving back to the Medusa in the dark may not be a good idea. We would definitely have to use the lights and there is no telling what that would attract. ::tossing the PADD to Varek:: You think you can fly the shuttle to that ledge, sir? ::pointing to a rocky ledge the buggy could cimb and high enough for the shuttle to maneuver in for a pickup.::
Varek: Response
Genestra: ::looking at Renaie:: We can bring the shuttle to us, Lieutenant. The downside is that the lifesigns that Lieutenant Varek was able to detect, were not far behind us. It does put us in this area a little longer, but the shuttle should only be about a seven minute flight from here.
Shortrith: Response
Genestra: Lieutenant, I also have to inquire about Commander Oswald. I am not comfortable leaving the area without him. Surely there is a way to track him online or offline? Do we link up with Commander Tucker? Lieutenant Wren? One of our engineers has to be able to locate him, right?
Jovan found himself getting emotional about leaving a member of their team behind. Until now, they hoped Oswald would have regrouped with them. At each turn, there seemed to be more time for him to reappear. They were out of time. They were at the buggy with the ship mere minutes away.
Shortrith/Varek/Ch'viqit: Response
[TBC/Tags]