An Abundance of Life - A brief excursion

Posted on Sun Jun 18th, 2023 @ 4:52am by Captain Samuel Woolheater & Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D. & Lieutenant Commander Rin & Consul Andrinn Orin & Warrant Officer Gen'Terta CrystalCliff & Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 2: Survival
Location: Planetside - Three important map points
Timeline: MD7: That morning
3520 words - 7 OF Standard Post Measure

Ic

The group was sent an message the night before and were requested to gather at the cave mouth at 08h00. Samaire had with permission gotten 3 snowmobiles beamed down to the surface for the team to use. Two had sleds attached for equipment.

Samuel was early and didn't realize that Lieutenant McBride-Reece could get them snowmobiles!! A wide grin brightened up his face and he said to no one in particular, "Oh yeah...fancy pants are we?" He looked around for others inthe group. He was dressed in his bodyarmor and had his rifle attached to the back. He carried a field overnight kit and food rations and a warm blanket on a roll on his backpack. He looked around and asked, "THese are for us, right?"

"Yes." Samaire replied with a smile. "I am not one for walking through snow." She said to him. "Plenty of room for our equipment and supplies. Two per snowmobile though."

"That just means that I get to ride shotgun then, Mr. Woolheater. You're not getting lost in the snow again or I'll kick your behind myself. That's an order, understood?" Andrinn said as he came up behind Sam and laid his hand on Sam's shoulder, making sure that Sam didn't get spooked from him walking behind him.

Sam squeezed his hand and acknowledged Andy with a hug. "I wasn't lost. I was temporarily in location flux." Before Andy could laugh he said, "Do you lieutenant Macbride-Reece? She's responsible for the snowmobiles."

Samaire waved from where she was standing. "Nice to meet you." She said brightly.

Tipping his head towards Samaire, Andrinn said, "It's very nice to meet you. As for you Sam, you were totally lost. Don't give me any of that BS. I'm just glad that you're okay and I can be your backup this time around."

Andrinn gently slapped Sam's arm before getting into the space for the co-pilot of the snowmobile.

Rin threw one leg over a snowmobile and sat squarely in the seat. "Who's riding with me?"

"Where's the Crystalcliff?" Woolheater asked.

One of the vehicle technicians brought over four vacuum canisters and told them that they were filled with hot coffee. And Sam nearly cried. He looked at Andrinn and asked, "You want to drive this time? I don't mind being shotgun."

"I'm here," came the icy cold voice of Warrant officer Gen'tetra Crystalcliff, the genetically engineered alien striding up to the group wearing what would pass for casual clothing, with one of the Bizarre angular carbines she and Her Counterpart always carried with them. "Its good to get out of the armor and explore every so often..." she added trying to add a cheerful tone to her voice.

Sam said, "Yeah...I bet having a fur coat helps a bit too. I got shotgun here in this rig. Lt. Rin needs a co-pilot" he said as he put his backpack into the cargo are of the snowmobile and his rifle on his back.

"It helps having antifreeze blood and a Biology that was quiet literally designed for an environment similar to this one." Gen'Tetra scoffed before she moved towards Rin. "Co-pilot?" She offers with what passes for a smile.

"Might that be me?"Tate inquired, approaching the small group. She was surprised to be asked to join the group for some exploration, but thinking of what Gary had talked to her about, she decided it would be a good idea and was perhaps divine intervention. Exploring would get her out of her head, and if nothing else, it would give her an opportunity to scout some places the children might enjoy exploring later.

"Totally driving this time around. Is there anywhere in particular that we are exploring? Are we exploring individually or within the whole group? Any idea on the plan?" Orin asked as he took the seat and made sure he was comfortable before putting his protective eyewear on and looking back at the group.

Sam said as he boarded the vehicle, "We're going to see the wildlife."

"Sullivan can ride with me Lieutenant" Samaire offered Rin, "if you are ok to take CrystalCliff?"

Gen Gave Rin a faint smile. "I...hope that won't be an issue," She said with a respectful nod. "ah..ma'am," she added quickly.

Tate smiled. "I can't help but feel like we're picking teams in a Starfleet Academy gym class."

Gen'Tetra gave him a soft tilt of her head Her large triangular ears flicking and twitching. "I'm sorry...that one didn't..properly translate for me...uh...what did you say?

Sam answered, "She said 'Let's go' already. We only have so much daylight and we have an hour's drive ahead of us to reach the ridgeline." Now that the group was together, Sam looked at the hierarchy and said, "Lieutenant Rin, I believe that you have command of this away team? Being that you are senior staff and a bridge officer. The floor is yours Lieutenant, we're ready to depart."

Rin nodded for Gen'Tetra to join her, then brought up a map on the snowmobiles' displays. "We stay together until we get to N1-11. There we split in three directions but keep within 5 klicks of each other. We join back up at F2-10 and then again at D9-13. No one's getting lost out here. You get into trouble, then you let the other teams know. You find something of note, you let us know. Questions?"

Sam looked around the group and then shook his head 'no', "Sounds like a Sunday drive in the country. Don't get lost, check in three times and save the data. Got it LT."


AN HOUR LATER - ENTERING FOREST AT MAP MARKER N1-11

It was cold and there was a breeze. Strong enough to keep frigid air...frigid. As Sam sat next to Andrinn the snowmobile came to a stop and they waited as the rest of the group stopped as well. "They're just ahead...can't see them yet...but they're there." He reached for Andrinn's hand and gave it a squeeze, "I'm glad you're here. Thanks for driving."

"There! Woot! Would you look at that!" Sam said as they looked out the window of the snowmobile.

Ahead of them, about three-hundred meters, emerged from the treeline a heard of Cryophants. The Cryophant has a sturdy, robust body covered in a thick layer of shaggy, insulating fur. The fur varies in shades of icy blue and white, blending harmoniously with its frozen environment. Along its back, a row of formidable, curved ivory-like tusks protrudes, adapted for both defense and as a tool for breaking through thick ice and snow. Similar to an mammoth from Earth's past, but with its own unique adaptations, the Cryophant also has a trunk like appendage. There are six finger-like "grippers" at the end of the trunk that it uses to great advantage. The Cryophant herd moved slowly across their field of view.

Andrinn sat on the snowmobile's seat for the driver as he looked at what was being pointed out. He said to Sam and the rest of the group over the COMM, "I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it beforehand. Have any of you guys noticed anything like that before?"

"Not even in my nightmares," Tate replied, though her sense of admiration and awe over fear was apparent. "They're beautiful creatures from a distance, aren't they?"

Samaire pulled out her holocam and set it to record. "Science is going to have a field day"

The cryophants moved across the open area in front of them. Sam wondered why they had these thick tusks sticking out of their backs but focused on getting sensor data. The group had been provided a list of animals that had been scanned but were either not yet imaged or had not yet been seen visually for confirmation. As the other two snowmobiles checked in and then departed for their individual destinations, Sam brought up the map route on the display that he and Andrinn were to take. And now that the herd of Cryophants had passed, it seemed OK to proceed to the next rendezvouz at F2-10.

"We just basically have to follow this heading and we'll stay within range of the other two. Here's our list of critters...sensors are on but, they are limited by the cold. Ready to proceed Consul?" he asked Andrinn.

Andrinn was sitting there, looking at the various forms of life that was gracing their presence at the moment. He looked back at Sam and smiled, saying, "Yeah, I think so. Lord only knows what those other creatures were that you caught on the sensor scans. I'm sure that the science department will have a hayday with the information that we're bringing back for them."

Andrinn mounted the snowmobile again and began following the directions given to him by Sam and the rest of the group.

Samaire piloted her snowmobile with Tate behind her behind the others, her holocam taking in the area as they did so.


NINETY-MINUTES LATER - ESCARPMENT AT MAP MARKER F2-10


Sam sat up in his seat as the snowmobile came to a slow stop. He pulled the rifile from his back and activated the sniper's scope on it and peered tghrough it. He carefully looked ahead of them through the scope and then, after a tense moment, breathed a sigh of relief. "Got it....bearing 010 by 048. Seventy-five meters ahead and up on the cliff face...mmm....fifteen meters?"

And so it was. The "Glacial Drifter" remained silent and if it handn't moved, there was a good chance they wouldn't have seen it.

The Glacial Drifter is a magnificent and enigmatic creature that looks like a combined large feline with the majesty of a soaring bird. It stands at an impressive height of 7 feet at the shoulder, with a sleek, muscular body and an expansive wingspan of 15 feet. Its body is covered in a combination of dense, insulating fur and shimmering feathers, displaying a range of icy colors, from silver and pale blue to hints of deep indigo. The creature has a lithe body and looks like the agility of a feline predator. It has a flexible spine, powerful limbs, and retractable claws that allow it to traverse the treacherous icy terrain with ease. Its muscular structure grants it remarkable speed and agility, making it a formidable hunter.

As Sam peered through the sniper scope, he tied it into the snowmobile viewscreen so that not only could Andrinn see it, but a recording would be made of it. Sam said, "Reminds me of a bird. One of the great birds back on Pacifica. The wings are reminiscent of a Pharrax. Big ass bird back home. I guess lik an eagle on Earth? This guy is strong I bet. These wings enable this bad boy to take to the skies. Man I bet this critter can soar. I would love to see it fly. Trouble is, maybe it thinks we're lunch? Better not tempt it.

"I can see...patterns...markings and intricate lines of bioluminescent markings across its body. I see blue and green light. See, its also onthge scope." It would later be discovered that these markings would serve both as a form of communication and as a mesmerizing display during courtship rituals. The markings emit a soft, ethereal glow, ranging in colors from icy blues to frosty greens.

As Sam watched and looked at the creature, it's eyes opened. Two enormous eyes as big as dinner plates. They stared back at him through the sniper scope. Sam said, "Ow...man...that'll scare the shit out of ya!" The creature possesses exceptional vision, blending the keen eyesight of an eagle with the ability to see in low-light conditions like a feline. Its eyes are equipped with a reflective layer behind the retina, enhancing its night vision allowing it to spot prey even in the dim light of the frozen world.

It was like looking into the eyes of death. Sam said, "Ooooo-kaaayyy....Glacial Drifter....check. I think it knows we're here."

Andrinn was sitting in the driver's seat as Sam did his thing and said, "If that thing makes a run for us, let me know so that I can get us out of here before it decides to make us a meal. I don't feel like being food for Yeti over there."

"But you'd be so tasty!", Sam said as he teased him.



ARRIVING AT MAP MARKER D9-13 – THE OUTCAST PLAIN

The snowmobile came to a stop. There was a fog that had drifted into the area. It masked the sky. Sam consulted the map and the aerial scan that had been taken. This area was roughly five miles (8KM) and was more or less an oval. Sam though that it might have been an impact crater from a long time ago or some ancient caldera from a now dormant volcano. Either way, there were few trees here. The area stood out because of the sparse adornment. He didn’t like being out in the open, so alone and solitary. But they had little choice. He looked over at Andrinn and held up a PaDD with an image of what looked like deer on it.

As they drove across this outcast plain the snow mobile’s sensors started pinging. Sam looked at the grid and it looked like a storm was forming. “Looks like a storm? Highly localized though….that’s odd that we didn’t see it before?”

The storm grew rapidly in intensity and the snowmobile came to a stop. They were roughly one quarter of the way across the plain. The winds picked up and snow started falling. It was rapidly becoming a blizzard with white-out conditions. Sam called to the other team members, “Lieutenant Rin, just letting you know that we’ve got some inclement weather…looks like a localized storm. Should blow through though. We’re at the third marker….D9-13 and we’re holding just until…WHOA! What was THAT?!”

His finger left the comm button and the channel closed. The entire ground around them moved. As if something large had just landed. Looking out the front window of the vehicle, Sam could see the snow blowing sideways. The winds had picked up severely and the storm intensity was quite severe now. The snow mobile was sealed, and Sam checked to make sure all the seals were good. Another large ground movement. The snowmobile shook and rolled.

Suddenly, the sensor pinged. It was large. Those thumps…that was when something alighted. The wind was whipping around them and across the outcast plain now. It grew darker as the clouds, funneled in as if a tornado had formed. Then, there were flashes and thunder within the maw of the storm. The snow mobile was being buffeted about.

Then they heard it.

Above the din of the roaring winds was this screech. It was ghastly. It had the high pitch of a scream and the low bass note of something large and terrible. But it was empty and wanting in the middle register. It sent gooseflesh across Samuel’s arms and made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. There was another step and then a huge claw like appendage moved over them and came now and slammed the ground in front of them some three hundred feet from the front of the snowmobile.

It was the Chaotic Blizzard Walker. Sam turned to Andrinn, “Hold on.” Sam tapped the comm again to warn the others, “Lt. Rin and everyone. The chaotic walker has been sighted at D9-13. It’s right…in…in front of us!”

Sam turned to Andrinn shut off the power. "Shut everything down. Everything."

The snowmobile went dark. The roar and then a deep rumble. The sound of the wind rushing about them as the tiny vehicle at the feet of the walker. Giant wings, more reptilian than feathered landed 500 feet to their left as the monstrous creature towered over them. It lowered its head.

The Stalker's eyes radiate an eerie, otherworldly glow. They appear as icy blue orbs, piercing through the blizzard's whiteout conditions with an unsettling intensity. The glow serves as both a means of keen night vision and a deterrent, warning others to remain still in its presence.

Sam said, “Don’t move.” And he held his own breath as that eye, as big as a shuttle, stared at and through them. The creature's elongated limbs end in razor-sharp claws, each one resembling a translucent, ice-encrusted dagger. These claws are capable of easily rending through thick layers of snow and ice, making them formidable weapons for hunting and defense.

The Stalker seemed to stare past them. Perhaps even in curiosity. Samuel gripped his rifle a bit tighter. Then it raised its massive head and lifted its mouth to the sky. When it roared this time, the lightning flashed behind it, and they got a damn good look at this massive creature. It was as tall as a ten-story building. Its skin was pale and had grey-white blotches. It looked like it had four legs and it walked on all four. There were two massive wings and it seemed to also use them to locomote when it was on the ground. It had a jagged, monstrous outline. And it possessed the ability to exhale freezing gusts of icy breath. Sam watched as it moved through the snowstorm, its breath crystallized the air, causing the temperature to plummet even further. It was both terrifying and utterly fascinating. In a moment, Sam wondered if the creature created the storm it was engulfed in…or was the storm a byproduct of some other aspect. He pushed that idea out of his brain and looked around. If they had to make a run for it…where would they go?

Then, as the thunder rolled through and shook everything a strange sensation came over Sam. He felt warm. For the first time in a month, he felt…warm.

“Andy? Something is happening” Sam said as he looked up and out of the front windows of the vehicle. The Blizzard Stalker was emitting a subtle, mesmerizing aura. It was difficult to nail down because it was mostly a feeling. Out of the corner of his eye, Sam caught sight of a herd of deer – catalogued in their map as “Tundra Deer”. They appeared despite the heavy winds. Wait….the winds? They had stopped. All around them was an eerie silence. Sam could see that the snow was still blowing. The lightning was still flashing. But there were no more sounds. In fact, there was no more wind. The snow, simply fell to the ground in silent mystery.

Sam became aware, as if it were whispered in his ear of a low-frequency hum, barely audible, which causes a disorienting, yet calming effect on those who hear it, making it difficult to focus or maintain balance. Sam looked over at the herd of deer who showed no fear. They seemed oblivious.

Then, It lowered its head and chomped an entire two deer in its mouth. Their blood showered the snowmobile and the cracking of bones and flesh was not a pleasant sound. The other deer stood there. Dumb and mute. Th aura of the Chaotic beast seemed to lull them into a blissful, stupid state. Samuel wondered if the aura affected Humans by making them feel warm and at rest?

“Andy? How do you feel?” he asked.

Andrinn was having trouble focusing, but he was able to hang on by a hair thread. He knew that Orin was in trouble because of the flashes of color that kept popping up in the sides of his vision and the subtle pain that he could feel around where Orin was situated.

Andrinn looked over at Sam and said, "Something's off about this place. I'm not entirely sure what it is, but I'm seeing colors out of the side of my vision that shouldn't be on this planet and something is making Orin go haywire down there. I think we need to get out of here, especially before that big old beast tries for us too."

"Yeah, I think you're right. I don't feel right either. OK, we'll power on and pedal to the metal."


Powering on the vehicle, they made for the tree line and as they drew further and further away, the storm lessened. Until they were out of it. The blizzard stalker made no attempt to chase after them. Which made Sam wonder if the creature was trapped in a kind of vortex? Or if the creature was the vortex. Even so, he sent out a message and marked it on the map.

Meeting up with the rest of the group ad hearing about their encounters with the life forms they found and imaged was amazing. And they all went back to the camp as a group with plenty of stories to tell.


[OFF:]