The Wilderness, part 1
Posted on Tue Nov 9th, 2010 @ 11:15pm by Captain T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Dylan Blake & Lieutenant JG Jason Fisher & Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper
1,086 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Structured Shoreleave - Marchwiel
Location: OP base camp
[ON]
"Well, Lieutenant, wherrre should we starrrt?" The unmistakable purr of T'kaarch sounded through the darkness, aimed at Lieutenant Blake, who had been put in charge.
"We do as ordered," Blake answered trying not to stumble in the poor light. "We head back to camp and wait. Personally I don't like this one bit, but it would be best if we remained together. We still have a mission to fulfill regardless of the new turn of events." He shot over his shoulder roughly in the direction of T'kaarch when, without warning, his footing fouled causing him to fall face first into the gorse.
T'kaarch couldn't help but chuckle. "We'rrre gonna be fine with you in charrrge." He purred, uncharacteristically sarcastic.
"Not funny," Blake snapped struggling to extract his robes from the bush. "Check we're not being followed."
T'kaarch looked around. "Not that I'm awarrre of... why?"
"Because Commander Michaels fought off a rogue group of bandits attacking that cart. The last thing we want is for them to follow us." With a sharp tug Blake stood free and continued to pick his way onwards once more.
"I can't believe she did that," Blake retorted with a hint of anger and disappointment. "I mean, alright for being the hero... but agreeing to go with them, into the city... what the hell was she thinking?"
Truthfully he was annoyed with T'mpest as much as the new situation: becoming responsible to the remainder of the party, and for once it wasn't the company that the issue sat with: it was is ability to lead, and the knowledge that the safety and welfare of their lives and mission rested upon him. The prospect had his stomach in a knot.
Another thought caused Blake to halt and turn to T'kaarch to ask a crushing question to his self confidence: "I'm disoriented...which way back to camp?"
T'kaarch couldn't help but chuckle inside, then he twisted his arm for Blake to see the Tricorder, which was still on life sign readings.
The tricorder showed three life signs. One in the camp, two just outside.
Meanwhile - back at camp
Jason Fisher cursed under his breath. The light was beginning to draw in and there was no sign of T'kaarch, Blake or Marstin. A significant part of the problem was the lack of equipment that they had been allowed to bring with them. There was only one phaser, which T'kaarch had, there were only three tricorders, none of which were still on camp and, while he still had his comm-badge, there seemed to be something interfering with communications which meant he'd not heard from anyone for a significant period of time. Further, although he was no stranger to camping out alone, there was definitely something disconcerting about the rustling coming from the undergrowth. Without a tricorder, it was simply impossible to tell what was out there. He decided to risk an attempt at communication one more time. He tapped his comm-badge. "Fisher to T'kaarch." He waited... Nothing. "Fisher to Blake, can you hear me?"
A twig snapped. Bartok elbowed Tarrol in the ribs. "Quiet," he hissed. "The camp is just ahead. I want that female's skin for depriving me of a wagon full of goods."
The two men rallied after their ignominious defeat and located the camp, which wasn't hard, as they'd heard the voices. Everything was silent now and the travelers should be asleep, but there may be a guard so SHUT UP."
Quite soon it became clear what caused the interference, as rain started pouring and a strange thunder-like phenomenon was visible and audible overhead.
"Let's hurrry back to camp," A now quite soaked religious cat purred. As they became close, T'kaarch grabbed the Phaser in his other hand, just in case these new native life signs ment trouble.
With a curt nod Blake agreed for it wouldn't take long for the heavy robes to soak up the rain water nor for his extended hair to drag across his face in a rather unusual fashion.
Bartok chuckled as the rain fell. "Perfect," he said as he drew a long, thin blade. "Come on, Tarrol, fortune has turned in our favor."
The other man hefted a club and nodded. The camp promised warm tents and food. Maybe even something worth selling. He looked at Bartok, "after you," he whispered.
Jason Fisher had little warning of what was to come. He heard the bandits a split second before contact was made, but it was not enough. He had, for a few seconds, placed his knife to one side, but those few seconds proved vital. Before he had time to register what was happening, he felt a clubbing blow to the back of the head. While not knocked unconscious he was sufficiently dazed to impede both his perception and his co-ordination. Fighting mainly on instinct, he attempted to keep his assailants at bay long enough to get back to a vertical base, but they proved both deceptively strong and frustratingly durable. Even one blow that landed square on, what he believed to be, a jaw did not provide any pause in the flurry of blows being rained down upon him. Soon he felt a sharp pain in his side, and he was immediately aware that he had been stabbed with a blade - perhaps even his own. As he reached down to try to put a hand over the wound the pain engulfed him... and he lost conciousness.
All of a sudden, a crackling sound just missed the bandits, instantly followed by the phaser beam. "Grrreetings, Heathens!" T'kaarch purred with a deep voice, while quickly hiding the phaser again.
Tarrol yelped and dropped his club. "What in the name of the five sisters..." He turned to look at T'kaarch. "Where'd you come from?"
Bartok quietly sheathed his blade and took a slow step backwards.
"Just overrr therrre," T'kaarch purred, slightly distracted. He then did a quick motion backwards, throwing the phaser sneakily to Lieutenant Blake in the bushes "Coverrr me" He hissed silently. He then lifted up his arms. "The five sisters have given me this sign! To find thee strrray sheep and lead you back to ye flock!" T'kaarch hoped thorougly that they'd be impressed - if not, he hoped Blake was fast enough with the phaser.
(To be continued...)
Lieutenant Dylan Blake
Chief Operations Officer
Lieutenant JG T'kaarch
Assistant Chief Science Officer
Lieutenant JG Jason Fisher
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
Bartok and Tarrol (NPCs)
Outlaws
RSS Feed