Camp 5 - Storm Rising
Posted on Fri Dec 16th, 2022 @ 6:19pm by Commodore S'thenosis Gorgox & Remal Kajun & Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Commander Dean House & Lieutenant Commander Sandra "Phantom" Risa & Lieutenant Chester "Duo" Maxwell & Lieutenant JG Blake Leone & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali & Lieutenant Alison Haldeman & Lieutenant Sarah Wilson
Mission:
Planet of the Dinosaurs
Location: Crew Camp
Timeline: Day 2 - Evening
The day progressed slowly into late afternoon and early evening. The heat of the day, and the accompanying humidity brought with it a new level of unbearability. Several of the workers, not used to the heat of the sun, had succumbed as the day pressed on. Remal plugged away at the tricorders, looking for some semblance of a cause to the overall mental decline of what was becoming the majority of the crew. Meanwhile he secretly wished for someone with a computer which could connect the dots much faster.
In the camp, hard work was prevailing on the water feature which when done would provide fresh, safe water to the camp and eliminate the need for multiple trips to the stream. Shelters, transported from the Sunfire had begun arriving and were being setup in strategic locations along with replication tools, shovels and other sorts of odds and ends. A loud roar erupted when a 5000 gallon container of water appeared at the center of camp, followed shortly after by a crate of food stuffs that were not ration packs. It was when the crate of medicine appeared that the medical staff began to breathe easier, having all but exhausted their carried supplies.
On the security front, Savar had the teams working efficiently, rotating out every hour, on the hour. There had not been another incursion attempt, nor any other deaths since the morning incident. There were a few sightings, but nothing to cause concern. Overall, things were progressing smoothly. That is until one of the over watch scouts, signaled a runner who promptly delivered his message. "Commander Savar, over watch has spotted what appears to be a severe lightning storm moving in our direction. We are looking at maybe an hour and a half before it arrives. Sir." His words were followed by a distant roll of thunder across the sky.
Savar's eyes flick to the horizon, and he can see the impending storm clouds in the distance. "Very well. Make sure no crew member is outside the camp perimeter, once it has been verified the outside perimeter is clear, pull all security teams back to the camp with over watch teams the last to come in." he instructed the runner.
The news of the impending storm raced towards camp faster than any runner as a distant Rumble caused many eyes to draw skyward. Rhenora looked up, exhausted from her time spent digging but still helping build shelters and generally keeping things progressing. It would take time to move all their new supplied under cover and they would have to rush to finish the rest of the shelters in time. "Alright team, let's double time this shelter cos we're gonna need it shortly" she tried to encourage the exhausted team.
Savar directed people to move supplies and others to work on the shelters. "Time is of the essence, we must finish these shelters. The storm is moving quicker than expected." He finished as he saw the overwatch security teams come into camp.
Aurora had been helping where she could whilst Sidak was being looked after by Alison Haldeman. Seeing the storm that was heading their way she got stuck in to helping finish off the last few shelters. Who knew how bad storms on this planet could be.
The storm was preceded by huge gusts of cold wind, howling along the plains and promising a wild ride with the storm firmly in tow. It tore through the camp, driving dirt and debris into anyone and anything caught outside in it. The temperature plummeted, dropping a good 15 degrees in a matter of minutes, the day turning from blistering hot to cold almost in an instant. No-one had time to appreciate the cool change as the debris hammered the newly constructed shelters and the existing tents, tearing some from their ropes and tossing them further into the camp. Containers, equipment and anything not nailed down went flying.
Remal had been helping people into their protective shelters when the first guest came through. The sweat of the day against his skin suddenly felt like ice. Lightning rippled across the sky in beautiful but deadly tentacle like strands of pure light. Awe inspiring yes, but then he did a quick head count and his heart sank. Spotting Savar and Aurora first he b-lined over to them. "Commander, a quick count suggests there aren't enough shelters for people. Do we want to have the women and children make for the cave?" He felt like he was shouting over the noise the storm was now unleashing.
Aurora looked towards Savar, right now she just wanted somewhere safe for Sidak out of the dangers of the storm. “I think that’s a good idea!” She found herself having to raise her voice too, the wind was howling and it felt very cold.
Savar nodded at both Remal and Aurora. "I concur." He said raising his voice to be heard. "Chief you head the evac of woman and children to the cave...including the captain. Aurora, see that Alison and Amanda are in the group with you and Sidak. We must hurry, time is of the essence.''
Aurora nodded as she waved to Alison Haldeman, who was concernedly watching the storm front that was approaching. “Alison bring Amanda, and any other women and children nearby! We’re going to the caves!”
Nodding her understanding Alison quickly gathered up her daughter and told the others around her to prepare to move.
Utter chaos erupted as the throngs of people ran for their designated shelters, some not knowing where to go. Remal moved in the direction he had last seen Rhenora, making certain to guide those who seemed lost to the cave at the top of the hill. Three people rushed past, and he stopped to let them. Now shielding his face, he could hear a child crying over the wind. Looking around for the source, he found a small girl who had somehow gotten separated from the group.
Holding out his large hands he said, "Come with me." She either didn't hear him or was so scared she was frozen. He lifted her up and held her close to his chest. She was warm. He pressed on looking for Rhenora, knowing her legs were sore and with her being pregnant she may be slowed down.
The storm certainly got there faster than expected. Winds and the such regardless being ahead of the clouds and rain were a given. They nearly always were with any type of weather. So this wasn't to unusual at the start. However, now it was much worse. Lightening was scattered around the camp area. Much before the sound claps of thunder hit. It scared most of the people around, even if they'd been in situations like this before. Safety in homes or on ships were totally different.
The civilians that weren't already in their designated shelters were moving along as directed by Rhenora, Remal or Alison for the caves. Being helped and escorted by mostly Security personnel. Being it was their job and civilians came first, not just women and children. The apex of the storm was just at the edge of the camp now, making it difficult to see without marker beacons. Thankfully the time between the storm getting there fully and the half evacuation got everyone needed into the cave.
Those left outside were scrambling for cover at this point instead of trying to tie down the feeble tents or any supplies not already stowed away. Even though most of the new shelters were up and running, using any lightening strikes on them as power. The absorption fields acting like lightening rods. Channeling the 1.21 gigawatts of electricity into the generators and batteries, same as the solar panels do, not all of them seemed to be working correctly.
One heavy hard strike hit the upper base of the mountain, causing a slide of rocks to tumble down barely missing the opening to the cave. A second, hit directly above the mouth of the cave causing a further collapse. Completely sealing the opening shut. At the same time, that was the last thing that Savar was able to see before the shelter he was still in was struck also. The surge slammed the doors shut and melted the seal between the two doors, effectively fusing them together. Locking him in and cut off from not only the rest of his family in the cave but everyone else outside.
Back in the cave there was chaos in the darkness as the only means of escape was closed by a rock fall, sealing those inside within the stone walls. Rhenora instinctively ducked and threw her hands over her hand, deflecting many of the smaller rocks and protecting as much of her body as she could. Some weren't so lucky and were buried under the rocks or struck by falling debris. Somewhere someone flicked on a palm beacon or rifle light, she didn't care which is was but it provided some light on their situation in more ways than one. She looked around and tried to gauge a number of injured and the likelihood of further rockfalls before encouraging everyone further into the cave in case their were. She had yet to find Remal, Aurora of any other key personnel.
Aurora had sought shelter protecting her son as the storm brought down the outer roof of the cave blocking their exit. As some of the internal looser ceiling rocks fell, she’d stumbled over to a solid looking wall trying to protect herself and Sidak. As the debris stopped falling she coughed due to the dust in the air, checking Sidak, as she held him close, she was relieved he appeared unharmed. She had a few minor cuts & bruises but found her leg trapped by heavy debris, she didn’t even notice any pain until she tried to move.
“Hello!?” She coughed. “Can anyone hear me!?”
Back in the camp, Sarah couldn't help but squeak as the lightning struck the shelter she, Savar and a heap of others had huddled into. They'd just seen lightning collapse the mouth of the cave, and now their own problems were very evident. The smell of melted plastic and metal alloys wafted from the fused lock and half melted door. The thunderbolt that followed was teeth rattling.
"Now what do we do?" The CMO asked Savar in between claps of thunder.
Savar turned and faced her. "The first thing we do Doctor is wait for the storm to pass. The second thing is not to panic." He replied as he sought to make a connection with Aurora and check on her and Sidak.
TBC
