Exit strategy

Posted on Wed Dec 28th, 2022 @ 11:07am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen

Mission: Planet of the Dinosaurs
Location: Caves

Captain Kaylen Rhenora turned and led her small team towards the rear of the main cavern, confident that Aurora and Blake would keep everything in order while they searched for a way out.

The darkness became almost absolute as they entered the secondary cave, eager to follow the glimmer of light. Using only one light they carefully picked their way through the cave as large rocks obstructed their path, causing them to climb and shimmy their way over and around.

As they neared the top of a particularly large pile of rocks that almost completely blocked their path Rhenora called for light off, to check that they were still on the right path towards the glimmer of sunlight they had seen previously. In the distance a glimmer of pure sunlight descended from a crack in the low ceiling only a few hundred metres further along.

Calling for light back on the group froze in their tracks as a large creature emerged from the gloom of the cave, curious as to those who would interrupt it's peace and serenity. It's roar was deep and dangerous, a warning that would best be headed if the situation wasn't sure. The cave descended into a low ceiling, and the sunlight beckoned beyond, taunting them.

"How did I know this wasn't going to be easy" Rhenora grumbled to herself as she took in as much information about the creature as she could. It was lizard like in structure, long and low, easily navigating the boulders the team were currently perched behind. Its mouth revealed two rows of razer sharp teeth and a collection of recently eaten bones behind him.

Kaylen motioned for the team to duck back behind the rocks and kill the light, a tense few moments before they could release the breath they were collectively holding. They had to come up with a plan of either distracting or disposing of the creature to get to the sunlight behind it. The crack could easily be turned into a crevasse and be climbed out of, ending their confinement in the caves.

"Ideas?" She whispered as loud as she dared, keeping a keen ear out for movement. A few hastily concocted ideas were tossed around before one - Rhenora's - was agreed upon. They had one rifle, which would remain where it was on the rocks, someone would cause a distraction for the creature - under cover of the rifle. The rifle would fire a high powered volley at the crack and cause a cave in, hopefully taking the creature down with it. They would check the relative location of their exit point and return to the rest of those waiting back at the main cavern. There would be a few moments of vulnerability, where the team would be armed with rocks or whatever they could throw to position it whilst the rifle fired on the roof, and hopefully prevent it from eating the person causing the distraction.

"Who's gonna be the distraction" Crewman Dalton asked hesitatingly.

"I am" Rhenora said firmly. "And don't give me that 'but you're the Captain bullshit."

No-one seemed game enough to argue.