A Fishing Expedition (part 2)

Posted on Mon Jan 23rd, 2012 @ 12:02pm by Lieutenant JG Ronnie Wolfe & Lieutenant JG Elizabeth Jackson & Major Leroy Mangalia & 1st Lieutenant Noelle Ghassan & Ensign Leee-ee/Maddison Tyler

1,116 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Race for the Lost Treasure

[CONTINUED]

Leo was soon patting himself and sighed. "Noelle, do you happen to have an extra knife? I grabbed the elctro-baton by mistake... Doubt we want that being used down there."

Noelle nodded "I do." She said as she handed Leo the second knife she had and the sheath for it. "It's weighted, in case you have to throw it." She said

"To the contrary, it can be a useful tool, provided your cellular structure is designed for it. My people found that a specific type of electrified eel made a rather useful weapon. Though, as I understand it, your people didn't evolve in an environment where assaults by electrified aquatic life was a common, often daily, occurrence." Maddison said.

"Yea," Leo said looking over. "We so didn't evolve with that kind of thing happening. Usually we're getting eaten by cats, dogs, other people, to occasional shark, and sometimes a giant squid or three. All depends on what you're doing and who you happen to anger on any given day." Leo chuckled. "Plus I'm pretty sure water conducts electricity, and if I remember my thermo-dynamics right, it'll end up shocking eveyr member of the team who isn't adapted to that kind of thing."

"True enough." She said, looking towards Lovek. "Perhaps... no, I shall refrain from comment."

As soon as everyone was settled, the shuttle launched. The trip was uneventful. Before long they landed on a small island near the underwater caverns.

Leo was the first off the shuttle and looking around. It was bright, very bright. Looking around the small area he shook his head. "Clear," He called back, staying near the shuttle, but still being wary. The planet seemed deserted, but something was making his hackles rise. "Let's get to swimming. I want to go back and call my family."

Noelle was right behind Leo "It's too quiet." She said quietly maintaining a high level of alertness. Taking her rifle from her back she looked around the landing zone.

Lizzie followed Leo off the shuttle. While the others gathered their stuff, she made a beeline to a clump of plants to have a closer look.

Maddison unpacked her gear, after downing half a bottle of sea water. She did a quick scan of the water, in question. "Bloody fresh water." She muttered to herself. She pulled out a box, roughly resembling a first aid kit, with Velurian script on it. She rooted about in it, for a few moments. "There we go... Fresh-water algae repellent... Saline balance agent... and... ah, there, perfect. My diving goggles."

She set the three items aside, a pill, a hypospray, and a pair of goggles, and went about preparing herself for the swim, and packing up the kit.

Leo quickly strapped the knife to his arm, then drew the blade feeling the weight. "Not a bad knife Noelle, did you make this yourself? I don't see any manufacture markings." Slipping the knife back in the sheath, he snapped the holding clasp, locking it in tight. He next moved over and knealt next to his aquatic companion. "Is the water going do be a danger?"

Noelle nodded "Its one of my odd hobbies. I prefer to make my own blades. I know what kind of quality. I'll make you one when we get back from this mission." She said "Just give me the specifications of what you want." She said and fell silent waiting for the response to the water question.

"To you lot? Not in the slightest. The water is as hazardous to me, as air would be to you. You don't know what it might carry. Mold spores, viruses, the like. That's why I'm prepping for it." Maddison said. "Also, Algae finds it's way into inconvenient places, and given my current medical status, I doubt that would be healthy."

Leo nodded, figuring if she wanted to let him know, she would. Looking to the rest or the party he looked stern, serious. "I want constant communication. These suits have a short wave radio system, which I hope works with this place. Anything odd, call out. Make either myself or Lieutenant Ghassan know right away. If we tell you to run, I don't want arguments. Security personnel and Marines only if it comes down to a fight." Leo knew this last part wasn't going to make him any friends. "If it comes down to getting behind something and hiding, then just do it, no arguments."

Maddison winked. "Don't worry. You'll be found. I promise."

Leo laughed before tossing his fins in the hole and placing his helmet on his head. Quickly checking his seals, he slid into the water before diving in and grabbing the twin fins. Placing them on his feet he surfaced and started waving the rest of the team in. It was time to go.

Ronnie, now dressed in a wetsuit, slipped on her fins breathing apparatus and goggles and jumped into the water.

Lizzie was a little slower -- and a little more hesitant -- but she managed to get in the water.

Maddison chuckled, as she dove in. Taking a good, deep breath, once underneath, she flicked one of her webbed feet. "Ph balance is a bit off. Smells kind of musty." She said, aloud, in Velurian. Under the water, the sound was melodic. If she had spoken it, on land, without her environmental suit, it would have burst ear drums. The comm-badge picked it up, and translated it appropriately, for the other staff present. "Almost tastes alkaline. Might not need the anti-algae agent, after all. Won't be many predators, if that's the case. Water won't have any plants to eat. No plants, no small fish. No small fish, no big fish." She added.

After getting ready and geared up Mak jumped in. He swam after the Aquatic officer wondering what they will find down below.

Both Ronnie and Lizzie were intrigued by this, but for different reasons. Lizzie began to scan for plant life and Ronnie began to search for small aquatic creatures.

"Plant life is minimal," Lizzie said. "What's there seems to be an aquatic variation of the native plants. There's a mild dampening field as well. Might account for the alkaline taste to the water."

Ronnie nodded in agreement. "There's very little in the way of microorganisms and plankton-like creatures." It went in line with the lack of plant life. Best way to destroy the ecosystem is to take out the food chain at its base.

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant JG Ronnie Lancaster
Assistant Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant JG Elizabeth Jackson
Botanist

Captain Leroy Mangalia
Marine CO

2nd Lieutenant Noelle Ghassan
Marine XO

Ensign Leee-ee/Maddison Tyler
Security Officer

 

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