Posted by Mar. Captain Wulf Baumann (MACO CO) in Main Sim - Wolf 359 Planet 2 - Cave Scouting

Posted by Ensign Elemirre Serinde (Engineering Officer) in Main Sim - Wolf 359 Planet 2 - Cave Scouting

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Isaac Black (Chief Armory Officer) in Main Sim - Wolf 359 Planet 2 - Cave Scouting
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
[snip]

The unknown larger paw as they got more up close to it was probably still from one of the big cats they had scanned previously. This example though was probably a much larger one then so far recorded. The paw prints showed it had indeed left, perhaps a day or so at most ago. But as noted not yet returned. Given the paw depth and spacing they could tell this larger example of the big cave dwelling pack cats was easily at least 14 feet long, and probably about 5 or so feet in height. Given the impression of paw markings it probably weighed in at close to 900 some pounds! For so far comparisons on smaller scanned examples of the pack cats, those had ranged from 4-9 feet in length and stood 2-4 feet in height weighing around on average 600 pounds. These smaller examples so far scanned were probably younger members of the packs, and this mammoth beast was probably a much more mature/adult one. To put it to compare with a Terran cat, the largest average striped tigers on Earth came in at 10 feet in length and averaged 650 or so pounds, so this mature example dwarfed even those fine beasts!

El had never been to a zoo and had only a cursory education in animals of Earth, much less anywhere else. Her experience had only been with small animals - a medium sized dog maybe a little larger than Nessa was. She could tell this was big and had read, if quickly, the information on the ‘big cats’ here, but had little to compare it with. “It could be as big as a horse,” she said. El had seen one of those. Images of lions seemed small, but then she’d only seen videos. Sussing things out was not that hard to suggest these were larger. “They would be stronger too with the added gravity.” El pulled out her scanner and scanned the tunnels and the surroundings. With luck they would not know what they were if they encountered them and not think them lunch, at least not that quickly.

The cave mouth before them was about 20 or so feet wide, and about 15 feet tall in a natural shaped half moon like pattern. The outline was covered by roots and rocks which gave it a strong natural arch like setup making it a prime location no doubt for shelter by such beasts or other animals. The entrance within was a good 90 or so feet deep with a concaved like shape of a 3/4th circle from the mouth. Several cave tunnels branched off in an east, west, and southerly direction, the first two going deeper into the ground while the southern one proceeded on a mostly near surface path for a good 200 some feet before scans faded being reliable. The air was breathable and evidence present of underground water sources, as well as tiny insect life in the soil plus moss and other such things. The damp musk of cat and decay was also present.

GM CockRoach

“It goes in about 25 meters or so,” El said, “then branches. Three of them. East and West tunnels go deep. The South passage goes straight on. I can scan a ways but then lose it. Do you think that the animals would stick to the upper levels, Lt?” she asked. “I’m getting water sources. Um, trying to get a better read on the water. The animals may use that. Stinky here.” She curled her nose. She had cleaned out barn stalls in her time so ‘that’ smell wasn’t unfamiliar, but this was. It smelled unearthly, at least to her. Squinting into the tunnel she added. “Scanning for topography on the tunnels to find one that may be a best fit, but if we’re looking for ore the two going deep are our best bet.”

As she looked into the darkness, El didn’t feel fear as much as a sense of something new which meant something new to learn. They were traversing into a place which was the home of these cats. El believed that to exhibit a oneness with nature meant that nature would see her as one of their own. “We may not have much comms in there, Lt,” she said. “You may want to contact the commander to report our status.” She figured that Isaac would know this, but he seemed to have a decidedly man against nature sense and may need a nudge.

El, Eng

Isaac looked at her “if we go to far we will lose coms. How about this we enter you get your scans and we get out. I don’t know about you but I don’t wanna be here when the big cat gets back”

Lt. Isaac Black (AC)

El looked again. “The closest pack was scanned at about 4 miles off. Animals don’t run unless they have a reason to. If they start back we have a good hour, but right now I’m not seeing it. Until we lose contact because of range we are fine and can be away before they return.” That may have been more hopeful than anything. “I can set up an alarm so that it will alert us when they are moving closer at half mile intervals.” She paused. “I wonder what caused all these caves. Maybe when the others join us they will know more.”

• El, Eng

Isaac looked at her “some time cave form naturally and that’s it. We only have a problems when we start seeing straight lines in patterns. Cuz only lifeforms use straight lines.

Lt. Isaac Black (AC)

As the pair headed inside they found the details of the entrance awash in places with bits of bone likely from past prey the large cats had eaten. There was also signs of wet decaying fur, sinew of muscles and the like too. Further off to one side near a smaller entrance into the cave which flowed air in and out was a small run off stream which seemed to be used by the pack as a collective waste spot. Aged dung and the rich scent of urine were present, but the constant run off flow of water out of the cave and into the natural hill grass just outside kept it mostly clean and lessened the build up. This had the side effect of naturally giving this area of grass outside probably a better stability of fertilization over time then most. If they were to investigate any of the tunnels now was the time to decide.

GM CockRoach

El had a good nose. Some regions of Manticore had been .. pungent .. but this was quite up close and personal. Her nose wrinkled and she made a face, trying to breathe in any of the wisps of fresh air from the entrance that may have come. To her the animals were pretty organized to have and keep their own facilities so to speak.

Isaac looked at her “ Hey, does your scanner have sonar? If it dos we can map the caves faster” he said pulling his bag off he popped a few glow sticks and placed them in an arrow to the way out. “Every time we take a turn we will use the glow sticks to mark our way out”

Lt. Isaac Black (AC)

The MACO CO had been silent so far; as had his partner, a small Nepalese man, probably no taller than five and a half feet and weighing maybe a hundred and twenty pounds. With the glow sticks, however, Baumann did speak. “We might have to leave quickly, Lieutenant. We cannot leave traces of presence… correct? Perhaps marks on the wall would serve us better.” He picked up a small stone and made a small arrow on the wall. “Just a thought.” the big German said.

She shook her head. What did she think these scanners were? All purpose? She shone her light down the passage nearest them. “No, Lt. Range is decent given that it is stone but it’s not meant for this kind of mapping. There are ground based geophysical tests that one can do utilizing sound and impact waves that would confirm and firm up what the ground layering and composition is. We’re one big core sample in what we’re doing.” What were they doing? Were they supposed to go this far in? She had a good sense of direction and right now they’d not taken any real turns to confuse anyone. “I’m going to test our comms to see if it’s working underground,” she said, replacing her scanner with her comms.

[o] Serinde to Commander Grace. Comms check. We found a large cave entrance and have entered it a little ways. Verifying communications with you. [c] And further orders if they were to come. Her voice echoed slightly; she glanced about at a sound but it was just Isaac moving and shuffling a foot against the littered floor.
- El, Eng

Captain Baumann and Staff Sergeant Tiwari kept their eyes open. As they were paused, he nodded and and Tiwari moved to the head of the party slightly.

MACO Team

OCC: ((Wait no no no it is only supposed to be me and El no one else the maco didn’t come down with them so why is there a MOCO now))