The holodeck doors parted with a soft hiss.

Warm air rolled outward immediately.

Not simulated starship warmth.

Jungle warmth.

Dense humidity touched the skin first, carrying with it the scent of wet earth, moss, distant rain, and growing things older than cities. Somewhere deeper within the simulation, unfamiliar animals called to one another through layers of towering trees.

The arch vanished behind her as the holodeck fully engaged.

Night settled beneath an enormous alien moon.

Bioluminescent plants glowed faintly blue-green across the forest floor while massive trees stretched upward into darkness so deep their upper branches vanished completely into the canopy above. Mist drifted low between ancient roots thicker than shuttlecraft hulls.

Nytha’rae stood motionless for a moment within it all.

Not as a Starfleet officer.

Not here.

Tonight she wore the traditional hunting attire of her people.

The clothing was crafted from layered natural fibers, scaled leather, and soft woven fabrics designed for silence and movement rather than display. The outfit was close-fitted through the limbs and practical for climbing and running—but every part of her that should be covered remained properly and securely protected.

Dark blue-gray fabric wrapped across her chest and torso beneath carefully fitted leather harnessing that supported tools and survival gear. Sections of scaled armor guarded vulnerable areas without restricting movement, while layered cloth panels hung from the waist for flexibility and modesty alike. Her arms and legs bore intricate woven wraps reinforced with natural plating that looked grown rather than manufactured.

Nothing about the attire felt primitive.

It felt evolved for survival in wild places.

Her tail moved slowly behind her as golden eyes studied the forest ahead.

On one hip rested the obsidian blade.

Across her back hung her quiver of volcanic rock tipped arrows and her bow crafted from dark wood-like material with stains of glowing material in the wood her people called it living wood. No energy cells. No powered mechanisms.

Only balance.

Precision.

Intent.

Above her shoulder, Nytha’kae clung comfortably against the harness crossing her back, the little dragon’s bioluminescent markings glowing softly in harmony with the forest around them.

For the first time since boarding the Chimera—

Nytha’rae looked fully at ease.

Bare feet pressed into soft moss without sound as she crouched near the ground, two fingers brushing across disturbed foliage.

Tracks.

Fresh.

A low clicking sound escaped Nytha’kae as he noticed them too.

Nytha’rae’s expression shifted subtly.

Focused now.

Hunter.

“The mothers passed through recently,” she murmured quietly.

Somewhere deeper in the jungle—

Something enormous answered with a distant call.

LT.JG Nytha’rae
All are welcome to join