“Why did you do that?” Dr Ngata complained, looking at the agent as she holstered her pistol. “I was watching it, and that creature wasn’t going to attack us; believe me. If anything, it was trying to-” 595 quickly rounded on the scientist, cutting him off. “Let’s get one thing straight, ok? If you see something, ANYTHING, moving in the area, you let the rest of us know. Not after you’ve had a chance to study it, not once you’ve added it to your codex, right-a-fucking-way. All our lives depend on it. You got that?”

“I’m trying to help us all out, you crazy bitch! Analysing the fauna [b]before[/b] you shoot the fuck out of it will give clues as to what other kinds of organisms might live here!” Dr Ngata shot back, violently poking the agent’s breastplate with one suited finger. “Or would you rather we all traipse around here with our thumbs in our asses and no idea which way is up?” 595 slapped the man’s finger away from her. “Don’t give me that; It’s our job to keep you safe! And in a place like this, we can only do that by assuming everything is hostile until proven otherwise. And now we need to add the trees to that list too!”

“Umm, guys...what [i]are[/i] these trees up to?” Dr Wetherall interrupted. 595 and Dr Ngata both looked at the other scientist. He was in between Carthage and Athena, with his back to both of them. They were all looking at one of the trees. A noticeable creaking, rustling sound hadn’t stopped since the plant had grabbed that winged beast. Now, all of it’s blue luminescent orbs had turned to face them. The branches weren’t droopy anymore, but rigid and alert, like the tree was shocked to see them. Scanning the area, 595 noticed all the other trees were doing the same.

“We need to move. Now!” Thebes barked. 595 drew her pistol again as they began jogging raggedly in formation. They only made it a few dozen steps, passing a couple more of the trees before all hell broke loose.
 
Four trees, one on each point of the compass, all lunged forward as one. Their branches engulfed the team, grabbing at arms, heads, legs, weapons, everything. Comms erupted as everyone began shouting at once, and gunfire exploded in 595’s ears. 

Right in front of her she saw two strong branches grab each of Dr Wetherall’s ankles, pull him off his feet and drag him out of formation towards one of the trees. Carthage leapt forward and grabbed one of the scientist’s hands as the branches pulled him off the floor and into the air. With her other hand, Carthage shot wildly up into the tree limbs.

Another offshoot wrapped around 595’s midriff and her suit’s pressure alarm blared. She shot her pistol straight down through the branch as it dragged her backwards toward the water. Gouts of blue flame rushed past her face from Memnon’s arm cannon, setting the tree behind her ablaze. A shrill squealing sound filled the whole basin, emanating from the tree as the orbs burst and from the lake. The grip around 595’s waist lessened, but didn’t give way. 

Dr Ngata wiggled free of the thin stem wrapped around his wrist and ran for the agent, diving to grab her feet and slow the drag down. “SHOOT IT!” He screamed at her. “I’m fucking trying! Grab the knife from my right thigh!” 595 shouted back, pumping energy into the bough around her body.