Starbuck's heart leaped into her throat out of surprise - she thought for a second that she had triggered the attack by touching the tree, before she realized what was actually happening. She would have cried out, but the breath was knocked out of her as she was tackled to the ground. She struggled against her assailant, trying to wrestle her arms free, but as they were wrenched above her head and quite effectively pinned down by someone bigger, younger, and stronger, she had little chance of escape. 
 Starbuck found her breath again, looked the man who had attacked her in the eye, and hissed fiercely, "Be [i]quiet[/i], you fool! I'm looking for answers too, but at least [i]I'm[/i] not attracting the attention of everything that might be in this forest while I'm doing it!" Her eyes flashed with anger as she twisted her hips and shoulders, trying again to free herself. Perhaps if she threw her weight at just the right angle, she could find some weakness...

 [i]Stupid,[/i] she thought, chastising herself. [i]Got so wrapped up in that tree that I stopped paying attention to what was behind me. Stupid, stupid, stupid![/i]

 "Let me up, damn it!" Starbuck growled. "I'm not responsible for bringing you here!"