36As always I do not own the characters save from my own creations, all rights go to the master 'James Cameron'. Please review guys :D
italics mean speech in na'vi.
Chapter Two
Jake Sully watched as the soldiers searched through the wreckage. Once upon a time he would have been leading them, leaping from the broken scraps as though he was superman. One stupid fight had ended all of that.
They had crashed landed in a dense forest that made movement in his chair near impossible but he guessed he should be grateful. At least he wasn't dead. A team of scientist had found the trailers containing the Avatars assigned to each person on the shuttle. Only a few psionic link units had been set up using solar energy panels. There was only enough power to set up twenty units. Sweat beaded on his skin, his hands burning as he pushed the wheels of his chair through rough ground.
Two large mobiles had been set up further away from the shuttle. Jake took off his exo-pack as soon as the airlock door beeped open. Jake wheeled himself past a group of harried Intel, excitement making his movements quicker as the amino tanks came into view. With something close to reverence Jake touched the cool glass that housed his Avatar. The large blue creature floated in the liquid, bio luminous spots glowing dimly in a pattern over the main appendages of its body. A large tail swept against the glass, its large ten foot form twitching with involuntary muscle spasms. It had mid-long hair and a long ponytail that reached its waist. Jake was definitely cutting that off once he was linked.
"Would you look at that?" Jake smiled at the gruff voice of Sergeant Sam Peters. The man was built like a bear but had a soft heart. They had been friends for several years and Jake could think of no one better at his back. The dark skinned man was sporting a bandage which had soaked up quite a lot of blood. Upon seeing Jake's questioning look Sam laughed and patted his friend on the back.
"Just a scratch." Jake shook his head as he joined his laughter.
"So these are the blues." Sergeant Peter Tang said looking at his own Avatar. "I swear mine has slanted eyes." The oriental soldier said squinting through the glass. Jake shifted in his seat also noticing the oriental facial feature of the Avatar.
"At least yours doesn't have blonde streaks, I think they fucked mine up." All three men turned as Sergeant Harry Showl tapped his tank.
The last member of their squadron was tall and lean with long locks of blonde hair and eyes so blue they looked almost white. Jake disguised his laugh into a cough as he noticed the thin streaks of blonde his friend was moaning about. It didn't matter to him if their Avatars where slightly defective. Soon he would be able to walk again.
"What's the situation?" Jake asked after they had finished investigating their Avatars. Peter leaned against the tank, his cool eyes looking straight into Jake's. It was a look that had felled many enemies but Jake knew Peter well enough not to be intimidated.
"Three percent of the exo-packs where ruined. It takes the piss that some of those who had survived were killed upon leaving the safety of the shuttle." Peter finally said. Jake cringed at the thought of suffocating on the world's toxic air.
"How many men do we have?" Jake asked putting the thought of suffocation to the back of his mind.
"We started with one thousand, we lost a hundred. Stevenson is ordering people to convert the shuttle into a makeshift bunker. He wants to send out a few scouts. Since we have Avatars…" Harry huffed exhausted by his own excitement. Jake and Sam shared a look that read 'this kid is whack, 'yep'. Jake reluctantly accepted Sam's help in reaching Stevenson. The lieutenant hadn't even wanted him on the mission.
"I have no use for a guy with no legs." He had said. It was only due to Jake and his team's success in Venezuela that he had managed to convince the man to let him on board.
They found Stevenson addressing the squadron of eight hundred. The men and women looked haggard and bruised but were no worse for wear. Jake cleared his throat once Stevenson had finished.
"Corporal." Stevenson said addressing Jake. Stevenson sent Sam a pointed look and the man left them to their business.
"You have been an asset to the team Sully. That is why I am putting the remaining resources in activating you Avatars." Jake already knew this but it didn't stop him from smiling widely. Stevenson raised an eyebrow at his expression but did not comment on it.
"The shuttle is shot to pieces, Marshal and a few men with tech degrees are trying to patch her up." Stevenson lowered his voice as a group of men walked pass. Jake nodded in greeting ignoring their surprised look when they saw his legs. Jake gripped the rests of his chair and forced himself to give all his attention Stevenson, when all he wanted to do was smash their faces in.
"It seems all the Avatars survived the crash as did the machinery. There is enough power to man five Avatars."
"Five?" Jake asked since there were only four of his men. Stevenson nodded then motioned to someone behind Jake. A tall brunette walked to Stevenson's side frowning. She was an attractive woman with elfin features and a pair of thin glasses perched on her nose. Before Jake's accident, he may have made a pass at her, now he only gave her the appreciative once over before turning back to Stevenson.
"This is Doctor Leila Rogers. She has a degree in Pandoran botany, Na'vi physiology and can speak fluent Na'vi.
"You must be some sort of genius to be so young and have that many degrees." Jake said offering her his hand.
"And how many do you have Corporal?" She asked coolly. Jake blushed and cleared his throat.
"A joint in art and English." He finally said. If Leila was surprised, she hid it well. Turning to Stevenson in a clear dismissal of Jake, she spoke.
"I honestly think it would be better with less army thugs, we must tread carefully." She said.
"That's exactly why I'm sending my best men. They are naturals in unfamiliar terrain." Stevenson said.
"What if they get trigger happy and open fire on the locals?" She asked giving Jake a once over, a sneer on her perfect bow shaped lips. Jake was uncomfortable being talked about as if he didn't exist. His parents had treated him the same way after the accident.
"That's why I'm sending you. Look." Stevenson said addressing them both. "All I need is for you is locate Hell's Gate, we don't know how long we've been fucking around in space for. For all we know we've won or we've lost." Jake marvelled at how well Stevenson marshalled his anger. It took a lot of restraint.
Leila huffed and walked away muttering something about useless men. Stevenson let out a deep breath scrubbing his hand down his face. Jake felt pity for the man. He was in charge of so many people and not all of them were going to agree with his ideas. There was no real leader amongst them and without the safety of Hell's Gate things could go tits up in seconds.
"Look Jake just relay your coordinates to me on a weekly basis. We still have some gear salvaged from the crash. Don't draw attention to yourself, we need to find out what's going on." Stevenson said. Jake assessed the man and knew he was hiding something. This mission seemed too tame. Why would a whole battalion be needed when there were hundreds of armed men already at Hell's Gate?
"Sir you are my superior and I understand that, but if there's something you're not telling me…" Jake trailed off allowing Stevenson to have the initiative and start giving him answers. Jake's eyes tracked Stevenson as he crouched in front of him.
"The RDA weren't planning on making this a peaceful mission. They wanted every single officer in Avatars. They plan to wipe out the Na'vi." Stevenson whispered. Jake took a few moments to absorb what Stevenson was saying. Their whole mission was based on the annihilation of a whole race. Jake shivered at the thought.
"And now? What if the RDA have packed up and forgotten Pandora. I'm guessing we are a few years late seeing as how the bodies have already decayed."
"We have a mission Jake. Whether or not the RDA is still in commission is not the point. We don't work for the RDA. We may not be able to conquer Pandora but we can conquer this territory." Jake wished he could back away from the mad gleam in Stevenson's eyes.
"I don't like it." Jake said nevertheless.
"I don't care. If you walk away from this you're defecting and that's a capital offence." Stevenson threatened. Jake rubbed his forehead. Stevenson was leaving him with only two options. Help wipe out the Na'vi or face death. It wasn't a tough choice really.
"When do we link up?"
...
Jake fell for the fifth time, not bothering to get annoyed as his comrades laughed. Doctor Rogers gave an impatient sigh as Sam and Peter helped him stand. It was easy for them they were used to walking but for someone who had lost his legs three years prior to the voyage it was hard remembering he had any. Panting in the dirt Jake watched his toes dig into the soul. It felt good to be able to do that again.
"Get up Jake, we haven't got all day." Harry reprimanded sitting high up in a tree. Jake cursed. Stevenson may be his superior but he was theirs. As he pushed himself up something thick and blue hit him in the face toppling him over.
"Sorry man, still getting used to this whole tail thing." Sam said offering Jake his hand. Jake shook his head, took a deep breath and stood up. Rogers gave a sporadic applause. Jake blushed, noticing the way the dots on his arms gave a slight shine.
"Doc what's up with these spots?" He asked noticing how she had a fine display on her bare back. He hid a smile as she flinched at the shortening of her title.
"Bioluminescent dots that all Na'vi, creatures, and most plant life have here on Pandora. You can see them better at night." She explained. Jake was surprised she hadn't made fun of his lack of knowledge. Then he realised that it was due to the fact that she was talking about something she was passionate about.
"I'm sure you guys don't want it to be in the dark before you find a safe spot to sleep in." One of the scientist said looking up at the sky. Jake noticed the shadows on the ground and grimaced. They probably only had six hours of sunlight left.
"Once you fall asleep, are knocked out or killed, you will return to the psionic chamber. Let's go before we give a thanator a filling meal." Rogers said setting of in the forest. Cursing at her brashness, Jake picked up the Na'vi sized ammunition gun, slinging it over his shoulder. Taking a holster, he strapped it to his waist and placed two revolvers inside.
"Hey guys quite fucking about and let's get going!" He yelled hurrying after Leila. Hearing the reassuring footsteps of his squad Jake hurried after the scientist.
...
Grace rode her ikran, Ma'ja, through the soft drizzle. The rain felt cool and refreshing after an unusually hot day and she found relief in the reprieve. Dodging her companion Grace banked to the left suddenly laughing as To'itan was forced to pull up sharply.
"You are too slow!" She yelled weaving through the spaced trees.
"You are too fast!" To'itan retorted. Grace shrieked as she felt his ikran's wing send a current of wet air. They were both heading towards Hell's Gate. Anna had sent Grace with plant cuttings to give to Norman. Grace had been surprised when To'itan had offered to accompany her though it had been on her lips to say yes she had refused his offer. When she had seen his shadow reflected in the water she had bitten back a smile.
"A coincidence." He had said.
"Grace!" Grace jerked to the right as a flock of ikranay flew screeching pass. Grace felt her chest rising rapidly slowing down as To'itan rode to her level.
"Be careful." He said soothingly. Grace smiled then urged Ma'ja forward giggling when To'itan cursed.
They reached Hell's Gate at twilight. The high perimeter fence no longer had electricity running through it but Grace didn't relish flying over it so they left their ikran to rest. A small monitor was attached to the gate and Grace pressed a large blue button. The small monitor flickered for a few moments before becoming clear.
"Uncle Norm its Grace and To'itan." The man on the screen smiled and pressed something on his end to make the gates open.
Grace and To'itan waited patiently as metal screeched against metal. Shifting the bag of cuttings Grace walked on to the compound. No matter how often she went to Hell's Gate the feeling of concrete beneath her feet felt strange and alien. She was used to grass, rock and bark. A human man hurried towards them a large grin on his face. Grace knelt before him, placing the bag at his feet. Compared to his size it was more like a sack but that didn't deter him from rifling through the goods.
"Tell your mother, thank you." Norman said. He was tall for a human his hair littered with grey. Grace had watched him age and it surprised her that her mother and Norman where the same age. Na'vi aged gracefully where as humans appeared to wrinkle like dried fruit over the years.
"To'itan, how are you?" Norman asked.
"All is well Norman." To'itan replied politely. Grace caught her Uncle's eye and laughed as they shared a private joke. To'itan was always fine when it came to the Tawtute. Norman had once asked whether To'itan disliked the humans. Grace had replied that he feared too many words would boggle their minds. To this day on they had found To'itan's few responses hilarious.
"Grace, Grace!" To'itan and Grace braced themselves as a herd of children ran towards them. The Na'vi had to be careful when handling Tawtute children. Carefully Grace picked up two small toddlers weighing them in her arms.
"You have grown bigger, just how much do you eat and why haven't I been offered any." The two small girls giggled, pulling at her numerous braids in wonder.
"To'itan you promised us a ride on your banshee." One of the elder boys whined.
"It is nearing dark. Tomorrow." To'itan promised patting them gently when they continued to sulk. Slowly they made their way to the bunkhouse. It had been created for the Avatars but there had been no psionic links in the recent years. Hell's Gate was working at low capacity and using Avatars was now only reserved for emergencies. Grace noticed the sadness in Norman's eyes. His last time in his Avatar had been five years ago. Keeping the Avatars alive took up most of their resources and Norman had made the final sacrifice and stopped using it.
"You can play with Grace and To'itan in the morning." Norman said, ushering the children out of the building. The youngsters all said heartfelt goodbyes, the twins hugging Grace's leg tightly before scampering off.
"More and more families are thinking of leaving." Norman said into the silence. Grace patted the space beside her but he refused her invitation.
"I'm thinking of going with them." Grace stilled at his words. She couldn't imagine life without Norman. He had been a constant in her life. It was because of him that she knew so much about the Tawtute and their technology. Though the other Na'vi had no use for that information, Grace believed that all knowledge was useful.
"Is that really what you want Uncle?" She asked. Though there was no blood shared between them Grace had always seen him as part of her family.
"There is nothing left for me here. I can't go outside anymore in case I piss of a pack of nantang, all I do is wait for leaves and branches. That isn't what I'm about Grace, you know that." Grace nodded in agreement. No matter how many books you read it didn't matter if you couldn't experience it.
"When?" She asked softly trying her hardest not to cry.
"Soon, a few weeks, a month maybe." Norman turned to look at her. His eyes were swollen from the tears he held back. "Don't tell your mother. Next time you visit me I'll return to Kelutral with you." Norman said then left the bunkhouse.
In the dark Grace felt To'itan sit beside her. His luminous dots shone in the shadows like a beacon. He pulled her into his arms, rubbing her shoulder soothingly. Grace hugged him back awkwardly. If he thought she would cry then he was wrong. Tears were saved for private moments.
"I am fine To'itan. Let us go to sleep. Remember you promised the boys a ride on your ikran." Grace reminded him. She left for another bunk, blocking out To'itan's wistful sigh.
...
Grace laughed as To'itan jerked on his ikran. A red haired boy had his arms wrapped tightly around To'itan's neck, shrieking each time To'itan took a dip or gentle tilt.
"Mawe!" To'itan yelled as both ikran and child cried out. The little boy stopped yelling and To'itan gave a visible sigh of relief. His reprieve didn't last long as the boy began crying.
"He is so good with children." Trudy said dryly beside her. She was a pilot of a tilt-rotor aircraft and one of the best fliers Grace had ever known.
"I think he is scared Troy will fall." Grace said in meagre defence.
"don't make excuses. He's crap with kids." Trudy said. Grace looked sharply at the woman waiting for her to make more critical comments but she kept silent. Grace sighed. She didn't understand why Trudy disliked To'itan. She said it was something about his eyes but Grace loved his eyes. They were so deep and bottomless she could feel herself falling into them whenever she looked at him.
"Don't mind me I'm just in a foul mood. Norm is pulling out." Trudy cursed.
"Do you want to stay here?" Grace asked.
"I love it here, but I'm not about to be left on my own." Trudy said rubbing furiously at her eyes. Grace guessed that that was the closest she was ever going to Trudy cry. Carefully laying her palm on Trudy's shoulder she gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Thanks kid." Trudy said before walking away briskly. Grace wanted to go after her but if there was one thing she knew about Trudy it was that she didn't put her emotions on display. That was why they got on so well, Grace thought.
Soon Grace and To'itan made their way back to Kelutral. They flew quickly and Grace didn't bother with any small talk. Too many problems were settling in her mind and she had a throbbing headache. When they arrived several of the hunters she rode with were waiting for them.
"How tired are you?" Li'uy asked. Grace shook her head wondering why he was smiling so brightly.
"Scouts have spotted a large herd of talioang pass Iknimaya. We could feed the clan for weeks!" Aneet squealed. Grace grimaced at the young girl's enthusiasm but the thought of getting a second chance at proving herself was too much to deny. If she were able to lead the party and bring back food… Grace could barely hold back her anticipation but she didn't give in to Aneet's childish behaviour.
"How much light do we have left?" Grace asked. Li'uy placed a finger to lips his brow furrowing in deep concentration. Grace rolled her eyes and tracked the shadows with her eyes.
"Enough." Grace and To'itan said in unison. Grace bit back a smile as To'itan flexed his eyebrows.
Na'vi translation
Kelutral- Hometree
Nantang- viperwolf
Mawe- be calm
Well I hoped you enjoyed the latest chapter, soon the pace will pick up so dont worry guys :)