Author's Note: Good day to you, oh friendly and curious person that dared to open this link. A little bit of background - I used be around for quite some time, but after a while my fiction enthusiams dropped down and I disappeared, leaving tonns of unfinished stories and unremarkable trace in the society. ''Avatar'' ressurected the passion back a bit. That and an interesting discussion on one gaming forum about 'where your loyalties lie.' The idea for this fic sort of sprung in my head and settled down there, nudging me and prodding to bring it to life. So yes, here goes nothing!
A little something you, dear reader, perhaps should know: a) I am not an English speaker, so if your eyes bleed and fall out from the horrendous mistakes I might've made, I will happily fix them. Live and learn policy applies. b) This story will rotate mostly around an OC, since I like to toy around with own characters, giving them all new perspective on the actual cast. Of-course, do not worry, it won't be a fest full of Sues and lots of the actual heroes will be heavily involved. c) I would love your comments and suggestions, so please, feel free to say what's on your mind.
With that I shall shut it and let you be. Cheery-o!
Welcome To Pandora
She opened her eyes and blinked while staring straight into blue halogen lights on the ceiling above. The five years of dreamless sleep had gone by, and while it felt like an hour, mind was making clear that it was not so. All of a sudden a face appeared in her vision and quickly checked her out. It was a man in a white labcoat and he definitely said something. Katryn shook her head and there was a popping sound in her ears for a second.
"Miss? Do you hear me?" he asked again, putting a hand on the shoulder.
"Loud and clear." She answered, not recognising her own voice. Being a popsicle for half a decade really does throw one's organism out of balance. The technician nodded in acknowledgement and quickly checked something on his datapad. Katryn watched him attentively, while trying to recognise where her legs are and forcing brain to remember how to move them. The man seemed to understand her troubles as he smiled politely and pulled her capsule a bit out.
"It takes time to adjust. That's why the passengers are awakened several hours before the actual arrival. Plus, no-one would like to miss the scenery."
Katryn pulled herself up and made a little push backwards. In the gravity-free environment that little movement bounced her up and out of the narrow cryo-capsule that had been her home for the last couple of years. Without any effort she pulled out big bag with personal belongings and made her way towards the central chamber, where all the passengers would soon assemble awaiting docking procedures.
'All passengers' sounded extremely pompous for five people who had to pay astronomical price to get a place on the first private shuttle to Pandora after 'The Incident.' Every single person had to be approved, that included background check, letters of recommendation… Just name it. You could not blame the remnants of those events being overly careful. The other four people were scientists and technicians, who were always needed at Hell's Gate and who were eager to see Pandora, perhaps even more then before.
Kat unzipped her bag and dragged out huge and quite heavy camera. She was here for the whole different reason. Several reasons, actually. Pandora was always interesting, back when she was just a kid and the flowers looked pretty and now, when she knew the flora could bite your head off but if you snap a shot of it from a good angle that'll fill some holes in the budget. People in the other corner of the room gave her inspecting stare, mostly concentrating on the oversized digital camera. Lots of money was paid for this technical wonder. And for the one who is patiently waiting for her in Hell's Gate.
"My own Avatar." She whispered to herself and smiled. RDA might have left but the information on Avatar creation was still safe within the databanks. With the right sponsorship, provided the background check did not come up with some nasty personal info, one could order an Avatar. People who Katryn was working for thought it was necessary for her to have a clone. The woman agreed, that travelling the jungle as a three metre humanoid is easier then walking waist deep in some alien mud. The standard procedure would include an Avatar to be grown during the flight to Pandora but people got so paranoid that took matter into their own hands and whatever happens could only happen on their territory and on their terms.
Probably all of that was Sully's idea, thought Kat to herself and her hand, holding velvet cloth to clean the lens, made an irritated jerk. It was better not to voice her opinions about that man in the open otherwise her trip could end before it even started.
One person had finally decided to come closer and so he detached himself from the group. It was tall and lanky guy somewhere in his early thirties. He nervously adjusted his small round glasses and grinned. Kat felt pity for the poor guy who had probably used the remains of his social skills for week ahead.
"This is quite the camera you have…" he said quietly. "Pretty massive as well."
"Yes, that's my breadwinner… Modified to serve the needs, so to speak." Kat smiled brightly. She did not really want to chat with anyone but the guy made and effort and the least she could do is satisfy his interest.
"So, um, let me guess… "
"I'll spare you the time." Kat interrupted him softly, while quickly checking the settings that she installed before setting foot on board. "My name is Katryn Lloyd, I am a freelance photographer. My business on Pandora is taking lots of pictures and do so with the help of the Avatar that my sponsors so generously bought me."
The guy got in the state of awe and kept staring at her with the eyes the size of a soup bowl.
"Man, you are so lucky! I would literary give anything to be Avatar driver! But I guess I should be happy my company managed to get me at least a ticket."
That was true. This was the first proper flight to land on Pandora after the clash between RDA and locals. The government closed the matter quickly and violently, Sully was marked as a traitor and any further sponsoring of Pandora-related activities seized its existence. That's where independent science companies and eco-supporters came into play. Those who had enough money still could chip in on unobtanium and tickets for the willing. Hell's Gate became a demilitarized zone and the only people who could get in were science folk. Well, and Kat.
"And what's your interest in Pandora?" asked young woman and quickly clicked the shutter, making the guy cringe from a flash and rub his eyes. The flash was not that bright but it was more then enough for the sensible scientist, so it seemed.
"Oh, I didn't introduce myself, did I? I am Troy Delford, microbiologist. I work for BioMicrLtd. So yes, my sphere is… germs, in simple terms. " He chuckled and pulled the collar of his shirt. "Guess does not sound as thrilling as photoshoot in the jungle, does it?"
"Hey, who am I to judge? We all have different perspective on 'thrilling'." Kat shoved her bag underneath a small table and nodded in the direction of other three people, who were standing a chatting amongst each other while holding to their backpacks and equipment. "And who are those guys?"
Troy shrugged his shoulders and stuffed his small backpack underneath the same table they were sitting at.
"Well, I only know their names, asked them a minute before I settled down here. That short redhead is Alex Ferr; I think she is a tech, not sure. The blond one is Siegfried Bauer, xenobiologist and the skinny-looking guy next to him is Vlad Kronov… Zoologist, I presume."
"Well, we have quite an international gathering going on here." Joked young woman and turned away to one of the big windows that were still covered with heavy metal panels. Troy got a hint and had fallen silent as well. Just as she wanted to put her camera away the intercom creaked and the pilot announced that their final destination point was in sight. The giant shutters on the panoramic windows gave a slight tremble and started to rise up, revealing the giant Polyphemus and its fourteen moons. Katryn grabbed her camera and quickly fiddled with settings, making a series of pictures before the viewpoint got taken by the scientists and whatnot, who immediately started a heated debate on the topic she couldn't care less about. Instead she had gathered her luggage and made her way to the airlock where she soon would pick up one of the oxygen masks hanging nearby.
For a split second the shuttle gave a formidable shake, signalling that it had entered Pandora's atmosphere after that, the trembling got much milder, however Katryn could still feel it with her feet. Slowly the other passengers had joined her, Troy leading the group and looking rather thrilled. Kat grinned at him. She felt quite excited herself but she could only imagine how important it was for enthusiasts such as Delford and his companions. Once again the transmitter above them made a chocking static sound.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be arriving in Hell's Gate shortly. Please proceed with caution and be aware of your surroundings. Upon arrival you will be thoroughly checked for any prohibited items, so your full co-operation is required. Have a nice day."
While the pilot was still speaking the green light in the airlock flickered to red, warning people about the beginning of the decompression procedure. The woman with flaming red hair, Katryn remembered that her name was Alex, was the first one to put the mask on; everyone else followed her shortly.
The vibration of the deck started to increase, making Katryn wanting to climb something – she was not much of the space lover and even though she had quite a formidable flying experience she had never really enjoyed it.
The engines went quiet and the loud hissing sound of the massive door hydraulics hit their ears. Bright light filled the little chamber and Kat could swear she smelled the typical odour of jungle after the rain. But of course with the mask on it could not be possible. Soft warm wind stroked her skin and now that the shuttle mechanisms went completely dead lots of alien sounds had filled her ears. Katryn did her homework good enough to recognise the typical scream of a Banshee, the loudest amongst the cacophony of noises. Without further ado she grabbed her bag and jogged down the ramp, heading to the nearby gate, where, no-doubt, people were already waiting for her.