Chapter 9

Breakdown

Harry Foreman set his cards down. "Three Queens. Read them and weep," he said as he tried to take his winnings, but a hand bearing two Aces and two Kings were starring him straight in the face.

"Not so fast, Harry. I win again," said Peter Flint. He extended his hand as he pulled the winnings all to himself. "I'd hate to say it Harry, but you suck at this game."

"Oh, shove it," Harry shot back. They were playing poker in the control room. It was their job as security officers to monitor the activities of everything happening within and around Site 12. Though they were instructed to be on special alert after yesterday's violent events. Though being the Poker addicts that they were, it was hard to tear them from their game.

A sudden beep from one of the monitors drew their attention. "Oh, crap," said Harry. "What now?" He swung himself over to the monitor displaying the satellite imaging. A large swarm of heat signatures were amassing in the forest. Panic overtook him. He brought up one of the spy cameras setup in the northern regions of the forest. It was as he feared. A large horde of Na'vi warriors galloped through the trees, flying passed the camera as clouds of dust blocked the view.

"Holy shit!" he cursed. "It's a fucking army! Peter, hit the alarm!"

Peter jumped from his seat, forgetting about his prize, and punched the red button on the wall. The sirens began to scream.


Jake awoke to the horrid sounds of sirens blaring. Neytiri also awoke to the horrible noise. Norm was already awake for some time.

"Norm, what's going on?" asked Jake.

"I don't know. The alarms suddenly went off. I think something tense is about to happen," said Norm.

They looked all around them in their cage as soldiers and miners ran to their stations. Something big was coming. Jake could feel it. Perhaps rescue was on its way. His prayer must have been answered. Relief came over him at the sudden realization.

Neytiri covered her ears from the sirens. "That screaming is terrible," she whined.


Philip ran through the hallways as he came to the control room. "What the hell is going on?"

"We've spotted a large Na'vi war party on its way to Site 12, passing through Sector 3," said Harry.

"How many?"

"Hundreds!"

"Where the hell did they come from?"

"Uncertain, sir. They just appeared out of nowhere."

Just at that moment, Dale and Marcus came running in. Marcus starred at the screen incredulously. "How could this have happened?" Marcus said despairingly.

Philip looked at Marcus with rage. "I thought you said you convinced them to stop!"

"I swear that they never said anything about attacking us," said Marcus.

Dale gazed at the vast number of warriors. "So much for friendly relations. How could the Tompekong have amassed such an army in a short time?"

"What sort of cavalry have they got?" Philip inquired.

The techs brought the video footage onto the monitors. On the monitors they could see hundreds of direhorses charging madly through the trees. Another monitor gave them an aerial view as dozens of banshees made their approach. The images kept switching from camera to camera as the army drew closer.

"Captain, we must defend the base," said Dale.

Marcus interjected. "Are you nuts? We can't just shoot them! There must be a way we can-"

"Shut up!" Philip shouted. He looked at the screen of the approaching army. "How long until they reach us?" he asked the techs.

"Ten minutes until they reach the excavation site."

Philip reached for a com link. His voice was announced all over the base. "Attention, this is Captain McCoy. A large Na'vi army is making its way toward Site 12. All soldiers report to battle stations. This is not a drill. Repeat. This is not a drill." He turned to Dale. "Sergeant, I want you to gather our soldiers in the yard. Bring out everything we've got. And bring the prisoners. They might help."

"Yes, sir," Dale saluted and left.

Marcus protested. "Phil, you can't be thinking about-"

"Marc, shut up! I need you to listen to me. I want you to link with your avatar and meet me in the yard with the soldiers. I'll need you."

Marcus groaned and ran off to the link room.

Philip turned back to the technicians. "Keep your eyes on those Na'vi. And have a Samson prepped for immediate flight to Vatican's Royale."

"Yes, sir."

He ran down the corridors to find his kids. Throughout the hallways, people ran past him as they rushed to their stations. He came to the room with the kids and burst through the door. Inside were Beverly, Robbie, Harmony, and Dodgers. The children were clinging to Beverly for protection. They had no idea what was happening.

"Bev, kids," he said. "Come on. We have to go now. The aliens are going to attack. Kids, take my hands." Robbie and Harmony took hold of him. "Beverly, you take Dodgers."

Dodgers leaped up into Beverly's arms as Philip lead them down the corridors. Eventually they reached the pressurization door. "Kids, put your exo-packs on. Make sure they're tight," Philip said as he helped them to fit their masks on. He and Beverly then slipped theirs on as well. Philip also helped Dodgers to secure his own. "You kids ready? Okay, let's go." He pushed open the pressurization door and they entered the yard. All around them soldiers rushed to their stations. AMP suits marched passed them. Samsons and gunships swarmed the air. They approached a Samson that was preparing for take off.

Robbie looked back and saw the three Na'vi that he met in the detention area. They were being escorted by a group of soldiers and were heading for the area where the armed forces were gathering. Robbie tugged on his father's sleeve and pointed to the aliens. "Why are those aliens going with the soldiers?"

"To help us win, Robbie," Philip answered. "Come on. Keep walking." They stopped by the side of the Samson with the number fourteen imprinted in white along its side door. Philip slid the door open and lifted Harmony aboard followed by Robbie. He placed his hands on their shoulders. "Listen to me. I know we've been fighting a lot lately. I know we haven't been getting along. But some really bad things are about to happen. Robbie, Harmony, now more than ever I need you two to really be good on this trip. Beverly will watch out for you. Listen to her and promise me you'll behave."

The children nodded their heads. Philip could see their fear. He embraced them, clinging them to his chest as if he would never get another chance. "I love you both. Now hurry and get in." He pushed them inside but Robbie refused.

Robbie had been very scared and confused during this whole ordeal. Why was his father being so nice all of a sudden? Suddenly Robbie didn't want to let go of his father. "Dad, I don't want you to go!"

"I have to Robbie. Take care of Harmony and Dodgers. I'm counting on you," he released his son and turned his attention to Beverly. "You make sure that they stay safe, Bev. That's an order."

Beverly placed Dodgers in the Samson and faced her superior. "Captain. I should be out there fighting with you," she argued. It had been a long time since she was in a real battle.

"Your duty is to protect every human on this base. You'll start by protecting the kids. And take these with you." He pulled out the red case. "They are breathing solutions that will allow you to breath the toxic air for five days. You might need them."

Beverly wanted to protest, but all she did was salute. She took the red case and boarded as Philip slid the door shut. The children pressed their hands against the pane of the glass. Robbie stared at his father. Harmony blew him kisses. He blew one back and ran off to join his comrades.


Jake, Neytiri, and Norm rushed along with the soldiers with their wrists bound. All around him soldiers were gathering. What do they need us for? he thought. Maybe as leverage. Or maybe to execute us. Fear gripped him like never before. He didn't want to die here and he most certainly couldn't bear to lose Neytiri the same way.

In the midst of the crowd of soldiers, the Captain approached, his prosthetic arm shining in the sunlight like armor. Philip stood in front of Jake. Looking up into Jake's eyes, he said, "As I'm sure you're aware, a large Na'vi war party is on its way. We have no idea what they will do to us or if they intend to let us live. So I'm giving you a chance. I want you to rush out to them, head on, and make them stop. If they do, you will speak to them and tell them that Toruk Makto orders them to leave."

"How do you expect them to listen to me?" Jake said incredulously.

"I don't care how you do it. Just make it happen."

"They'll think I'm a traitor. They'll think that I'm trying to help their enemy-" Jake was cut off as the Captain punched him in the groin. Jake keeled over in pain.

The Captain took hold of his neck and brought their faces closer. "You listen to me, blue shit stick! Take a good look in that direction." he pointed to the tree line beyond the fence. Smoke began to rise over the horizon. No doubt the savages had already reached the excavation site and were torching the machines. "You see that? Those Na'vi are coming to kill us! If we die, you'll die too! You're the only one they'll listen to. Now do it!"

Jake was running out of options. He had to act fast. If he went along with the Captain's orders, maybe he could make these foreign Na'vi listen to him. Whatever happened, he had to ensure his friends made it out alive. "Okay, I'll do it... only if you send Neytiri and Norm back. After that, do whatever you want with me. Either that or no deal."

Sergeant Whooping stepped forward. "You are in no position-"

"Done," said the Captain as he released Jake. "Sergeant, take Miss Neytiri and Mr. Spellman to Samson 14. That ship is leaving for Vatican's Royale soon."

"Captain! You can't be serious-"

"That's an order, Sergeant!"

Dale clenched his fists in frustration. "Yes, sir,"

"Captain," said Norm. "Jake can't do this alone. I'm trained to speak and interact with the Na'vi. I can assist Jake with proper communication." Jake protested, but Norm was firm in his resolve. "No use trying to convince me otherwise. I'm staying, pal."

"My Jake," Neytiri implored. "I will not leave you here!"

"Neytiri, you must," Jake begged her.

"No!" she said defiantly.

Jake took hold of her and kissed her. "Please just trust me. I promise everything will be alright. I promise."

"Come on, blue," Dale said tapping Neytiri with his gun. "Move it."

Neytiri held hands with Jake as she was lead away to the ship. Jake held on until her fingers slipped out of his hands. His heart collapsed as he watched them lead her away. Jake couldn't bear to be apart from his beloved Neytiri, but he did this for her so she would be safe.

In that moment, Philip watched as the scene between the two lovers unfolded. Strangely he couldn't help but sympathize with this pitiful traitor having to let go of his mate. It disturbingly made him think about the painful parting he had to endure with his own son. How sad that people must be torn from each other in a time of war-

Philip dismissed such silly thoughts. This was no time to get sentimental.

A thunderous sound drew their attention over the horizon. Over the excavation site, a fiery mushroom cloud erupted. The Na'vi were coming.

Marcus came running toward them in his avatar. "Okay, Captain. We're all set to go," he said.

"Okay, Sully! Do your thing," said Philip. Jake moved to join Marcus when the Captain forcefully grabbed his arm. "Remember! I still have your girlfriend. Don't you dare try to double cross me."


Robbie clung onto Beverly while Harmony held onto Dodgers, who was whimpering. "It's okay, Dodgers. It'll be okay," Harmony soothed her furry companion. Although the interiors were pressurized, they still had their exo-packs on in case of emergencies.

Neytiri sat in the rear of the ship. Occasionally the children glanced at her curiously. Beverly stared at her with cold eyes with her gun held at the ready. Neytiri didn't care about them. All she could think about was Norm and her Jake. She feared the dangers that he would soon be facing alone. What if he was shot by either a human or even a Na'vi in the impending battle? How would they ever have hopes of having a family?

The Samson shuddered as the power of the turbines intensified. The ship slowly began its ascent as the base fell away from them. The pilot steered the Samson west toward Vatican's Royale. Little did the pilot realize that his radar screen was beginning to crackle.


Back at Hell's Gate, the entire staff was present in the operations center, save for Max Patel and a few scientists who were watching over the avatars. Since the capture of their companions, everyone had ceased their usual duties. They had to be prepared for anything. Though nothing could prepare them for what was about to happen. They had maintained constant contact with the expedition team's Valkyrie as it followed their abducted friends.

Though upon their last transmission, Gary had notified the staff that they were experiencing some technical difficulties and needed to land the ship. This was odd. Adam had thought that it was only the computers in the operations center that had been acting strange as of late. But apparently, the problem was now affecting the other equipment.

"Gary, this is Adam. Has it stopped yet?" asked Adam.

"No, sir," answered Gary over the communicator. "Something is really wrong with the computer systems."

"Well, what is your position at present?"

"We are several clicks behind-"

The transmission was suddenly cut off as static polluted the channel.

"Gary, come in," Adam said through the communicator. "Gary, this is Adam, respond. Gary. Hello?"

Still no response. The staff began to feel nervous.

"Something is really wrong. Somebody check the communication towers," said Sam. Several staff members left to do so.

"Sam, I need you to inspect the system. There's got to be an infection in there," said Adam.

"We've already checked a dozen times. It can't be a virus."

"If it's not a virus, then what is it?"

Upon asking, the computers began to sizzle as well. "What the hell?" Adam exclaimed. Their problems were escalating.


Jake Sully, Norm Spellman, and Marcus Steinbeck held on to the overhead bars of the Samson they were flying in to meet the Na'vi war party. They sped across the barren landscape of the mining area. Up ahead a few hundred meters, Jake could see dozens upon dozens of Na'vi warriors screaming war cries as the excavators and machines burned. Pillars of smoke polluted the air. Banshees steered clear of the smoke up in the air. Jake had no clue how he was going to convince them to stop but he had to try.

The Samson landed a few hundred yards from the army. Jake and the avatars stepped out of the Samson.

The Na'vi turned their attention now toward Site 12 and began their charge. It was as the Captain predicted. Jake prayed deep in his heart for his Neytiri's safety. Fear gripped him. He was about to attempt the impossible and he was going to do it alone. Not even the company of another avatar boosted his confidence. Here he was. About to redo history as he had done at the first Hometree of the Omaticaya.

The Na'vi armies drew close. Jake could feel their rage pour out onto him. There was suddenly a great bellowing as if it were some animal or the cry of a trumpet. The company looked up and saw a rider blowing into a horn. The direhorses slowed their charge and came to a stop. The banshee flew toward Jake and Marcus, landing several meters away. Gusts of wind flew past them as the banshee beat its wings. The banshee rider dismounted and approached them.

The rider was tall and fearsome and bore a bow and a horn tied to a rope hanging by his side. He wore war paint on his arms and legs. A chest plate made from what appeared to be the top piece of an animal's shell covered his chest and was tied back to another shell piece behind his back. His helmet was made from a bird's skull. Two golden eyes bore through the eye sockets of the skull, like a bird of prey.

The rider lifted his helmet, revealing a young handsome face beneath. Jake recited the greeting, "Oel ngati kameie." I see you.

Marcus and Norm recited the same greeting.

The warrior looked amazed at Jake's speech. He stared Jake up and down as if he were inspecting him. Finally he spoke. "I see you." He motioned to Jake. "You dress formerly as we do, stranger. But you do not fool me. Even if you had eight fingers, and not ten, I can still see your alien eyes. They are too small, like the other dreamwalkers who have come to us. Too small to see."

Jake knew what he was implying; that he was narrow minded like the Sky People who abused their lands. "I once could not see, but I do now. I am not with the Sky People. I was once one, but I joined the People. I am called Jake Sully. I come from the Blue Flute Clan."

The warrior looked puzzled. "Blue Flute Clan? I have heard stories of it. But you cannot say you come from any Clan. You are Sky Person, not Na'vi."

"He speaks truly, Ka'Ufu," said Marcus. "You know that not even I would lie."

Jake looked incredibly at Marcus. "Wait a minute. You know him?" he asked.

"Yes. Ka'Ufu is from the Tompekong Clan. He is the son of their Olo'eyktan," said Marcus. "I taught the tribe of this land how to speak English."

"Marcus Steinbeck speaks true. I am son of Ka'Ti, Olo'eyktan of the Rain Beater Clan," said Ka'Ufu.

Jake decided to reveal his identity, hoping that it would give this man a reason to trust him. "I too am Olo'eyktan of the Omaticaya."

The prince's eyes went wide with shock. "You Chief?" He erupted with laughter. "You lie! Sky People can never be one of the People."

"I swear under the Holy Eywa. I joined the People and defended them against the bad Sky People. If you do not believe me, may Eywa punish me for my deception."

"He speaks the truth," said Norm. "I too fought with him to defend the Na'vi far north of here in their greatest need."

The prince's smile faded. He stared at Jake with judgmental eyes. "I don't believe you. And I would punish you for your lies. But for our friend, Marcus, I will not hurt you here. But if you do speak true, then why do you ride against us? You should be riding against the Sky People here; the ones who cower in their metal village and destroy our land," he said pointing to Site 12 with the tip of his bow.

"My friends and I are their prisoners. The Sky People Chief sent me here to speak to you. If I betray the Sky Chief, he will harm my friends. As a son of the Omaticaya, I beg you to hear me."

The prince considered his words. "Speak, Jake Sully of the Omaticaya."

"Take your armies and leave. Give me time to free my friends and convince these Sky People to stop their destruction."

The prince shook his head. "We cannot wait. We have waited a long time for the Sky People to stop destroying our lands. But they are a blind race. They are greedy and will never stop. I cannot trust you."

"Ka'Ufu, please," Marcus pleaded. "Remember my lessons, the things I taught? I taught that not all of us are the same. Some of us try to do good for both our peoples. I know this is hard for you all. You have suffered greatly. But war is not the way of the People. Don't give into your rage."

Marcus' words seemed to have an effect on the prince. He stood there silent, as if thinking over what they told him.

"Please, brother of Tompekong," Jake pleaded. "For the lives of my friends, please turn back. Give me time and I will convince the Sky People to leave your land."

The Prince's eyes narrowed. He silently contemplated Jake's words. Ka'Ufu had seen many Sky People in his lifetime. Very few of them had any respect or reverence for the ways of the People. Sky People were unworthy of trust and respect. He knew better than to trust some stranger that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. But something in his heart told him that he was no liar. He could see it in those alien eyes. Indeed, he was fearless to come out against an advancing army in the hopes he would speak peace to them. Very few could match such courage. Ka'Ufu envied him for his bravery.

He made his decision.

"So be it, Jake Sooly of the Omaticaya," Ka'Ufu answered. "We will leave for now. You have only one more chance. Tell your people that we have warned you. You must leave our land or die. You have three days." He turned his back to them and remounted his banshee. He blew into his horn as the sound of the trumpet echoed across the landscape. The armies, in confusion, turned their steads around and withdrew into the forest beyond. Ka'Ufu's banshee beat its wings as it took to the air.

Jake inhaled deeply and released a long sigh of relief. He had just evaded a crisis that could have taken his life. Perhaps I prayed too hard last night, he thought. Don't say that Jake! Being alive after achieving the impossible is more than enough to ask for, you lucky bastard.

They returned to the Samson as it flew them back to the base.


Captain Philip McCoy watched in amazement as the Samson returned bearing the trio that had just saved them from a great confrontation.

"Well I'll be a horse's ass," said Julian, scratching the dark skin on his bald head. "Them blue sons of bitches actually did it."

"Impressive, I'll admit," muttered Dale.

"Thank God for that lucky bastard," said Philip. Julian and Dale looked at him. "I've never seen anyone go so fearlessly into battle."

"I still think we could have taken those savages," said Dale.

"Don't be too eager to dive into the furnace, Sergeant," said Philip. "A victory is only a victory when there are people left to celebrate it. If we're not careful, we may never see the next day to celebrate it."

The Samson touched ground as the avatars filed out of the Samson.

"Captain!" Philip's radio crackled.

He tapped the communicator on his neck. "This is the Captain, go ahead,"

"Captain, this is Henry from the control room. I'm picking up some str-" the voice died out completely.

"Hello, Henry?" His communicator wasn't working anymore. "What the hell..."

In that moment, one of the AMP suits suddenly collapsed.

Then another.

And another.

The soldiers looked around them frightened, uncertain of what was happening.

Jake looked around in surprise. Why were their machines suddenly deactivating? Had Eywa answered yet another one of his prayers? That seemed highly unlikely when Norm suddenly collapsed alongside him. Jake rushed to his side. "Norm, you okay?" he asked. Marcus knelt down beside him as well. "What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know," said Marcus. Marcus's eyes slid shut as he too collapsed.

A sudden fear gripped Jake. If the machines around him were malfunctioning-

"Neytiri," he gasped in horror.


The pilot noticed that his instruments were flickering with static. He pressed a few buttons to rectify it, but the components were not working correctly.

"Pilot," Beverly called toward the cockpit. "What's going on?"

"I don't know, Bev," the pilot answered back.

Suddenly the instruments became unresponsive as every screen and monitor shut off. The thunderous noise of the propellers died as they began to slow down. The pilot watched terrified as the Samson began to plummet downward to the forest below.

"We've lost power. Everyone brace yourselves. We're going down," he said.

Beverly clutched onto Robbie, Harmony, and Dodgers as she braced herself against the wall of the chopper. Neytiri also braced herself, anticipating the impact. They suddenly felt weightless as the ship descended faster. Their screams began.

The pilot flipped the ignition to restore power, but the damn thing wouldn't respond. He tried to pull the stick up to improve their angle of descent. The canopy of the trees drew close in a matter of seconds, their branches welcoming them into their foliage below. Wood and metal shattered as the Samson crashed and tumbled into the canopy, the outside became nothing more than a blur of rushing green. Beverly hung on tight to the kids, but the force of the impacts tore them form her arms. She was tossed senselessly across the small space as the Samson fell. A final impact came, throwing her head into the ceiling back onto the ground. Blood dripped from her skull as Beverly's vision began to darken.


The staff of Hell's Gate were flabbergasted. The computers and lights suddenly began shutting off.

"Techs, give me a status report," Adam yelled an order.

The techs tried to restore power to the computers but they would not respond. "Everything's shut down," one of them said.

"I can't get anything either," said Samuel as he typed in vain on his keyboard.

Max Patel and Norm came rushing into the Operations Center. Paul, Amanda, and Jeremy followed suit.

"What's happening? Why did the link beds shut down?" said Norm.

"That's what we'd like to know," said Adam.