Personal Log

Day: 374

Time: Approx. 5:45 AM

Infiltrating Like a Ghost

Holmes took off into the jungle, trying to get as much distance from his Sampson as he could in as little time as possible. Je jumped from branch to log to bump in the dirt as he tried his best to traverse the Jungle-mess. He had dressed appropriately, with his hiking boots, outdoor cloths, his weapons and a small pack that helped hold them and a few other items, and his Fedora, which helped hold on a veil of plants and green fabrics in a type of basic gillie suit.

After a few seconds, he began slowing down, using more cover to move, and tried to quite his footsteps. By the time he had reached the top of a hill overlooking the installation of "Hell's Gate" he was traveling very slowly, carefully watching his footsteps.

The land around Hell's Gate had clearly, at some point, been clear-cut. Now, small trees began to grow back, and multiple bushes had sprouted up in the area around it. The installation itself was huge, Holmes couldn't even see the entire thing with one glance. A massive concrete wall surrounded the installation, with sentry guns located at the top along with floodlights. Unfortunately, Hell's gate seemed to be in bigger disrepair then other installations he had visited. On section of the wall was even torn down by some great force. Giant trucks and several different boxes littered the massive yard inside the walls.

Holmes lifted the Sniper rifle he had brought along, and he stared through its scope. He couldn't see anything moving down in the installation through the morning mist, nor did he spot any of Pandora's wildlife down there. Then Holmes noticed a single tree growing up from the ground, just close enough to the wall's edge for him to climb up and get inside.

Holmes did a last scan of the area and, seeing nothing, decided to continue down to the installation. He leaned close to the ground, kept his head down, and quickly jogged down the small hill down into the field surrounding the installation.

When he reached the tree, he stopped, and continued looking around, this time including the jungle tree line for any movement. After a few more seconds, Holmes strapped the sniper rifle to his back, along with his ACR, and he grabbed two claws from his belt and he dug it into the tree. Using those claws, he slowly clawed his way up the tree, and onto a thick branch that overlooked the wall and could probably allow Holmes entry.

Holmes stayed close to the tree, placing the claws back into his belt. He unslung the Sniper Rifle and scanned the installation inside once more. He didn't see anything through the morning mist, once again, so he simply walked across the branch and jumped, into the compound. As luck would have it, he landed close by to a crate of some sort, and after he recovered from his jump, he used it as cover to observe the grounds.

The area was still clear of any other figures. Holmes noticed a door off to the side near the edge of the building and he ran towards it. As he reached the door, he instinctively reached for his backpack, but he stopped himself. He examined the door for a second, then he hit the keypad on the door. The door slid open without opposition, which slightly confused Holmes. He didn't think anything more of it as he slipped inside and closed the door.

Using the map the Computer had printed out for him, he navigated his way to the control room. The control room in Hell's Gate was not so different from the control room at Alpha. Holmes looked around, and quickly found a computer terminal that satisfied him. He placed the Sniper rifle down on the holo-table and took off the back-pack he had been carrying. He opened it, and grabbed the hard drive from it, plugging in his computer.

After a few minutes of uploading, the computer was activated again and he was ready to start searching the files.

"Lieutenant Holmes, our trip was not in vain," said the Computer after a few moments, "There's so much information here, so much to learn… to categorize. This also has a more extensive map of Pandora, access to the few satellites in orbit… even the ability to connect to all known RDA outposts. This will save us so much time in the future."

"Is the air breathable?" asked Holmes, trying to get at an itch under his facemask.

"Censors indicate 55% Pandorian atmosphere. I regret to admit it is not," stated the Computer, "Should I run the air systems?"

" No need, I'll live," said Holmes," Just make sure we get what we came for and we can get out of here. Can you access the Scientists files?"

"Yes, the main scientific installation is at another location within the compound but they are on the RDA network."

"Good, and how about the compounds censors?"

"They are up and running, but they are set… how you say… to 'unimportant'. I'm not sure how to explain it. They are toned down," said the Computer.

"That's fine, just hurry so we can get out of here," said Holmes, walking up to the window and observing the compound, "Is it just me, or do they have a much better motor pool then us? And a much better view… maybe we should get rid of some trees to have a better view."

Holmes checked the air in the tank he had on, and he switched it out for one more full, then walked back to the window.

"Hmm… you know I'm very happy at Alpha but with a little duck tape… some nails… a lot of ammo; I think I can turn this place around. This could be a very cool 'Charlie'," remarked Holmes.

"I believe the term for this place is: 'Too Big', Lieutenant," said the Computer.

"Well tell me when you're done, alright?"

Holmes observed the outside again, admiring some of the massive mining vehicles that littered the yard of Hell's Gate. Holmes' eye fell on one truck, not to far away. At first he didn't know why, he was busy daydreaming, then his eyes focused and his heart stopped.

Standing on top of one of the mining trucks, staring right at him, was a blue person. A really tall, almost naked, muscular blue person. And they were staring, equally as awestruck, right at Holmes.

Holmes allowed his jaw to drop, and his arms uncrossed, dropping to his side.

"Time to go," said Holmes, and he turned back and ran further into the room.

He unplugged the hard drive and shoved it back into the backpack, then through it over his shoulder as he ran out of the room.

"Computer, I'm leaving," said Holmes.

"Alright, hold while a try to plot the fastest route out," said the Computer over the intercom.

Holmes left the command room and jogged down the hallway, trying to think of an alternate route out of the installation. As he turned a corner, he looked down the hallways and had to screech to another stop.

Two more blue creatures stood farther down the end of the hallway. They both looked up and their eyes widened at the sight of Holmes.

"Computer," yelled Holmes.

One of the creatures yelled something out, and they both notched arrows into their bows.

"On it," said the Computer, and as the creatures pulled back their bows a door shut between them and Holmes.

After the door shut, Holmes heard two thuds in the door.

"Oh my God," yelled Holmes, "We got to get out of here!"

Holmes turned around and booked it down the other hallway. He unslung his ACR and tried to follow the twists and turns of the hallways. Holmes turned another corner, and saw a doorway at the end. He sprinted down the corridor, trying to make it for the door. Outside it, three other creatures walked up, one on some sort of horse-like creature.

They pointed and shouted in their Na'Vi tongues, and they, too, notched arrows and bows.

"Door," yelled Holmes.

"Shut," said the Computer, as that door as well shut closed.

Holmes leaned against the wall, staring at the door trying to catch his breath. He shook his head and rubbed his forehead.

"Oh my… what are we going to do now," said Holmes.

"I'm afraid I cannot find a route out of the compound to guarantee your safe return back to the Sampson, sir," said the Computer.

"Do we have any working vehicles back in the motor pool?" asked Holmes.

"Well… I'm sure there's something," said the Computer, "The manifest reads that there is-"

"Plot me a course, right not," said Holmes as he took off backward, through the hallways, "And keep the blues from getting there first."

"Yes sir, keep an eye open for open doors," answered the Computer.

Holmes adjusted his ACR so it was firmly against his shoulder and in the ready position, and he put a round into the chamber of the gun. He didn't know much about these people, but he wasn't going to take any chances.