Days passed slowly and with Jasselle's confinement to the yard, Grace allowed her to pass the time by taking the older students aside for more private lessons. They seemed happier to be among their own peers rather than mixed with the younger children. The lessons were two-fold: they taught her some basic Na'vi skills, but they had to teach her in the English language, or Jasselle would find a basic skill in her notebook that she hadn't seen among the Na'vi and show them. The group knew of the hidden ear and said nothing of the mining.
After not only Jasselle, but also the Na'vi admitted she would not master the bow, Jasselle hunted through her history texts determined to find a ranged weapon she could use. She learned about throwing knives, and wasn't too bad just out of practice she hoped. Finally, she found a possibility and worked on it in her limited free time. Some of the maintenance workers thought her design was a bit odd, but were happy to make it for her. Jasselle had been so pleased with their help; she appeared to forget her shyness and rewarded them with a quick hug and kiss, which pleased them even more, while it annoyed the few soldiers that happened to be near by at the time.
Midway through the week, she demonstrated the weapon to the Na'vi by hitting the target area for the first time. "What is that?" Neytiri asked staring at the hollow shaft with a small cup-like indention at the end.
Jasselle smiled, relieved by the success holding a quiver of arrows in one hand and the weapon in the other. "This is a atlatl. It is an ancient weapon that pre-dates the use of bows and arrows among humans. It was designed to throw darts originally, but I found this design for arrows."
"But you're a terrible shot," a male said.
"Thanks a lot, for the reminder. No really, I learned to throw small blades from the same people who taught me what I know of fighting," she explained. "So I just looked for a weapon that seemed to be… some place between the two."
"It doesn't seem all that accurate," Neytiri said.
"I just need to practice, I think. The information said it was affective and accurate. It's something at least. I won't be so helpless now."
The Na'vi chuckled as one said, "You have never seemed helpless before, odd-looking perhaps, stubborn certainly, and…"
"Very funny, stop the insults before I make you regret it."
"What could you do that a warrior could not avoid?" he asked turning away confidently.
Jasselle glanced at the ground and dropped her quiver. She quickly scoped up a handful of mud and called his name. As he turned around, he got a face full of it. "I can't shoot an arrow to save my life, but I can certainly throw," Jasselle said wickedly bending down to touch the mud again. "Anyone else need a demonstration?"
Within the base Jasselle spoke with Mary and Bio-girl about the jungle walks she used to make. Both longed to go with her, but as she suspected neither of them knew the first thing about protecting themselves and were too afraid of the danger to risk it. Mary had worked in zoos, in relative safety. On the other hand, Bio-girl had never worked outside a lab or green house. It didn't take long for Jasselle to decide that Mary would be the better of the two to introduce to Tyshimon. From that decision, she began to think of a plan.
She rarely saw Selfridge anymore, but when she did he looked like he would sprout gray hairs any day. From the company workers to the soldiers, everyone involved with the mining was feeling the pressure. David continued to keep quiet, which only meant to Jasselle that the mining preparations were continuing.
One evening, when she was secure in her quarters she scrolled through the programs the techno pagan had originally sent her. The last program held a severe warning and had an odd picture of a wooden horse head as its icon. She didn't know what type of program it was, but what it did was spelled out clearly enough. It was designed to completely erase file after file as though servers were crashing. Once implemented, a random time would be selected that was at least 24 hours later but no more than six days later. This was to protect Jasselle from being prepared. Once activated, there was no real knowing of what would be lost or just what files would be attacked.
Jasselle had an active enough imagination to think about what could happen besides the mining equipment being affected. If the ventilation went down somewhere on base, people wouldn't be able to breath. If the doors closed or opened at the wrong times, people could be trapped or crushed. If anything lost its codes that kept people safe, too many things could happen. People could and probably would die anywhere on base including her and there was no way she could stop it. The program could run for up to one hour at most before erasing itself. Or if someone on base was smart enough to set on finding it, the program would detect the search and erase itself and all traces. The main warning on the program stated: BE COMPLETELY CERTAIN BEFORE USING THIS PROGRAM. IF USED, USE ONLY ONE TIME.
Jasselle closed the file and clutched her cross star. Into the empty room she whispered, "I'm not that desperate, not yet."
More than a week later, Jasselle finally couldn't take being cooped up on base any longer. After discussing with Neytiri about a plan to force Tyshimon to met Mary, she executed her own covert attack on the scientists at dinner. "Grace, I was thinking…"
"No," she answered not even looking up.
"Can't you wait until I explain my thought before shooting me down?" she demanded with a smile.
Grace stared at her a moment, "All right, what are you thinking?"
"I'm always thinking. But this is about those samples you and Mary want." The scientists gave her their full attention. "I know you have been wanting to go with me and the Na'vi for a while and I have been talking to them about it. So, we have come up with a sort of outing for you both."
"Jasselle, are you saying I can get my samples?" asked Grace forgetting about the meal.
"It wouldn't be until the sort of weekend we give the students, but Neytiri and Rameana have agreed to prepare a small group of guides for the three of us if we want to take them up on it."
"If we want," Mary said loudly. Jasselle groaned as several people turned and stared. Mary ducked her head quickly, "That was a little loud."
"You think."
"Jasselle, are you certain they are willing to do this?" Grace demanded.
"Yes, I spoke with Neytiri and the others myself."
"What about the male who attacked you?" she asked.
Jasselle nodded, "Mo'at wants me to met him again in her presents to see if he has truly come to terms with what happened." Grace didn't look convinced. "Grace, I would probably have to go to home tree to meet them."
"Home tree?" Grace repeated and thought it over. "How soon?" Jasselle sighed relieved before explaining what she knew.
Days later
Missy flew toward the Osha Cliffs and said, "So, how's it feel to be liberated?"
"Like flying," Jasselle laughed over the com, enjoying the wind in her face as she hung on to the craft.
"Are you sure they'll met us?" Grace asked again from the other side.
"If they do, they do. If not, you can still get some fresh samples."
Behind her Mary called, "How did I let you talk me into this?" Everyone laughed at her.
"Come on, Mary. Where's your sense of adventure?"
Mary looked down and clutched the bar of the craft before yelling, "I think I left it on Earth."
When the craft touched down on a clearing in front of the cliff, the avatars stepped away avoiding the side routers. Jasselle stared out over the land beyond the cliff. She could see home tree in the distance and the treetops were so numerous below it seemed like a sea of green. "Jasselle? Jasselle?" Grace called.
"Rameana was right. This is an amazing view," Jasselle said.
Mary walked up beside her, "Is that really home tree?"
"Uh-huh," she answered, "Pictures and stats don't compare to actually seeing it."
"It's huge and their entire clan lives there," Grace confirmed and joined them to admire the view for a moment. Then she asked turning to the jungle, "So where are they?"
"Let me check beyond the tree line," Jasselle told them. She strolled in cautiously and she was just out of sight of the craft when Tyshimon stepped into her path. He scowled at her, but she thought there were others just out of sight. Jasselle took a deep breath, she had prepared her words for the time she meet him again. "You don't have to like me or anyone else, but we need to all work together." He looked away from her toward the clearing. "I'll promise to stay out of your way, if you promise to stay out of mine." He glanced at her and nodded. Five other Na'vi came into view including Rameana, T'seng, and Neytiri. To all of them, she warned, "They don't know and their ears will be on."
They followed her to the clearing; the Na'vi quickly greeted the avatars and were greeted by them properly. Then the Na'vi broke them up into groups. Neytiri and T'seng offered to be Grace's escort into the jungle so she could collect her samples. This pleased her to no end as she collected her research kit. T'seng reintroduce Tyshimon to Mary explaining, "This is Tyshimon. Jasselle told us of your troubles with learning about our world's animals. He is a good warrior and hunter of our clan. Tyshimon will be able to help with your studies." Several could tell Tyshimon was not happy with this duty, a little like babysitting Jasselle figured. T'seng gave Tyshimon a meaningful glare but said nothing more.
"Mary?"
"Yes?" she said checking her kit one last time.
"Your camera is on mute right? Because not being quiet when you're told, can get you very dead out here, understand?" Jasselle warned.
Startled, Mary pulled out the camera and checked. "I thought I did, but it never hurts to double check," she said. Tyshimon rolled his eyes.
"No, it doesn't," she said catching Tyshimon's eyes and spared him a pleading look. He frowned. She continued to give Mary pointers, "Make sure you listen to him. Remember, he lives out here." Mary nodded as Tyshimon looked a little confused by the compliment.
"Lake creature?" Rameana said.
"I never want to see one of those things again. We have taken to calling it little Kranken, after a creature of legend that also live in water with a lot of tentacles," Jasselle shuddered. "That was then this is now, so I guess, I'm coming with you, right?" Rameana nodded with a secretive smile. "Very well, where to?"
"Home tree," she said.
"Home tree? Really?" Jasselle repeated.
Rameana nodded, "Come, it is time you saw my home. And I would like to hear this legend."
"See you later, Missy," Jasselle called over the com. The pilot saluted through the glass. "Don't let these boys push you around while we're gone."
"No one pushes me around…" Missy snapped and then stated, "Unless I want them too." Jasselle and the other soldiers laughed.
The groups split up into the jungle. Jasselle watched as Mary followed Tyshimon, hoping for some sign the young woman would be taken care of. Behind them, the other two Na'vi warriors climbed into the trees and followed them. Rameana noticed Jasselle's gaze and nodded to confirm her hope. The extra warriors were there specifically to watch out for Mary in case Tyshimon didn't do his duty.
Soon, Jasselle mounted one of the dire horses and followed Rameana through jungle. The ride seemed longer as Rameana rode at a slower pace. She paused several times to point out landmarks to Jasselle. Jasselle was very attentive and knew Rameana was trying to make her happy and calm. Her Na'vi friend seemed determined to make Jasselle forget the trouble and simply enjoy the world around her as she had before any of them knew about the mining. She tried and she did enjoy the ride, but the edge remained like an itch neither could scratch.
At home tree, she met the heads of the clan again. Chief Eytucan tried to speak to her about the mining, but his wife had other plans. "Not today," she declared, "Today, our violet-eyed student shall learn and then rest."
"Violet-eyed?" she whispered to Rameana.
Rameana nodded, "Those that do not know your name call you violet-eyed. Do you not like it?"
"Actually, it's kind of nice, I just didn't know," Jasselle smiled, some of her Wicca teachers had called her that.
"Then come," Mo'at said taking her arm, "There is much you can know."
Jasselle followed and looked at Rameana, but Rameana wasn't invited and did not follow. Mo'at walked under the root columns of home tree. 'You could land a couple aircraft under here,' Jasselle thought. They rounded a strange display with a large skull mounted on top. From the teeth, Jasselle doubted she wanted to meet the living version of that creature.
"Here," Mo'at said, "Leave your weapons and things here. You have no need for them while in the safety of our home." She indicated an area at the base of a ramp. Jasselle saw no reason to doubt Mo'at words and quickly settled her staff and removed the weapons' harness entirely. Mo'at headed up into the branches. There they met the healer and her student, both welcomed Jasselle warmly. Jasselle could have shouted with joy when she realized they intended to treat her as their student. First, she learned from the healer and sorely wished for something to take notes with, but from watching her fellow student the lessons were to be memorized. Then Mo'at took her with Neytiri and taught them of Eywa and the skills of a shaman. These lessons were not too unlike her Wicca lessons, which made her concentrate on keeping the two separate. It wouldn't do to mix them up. Her logs were still clean of all Wicca references.
It was evening before it occurred to her that she might want to check in. She mentally prayed she wasn't in trouble again. It was harder to climb down than up, and she lost her footing several times. At the base of home tree, T'seng was there, which probably meant Grace was either waiting with the craft for her to move her tail or at base. "I am going to guess I am in so much trouble… again," Jasselle said softly. She had left her com on her harness without a second thought. The thought of getting confined to base yet again was the last thing she wanted.
Rameana shook her head and smiled, "Grace, knows you are to stay."
"Stay?" Jasselle repeated, "Here?" She laughed at how she sounded, "I must sound like a baka right now."
They laughed with her. Rameana told her, "Not so much." She handed Jasselle her sword and sheathe. "We carry no other weapons in home tree for peace."
She clipped it to her belt, "Good to know. So what next?"
"A meal, conversation, and rest," Gi-chen said joining them. "I see you, Jasselle."
"I see you, Gi-chen," she greeted. "Home tree is amazing, but I'm guessing there's more."
"Of course, more to see."
Jasselle nodded, "More to learn. And it only took me about… half a year to finally see this much. Wow."
Gi-chen blinked, "A half year, has it really been so long?"
"I would have wondered why it was so little time," Rameana added surprised as well. "It seems we have known each other longer."
Sometime after the meal, Jasselle got separated from those she knew. Perhaps, the excitement and safety of the day had made her forget her caution. A Na'vi male whose hair was styled much like the chief's managed to grip her arm and whispered, "I must speak with you." He half dragged her to one of the root columns. She stopped digging her feet into the dirt, not willing to leave the safety of home tree she was promised. "Just around the column," he ordered.
Jasselle wondered if this was Tyshimon's friend, she could be in a lot of trouble. Someone pushed her from behind. She nearly shouted for help, and the male must have noticed as he quickly whispered, "Are they still trying?"
"Who try what?" she asked softly willing for the moment to listen.
"The digging," a male behind her said.
"Yes…" Jasselle answered.
The male that held her arm pulled her around the root. "Why?" he hissed.
Jasselle winced standing awkwardly. "You're hurting me," she said.
He looked at her arm and saw he had unintentionally twisted it. He let go and apologized.
Jasselle rubbed her arm and asked, "Has something happened that I don't know of?"
"The moving tools are not working, but the digging tool is turning."
"When did this happen?" she whispered her eyes wide with alarm.
"Two days ago. Did no one tell you?"
Jasselle shook her head, "Does it sound like I knew? I have been trapped on the base for several days and the dream walkers are told nothing. The heads have done much to keep Grace and the others unaware. I thought we had more time."
"So we are out of time?" he asked.
"Then there is a plan, right?" she asked hopefully.
"But you…"
"…are no warrior," she interrupted a little tired of the argument. "I wish I was, I have always depended on my brother for such things."
The male spoke in terms she didn't know, but was fairly certain he was probably swearing.
"I need to get us some more time, then?" she asked hoping he would say no.
"Can you?"
Jasselle winced and explained, "There might be a way, but I was warned it would be very dangerous. There will be no promises of where the damage would occur. On the base people could die, but who?" She shrugged and toyed with the cross star. "There is no control over it and no way for me to stop it, once it is released."
"I will tell the chief. If he asks, will you do this?"
Jasselle took a deep breath and nodded, "Yes."
"Then go and rest as you were told."
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Tsu'tey."
She returned to the fire and forced his conversation out of her mind. Rameana had noticed her absence and Jasselle explained it away with enough truth about talking to another Na'vi but nothing about the topic. The decision was no longer hers to make, perhaps it was cowardly of her, but she remembered Jake telling her once that military leaders learned to make difficult decisions. She looked around at the groups and couples including Gi-chen and Vitingon. She told herself again she was not a warrior, but she would stand and she could guard.
Rameana reminded her of the legend she had spoken of earlier that day. Rameana and the other young adults gathered around as Jasselle told them what she remembered of the ancient Greek legend, which unfortunately was not much. The evening moved on to other tales and legends before Rameana and Gi-chen noticed Jasselle fighting not to sleep. They lead her into the branches of home tree where she at last saw a true Na'vi bed, which was very comfortable.
When she returned to her human body, she wasn't too surprised to find Grace waiting nearby. "I'm at home tree." Grace nodded but didn't say anything. "Home tree, Grace," she repeated wondering why the woman who had been wanting this to happen for so long was quiet.
"About time, but who cares," Grace said dragging her out of the pod. "Everything was a success today." She hugged Jasselle and they laughed.
"You got your samples."
"And more," Grace told her leading her to the mess hall.
At the mess hall, Mary leaped up and hugged her the moment she spotted her. "Thank you so much."
"Had a good day, huh?" Jasselle asked.
"Oh absolutely. Tyshimon was amazing," Mary said.
"Really?" Jasselle tried to keep the surprise out of her voice.
"Yes, sit, sit, sit. You must be starving."
"Hungry, yes. Starving no." Jasselle joined the group and asked, "So, some details ladies?"
"He helped me get samples of six mammals, both genders, and two insects. He actually caught them with his bare hands," Mary told them.
"The mammals?" she asked with a shudder.
"No, no," Mary said laughing, "the insects. And his aim with the sampler harpoon was so much better than mine."
"What harpoon?" Jasselle asked wondering at what point did she decide not keeping up with the other operators had been a good idea.
"It takes small skin and tissue samples without having to approach or harm the animal."
"So his aim was amazing," Grace concluded. "We'll have to keep that in mind going forward."
"He was nice… and so careful. A little bossy, but I didn't mind. He knew what he was doing, just like that other guy promised."
"You mean T'seng, right?" Jasselle was amazed to hear this description of the man who attacked her. "So, you have plenty to keep you busy?"
"For now," Mary said flipping open her notebook. "Look at all these images."
"Is that a bio scan picture?" Grace asked as she watched the image of a pair viper wolves change to reveal their skeleton and muscles.
"Yes," Mary said proudly. "Before I came, I managed to buy the latest model. I should have brought more harpoon tubes, but how could I have known he was so good?"
Jasselle watched as the images scrolled along and saw animals she had yet to see herself. Then as Mary was about to close the notebook, she saw there were more pictures. "Mary?"
"What?"
"There's more pictures in that folder."
"No," Mary was trying to hide them, "They're nothing."
"Nothing? Then showing us shouldn't be a problem." Jasselle said drumming her nails softly on the table. "Come on, I can tell you want to show someone." She was a little confused and hopeful.
"Well…"
"They're just pictures, aren't they?" Grace asked.
Mary turned her notebook to them. On the screen was a picture of Tyshimon reaching out and catching an insect by its wings.
"Nice action shot," Jasselle said with shrug.
Mary stared at her surprised and demanded, "Is that all you can say about him?"
Jasselle looked over with a smirk, "Him? I was talking about the picture." Mary turned a little red. Jasselle reached over and tapped through a few more of the pictures. All include Tyshimon in some way. "So he's very photogenic, I guess," she said trying to be polite.
Mary snatched her notebook back, "So what?"
"Easy, no need to get defensive. I'm glad you got not only what you needed, but had a good and more importantly safe time."
Mary nodded settling back to the meal. Shyly, she asked, "Did he… what did he think?"
Jasselle shrugged, "I don't know. I didn't see him once I left for home tree… However, if you want I could try to slip him a note before study hall tomorrow." Inside she was extremely relieved she had one side of this equation working out.
Mary punched Jasselle in the arm as people laughed. "That's mean. It's not like that."
Grace laughed, "Now, now children."
Jasselle grinned, "It's not like what? There are a few other pictures in there."
Mary frowned and snapped, "Well, not everyone can have so many admirers, Ms. Mysterious."
Startled, Jasselle said, "Mary, I was only teasing. I hardly know Tyshimon, and what do I know about you? Besides, me mysterious, I'm a train wreck when it comes to men."
Mary glared a bit at her. "Since, now, you want to be nice. What do you know about him?"
"He is a warrior, naturally. He is single, had a bad break up that I know of. He doesn't like it brought up though. Can have a temper, which explains the bruise over his nose that I accidentally gave him."
"You did that? Why?"
"It was an accident and I don't want to talk about it. Anyway, it has given him poor opinion of us dream walkers and that's why your description of him surprises me."
"So he might…"
"I don't know. I do have friends out there and for a friend I'll find out. All right?"
Mary nodded.