AN: I had hoped someone would've guessed the referenced game by now, despite the short time span. So I'm dropping a more obvious hint.
About a month and a half had passed since the Spartans arrived at the shack. Every couple of days they'd be called back to assist in other operations. Convoy protection, search and destroy, animal extermination, and minor deforestation. Usually with the dangerous flora.
"Spartans have made it back to the shack sir. They're resetting the perimeter. Are they that concerned about the animals attacking?" A radio officer asked.
"When you're a Spartan. You expect anything and everything," Quaritch said looking over the HALO station, "hell I wouldn't be surprised if they had a plan for if a Covenant Assault Carrier suddenly showed up, God forbid."
Selfridge walked in with Ryder. "How's Jake's progress going Colonel." He asked.
"We're batting about 500. He's in the process of learning the language while at the same time getting some good intel on their capabilities."
"Has he made ANY progress on relocation whatsoever?" Selfridge asked.
"Negative." Selfridge sighed, then recollected himself.
"Okay. There's still time. So we can wait." He said.
"Also sir," Ryder began, "we've been getting reports of unidentified creatures from elite patrols in the Omaticaya vicinity."
"Unidentified creatures? What do you mean?" Quaritch asked.
"They spot something different, they investigate, but when they turn the corner or climb the hill, it's gone. Nothing. No trace. Like there was nothing at all. I'm starting to think we need shorter shifts and more fill-ins." Ryder explained. Quaritch pondered the news. Even the elite forces had their limits, especially with the creatures in that area of the land. Thanators, Viperwolves, the occasional Hammerhead, and more.
"… yeah… that's a good idea. I'll radio for a change and-"
"Sir. Sorry to interrupt. But you have guests." A security officer said.
"Whoever it is, can they wait?" He asked.
"I told them to. They said no."
Quaritch scoffed and sighed. "Fine bring them in." The officer left, leaving him to finish. "Like I said. I'll radio for shorter shifts and extra fill-ins. In the meantime, you get some rest and be prepared for anything. We haven't got much going on since the Anvil Attack. The Na'vi have been keeping their distance. Good thing too."
"Sir." Ryder said.
The officer returned with two science-types, one an older, middle-aged woman, the other, a younger male. "Another scientist? I don't remember requesting more." Selfridge said confused. "Because you didn't," she began, "Dr. Catherine Halsey. I'm sure you know me." She said rather irritated.
"Wait," Quaritch began, "Halsey? THE Halsey? The Halsey who-"
"The one and only." She answered.
While VERY few outside ONI knew where the Spartans came from, a few privileged more knew who worked to bring them to life. Quaritch and Selfridge were among these privileged. "What are you doing here on Pandora?" Asked Selfridge.
"You know EXACTLY what I'm here for." She said matter-of-factly.
"… oh shit. Of course. Look, I understand you're mad but-"
"Mad? Try furious! Try despicably hostile!" She nearly shouted. Earning attention from some of the personnel in the command center. Selfridge looked around and took notice of this.
"Look if we're gonna do this then let's enter the glass office." He said gesturing towards the desk.
"Robert. Wait for me out here." She said to her assistant calmly and without irritation. The supervisor and the scientist entered the office and closed the doors.
"Thank goodness for soundproofing." Quaritch said.
"What?" Robert and Ryder asked.
"That office is soundproofed. Makes good for those major corporate talks."
Probably for the best too. As the argument began, the voices and anger rose.
"Look. I get you're pissed off but we don't have a lot of options. I wanted a different solution to but all my arrows aimed for the Spartans. We needed them here to help us." Selfridge said.
"They are NEEDED at the front lines where the Covenant are! Taking just one, let alone four, increases our chances of losing THAT much more!" Halsey shot back.
"Well I don't know about you but we need EVERY LITTLE bit of Unobtanium, among other resources, we can get! Most of the once plentiful worlds are low, with enough to last for about the next four years. The further more plentiful ones are dangerously in the path of the Covenant or are being held by those traitors in the Frontier Militia or other rebel groups. God be with those IMC guys, rest their Titan-driving souls. Let's not forget the fact that the SAFE ones number only about five to six. Pandora being one of them!"
"Alternative energy. The RDA has a big share hold and industry with that. Ever try being green?!"
"Yeah, but even with all that, the factories and labs still need more power. Those weapons aren't gonna make themselves you know. Power from matter-antimatter reactors, that Unobtanium provides, is more than sufficient for this. Maybe if nerds like yourself spent more time with energy renewability instead of deciding whether the egg or the chicken came first we wouldn't be having this problem! Some of the blame is on guys like me there's no doubt about that! But not all of it!"
"What if a colony falls because of the relocation? You ever consider that genius?!"
"I was BORN on a colony! In fact that same exact colony is STILL my home! Sol eterno. Means 'Eternal Sunshine' in Spanish. That's my home, a nice tropical climate world. My family lives there. My wife, two sons, three daughters, sister and brother, and my old man live there. Let's add to it that it is VERY close to the front lines! So you can bet that I am VERY well aware of the risks!"
"Have you ever thought about increasing the amount of soldiers here you have in your garrisons? That tends to work with you corporate bigots! More soldiers, more guns, more security."
"It's about quality too. Our soldiers are damn good, some are former soldiers or rebels, but they're still only Human. Spartans on the other hand are Human, but better! They have already broken morale of Ferals on this planet, we've seen attacks drop to 1-0 every two weeks. It used to be about 5 every four days! A major change! This is widespread on the planet mind you! Those Spartans are giving the Na'vi a big reason to stay away!"
"You idiot. You are uniting the Na'vi against the Spartans. This makes it harder to mine. ONI could come up with a better plan in their worst ideas. Have you even tried to frame the leaders to at least sow doubt? Did you at least compromise the mining operation to prevent a war or did you want to circle jerk how great you are?"
"I assure you we did EVERYTHING diplomatic in the book. We offered them roads, medicines, schools, technology, but they like mud. Of course they do they're savages. Then came Falco's 'great idea' to shut down the Na'vi, effectively ruining our chances at diplomacy. Not that there were many to begin with. It took scientific minds and the sig spec Ryder to find the Well of Souls to stop the war, however the fuck that works. If we have to go through this shit again it'll be too soon. These blue monkeys only seem to respect force and strength. Spartans are good at it! So unless you can come up with a BETTER plan that gets the Na'vi to stay away, this conversation is OVER! The Spartans are staying until we've established the new mining site!"
Halsey scoffed. "Amateurs. I'm not leaving until they do." She said.
"That's fine. Just don't feel like a VIP." Selfridge said, making for the door. His communications device rang, prompting him to step out of the center again. Halsey stepped out with a very evident scowl on her face.
Quaritch spoke up. "I'll have a Samson arrange to take you to him. If you're interested." Referring to John.
The Doctor was caught off guard. "You- you'd do that?" She asked calmly.
"It's obvious you aren't going anywhere without him. And call me crazy, but I'm getting a vibe that you're attached to him." The Colonel said.
Halsey was taken off guard. "What what makes say that? I mean it's not like-"
"I know I know. But no one would just pack up and come to this nightmare planet for a few Spartans. After all, they are the best of the best." He said.
Halsey was pretty embarrassed to say the least. He HAD to have taken a shot in the dark to nail that. It was only herself who held special value for John. "I'll- I'll take the offer. Just… don't tell anyone about this." She said.
"Heh heh, my lips are sealed." Quaritch said with a smug smile, realizing his victory.
"Let's go Robert."
Shack.
John was amazed at how the planet kept offering more and more wonders to the team as they continued their mission. He and his team at one point went into the mountains to investigate the local fauna. Out of curiosity. Thanks to the low gravity, the thrusters normally used for space or fall control were able to get them around fairly well in a jump jet function. Very well actually The Banshees were plentiful up here. They debated the validity of the nickname, given experience with a 'different' kind of Banshee
"I mean sure they're dangerous but they don't spew plasma shots at you." Fred said.
"Don't have to. One swipe, they grab you, and who knows what then?" Kelly replied.
"Why go for that when you could just blast a fuel rod crater there and then?" Fred argued.
As the two debated, John took another look at the Pandorapedia and did some research on the previous conflict. It was dubbed 'The Tipani Conflict.' While many Na'vi tribes participated, the prime clan was the Tipani. The records showed this clan had much more land, influence, control, and warriors than the typical tribe, considering the fact that they participated in major battles all over the planet.
Now they were about the size of the usual clan. And the RDA had a firm hold in former territories. "Sir. We got a Samson in bound. Looks like Trudy's back." Linda said, her scope trained on a distant dot that grew bigger. Sure enough it was Trudy, Chief recognized the decals on her Samson. The Spartans remained as they were as the craft powered down, and the occupants exited.
'Wait. Occupants?'
Two scientists were with Trudy, who approached the Spartans. "Got some guests for you Chief." She said.
"Who?" He asked.
"Said you'd know as soon as you saw her." 'Her?' The two scientists got closer, one was an unfamiliar young male, the other was-
"Wait. Is that?" Fred began. Behind the faceplate of the exopack was a face that any Spartan would remember, even if amnesia took over. The woman took note of the four soldiers and smiled.
"Hello John. It's been a while."
"Dr. Halsey… What are you doing here?"
"I came to get you back to the front lines." She replied.
"I knew it. Sooner or later it was gonna happen." Said Linda.
"You guessed right then Linda." Kelly replied.
"Why are you out here at this shack instead of the main complex… Hell's Gate was it called?" Halsey asked.
"We're providing some protection/supervision of a special Avatar driver here." John said.
"Avatars. Isn't that the project to interact with the natives using artificial bodies?" She asked.
"That's it. A Jake Sully, along with Trudy, another driver named Norm Spellman. And the head of the program-"
"Thank god. Scientists." A voice said. The group turned to find Grace exiting the shack, with Jake and Norm following after. "At last I can finally talk with other- sweet mother of God what are YOU doing here?" She asked in a rather upset voice.
"Hello Grace."
The two highly intelligent woman stared at one another in the eye like two western gunfighters. "You two know each other?" Asked John.
"Grace and I were once colleagues." Halsey answered.
"Colleagues? HA! She was my goddamn roommate back in university." Grace spat.
"SHE ended up being the worst roommate ever of course." Halsey said with a sneer of her face.
"Oh I was, was I? I didn't have my face stuffed into every book about human physiology and PowerPoints on artificial intelligences." Grace retorted.
"No, you had your eyes glued on every plant you could find and every book on language you could read." As the two shot back insults, the rest watched on.
"Wow. This is certainly interesting." Robert said.
"I don't think these two will even get the chance to go inside." Norm said. The two took notice of one another shortly after.
"Ah sorry, uh Robert Fletcher. Halsey's assistant."
"Norm Spellman, Avatar driver. Assistant to Grace you could say." The two said as they shook hands.
A few minutes later, everyone went inside the shack, with the two scientists in a staring contest. Basically everyone was acting as though they weren't there.
"So. Avatar drivers huh? What's it like, literally taking control of another body?" Robert asked.
"It's something that isn't easily explained," Norm began, "you're the same person you were before. But at the same time, you're someone else. It's like a dream."
"Yep," Grace said without taking her eye off of Halsey, "Something that can't be achieved by being a Spartan."
"Anyway, did you help with the Spartans?" Asked Norm.
"No. I started learning under Halsey in 2545. But I AM working with a means to give the Spartans a kind of upgrade. Just not a major top secret thing. A simple serum or something. Make them stronger and faster, more able to complete their tasks of making war miserable for the Covenant." Robert replied.
"Correct," Halsey said. "Something that can't be achieved by being an Avatar."
"Ah jeez will you two hurry up and divorce already? You're killing us here!" Trudy said. The scientists gave no indication of acknowledgement to her statement.
"So Jake, when's the next link?" John asked.
"Uh let's see. It's about five minutes from now. More language lessons. Followed by the usual trek through the jungle, and more tree-hugger stuff."
"Man. Sounds like torture. Especially the language." Said Fred.
"Yeah but I figure it's like field-stripping a weapon. Repetition, repetition."
"Something a Spartan can surely do better." Halsey said.
Wilderness
Bapat sat and listened as the Na'vi spoke to one another, the natural advantage of unburdened neural pathways allowing him to decipher the alien language almost instantly as he pieced the words together.
So far this is the eighth time he's studied them, and he's already learned how to speak complete sentences in the language. By the end of this survey. He would speak in complete paragraphs. Interestingly, five of those eight times, he has witnessed a male appearing to speak to a female. In Human English. Which drew suspicion from him. Leka knew about it, and still holding the benefit of the doubt, said 'It is likely that the male had spent time with the Humans, likely to learn about them, only to forget his own tongue. It has happened to a Kig-Yar who studied my people before. Couldn't squawk like he used to. The only question is, do they know about US?' "Bapat. How goes your progress?" Leka asked silently.
"Very well, Fleetmaster. I will have at least a vast understanding of their whole language by the end of this watch, if not a complete one." He replied.
"That is good, because Human communications are speaking of minimal Na'vi activity near their sectors. We can learn about locations these creatures hold dear and discover any Human bases nearby. If there are any." Leka said. So far they knew of the main Human complex named 'Hell's Gate' and a massive port installation further away, among other encampments.
The more Human locations the Covenant learned of, the better. "Once we finish here. We will speak to the leader of these people."
The plan was perfect. Bapat would be the translator for both parties, while four Special Forces Sangheili stood guard with Leka, who himself was tall, even for a Sangheili. He was likely as tall as the Na'vi. So that should play as an intimidation factor. Should things go wrong, there was no doubt they could fight their way out. They wielded gifts from the gods whose wisdom spanned millennia. These creatures wielded sticks and stones. Literally.
…
Jake was done with yet another learning session from Neytiri. Now he was resting while rehearsing his Na'vi, so far he could speak short sentences. But he was a long way from being authentic.
He noticed that the villagers were getting a bit restless, then started to clamor. Tsu'tey and a band of hunters were making way to the center of the tree, where Eytukan stood. He noticed Tsu'tey had a look of concern on his face. Barely making eye contact. He turned to see what was happening.
Jake's heart stopped.
The unmistakable form of an Elite of high rank wearing a large cape adorned with what he speculated his rank emboldened on it, with another high ranking Elite at his side, four special forces Elites following, and a Grunt came by. He felt the lead Elite's gaze fall upon him. The Elite was tall. Like Hunter tall. "No. No no please god no. Anything but this." He barely whispered.
.
"These creatures… why do you bring them here?"
Eytukan was genuinely curious, yet nervous at the same time. These were not Sky People, not the Sky People they knew. Six taller creatures stood before him wearing armor that shined as the fires of Homtree's torches burned. They too, wore these masks that seemed to mimic the Sky People's masks. Since the 'air' was toxic to them. "We found them outside our hunting ground, they didn't hide. They didn't fight. They simply approached us. Unafraid, and requested an audience." Tsu'tey replied. It was then the stocky shorter alien stepped forward, with a mask as well, and some strange contraption strapped to his back. The tallest of the creatures spoke, with a voice that sent chills down the spines of all the Na'vi who listened. Despite not understanding.
"I am Bapat. Unggoy servant to Fleetmaster Leka 'Tgumee."
The little alien talked. In pure Na'vi, despite the high-pitch in its voice, it was clear as day to them all. "He says. 'I am Fleetmaster Leka 'Tgumee. I am a Sangheili. A member of a species who dominates the military arm of the holy empire known as The Covenant." Eytukan's eyes widened. 'Covenant… that is the word that… oh Eywa.' Leka spoke again. And Bapat translated. "I am honored to meet you, Chief of the Omaticaya." As Bapat finished, Leko made a bowing gesture with his upper torso.
Eytukan took a deep breath and recomposed himself. "Why do you come here Leka?" Eytukan asked.
"I am here on orders of the Hierarchs, three San'Shyuum whose power is unrivaled in our holy Covenant, to find Human worlds and reduce them to ash and cinders." The Na'vi murmured at this, as it became more obvious that the Covenant not only really DID exist like the Sky People said, but really WERE trying to wipe them out. Eytukan had to choose his next words carefully. For he and his kind had already had some agreements with the Sky People, and therefore, may feel the wrath of these aliens.
"We are aware of the Humans here, and we are aware that there is a strong chance that you either were willingly or forcibly agreed upon certain things. Such as the mining of your world."
Eytukan had no response, but was slightly relieved. He nodded. "Regardless, we are simply here to destroy the Humans. Only should you interfere would you feel our wrath. Any other commander would eradicate you too. I however, see the possible benefits of at the very least, an understanding between our peoples." This alien was speaking of peace. Just like the Sky People, however it was against the Sky People. Eytukan felt past experiences flare up in him.
"These Sky People speak of peace, but they already bring a war to us. A war that left many dead and more injured. They are the reason our planet cries and Eywa is restless. They killed my daughter. They destroy the forest for resources. They kill the animals for nothing. And now, they bring Sky Devils with them. An unseen wall that stops our arrows. Strength to rival the Palulukan. Speed placing shame upon the Ikran. Strike as deadly as the Angtsik."
As Bapat translated, Leka gasped. And spoke. "These devils you speak of. Are they Human with armor? And faceplates that show no face?"
"That is correct."
"We call them Demons. The Humans call them Spartans. They are truly dangerous, as you have learned. Just ONE of those Humans can destroy a thousand Sangheili. If you help us destroy them, and even eliminate the Humans. I am sure the Hierarchs would be very grateful, even offer your people a place in the Covenant. Our Great Journey is wide, and we walk it side by side."
…
Leko watched as Eytukan processed his proposition. Regardless of the answer, the outcome would be the same. The Humans here would die. And the Spartans would follow.
"I must have time to decide. It is too soon to make such a great decision." Eytukan finally said.
"I understand great Chief. My offer will stand, but remember, the sooner the Humans are gone, the sooner your home is yours again. Good day and prosperity, Eytukan." Leka said as he gave another bow, then turned, allowing his cape to swipe at the wind in a display of grace with power. The aliens disappeared into the night. Leaving the Na'vi with a major revelation. "Regardless, the Humans WILL die. This alliance would speed the process, but with or without…" Leko began.
"The Hierarchs' will shall be done." Bapat said.
"Indeed."
…
When the Covenant soldiers passed, he made his way to the upper branches of hometree. "Oh god what am I gonna do?!" He said to no one in particular. He paced furiously as the night wind blew through the branches. If he told the Colonel about the Covenant being here, there would be absolute chaos. The schedule would be accelerated and in their panic, the miners would strip this tree down, regardless of whether the Na'vi were gone or not. If he didn't tell, the Covenant would be given ample time to find other locations Humans were settled, to gain the trust of the Na'vi, or even have all the time they needed to gather a sizeable force to invade the planet.
"What the hell am I gonna do?!" He asked as he stared into the gas giant Pandora orbited.
Neytiri was searching for Jake, who mysteriously disappeared during the meeting. She looked all over the tree until she came upon him at the Ikran branches. He looked like he had seen the dead walk before him. "Jakesully. Are you well?"
Jake's head slowly turned to her, eyes as big as could be. He stood slowly and came to her. Face to face.
"Neytiri…" He began. "I know you may not trust me, and that the aliens may have made a good argument. But please listen to me. I beg of you. Do NOT EVER, and I mean NEVER EVER, tell them that I am really a Human in this body. Do you understand me?!" He said with fear and paranoia in his voice. At first Neytiri didn't know what to say, seeing the fear he had in his eyes. But she simply decided to do him a favor and nodded.
Suddenly he hugged her. "Thank you…" He shakingly whispered before going to his sleeping area.
AN: Well then… the Na'vi now know that the Covenant ARE real, and to top that, the Covenant offered a deal to them. The only question is what next?