Dark Hunter's resolution.

Chapter 12: Home journey, labyrinth of lies.

25th September 2901

Outer Sol system, Dawnbreaker

It was strange for Alex to be off the Liberator after so long.

Raxler was sent off with the Liberator, to meet with the incoming NKI fleet in UIP interstellar space in 3 days time, in a patch of unoccupied space 20 light years from Pandora. It was agreed that Raxler alone would be enough. For good measure, they relayed this information to Shockwave, who had arrived at New Cybertron that same day,

Everyone else was now aboard the Dawnbreaker, or in Aru'san's case, latched onto its outer hull, as there was no room for her inside. Alex, Xale, Lexa, Azula, Se'rie, Norstith, Kirth, Morthas, La'kias, Ja'hail and Sha'krii were now the ranking NKI officials on the Dawnbreaker frigate.

The Dawnbreaker had begun its short journey from Sol to Alpha Centuari, their first stop being Keletari. They wanted to clear up any legal matters in heading onto Pandora. Once they were in though, their trip to the Kahtra'ya clan was not in need of legal documentation. It could go 'off record'.

And that was precisely what they wanted.

"I'm sorry your trip to Earth had to be cut so short." Sha'krii said aloud, as they were all gathered in the crew lounge. She mainly addressed the human crew members sat around. The Kro'nogri female saw Xale merely shrug in an uncaring manner, while Azula simply said: "I always thought my home planet was the human homeworld. Earth doesn't really feel like a homeworld yet."

Lexa cut in: "Besides, we've got more important matters coming up soon in the next system." She then looked over at Alex, who was staring off into space by the viewing window [metaphorically as well], and said in a low voice: "Something else seems to be bothering him though."

Curious, Sha'krii walked over to the most experienced human ally she had: "Is something troubling you Hunter?" The cyborg human sagged a bit, saying: "Nothing important, just, this trip we're taking now to the next system is, bringing back bad memories."

"If you share it, you might feel better about it, knowing perhaps that others might understand it." Sha'krii offered. Behind her, Se'rie had gotten up, and just as she got to Alex's side, he said:

"This was the same shipping route my parents took my sister and me on over 22 years ago. The one where pirates ambushed them, and where I only survived because I was in an early launched escape pod. It just seems so, haunting, somewhat, that I'm travelling the exact same path that led to their deaths." Se'rie gently lay a wing on his shoulder at this moment, and leant into his shoulder softly, rubbing his face with her head comfortingly. Pulling away, Se'rie said: "Why didn't you tell us?"

"I didn't want to draw attention to my problems that I've long since buried."

Sha'krii saw a look in his eyes, and asked: "You miss them, don't you? It is only natural to miss ones parents dearly, I should know."

"Yes, but as I recall you telling us, your mother was killed by Kro'nogri radicals, and your father was killed probably by that last scout. As far as I see it, I can see this upcoming revealing of the scout as an act of revenge on your part."

Turning to face Sha'krii, Alex asked her now: "Tell me, when you think of that last scout, who you know killed you father, what do you think?"

"I feel a sense of hurt and loss, and a drive to set things right. Especially considering what my father's murder did to me and led into with this war."

Alex was silent, and noted aloud: "That's probably what my adoptive family feels like still because I killed my stepfather in an insane move. I've learnt all too well what a drive for revenge can do to myself. But, with you, I know that seeking revenge on that scout is the right thing to do, wherever he is."

"In this case, revenge would be justice, maybe not enough for everything he supposedly set in motion." Se'rie commented, her voice spiteful. She had seen the details of some of the dealings made by a single individual or group, and there was confirmation of a former career as a scout, and a mention made nowhere else in UIP records, of predated contact with the Alliance, with a Grey scout, and a female Vulcan scout who died on the tour. Everything but a name, some history details and more dealing information. All it said was the scout, Oro'naze, had his identity changed a few years after the Alliance incident, but his records remained intact. Only a name change would do something like that,

25th September 2901

Rau system, interplanetary space, lead Dreadnought.

Pandora is the target of the NKI leaders. Our informant was very generous with his offer in including this information. I can deal with a few personal grudges, a homeworld gets attacked anyway, and my partner keeps his end of the deal. Considering the proximity of Alpha Centuari to Earth, I suppose I could move onto that pitiful planet after I am finished with both leading Na'vi worlds.

Kal'sik pondered this information while his mobile vessel, or his old, upgraded body, was inert and offline. All the processing of the information he was sent was easy for his mind. There were no other programs in the network aside from assistance programs or protection programs. He was the ship, the ship was an extension of his will, his skills, his power.

In the interplanetary vacuum, the leading dreadnought hung in position, the wreckage of a handful of UIP cruisers and battleships floating a few dozen to hundreds of kilometres away. Fragments of armour and engine parts marked the trails where the other UIP ships had fled the system after the 3 day ceasefire ended today,

I suppose my partner is useful. He has great influence in the UIP, and he was kind enough to give me valuable intelligence on the planetary defences around the homeworlds. It was not the first time he was useful, he was certainly as helpful with the Varya operations, slipping me advanced Cybertronian virus coding for use o Shockwave.

As long as I hold up my small end of the deal, he will provide me with usable intel. I'm sure that if he is willing to cooperate, I can allow his race to survive to serve the Alliance. After all, he did also bribe that captain to send the message to the NKI fleet, allowing me to 'prompt' them into finding the last segment of the hazardous data to my partner.

As much as I despise the UIP races, I cannot bring myself to stand by and let such a valuable ally be revealed and taken down. He is too useful to me!

His calculating done, Kal'sik comm'd the dreadnoughts in nearby systems that were attacking. He ordered one to cease attacks on the asteroid mine communities in the Kar'len system upon destroying all mission critical targets, namely all of them, and head through FTL as fast as possible to the Alpha Centuari system, which would be the next day at the earliest.

25th September 2901

Alpha Centuari, Prometheus orbit, between Keletari and Pandora, Dawnbreaker.

After a brief 1 hour flight, and 3 hours of seemingly illogical bureaucratic nonsense, the Dawnbreaker was cleared to enter Pandora's orbit.

In the comm room, a 3D scan of the moon was up and running, with key locations across the planet on the display. They wanted to look up all they could on the Kahtra'ya clan before they descended, undetected yet legally, to the surface to drop in for a possible memory recollection. As it was decided, the non-operating crew of the Dawnbreaker and visiting officials would be divided accordingly. For now though, Krith Lovisk and Alex studied the map of the clan's claimed territory. Pointing out notable geographical features, Krith explained to all present and watching:

"There's a very large collection of superconductive metal among the cliffs, and powerful magnetic fields. Not as powerful as other sites on the moon, but enough that the shapes of some stacks and arches out from the cliffs couldn't support themselves, or are even floating in the air, connected by old plant vines. The clan uses these floating islands to get further out from the cliffs for better fishing spots, and to capture and tame their flying sea Banshee mounts."

Alex looked at the scans, and noted: "The Kahtra'ya live in huts, built structures. Rainforest vegetation is restricted at the cliffs and coast edge, and they live off the sea. There are suitable sites into the neural network not too far from the village. If we convince them to help us, or we have to do it ourselves, preferably not, we can use these sites."

Looking around, Norstith added: "Myself and Alex have synthetic uplinks that we can use if need be, in case we cannot convince a Na'vi to help us. We are required to go. I can only for certain say who should not go. Jarothes, you are presumed dead or missing, so you're out of the question." The small grey nodded his head at this, saying in return: "And perhaps bringing every possible human with you would be best? In case they are concerned with the non-UIP race members you will inevitably bring?"

"I couldn't agree more. Azula, Lexa and Xale must come, to not make it seem biased entirely towards the Alliance races." La'kias noted, scratching his chin scales absentmindedly. He then added: "I can offer my attendance, as I am less recognized and less infamous than some of our other members."

"In which case I shall attend with you La'kias. You know perfectly well that you operate better with partner than alone. Although unfortunate for your future of operational independence, you will have my help." Kirth said, his beak curved into his race's equivalent of a smirk. Sighing, La'kias snapped his head to Kirth, saying exasperatedly: "And I suppose the help of certain, narcissistic members is a welcome relief for our goal."

"You know what, looking at us all, I think we all stand a chance of increasing mission success if we all go, minus Jarothes of course. And maybe Aru'san should stay out of sight unless needed." Morthas said. Se'rie agreed, and looked at Krith: "You know the most about Bal'toro among us going, we'll need you to try and help us convince them to help us."

"Who said I would refuse?" Krith said.

"Alright we're in agreement then. We shall all head down, with Aru'san ferrying 2 advance members to scout out the area before we go in formally. No close contact in the case of the scouts, distance observation only." Sha'krii noted.

25th September 2901

Alpha Centuari, Pandora, Kahtra'ya clan

Aru'san flew in, cloaked in her thin layer of dark matter to obscure her draconian form from visual sight. Inside, Lexa and Alex occupied the two seats, situated in a very concealed compartment in Aru'san's torso.

The air was mildly foggy, the mist from the seas coming from the morning weather, and also from the steam rising from the volcanic shores 2 miles away from the edge of the floating island rock field. Further up the coast, the active volcano spewed out runny lava consistently, erupting in columns of water vapour as it cooled on contact with the sea.

Flying through the floating rock field, Aru'san banked and weaved, the dragon shaped AI flying 30 metres above the sea, the tall rock formations rising ominously out of the fog like black towers and arches. After navigating at a slower pace, Aru'san engaged her antigravity drives, and with a gentle flap of her wings, the synthetic beast set down atop one rock stack out in the coastal island formation, near the mainland cliffs.

Leaping out, Alex and Lexa got out basic surveillance kit, either built into helmets or handheld. Alex signalled to Aru'san: "Aru'san, can you lay low under cloaking on this stack at sea until we call you again?"

"Yes. I shall leave myself ready to engage in a possible combat or evacuation mission, and shall wait here." The AI responded, her voice low. It was eerie how much a voice could carry in these rock tower fields, so quietness was key.

Acknowledging Aru'san engaging in radio silence, Alex and Lexa lay down on an outcropping of the large rock stack, switching to binocular vision. Through their visors, they saw the early rising fishers and hunters preparing, and the night guards preparing for their off shift:

"Looks like we came by as breakfast started." Lexa noted. Alex reminded her: "Or as breakfast is about to be caught. In my clan they hunted animals in the forest, much more violent and dangerous. We might have been lucky with a fishing clan, perhaps they might be more peaceful and reasoned with more easily after all."

They then switched to viewing the largest wooden hut, obviously the leadership hut. From inside came 2 obviously leading tribe members, and one other person, out with them. Alex remembered the basics of his tribal knowledge returning:

"Okay, there are two leaders, a male and female. It looks like the male has more decorations, I see a whole bunch of talismans or something, looks tribe exclusive. I say that he's most likely the Tsa'hik, the spiritual leader. Which would make the female next to him the Ole'kytan, the clan leader. I don't know who the third man is though, his markings and clothing seem a bit different from the tribe's reported customs and what I'm seeing elsewhere."

"Maybe he's a member with a role only this tribe has? I'm not sure myself." Lexa said. Looking again, she said: "Well, at least we know who we should go to with our request now."

"Aru'san, are you transmitting all this to the Dawnbreaker?" Alex asked.

"Yes. Transmission feed is operating at optimum speed. They heard everything."

"Okay, good. I guess they can send the shuttle down, we'll head on in and give them a premature warning of the visitors. If I recall, it's the duty of the Tsa'hik to be at least aware of basic goings on offworld, at least with the Na'vi at large, and so the UIP. We might not be as unexpected as I fear."

"Understood. Kirth out."

Closing the commlink, Alex looked at Lexa, who offered a gesture to the clan in the distance to her genetic source: "So, do we fly, or walk?"

"Let's walk across the bridging vines, sneak in and walk into camp. It'll attract less attention, or at least be less threatening."

As the shuttle was dispatched early, the two humans had snuck past under cloaking, making their way across the half mile stretch of vine bridges to the clan, perched near a 30 metre tall cliff edge. The waves crashed against the hard rocks at the base, though with the constant gravity from Polyphemus, and only a few boosts from neighboring moons, the force of the waves varied little overall.

At the proper entrance to the 'village' Lexa and Alex stood in a bush, concealed from view. Summoning up the courage to emerge, and conceal their heavier weapons as best they could, they ventured into the village. For a few moments they remained unnoticed by the Na'vi exiting the huts, themselves still having woken up literally a few minutes before. After those few moments though, the whispers began to fly across the village, and a few voices raised in questioning as to why there were two humans here. Although humans were respectable allies now, it was still alarming to see 2 emerge so suddenly out of nowhere.

Walking through the village, they ascended a small, raised area, atop which the clan's chief hut rose. While the third, unknown man was standing off to the side watching them, along with the rest of the clan gathering to see the two humans, the Tsa'hik and Ole'tycan stood forebodingly, their blue skinned, thin tailed humanoid forms towering over them at roughly 10 foot each, compared to Alex's 6 foot 8 and Lexa's 6 foot 4 inches. The Tsa'hik addressed them in English, her accent harsh: "Who are you two?"

A few moments in, and Alex gave Lexa a look of approval. Honesty was key to getting their cooperation. Lexa spoke in simple terms: "We are representatives of a revolutionary group, in the galactic war. The NKI, have you heard of them?"

Looking at her mate and Tsa'hik, the Ole'tycan, dressed in a torso covering, single garb of orange and yellow decorative fabric, mused aloud: "We know vaguely of them. You fight within the enemy side, to bring about a peaceful end to the war. But you are human, why are you with them?"

Alex spoke now, deciding to also reveal that they both spoke Na'vi: "The NKI has influenced a fair few friendly races, like us humans, to helping them fight the more, warmongering members of the enemy races. We're sympathetic to their cause. But, we are also here on a matter that is, quite, complicated."

Lexa spoke in Na'vi now, elaborating: "We have others coming to here also, they all have been travelling the friendly side of the known galaxy to rally support in the UIP for their rebellion. We've come here because this clan might be a key in finding a peaceful solution to the war. We wish to explain it to you privately, before you make your judgement. It is not a simple matter."

The Ole'kytan stared hard at the two humans, noting the physique of both of them suggested a history in battle, although the male had a larger series of scars on his face as well. She turned to her mate and Tsa'hik, gesturing to the two humans.

Walking up to them, the Tsa'hik bent down to their level, eyeing both of them intently, his piercing golden eyes staring into Lexa's acid yellow ones. Studying her body and the look in her eyes, he spoke to her: "You are honest in what you say, but you seem to carry a small deal of confusion inside of you. You are unsure of yourself, not in role, but in identity."

Leaving Lexa mildly taken aback by his analysis, the Tsa'hik looked at Alex now, surprise in his eyes as he eyed the male human. A look of suspicion crossed his eyes, and he said to both humans: "Display your peaceful intentions, and remove your outer clothing and weapons."

Exchanging a glance, Alex said in a low voice: "Well, at least he said outer clothing only."

Stripping her over armour, Lexa now stood in her sleeveless torso top, revealing her slender yet bulky muscles on her arms. Beneath her legging armour was a set of combat shorts, reaching down to her kneecaps. Only her armour boots remained. She was deemed non threatening.

The moment Alex pulled off his armour, and revealed that he too wore a sleeveless vest top and male equivalent combat shorts, reaching to kneecap height, the gasps erupted from the crowd, much to his annoyance. To him, the reaction he was getting from sporting entirely mechanical legs, feet, arms and hands was in fact just as bad as he anticipated. The scarred neck skin around his spinal varya implants did little to help his case either.

"What are you?" Asked the Tsa'hik, in awe and revulsion at the same time. Scowling, Alex said: "I'm human, but I was changed by the enemies when I was enslaved to them [he simplified it so they could understand a very complex story]. They replaced some of my body, improved it, but at a cost. One reason why I fight them."

Seeing the look in Alex's eyes, the Tsa'hik spoke to the Ole'tycan: "They are honest, and they do not seem to be hiding anything that needs to be said here and now." Laying a hand on her mate's shoulder in agreement, the Ole'tycan addressed the clan: "These humans are trustworthy! Let them feel welcome in our clan!" A resounding series of mild cheers and hollars rose, and Alex couldn't help but smirk at Lexa, who was beaming in satisfaction also. This was going well so far, they made a good impression already.

Leading them into the main hut, the Ole'tycan introduced herself and her mate: "I am Ole'tycan M'sutna, and this is Tsa'hik Rae'arlan. We are the leaders of Clan Kahtra'ya."

"It's a pleasure to meet you two. If I may, I'd like to apologize for our sudden appearance. We're on a time limit you see, things are happening out in the galaxy that are, terrible, to say the least." Lexa said. Alex added: "A few recent, devastating attacks on worlds with large numbers of people gave us a warning that we needed to act fast to end this war. We recently found out that this clan holds a potential secret that could help end the war."

Eyes widening, M'sutna told Rae'laran: "Go and fetch our two clan visitors. They may need to hear of this." As Tsa'hik Rae'laran left the hut to find the two visitors, Ole'tycan M'sutna said: "I am bound by duty to make myself aware of any large scales events out in the galaxy. I recently heard about the dreadnought attacks from a visiting UIP official only yesterday, before he left."

"Then you understand how urgent we are. We're members of the KI as you've guessed, and we have, uncovered a series of hidden truths about this whole war." Alex explained.

Following, the conversation gave a basic overview of the history of the Alliance-UIP war, from the undocumented scouts killing the King out of supposed vengeance and framing one of the people who would visit later today, to the plotting to wage war 10 years later, to the hidden facts that the scouts became massive war profiteers from the war they inadvertently, or purposefully created. Basic knowledge was given that they had gathered all but a few specific details on the last scout, linking him to massive stock deals in the Alliance and UIP, and of him secretly communicating with Alliance, old KI and UIP contacts off record.

"So this person, the scout, is responsible for this whole war? Out of greed?" M'sutna scowled at the thought of a man so vile and greedy to start an interstellar war for his own gain. Musing, Lexa said: "Well, that's what we're not sure of, why he did it. All we know is that we can possibly obtain the last information we need here to bring him in, or at least reveal him. Our, contact, told us herself that one of your members worked with her in the UIP capital, and found the evidence we need."

"Who is it?" Asked M'sutna. Nervous glances passed between Alex and Lexa, before Alex said: "That's where the delicacy of what we're asking comes into play. You see, the person we are looking for is, uh, dead, since nearly a year ago."

"So why did you come?" asked M'sutna. Alex sighed, and said: "Because we know enough about Eywa and how she works, what she can do, to know that while Bal'toro Ini'mara may be dead and buried, his memories will have been integrated into Eywa's greater essence. Those memories, his very being in Eywa, holds the information that could save the lives of billions."

The hut fell silent, as M'sutna wrapped her head around the reason the two humans, and their en route accomplices, had come. They wanted to salvage memories from Eywa herself, of one of the Kahtra'ya's dead members. It seemed unreal. And yet, they were here, as serious as could be, and honest in their approach.

"You realize exactly what it is you are asking of. It is, unheard of, to use the all-mother in such a way." She spoke as sympathetically as she could: "I see your reasoning behind this incredible need, but you must realize the challenges it poses, and the possible consequences from a spiritual point of view."

Almost losing his temper, Alex said in a calm, yet stony voice: "The leader of the dreadnought attacks has vowed to raze very UIP world to the ground until we surrender to the Alliance. He will come here, and he will destroy everything you have ever known. I have met him, he is like a rabid beast, he can't be stopped until the war is done. If we can't get this information from what's left of Bal'toro's mind in Eywa, then this entire planet, Eywa, you, your clan, could be doomed. Please, we need this information. If we get it, we can expose the true killer of the Kro'nogri king, we can put our ally on the throne, and she will end the war."

M'sutna looked hard at the two humans, who despite their smaller size, had spirits as unconquerable as any she had encountered: "You are sure of this?"

"Sha'krii Herensk wants vengeance for her father's murder and her unfair exile. Aside from that she's a peace seeker. The Leg'hrul king has fallen out with the Kro'nogri king. Get the Kro'nogri throne onto a more peaceful position, and the war is over." Lexa summed up.

"M'sutna. We were listening in from this side of the hut. We must discuss this proposal privately. Perhaps I can leave our human guests with our visiting clan members?" Tsa'hik Rae'arlan poked his head into the fire pit room. Nodding, Ole'tycan M'sutna gestured kindly for the two humans to follow. She said as they got to the tent flap:

"You are here at the same time another clan is visiting." Intrigued, Lexa asked: "You have other clans visit from time to time?"

Alex interjected now: "How do you think the clans maintain peace at times? At least we'll have another clan's opinion on this. Which clan is it by the way?"

"The Omaticaya clan. They visited because of a supposed dream sent from Eywa telling them to." M'sutna said. She heard the footsteps suddenly stop behind her just as she reached the tent flap. Looking around, she saw a look of shock and aggravation on the male human's face. He looked at Lexa now: "This could be a problem."

"What is the matter?" Asked M'sutna. Lexa asked carefully: "Out of curiosity, have you ever heard of someone who is associated with Eywa in a few bad and good ways? A human, called Alex, perhaps?"

"I know of him. I was sent a dream reminding me of him a week ago. He tortured Eywa in a maddened state, and was cured from his madness when he murdered his own father. He and his force later saved Eywa last spring season from being controlled, and as such the entire Na'vi race, redeeming him in Eywa's eyes. Why?"

Alex was now surprised at this extensive, yet not too compromising knowledge, and said: "Wow. That's a very extensive knowledge actually. We might actually have hope in reclaiming Bal'toro's memories. Anyway, I am Alex."

Lexa cut in: "The Omaticaya is where he grew up as a victim of a pirate attack. He was taken in. He is worried his history with the Omaticaya might be-"

"Stained?" Asked M'sutna. Seeing their faces, she reassured them diplomatically: "I believe you are trustworthy enough. I trust in Eywa's, and my mate's judgements of Eywa, to know you won't harm her in your right state of mind. The Omaticaya will have to simply tolerate you here. There are only two of them anyway."

As M'sutna left the hut, with the two humans following, Lexa said to Alex: "Well, at least we can count on her support."

"Yeah, I like her already." Admitted Alex.

Coming out of the tent, they saw only one of the two Omaticaya members present for now, the male they saw earlier while scouting. He was a relatively young male, but mature as a hunter. His face was more round, yet his ears and nose were slightly more pointy than one might think for a Na'vi. He looked at the two humans, and a pleasant smile broke onto his face. He likely did not recognize Alex:

"You are the two humans. I know we are expecting more of you, and some peaceful Leg'hrul and Kro'nogri. It will be interesting to see them as different species. I am Tsu'kal."

Alex noted he looked to be in early 30s, and he saw nothing wrong with him. He asked: "I heard there were two of you visiting the Kahtra'ya. Where is the other?"

"She just wandered off to help with some of the fishing nets in the village weaving huts. Wait, here she comes now." Lexa looked at the approaching Na'vi female from the base of the small hill, noting to Alex, who was out of view of the female Na'vi: "Why does she look familiar?"

"Tsu'kal. Are the human visitors ready for, OH!" The female Na'vi exclaimed aloud at the sight of Lexa. She noted the armour and clothing that covered her [Alex and her having reclothed to hide themselves a bit]. She was ecstatic to see Lexa again, and promptly bent down to the clone's level: "Lexa! It has been too long since the Varya battles!"

"I've been doing a lot lately, who are you?"

"It's me, Firi'sry! Alex's mother." Lexa's pupils seemed to shrink at her name, and Alex had not heard her, being further away now, looking out at a cliff edge, his face out of view, his body armoured once more. Firi'sry saw the unnaturally still human shape, and asked: "Raxler?"

"How do you know Rax-ler?" Alex spun to face the female voice, only to lose it, and his level head, as he locked eyes with his adoptive mother outside of combat for the first time in the now exactly two years since he murdered her mate, and electrocuted the tree of souls in the ordered experiment.

"Alex." Firi'sry breathed.

"Firi'sry." Alex seethed, his fear returning.

Long awaited family reunion. Trust me, things will get more dramatic in the next few chapters.

As usual, please review if you can offer any constructive criticism, advice, anything a learning author would appreciate. No flames please. In the very least, could I get some reader feedback on this story so far?