Chapter 21

The Unexpected

Philip lay unconscious on a sheet that had been lain out to accommodate him. Beverly knelt by his side, keeping guard over his body. It had barely been five minutes when two guards had dragged the Captain in and dropped him unemotionally on the floor. He had been knocked unconscious with a tranquilizer. Thankfully it was not a large dosage, according to Marcus, but it would be a while before he woke up. Robbie and Harmony sat next to him, wishing him to wake up. Dodgers lay next to Harmony. Nothing could ever separate him from his beloved human friend.

They were currently within the commissary of Site 12. The commissary was located near the center of the complex and was completely unexposed to the outside. There was only a single set of glass pane doors that led in and out of the hall. The hall was currently packed with the entire staff of forty-three people, excluding the soldiers that had defected with Dale in an act of mutiny against the Captain. Only nine soldiers had not defected. Every miner, every tech, and every soldier had been stripped of their weapons, radios, tools, and even their exo-packs by the defectors. Several guards stood by the entrance to the hall armed with guns, ensuring that no one left. A few people that had tried to resist had already been shot, though not fatally, so no one dared challenge the defectors. Marcus Steinbeck was currently tending to their wounds for the moment.

Beverly could not understand what compelled Dale to commit such a horrendous act against the Captain and the residents of Site 12. She was totally flabbergasted when the soldiers who had captured them had brought them before Dale upon their return from the Tompekong.

Sergeant Dale Whooping stood in the courtyard of Site 12. All around him, soldiers rallied the miners together, ushering them into the main compound. They were also directing other unarmed soldiers along with the miners. Everything was going according to plan.

Dale now had twenty soldiers serving under his command. It did not seem like much, but it was enough firepower to make a substantial force. All others who Dale was certain could not be counted on were going to be held hostage along with the miners until those blue-skinned savages were out of the way.

He watched as the first of the Samsons returned after intercepting the Na'vi. As the Samson touched ground some hundred yards off, the soldiers emerged with two adults, two children, and an ape dangling from one of the soldier's arms that he least expected to see again. He waited anxiously as they approached.

Dale chuckled wickedly at the sight of Beverly Hopkins with her wrists bound behind her back by the elastic cuffs. The two made eye contact as she was brought forward, the wrinkles distorting her face as she glared furiously at him. How amusing it was to see her angry.

"Nice to see you made it back, Hopkins," he said to them. "You were lucky that we rescued you from those savages."

"We weren't their hostages, Dale, you bastard," she sneered. "They were returning us. The Na'vi agreed to release us as a sign of peace. You have to let them go now!"

"I'm afraid that I can't do that," he said. "They are the enemy. And as enemies, I have authorization to apprehend and execute anyone whom I deem a threat to our operations."

"They are not here to threat us, Sergeant" she insisted. "The Captain won't stand for-"

"The Captain is not in charge anymore, Hopkins," he shouted. "He has been relieved of his command by an executive order. I am now in charge. And you are relieved of your rank as well. And that's Captain Whooping to you, Hopkins."

"Since when are you in charge?" Beverly yelled. "That doesn't give you the right to take me and the kids hostage. What is the meaning of this?"

"Desperate times calls for desperate measures, Hopkins," he replied coldly. He turned to the soldiers. "Take them to the compound with the others and keep them there. And put the Na'vi in the outside cages."

The soldiers complied and led away Beverly and the children. Beverly shouted curses at Dale for his cowardice. Dale was unaffected by it. Not even the pleads of the children affected him. They had no idea what was coming.

Dale Whooping suddenly entered the commissary. All eyes turned to him.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," he said. "I know that you are worried as to why I have gathered you all in here and taken you into custody. I'm sure it doesn't make much sense to you. Well, I'll tell you now that I am preparing something big. Something that will save the lives of every human being on Pandora." The people in the hall were chilled by the coldness of his words. They did not like where he was going with this. "You may think that I have betrayed you. But I tell you now the only traitors here is that man," he said pointing to Philip's unconscious form. "And people like him," he pointed to Norm's unconscious avatar being dragged into the room and dropped to the floor.

"Therefore, I tell you now, cooperate with me, do not interfere, and I promise you this will all be over soon." He motioned to his soldiers. They held their guns pointed at the crowd. People gasped and ducked, afraid of being shot. Dale turned as he walked back out the doors. "And one more thing," he said, stopping past the door frame. "If anyone attempts to leave this room, you will be killed." He turned to the guards. "Seal the doors!"

The guards marched out of the hall, sliding the glass doors shut behind them. The anxiety began to thicken in the hall. People were becoming nervous. Some even began to panic. Beverly held her hand on the Captain's chest. She could not anticipate what was about to happen. The children crawled over to her, clutching her frame as she encased them in her arms.

Beverly felt that something bad was about to happen.

Outside the compound, in the courtyard, Dale marched out a far distance from the facility, his defectors trailing behind.

"Has the facility been rigged?" he asked one of the soldiers.

"Yes, sir," the soldier replied.

"Good. Have the men ready to fly the rest of the Samsons back to Vatican's Royale."

The soldier saluted and ran off to fulfill his instructions.

They climbed into the Valkyrie that had brought them here several days ago, where Jake Sully, Neytiri, and the four Tompekong clan members were being held prisoner by four men with their rifles trained on them. Their wrists were bound with elastic cuffs and their mouths gagged as they sat cross legged on the floor. Jake glared menacingly at Dale. Dale, stepping up the ramp and into the cargo hold, caught sight of Jake and merely smirked.

"Patience, Sully," he said in an emotionless tone. "You'll get your turn soon enough."

Dale touched his throat mic, talking to the pilot up front. "Okay, we're all set. Take her home."

The loading ramp sealed shut behind. The Valkyrie rumbled and slowly began its ascent. Dale drew something out from his pocket. From his perch, Jake saw what it was and groaned something as he struggled to stop Dale, but the soldiers turned their guns on him.

"Don't move, sir, or I'll shoot you here," the soldier said coldly.

Jake was powerless. He could do nothing but watch helplessly as Dale held a detonator in his hands, his thumb hovering over the button.

"Sometimes, a few must be sacrificed for the good of the many," Dale said. He stared back at Jake. "If you want to blame someone, Sully, then blame yourself." His thumb pressed down.

Boom!

The entire facility shook under the force of several explosions that happened outside. The people trembled and whimpered with fear. Beverly held the children protectively. The lights in the main hall fluttered. Emergency sirens began to flare, signifying damage to the facility.

"Everyone stay calm," Julian yelled among the crowd. He was one of the nine soldiers that had not defected.

"What the hell was that?" someone yelled.

"That bastard lied to us!"

"I don't want to die here!"

"Everyone shut up!" Beverly shouted, rising to her feat. "Just shut up! Keep your heads together." All eyes turned to her. "Now I don't know anymore than you do what is happening here, but one thing is for certain. Dale, along with his goons, have committed an act of treason. Right now we have to stay calm and try to get help."

"Kind of hard when they took all our equipment," said someone.

"Hey," said Julian. "Does anybody hear that?" Julian had keen ears and he could swear that he heard hissing.

The entire assembly became deathly silent. There was definitely a strange hissing sound. Like the rush of air passing through a leakage in an air tank. Beverly ran through the crowd toward the doors. She looked through the creases beneath and saw a strange vapor passing through. Those explosions must have blown several holes into the facility. They were completely exposed to the outside!

"Pandoran air is leaking into the compound," she yelled. "That bastard blew holes into the the compound! We have to seal the doors tight!"

"Seal it with what?" someone yelled.

"Use your clothes. Tear off your shirts, anything to keep the door tightly sealed. Come on! Hurry!"

The people frantically tore off their vests and shirts. Anything that could keep the door sealed. They jammed their clothing into the crease below. They dared not take their arms away, bracing the clothing against the door. There was still a very low hissing, but at least they stopped most of the toxic air from coming through.

Beverly began to panic. This was very bad! Even with their clothing sealing the door, it wouldn't be enough. No doubt the entire facility was now breached with the Pandoran atmosphere. What else could they do? Beverly was out of options.

The people began to panic. Their wails and whimpers flooded the hall.

"What now?"

"There must be a way out!"

"We're going to die!"

"Hey, that avatar is waking up!"

Beverly swung her head around to where Norm's avatar lay as his body began to stir.

Norm's vision was blurry as the world around him slowly came into focus. His limbs felt sore and stiff from lying dormant for so long. His belly also ached. Clearly his avatar needed some nutrition after days of absence.

After several days of hard work at Hell's Gate, the team finally got the avatar link bay working at full capacity again. Paul, Amanda, and Jeremy were now reconnected with their avatars and reunited with the expedition team. They were confident that by now their Valkyrie had to be in working order again. Norm hoped that the pilots were still doing okay. Being trapped for several days in a downed aircraft would be enough to drive one mad. Especially if you had three Na'vi and a horde of banshees to look after.

His ears could detect nothing but muffled sounds until they slowly began to hear more accurately. The sounds turned into yelling and screaming. He looked around himself to see he was lying in a mess hall surrounded by dozens of people. Some of them stared at him with fearful eyes. What was going on here?

"You, there," a black woman shouted. He recognized that woman as Beverly Hopkins. She came running toward him. "Norm Spellman."

"Hey, what's going on here?" said Norm, slightly confused.

"No time to explain," she said with panic. A new plan formed in her mind. With a bit of luck, it might save them all. "We need your help right now. Toxic air is leaking into the facility! We're going to suffocate in here if you don't help us!"

Norm was baffled beyond comprehension. "Did the Na'vi attack?"

"No!" Beverly yelled. "I don't have time to explain! I need to know right now, where is your ship?"

"What?"

"Your ship! You guys had to get here somehow. I know you used a transport. Now tell me, is it nearby?"

"How do I know I can trust-"

Beverly delivered a powerful punch to his groin. Norm sank to his knees as his stomach burned with pain, threatening to hurl whatever few contents it had. "Look, shit stick! In a few minutes, we're going to be dead! You're the only one who can save us! Now do you have a ship?"

"Yes," Norm groaned, still recovering from that powerful punch. This woman had some serious muscle power.

"Can it hold over forty people?"

"Of coarse it can."

"Good," Beverly sighed, agitated. "I need you to go to the control room and contact your ship. Tell them to fly here and fast. Once you get a hold of them, run back here and tell us through the door. We have to preserve our air!"

"Okay, got it," he said. Still confused about this sudden turn of events, but these people needed his help, even if they were the enemy.

"And bring back exo-packs if you can find any," said Beverly.

"Alright! But where do I find the control room?"

"Over here," said Julian, standing by the wall. He tore a map of the station down and ran it over to Norm. "Follow this route here," Julian directed him through the hallways that led to the control room.

Norm nodded as he remembered the directions carefully.

Beverly turned to the people holding the clothes against the door. "Okay, guys, get ready to open the door and quickly close it again! And hold your breath!"

The people shifted nervously by the door, awaiting the command. Norm stood in the center of the door, ready to blast through the gate as soon as it opened. Beverly stood to his side.

"You better make it fast!" Beverly said to him. She turned back to the door. "Ready?" Everyone inhaled a lung full of air. "Ready! Now!"

The people tore the rags away and, grabbing at the handles, slid the doors open. Gallons of toxic air pumped into the facility. Norm blasted out the doors. The moment he was gone, the people jammed the doors shut again, resuming their original positions as they held the rags against the door. They released long exhales and drew in great amounts of breath.

"Regulate your breathing," Beverly said to everyone. "We don't have much time left."

Norm ran down through the corridors, ducking his head to avoid hitting anything. The last thing he needed was a concussion when the people who were counting on him were living on borrowed time. After a minute of passing through corridors, he came at last to the control room. He looked over the console, searching desperately for the radio. He found it and began setting the dials for the proper frequency to reach the Valkyrie.

Norm spoke into the receiver as it broadcast his message. "Valkyrie 1, this is Norm Spellman. Repeat, this is Norm Spellman calling Valkyrie 1. Come in Valkyrie 1."

No response.

"Repeating, this is Norm Spellman calling Valkyrie 1."

"This is Valkyrie 1," a voice crackled in response. "About damn time we heard your voice, Spellman! Good to hear you!"

There were sighs of relief and joy. Things were starting to look up for them.

"Hey, Gary," said Norm. "Listen I don't have time to explain. Listen! The mining station Jake, Neytiri, and I were taken to has suffered severe damage. The facility is losing air. The people here are in mortal danger. I need you guys to bring the Valkyrie to the base right now."

"Did I hear that right, Norm?" said Gary. "You want us to bring the Valkyrie to the station?"

"Look, I don't have time to explain!" Norm shouted. He was becoming exasperated. "The people here are suffocating. If we don't do something, everyone's going to die!"

"Okay, okay, I got it!"

"I'm transmitting the coordinates to you now." Norm punched a few buttons as the computer transmitted the information. "Park the ship as close to the facility as you can!"

"Okay. Coordinates received. We'll be there in about fifteen minutes, Norm. Valkyrie 1 out."

That part was done. Norm rushed to find any spare exo-packs he could find.

Meanwhile, in the main hall, people were starting to cough and gag. They had not run out of breathable air yet, but Beverly could only guess that they had thirty minutes left to breath. Assuming they were lucky. If that ship did not arrive in time-

"He's left us!" a man cried. "He left us behind!"

"Shut up!" Beverly shouted. She knew it was unwise to yell when living on limited air, but she had to keep these people from going insane. "He's only been gone for ten minutes."

There was suddenly a tapping on the door. Norm was crouching outside, holding five masks in his hands.

"Norm," Beverly called through the door. "Did you do it?"

"Yes!" his reply came as a muffle through the glass pane. "They'll be here in fifteen minutes!"

"Damn, that's cutting it close!"

He lifted the exo-packs in his hands. "I only managed to find five exo-packs! There aren't anymore."

"Damn!" Beverly cursed. Thirty-nine people and only five masks. People were going to start killing each other over those masks if Norm passed them in. She turned her attention to the frightened crowd. "Okay, listen up!" she shouted. "Here's how we're going to do this! The moment the Valkyrie arrives, we're going to lead you out in groups of five to the court yard while Spellman leads you out to the ship. Just stay calm and we'll make it out of this alive!" She ran back into the center of the hall to where Philip lay. "Marcus, help me carry the Captain to the door!"

Marcus grabbed the end of Philip's legs while Beverly grabbed him by his upper arms. Together they lifted him and slowly moved to the door. The children, along with Dodgers, followed behind.

"Hey, Beverly," called Norm. Beverly turned her head toward him as she gently laid Philip down. "How are we going to get the people on board?"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"There are only two ways onto a Valkyrie. One of the side hatches and the rear ramp. The side doors of the vessel are too high to reach, so our only means of entering are through the rear."

Beverly finally saw the problem. They could not simply keep the rear of the ship open to move people in while others waited inside the ship. Those brought to the Valkyrie would have to give up their exo-packs for the other groups. They would not be able to breath in the vessel without pressurization. And there was not enough room for them to fit in the cockpit either. However, she also knew that the Valkyrie was built with a pressurization system within the cargo hold. So once the ship did close, the air was immediately pressurized to human breathing conditions. She had an idea!

"Listen Norm," she said. "When you get the first five people to the Valkyrie, have the people remove their packs and hold their breath. Then, have your guys seal the ship so it pressurizes until you return with the next group! When you bring the next group, make sure those already in the ship hold their breath until they're pressurized again. And if your ship has any spare exo-packs, bring them too."

Norm absorbed the plan and nodded. "Got it!"

Beverly relayed the strategy to the rest of the crowd.

Gary watched through the window as they approached the mining station. He had to land the ship as close as he could to the facility without crashing into it. Down below them, he could see smoke rising from the facility. He swung the ship slowly in a one-eighty degree turn. He checked his instruments to make sure they were a safe distance form the facility. He did not want to risk blowing it away. With a flick of a switch, the landing gears were engaged.

The ship slowly descended. It touched ground, some several hundred meters from the compound.

Gary spoke into his microphone. "Okay, guys! Open the rear hatch!"

In the rear of the Valkyrie, Paul pushed the lever near the rear down and the rear hatch slowly opened.

He turned his head toward Tok, Nirwana, and Maktaya as they seated themselves on their banshees. The banshees had to be out of the Valkyrie while the people boarded the ship. There was no telling how people would react to large flying reptiles that could easily envelope a man in its jaws. "Okay, guys, go!"

The three banshees, plus Jake's and Neytiri's, crawled out of the ship to the outside.

Beverly inhaled deeply. Breathing was becoming strenuous. She knew the others felt the same. Breathable air was running out. Norm came running back through the hall.

"They're here!" he yelled.

Beverly took in a deep breath, struggling to talk. "Okay, people," Beverly said. Her words were starting to come out in gasps. "First up is Robbie, Harm, Dodgers..." She heaved in and out. "Captain McCoy... Marcus. Let's go, people!"

Robbie held Harmony's hand as they stood ready by the door. Marcus held Dodgers close. Two soldiers held the Captain by his arms, ready to drag him out the door. Beverly had decided that Norm had to carry the Captain.

Beverly looked at the first five, looking into their anxious faces. "You guys remember what to do when you get to the ship?"

"Yes, Bev," they answered.

"Good!"

"Bev, we want you to come with us," Robbie urged.

"I can't, Rob," she said patting him on the shoulder. "I have to stay with these people. I'll see you soon. Now get ready! Take a deep breath!" The people by the door stood up. Two men held the handles firmly. Everyone inhaled deeply. "Open!" They slid the doors open. Plumes of toxic air pumped filled the room. The two soldiers pulled Philip out as fast as they could. Marcus, with Dodgers clutching his chest, ran out followed by the kids. The doors immediately shut behind them.

Marcus took an exo-pack from Norm and fit it snugly over Dodgers' face. One of the soldiers firmly fit another mask over Philip's face. The children took their masks and placed them snugly against their faces.

The soldiers gave Norm a thumbs up as they knocked on the door to be let back in. The door slid open and they ran inside. The door was shut again.

"Okay, let's go!" Norm said as he lifted Philip into his arms. "Don't fall behind."

Paul waited patiently for the first group of people to come. He saw Norm approaching with someone in his arms, along with an adult who appeared to be carrying a child in his arms and two toddlers trailing behind him. They ran up the ramp and into the ship. Paul could see now that the bundle in the little man's arms was no child, but a young ape.

"Paul," Norm said walking up to him. "Do we have any spare exo-packs?"

"Yeah!" said Paul. Paul yelled over to Amanda. "We need more exo-packs!"

Amanda ran to fetch them. She returned with four more masks. "This is all we got!"

"Okay," Norm said. "Amanda, I want you to come with me." She nodded. Norm turned to Paul. "When we're out of the ship, close the ramp and pressurize it. We have to do this for every group we bring." Paul nodded. Norm turned back to the others. "Deep breathes, guys! Masks off!"

They inhaled deeply and tore their masks off, passing them back to Norm. Norm left Philip's exo-pack on his face. He also left Dodgers' on. An ape could not be expected to know when to hold his breath at the right moment. Norm waved his arm to Amanda and the two dashed back into the ruined facility. Paul lifted the lever on the side and the ramp rose to seal shut.

Norm returned with more exo-packs and took seven more humans. The civilians would go first and the soldiers last. And so it continued, back and forth. Back and forth. The routine became a blur of motion to Beverly.

Each opening and closing of the door endangered the people inside more and more as more fumes of toxic air leaked through.

Beverly was breathing frantically. Her lungs burned from an over dosage of oxygen and carbon dioxide. She was no physicist, so she would not now exactly what happened when a human breathed a dense atmosphere like Pandora's, except that it was toxic enough to knock you out in twenty seconds and kill you in four minutes.

Her breathing came out in ragged, hasty gasps. That was not a good sign. The corners of her vision began to blur. She could barely stand. Her lungs burned. Looking around her, she saw men starting to collapse. Her legs gave out and she dropped to the floor as well.

Norm was not going to make it back in time. She anticipated that. That was why she insisted that the civilians go first. Beverly did not fear her own death. She feared the death of others. It was her duty as a soldier to place others before herself. That is what she had dedicated her life to ever since coming to Pandora. It was what she promised her.

Yes, that woman.

That woman who Beverly swore to guard with her own life... and failed.

Well, at least she did not fail this time. This time she saved the children. Just as she promised.

Beverly felt someone's arms sliding under her, lifting her off the floor, and something sucking onto her face. Her mind went blank. And for the briefest moment, she thought about the promise she made years ago.

Beverly cradled the doctor close to her body among the bloody terrain. She knew this was the inevitable moment.

"Bev, I want you to promise... promise me..."

"What? For Christ's sake, what?" Beverly cried.

"Please... promise me... you will protect my daughter."

"Your daughter?" Beverly asked. "Come on, Doc. You'll see her again!"

"Not in this... life," the doctor choked. With what little strength she could muster, the doctor lifted her head to stare Beverly straight in the eyes. Her golden locks fell away to reveal her beautiful face. The same face her daughter had inherited. "Promise me... you... will..."

"Okay," Beverly said in submission. "Okay. I promise."

The doctor simply stared at her. Her blue eyes did not move or blink. Her face was white and pale. "Doctor," Beverly called her name.

She did not answer.

"Doctor Steinbeck," Beverly pleaded. "Doctor Steinbeck!" Tears brimmed to the corner of her eyes. "Patricia!" Beverly sobbed hysterically as she buried her face into the dead woman's neck, spouting her name over and over. She barely even noticed the loud roar of the Samsons coming to their rescue.

She would never forget that promise. The most important promise of her life. The promise she made to Doctor Patricia Steinbeck, Harmony's mother and Marcus' wife. That was why she was so fond of the children. She had dedicated her life to being a soldier, but that day had changed her forever. Patricia was not merely her charge, she had been Beverly's friend. It was Beverly's job to escort and protect Doctor Patricia Steinbeck during her away missions. Unlike the other scientists, who usually used avatars to communicate with the indigenous, Patricia boldly interacted with the Na'vi in person. She believed it meant more when one met in actual person, not through a mere shell. Beverly admired her boldness.

Harmony was too young to remember her mother, so the loss had left no mark on her. Marcus had grieved for his wife's death but recovered in time. For Beverly, however, it was utter devastation; a failure as a soldier and friend.

Every time Beverly looked at Harmony, she saw Patricia's face staring back. Harmony did not realize that the purity and innocence in her was a gift from her mother.

Though she had not the nerve to admit it, Beverly was an incredible admirer of Captain McCoy. Beverly was defiant in nature, despite the fact that she was a soldier. She knew it was obligatory for a soldier to obey superiors, but there was a fire that burned within Beverly's heart. A fearlessness. There were many soldiers who were brave, but Beverly was undoubtedly fearless. The only one who could tame that fire was the Captain. During her service on Pandora, Beverly grew close to the Captain, inspired by his morals and ideals of what a soldier ought to do. It was the whole reason she stayed. It was the reason why she protected Robbie so fiercely.

Like Harmony, Robbie ignited the affection parts of Beverly's heart. Robbie was an adventurous spirit who loved exploration, though he had no clue what lie ahead. And it was up to Beverly to steer him in the right direction. Because God only knew what sort of trouble he would fall into without proper supervision.

Beverly had lived a rough life as a soldier, committing acts so violent they had left her mind permanently scarred. When she was near the children, however, their very presence somehow eased the painful memories. It was their innocence that drew her. The innocence that she lost.

Beverly merely stared into nothing, even as she was lain down on a metallic surface, her eyes fixed and unblinking. A whoosh of air passed over her face as an exo-pack released its grip on her. Beverly realized that she had been brought to the ship. So she made it after all. She barely noticed the little arms tugging at her side.

"Beverly," the little voices cried.

Beverly slowly turned her head to see Harmony and Robbie kneeling over her.

"Bev, are you okay?" Harmony asked her, her eyes full of worry.

Without even thinking, Beverly rose her hand as she gently stroked Harmony's sweet face. Harmony and Robbie clasped their tiny fingers onto Beverly's hand.

Yes. She had fulfilled her promise.

A single tear rolled down the side off her face and Beverly replied, "Only when I see you."