The Balance of Life

Part One - Discovery

Chapter 4 - Part 12--- NewHome

"We're ready," Buck told Jake after getting thumbs up from Abby and Kyle who were manning the in-take and out-let hoses.

"I hope the noise this thing makes doesn't startle any of my people," Jake replied looking back to where Neytiri stood with her mother and twenty odd other clan members.

"The bigger issue may be seeing immediate results. It's going to take several days to drain all of the water. I hope no one is looking for instant results."

"Good point Buck. If…no make that when people are starting to wonder if this is going to work I'll take a few them down to where they can see the flow from the out-let hose."

"We were lucky that there was a natural ravine close by that leads downhill, away from the Well of Souls to use as a channel for the water. On the flight out I was worried that the Well might be the lowest spot in the whole damn area. That would have been a really big problem."

"Fire it up. The sooner we start pumping, the sooner we'll be finished," Jake ordered.

When Buck hit the starter and the pump groaned and came to life Jake noticed that Ralu was holding hands with Norm. Both had mud caked on their legs up to their knees. From the expressions on their faces it was obvious that they were having fun helping with the in-take hose. Ralu jumped and let out a squeal when the in-take hose snapped stiff as water began flowing through it.

"Suction and pressure are normal," Buck said loudly over the pump's whine, causing Jake to turn his attention back to the pump. "As long as we don't rupture any gaskets or seals we should be good for the next twenty-four hours. After that we will need to refuel the beast."

"I'm going to go take a few of our people to show them the out-let. It will show them right from the start that water is being drained."

"Warn them not to get to close to the out-let. The pressure of the water being discharged could drill a hole right through you."

"Will do." With a quick glance to where Norm and Ralu stood looking into the water Jake headed up the short incline to stand beside Mo'at.

"The pump makes a lot of noise," Jake said when Mo'at looked at him, an unspoken question on her face. "It's going to take several hours, say mid-day, before you can easily see that the water level is dropping."

"The stick that Norm placed in the water, is it to show that the water is going down?" Mo'at asked pointing to the yellow surveyor's level sticking up out of the water two meters from water's edge.

"Yes, but it also allows the avatars to determine how fast the water is dropping. This will tell them how long it will be before the water is completely drained."

"It is difficult for me, for most of us to understand how a thing that just sits there making noise can move so much water. If we had seen such a sight before we came to know of the Sky People we would have been very frightened of something not a part of our world. When we look past our anger and fear, we can see that the Sky People have things that can be very helpful."

"Not everything about the Sky People is bad," Jake began. "They have many useful machines such as this, Machines that help, not hurt or destroy."

"Let us hope that this machine only helps," Mo'at concluded.

"If you will come with me I'll show you the water being pumped from the Well of Souls. Seeing how much is flowing away will give you a better idea of how much water the pump is actually moving. Just looking at the water in the Well of Souls it's hard to see anything happening."

Sensing that some of those around her where a little disturbed by the lack of any visible change Mo'at felt that Jake's request was a good thing to do. Knowing that if she showed optimism for what was being accomplished her people would feel some themselves. Those that saw with their own eyes could tell the others what was happening. The work of gathering food and getting back into a normal routine would go more smoothly if her people had real hope that their sacred place would be saved. Motioning for those gathered around her to come, Mo'at followed Jake and Neytiri as they lead them down a short path following the thick brown root that the Sky People called hose.

Even before they reached the end of the out-let hose the sound of water being discharged over powered everything else around them. Neytiri gasped when the end of the hose came into view and she could see a jet of water shooting down the shallow ravine. Kyle and Judy were standing near the jet watching the water shoot out straight as an arrow for thirty meters before it hit the ground churning into a foaming swirling mass as it disappeared down the ravine.

"From here you can get a better idea of how much water is being sucked out by the pump," Jake shouted over the roar of the water exiting the discharge hose. From the amazed looks of everyone's face Jake assumed they hadn't realized or expected to see anything quite like this. They were very used to seeing great waterfalls and rapidly running rivers, but those were just part of the wonder that was Eywa. This was something altogether different. As his people began to talk excitedly among each other, smiles spreading across their faces, Jake felt optimistic that maybe life would finally start to get better for his people.

"I know I shouldn't be surprised," Neytiri said rather loudly, "but I am. I didn't expect the water to be coming out so fast."

"Don't get too excited. Even at this rate it's going to take three days to completely drain all of the water."

"I think everyone should see this. It will give them real hope that the Mother Tree is going to be saved."

"Anyone who wishes to come watch is welcome. They will just have to be careful not to stumble into the water's path. It would be like getting shot with an arrow. The force of the water close to the end of the hose could kill a person. Since Kyle and Judy speak very little Na'vi, you should warn anyone who wants to come here to be careful."

"Neynat has learned some English. I will send her here to warn our people of the danger."

"Hey, Kyle," Jake called out. "Got a minute?"

"Hi Neytiri," Kyle said as he and Judy stepped over to where she was standing with Jake.

"Neytiri is going to send Neynat, a young girl, to stay with you so that she can warn her people about the danger of getting too close to the discharge stream. She speaks some English."

"That's great," Judy replied. "It will give Kyle and me a chance to learn some more Na'vi. It would be better all-around if we could speak the language more fluently. That is if Neynat doesn't mind teaching us?"

"She would like that very much," Neytiri answered. The obvious connection between these two avatars had her thoughts drifting back to the discussion she and Karen had been having. A quick glance at the middle of Judy's belly that was visible between the two pieces of Sky People clothes she was wearing didn't show any of the telltale signs that she was carrying a child or had ever carried one.

"Once everyone has seen this you can come back. No need to stay here the whole time." Jake said to Kyle and Judy.

"That works for us. We'll want to check on the hose from time to time, just to make sure it is aimed the way we want. No sense in damaging any more than necessary."

Kyle's obvious care for the surrounding forest didn't go unnoticed by Neytiri. If only all the Sky People had felt the same way things might have been different.

Turning to Mo'at and the others standing close by Jake asked, "Does anyone have any questions?"

"I did not expect some much water to come so quickly," one of the older Na'vi craftsmen said.

"The pump is very strong. It can shoot a lot of water quickly. Just like a warrior's bow can shoot larger arrows than a child's bow. Think of the pump as a very large and powerful bow, the water its arrows. Kind of like that."

"I understand what you mean," the craftsmen replied. "This is very good. Our mother's tree will be saved."

"Yes, let's hope so," Jake answered as he waited for any other comments or questions.

"We need to return to the gathering area," Mo'at began when no one else spoke. "It is time to send out hunting parties. Others will need to gather wood for fire. All are hungry and must be seen to."

"I'll be there just as soon as I check on Norm and the others," Jake replied.

"You and Neytiri should remain here. There are enough people to send for food and for wood. Our people need to know that their leader's first concern is our sacred place of prayer. The place where we feel closest to Eywa. If you are need, I will send someone."

Since Jake wanted to stay with the other avatars he didn't protest Mo'at's suggestion, which felt more like an order. Knowing that she was very good at reading the moods and needs of their people he voiced his agreement.

"I will find Neynat and send her to you," Mo'at said to Neytiri just before she led the others back towards the gathering area.

"Your mother is one very strong woman," Judy said after Mo'at had disappeared from view. "I mean that in the best possible way."

"Yes she is, and thank you. She has had more that her share of grief to deal with. She and my father were very close. I don't know if I could do as well if anything happened to Jake."

"Same here," Judy replied solemnly.

"This ravine is going to be pretty much toasted after we finish draining the Well of Souls," Kyle said into the silence that followed Judy's echoing of Neytiri's thoughts.

"It will grow back soon enough," Jake answered. "It's not like the water is polluted with chemicals. The ground won't be contaminated for the next hundred years."

"All the same, I'll like to check downstream just to make sure we're not creating a bigger problem that we'll have to solve. Perhaps you could have one of your bodyguards come with us," Kyle gestured towards where Tey'bar and Ell'a'u stood overlooking the ravine. "Seeing as they have weapons and we don't."

Kyle's comment about Tey'bar and Ell'a'u reminded Jake that they were always watching his back. He found it both amusing and comforting at the same time. He couldn't ask for two more dedicated friends. A fact that he had told both of them in the shelter the night the storm started.

"Tey'bar," Jake called out. "Come with Kyle and me, we want to make sure the water is doing as little damage as possible."

When Tey'bar jogged over to where he was standing Jake recognized the second bow looped over Tey'bar's shoulder as his own. Glancing back at Ell'a'u Jake saw that see too had a second bow. No doubt about who the owner was. Ey'tu'kan's bow was highly distinctive. Unslinging Jake's bow Tey'bar handed it to him along with two of the four arrows he as carrying.

"When are you going to teach me how to shoot one of those?" Kyle asked, indicating the bow Jake slung over his shoulder.

"Whenever you want. Didn't realize you were interested."

"Seems like something I should know how to do, seeing as it goes with the body," Kyle replied flashing a good natured grin at Jake.

"We won't be gone long." Jake informed Neytiri as he let Tey'bar lead the way down the ravine.

For a minute Neytiri and Judy stood silent after watching their men disappeared from sight. Judy finally broke the silence as her curiosity got the better of her. "Is there something wrong with my tummy?"

"What is tummy?"

"My belly," Judy gestured placing her hands over her exposed skin.

"No, why do you ask?"

"You were staring at it a couple of minutes ago. I thought maybe something about was unexpected."

So much for thinking that her glance had gone unnoticed, Neytiri thought to herself. Since shyness had never been one of her traits, Neytiri just asked what was on her mind. The concept of being embarrassed over one's body was not a concept that Neytiri would have understood. Only the act of mating was private. Pretty much everything else was done in the open.

"Since it appeared obvious that you and Kyle are life-mates, I was wondering if you have had a baby."

"A baby!" Judy chocked over the words. "No, no babies. I'm not even sure if I would want one even if I could have one. Being in this body only part time it wouldn't see right or practical to have a child."

The absurdity of her question struck Neytiri when she thought about the fact that Judy was an avatar, a dream walker. Why the idea of Judy having a child from her Na'vi body had ever occurred to her she couldn't say. It just seemed as if she had babies on her mind a lot lately.

"Since Kyle and I will most likely never follow in Jake's footsteps if we wanted a child it would have to be human. Because that's not going to happen I don't give babies a lot of thought."

"Because you are sterile." When Judy just stared at her Neytiri added, "Karen told me about how all humans that come here are sterile and cannot have children."

"Oh, well, yes that is true. I'm sure she also added that it is a good thing we can't have children. Hell's Gate isn't the place to raise a child. People only come here for two reasons. Either they have nowhere else to go or, they are like me and the other avatars. We want to learn everything about Pandora. Living in a place like Hell's Gate is a small price to pay for the opportunity to study Pandora up close and personal. There is very little nature left to study on Earth, so for those of us the wish to study botany, biology or the other life sciences Pandora's the only game in town. Having an avatar body and getting to know you and your people is just icing on the cake."

Neytiri felt as though she only understood half of what Judy had said. Most of the words she had heard at Grace's school, but the meaning she got from Judy didn't make sense to her. A nagging sensation that she was missing something vital continued to tug at her.

"What is icing?" Neytiri asked, since it was associated with cake, a word she did understand.

"Icing is a sweet layer you spread over cake," Judy began. "'Icing on the cake' is a human expression that means getting something more than what you expected in the first place. In our case, it means that getting to know you and your people was a nice addition over and above the science we came here to learn. Does that make sense?"

"Yes, I understand what you mean when you explain it that way."

"Human languages are full of expressions that don't have the same meaning as the words in them. We call them idioms or figures of speech."

"This is very confusing. Why not say what you mean? Why say something that means something different?"

"If you don't grow up in an environment it's hard to understand all its customs and knowledge people take for granted. Think of these expressions as a shorter way to convey a longer meaning."

"I see what you are trying to tell me," Neytiri began. "But it seems unnecessary to have these expressions."

"Well you've got me there," Judy replied, laughing lightly. "Unnecessary they are. But I doubt they will ever go away."

Before Neytiri could ask anything more Jake returned with Kyle and Tey'bar.

"Only minimal damage is being done towards the bottom of the ravine," Jake announced.

"From what I could tell most of the ground in this area is composed of loosely connected porous rock," Kyle added, geology being one of his specialties. "Water is absorbed fairly quickly. Why that isn't true for the Well of Souls is puzzling. It might have something to do with centuries of growth around the Mother Tree. Her root system may have trapped silt and clay turning the area into a watertight bowl."

All heads turned when Neynat came into view and started towards them. Her face a beacon of eagerness as she bounded up to Neytiri.

"Your mother said I should come here. That you would tell me what to do."

"Thanks for coming so quickly. The water coming out of the hose is very dangerous. When our people come to see, as I'm sure some will do, warn them to stay back. Most will figure this out on their own. A few may be foolish enough to get a closer look. I asked for you because you speak some English. Kyle and Judy will be here with you. Perhaps you can help each other with or languages."

"Yes, I can do that."

After quick introductions Neytiri continued, "When Kyle and Judy return, come with them. I do not want you to stay here by yourself. Understood?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Tey'bar, you and Ell'a'u stay here until they return. Neytiri and I will be fine. We both have our bows. I don't think anyone is going to attack us today. Everyone seems quiet and content at the moment."

"Yes we will do that," Tey'bar answered. Jake could see that he was going to argue but decided against it. He would make a good Marine Jake mused. He could follow orders even when he disagreed with them.

"If you want me to send someone to watch over the hose, have Ell'a'u come find me and I'll arrange for someone to take your place."

"Got it," Kyle replied as he and Judy settled into a comfortable sitting position, gesturing at Neynat to have a seat in front of them.

When Jake and Neytiri returned to the pump they found Buck checking the operational readouts. A quick glance towards the in-take float had Jake doing a double-take. Norm and Ralu were in the water trying to pull the float further from shore as Abby pushed more hose into the water. When Ralu let out a high pitched squeal that could shatter glass, Neytiri saw her daughter in an intense water fight with Norm. Since Norm was only using his one good arm, Ralu was getting the best of him. Admitting defeat Norm threw up his hands in surrender. Quick as a starving banshee Ralu was on him, shoving his head under water while she laughed herself silly. The laughter abruptly ended when her body disappeared beneath the water's surface as if shot from a bow. When neither Norm nor Ralu surfaced immediately both Jake and Neytiri broke for the water's edge. They had only taken a few steps when both Norm and Ralu surfaced and started laughing as they took up splashing once again.

"They are having the time of their lives," Karen said from behind them. She had been watching Norm and Ralu's water horseplay for the past ten minutes. Having become bored just sitting in the Samson she had ventured out to see what Norm was up to. Buck had pointed out where Norm and Ralu were playing at the water's edge.

"We didn't see you," Neytiri said when both she and Jake turned around at the sound of Karen's voice.

"I'm short, at least by Na'vi standards, so I'm easy to miss."

"How long have they been at it?" Jake asked pointing at Norm and Ralu.

"At least ten minutes, that's when I walked over to see what Norm was up to. From the looks of it they have been playing for some time." Karen couldn't begin to describe her feelings while watching Norm and the little girl play together. She had never heard him laugh in his avatar body. He looked and sounded so happy it almost broke her heart. Both with joy and sorrow.

"Let's go rescue Norm from our little water demon," Jake suggested to Neytiri. "You should come too," he added to Karen.

Karen knew that Jake and Neytiri walked slower than they normally would for her benefit. Jake yelled at his daughter when his feet were ankle deep. "Ralu, stop beating up on that crippled old man. You're going to drown him."

"He's doing just fine," Ralu called back after she sent another small wave of water splashing into Norm's face.

"Help, she's drowning me," Norm called out, doing his best to impersonate the drowning victim he pretended to be.

"He's just pretending," Karen said to Neytiri when she though Neytiri was going to take Norm seriously.

"I know. But he should be taking it easy. That knife wound was deep. I don't want it to open up again."

"Lately I've been more worried about his mental state," Karen began. "Getting shot and stabbed, plus adding my fears have taken away his joy of linking with his avatar. This time with Ralu is just what he needs most right now."

"Hi Karen." Norm called out having just noticed her.

"Hi there yourself," Karen answered back, adding a friendly wave.

Exhausted more than he cared to admit Norm made his way back to shore, Ralu effortlessly keeping pace with him. God, to be young again, Norm thought to himself—or at least whole. Even through the exhaustion Norm could feel that his muscles were looser, more relaxed than they had been all day. Holding out his hand for Ralu they walked the last few meters to the edge of the water.

"I see you and Ralu have been having a good time," Karen said as he gently squeezed the water from his queue.

"The best," Norm replied, gazing affectionately down at Ralu.

Norm had removed his shirt and shoes, but his shorts were thoroughly soaked which made walking somewhat awkward.

"My but you're a tall one," Karen remarked when Norm walked over to stand near her.

"You can be tall too," Norm added just before he lifted her off the ground so that they were face to face.

"Put me down you idiot," Karen shrieked as she punched his shoulders; more laughter in her voice than anger. "You're getting me all wet."

"You look good all wet," Norm commented, easily holding her at arm's length in front of him.

Jake's survival instincts kicked into hyper awareness as time seemed to stand still. Having heard the sound of death whistling past his head many times, Jake instinctively turned towards the sound of an arrow in flight. When time started to flow everything seemed to happen all at once.

The arrow he had sensed, shot by close to his right side, penetrating into Karen's back and out through her chest, its bloody tip logged against one of Norm's ribs. At the same instant the air was filled with the war cries of a dozen Na'vi. Running on pure adrenaline Jake and Neytiri nocked arrows while searching for targets. Sparing the quickest glance Jake saw that Abby had knocked Ralu to the ground and was shielding her with her own body. In absolute shock Norm collapsed to his knees still holding Karen at arm's length as his eyes locked onto hers which were just beginning to fill with pain.

When a second arrow whizzed past Jake he targeted the shooter and let loose his own arrow. The arrow landed with deadly accuracy as the Na'vi died from a kill shot to the heart. The twang from Neytiri's bow downed a second assassin that had been closing in from the side. Nocking their last arrows Jake and Neytiri took out two more would be assassins as the assassins arrows landed in the water behind them. When ZaeZae leapt up on the fallen arch and drew back her bow, both Jake and Neytiri drew their knives separating to try to distract ZaeZae with who she should kill first.

Her indecision of who to kill first ended when a second attacker jumped up on the arch beside her. In an instant shorter that the time between heartbeats four arrows flew. Both ZaeZae and her fellow attacker flew backwards off the fallen arch, arrow shafts sticking out of their hearts. In disbelief Neytiri watched as Tey'bar and Ell'a'u raced out onto the arch, arrows nocked, searching for other attackers. The arrow aimed at her had missed by less than a hand's width. Glancing at Jake her heart all but stopped. He was on his knees, his right hand gripping the shaft of the arrow protruding from his right side. When is head turned and their eyes locked she could see the sheer amazement he was feeling from having found an arrow lodged in his chest.

"Jake!" Neytiri screamed, hysteria reverberating through her voice.

Catching Jake before he fell face first and landed on the arrow in his chest, Neytiri twisted his body so that she could lay him out on his back. Movement to her right caught her vision where Abby was lifting Karen out of Norm's arms as he continued to stare straight ahead. Laying a gasping Karen on her side Abby jumped up to see how badly Norm was wounded.

"I have him," Ralu demanded, nearly knocking Abby over as Ralu jumped in front of Norm to probe the bleeding wound in his chest.

Sensing that Norm's wound was not deep or life threatening, Abby turned her attention back to Karen just as Buck arrived. Within seconds they were surrounded by a dozen Na'vi, all of whom were forming a human shield around them. The wall of Na'vi opened briefly to admit Kyle and Judy.

"Jake…Jake…can you hear me? Look at me Jake," Neytiri cried her eyes beginning to blur with tears.

"Keep talking to him Neytiri," Judy demanded. "He hears you. Don't let him slip away. He's past waking up in his human body. We need to keep him focused on us, on the here and now."

"Jake, look at me." Neytiri demanded. "Look at me. That's it. Don't you dare leave me."

"Hurt's like hell," Jake said weakly, a small trickle of blood escaping from the side of his mouth.

"Don't try to talk," Judy said as she tried to get a better idea of depth of the wound.

"Are all arrowheads the same length?" Judy snapped at Neytiri.

"Mostly. From the size of what is still showing I would guess that the tip is about half way through him." Looking intently at the arrowhead sticking out of the wound so that she could answer Judy's question had left her ready to retch.

"The wound is not bleeding heavily," Judy commented. "I think the arrow missed any major blood vessels. The arrowhead has definitely pieced his right lung."

"Jake, you can survive this," Neytiri continued, trying to bolster both his and her own confidences.

"Kyle, get me a pair of cutters. I want to clip off this shaft." Judy demanded.

While Neytiri held Jake's hand she glanced back to see Norm sitting with Karen's head resting in his lap. She knew that Karen could not possible survive having a Na'vi arrowhead pierce clean through her chest. The anguish, misery and shock on Norm's face told her he knew this to be true as well. Ralu was standing at Norm's side, her hand resting gently on his shoulder. Turning from misery she could do nothing for, Neytiri focused her attention on Jake.

When Tey'bar entered their protected circle Neytiri looked up.

"All of the attackers are dead or have fled into the forest." The sound of disgust softened ever so slightly when he looked down at Jake. "Everyone is shocked and shamed by the actions of our former brother and sisters. You are safe. No one will get through to harm you."

"Thank you Tey'bar."

"Jake is going to live. I will not accept anything less."

"No, neither will I," Neytiri added as she continued to squeeze Jake's hand in her own.

"Where do you want me to cut?" Kyle asked when he returned with a small bolt cutter.

"About three inches above the arrowhead. It will give Max something to grab onto when he extracts the arrowhead."

"We need to get him back to the avatar infirmary as quickly as possible," Judy said as she ripped a wide strip from the bottom of her shirt to wrap around the arrowhead.

"How's Karen?" Judy asked looking up at Kyle.

When he just shook his head she knew there nothing that could be done.

"Karen, can you hear me?" Norm's voice broke on every word.

"Yes," she replied weakly.

"I'm so sorry this happened."

"Norm…remember that old story I used to cry over…It's true…Love means never having…having to say you're sorry. I will always love…you…"

When Karen's chest failed to rise and her eye's turned lifeless, Norm turned his face into Ralu's comforting embrace and wept.

"We need to get Jake back to the infirmary if we are going to save him," Judy said quietly as she placed her hand on Neytiri's arm. "Unless you have a treatment for this kind of wound we should start back now."

"No, we do not have anything that will cure a punctured lung. Get him into your flying machine. I will inform mother where we are going."

"Hurry, time is not on Jake's side." Judy added as Neytiri sprang to her feet.

"I'll tell Buck to bring Karen's body," Kyle said as he stood. "Abby can help Norm. There's a stretcher in the Samson, I get it and be right back."

Kyle quickly cut the shaft of the arrow piercing Karen's chest before he sprinted off to get the stretcher from the Samson.

"What the frick is going on?" Rocky demanded as he stuck his head out when Kyle detached the stretcher from the rear bulkhead.

"Jake's has an arrow in his lung. Wind her up. We need to get him back as fast as this tub of shit will fly."

Without waiting for a response Kyle raced back to where Jake was laying. Before he and Judy could move Jake onto the stretcher several Na'vi knelt down to help them lift Jake onto the stretcher.

Another pair of Na'vi was ready to lift the stretcher the instant Jake was on it.

"Mother will see to everything while we are gone," Neytiri said as she bust into the protective circle.

Within minutes Jake's stretcher was secured to the deck in the middle of the open compartment. Abby and Buck had buckled Norm into one of the seats across from Neytiri. Ralu was seated between Jake and Norm, her arms wrapped firmly around Norm's good arm.

"We are going to stay here," Buck told Neytiri. "I strapped Karen's body in the front. Rocky's not thrilled, but it's better for Norm not to have to stare at it all the way back to Hell's Gate."

"You're sure you want to stay?"

"Yes, were sure. Tey'bar and Ell'a'u assured us that we would be safe. Besides, the Samson will be quicker with less weight onboard."

"You can trust them. They are young, but they are also very brave."

"I don't think anyone's young anymore. I have a satellite communicator. We will stay in touch."

As Buck watched the Samson disappear over the treetops he was sure that what he had said to Neytiri was true. No one was young anymore.

Author's Note:

That's about all I can crank out for one day. Possibly more tomorrow.

I am getting close to wrapping up Part 1. One or two more posts. After finishing Part 1 I am going to review it in its entirety and post a synopsis. With so much going on it will be helpful to me as well as you to have a summary.

For those of you who have reviewed, Thanks. I enjoy hearing from you.

Enjoy.