Chapter 36 – Heads Up

A few hours later aboard the Black Jack…

Sensor specialist Finney walked up to Conrad on the bridge. Conrad had his back to her as he worked at his console reviewing the ships logs and reading status reports.

"Excuse me sir. I have the latest ground imagery and there's something you need to see."

Conrad spun around, "Watcha got for me, Finney?"

She handed him the imagery and commented, "You're looking better sir."

Conrad had immediately focused on the imagery when he stopped, glanced up at her, and after a short pause said, "Yeah, I'm little feeling better. Thanks. Let's see what we have here."

After a few moments of shuffling through several 3D slides of ground imagery of the flux zone, Conrad looked up at her again. "Good work, Finney. Looks like you found a nest of them."

"I think so, sir. Although I'm not sure what those hot spots are." She pointed to them in the middle of the imagery.

Conrad turned and switched on his comms and commented, "Beats the hell out of me. Don't care really, since it won't matter if Porter okays the missile strike I'm about to request."

"But sir, shouldn't we…"

Conrad interrupted her as Charlie's image came on the console's screen, "Could be blue monkeys mating for all I care." He laughed and turned back to see Charlie staring at him.

Charlie said, "I'm sure there's a punch line there."

Conrad swallowed hard, "Something like that, sir."

"Conrad, I'm guessing there's a reason you called?"

Conrad glanced at Finney, "You're dismissed." Then he turned his full attention to Charlie, "Sir, we finally have a target that might be worth our time. Our latest imagery of the flux zone has found a high concentration of Na'vi gathering together for some reason. It's probably a campsite with some very hot spots indicated, which are probably large campfires. It might be a big hunting party or perhaps something more sinister."

Charlie said, "Ute's off shift, right?"

"Roger, she'll be back on in about three hours. Sir, I believe we may have an opportunity to send a few hundred Na'vi on to meet their tree god. What do you think?"

Charlie pulled up the imagery on his console and after a few moments of 'hums' and 'ahs' while he glanced over it he finally responded, "I think you may have something. After all, Ute's been itching for some action."

"Should I wake her up?"

"Hell no, I think you can handle it. Go ahead and put a volley of missiles down on them and be sure to use enough so they get the message."

Conrad nodded.

Charlie continued in a more sarcastic tone, "I'm sure Ute will understand."

Conrad grinned, "I think I get the joke sir, and in the meantime we still get to put a bunch of kitties to sleep; permanently."

"That's the spirit, my boy. Carry out my orders. This should improve morale among the troops and I'll deal with any discontent from your boss."

Conrad had to visibly keep himself from chuckling, "Understood, sir. We'll take care of it." A big grin crossed Charlie's face as his image faded from the screen.

Conrad yelled across the bridge. "Weapons officer, prepare a full volley of long range conventional missiles for launch, use the coordinates I just sent you." The officer yelped, "Aye sir!" From her post Finney said, "We're not waking the Captain?"

Conrad sneered, "No Finney we aren't because Charlie said not to, and he's the top Boss remember?"

Sheepishly she replied, "Yes sir."

A few moments later, the Weapons Officer stated, "Weapons are ready to launch, sir."

Conrad said, "Give me a second to authenticate the launch order." He typed away on his console for several moments. Finally Conrad said, "You may commence your firing sequence when ready."

The Flux Zone a few moments later…

I was seated in a circle going over our approach to the Dark Miner again with Mi'niri, Leyra, and Aketuan, as well as our Ikran riders. My mind had been busy with calculations and plans until I noticed the others had copied my war paint. I looked down at my paint, a red downward facing sword with white wings. The others had done the same. I paused a moment as I stared at them.

Leyra asked, "Nathan, what's wrong?"

I slowly placed my right hand over my chest where the sword was painted and said, "I'm honored."

They all smiled and mimicked my action as they said almost in unison, "Who Dares Wins." A single tear slipped down my cheek. I slowly nodded and with a sad, yet stern tone in my voice replied, "Who Dares Wins."

Just as we finished going over the plan for the third time, I asked "Any questions? We can't afford any misunderstandings."

Aketuan asked, "I understand the plan, but I still don't understand why the humans aren't bringing all their big machines?"

Mi'niri interjected before I could reply, "He's explained it already."

I said, "It's fine Mi'niri, I'll explain it again."

I thought for a moment how to explain it in the simplest terms. It wasn't easy explaining the details of advanced technology to a person who saw it more as some kind of supernatural magic. Nonetheless, I tried.

"As I explained earlier, Eywa protects the floating mountains with her blessing which also shrouds the humans' machines from the view of those in the sky. If they leave the mountains, the bad sky people will be able to see them and send bombs to destroy them. Therefore they remain under Eywa's protection and are tasked with guarding the 'Well of Souls' so no harm comes to our sacred home. Make sense now?"

Aketuan replied, "Not really, but Eywa blesses you, so it must be so and that's enough for me to understand."

I smiled, "Alright then, dismissed."

The group went about their business, some added more war paint, and others tried to rest since we'd be leaving in a few hours. I took a moment to stare up at the stars as I muttered, "Please Eywa, don't let me fail them." I closed my eyes and just listened to the forest around me for a moment, until I heard footsteps behind me. I turned swiftly to find Niysia walking up.

I said, "You surprised me."

She grinned, "You did look a little distracted. I always seem to find myself jealous of the stars when I'm with you."

"Why?"

"Because they may be the only thing you love as much as me," as she blushed.

My demeanor softened, "I only consult with them. I love you and that makes all the difference." I started to move closer to embrace her but she pulled an object out from behind her back and I froze in place.

She held out with both hands a sheathed warrior's knife similar to the one she carried. I stood silent, not sure what to say.

Niysia said, "When I made my knife many years ago, I fashioned it after this one. It belonged to my older brother Tsu'Tey." She held it out for me to take. "It belonged to my father, to my brother, and now it belongs to you."

I was stunned by her words. She'd never told me Tsu'Tey was her brother.

I thought back to the night she told me of Tysal and Tsu'Tey's death. She shook me from my motionless state as she pressed the knife against my chest. I instinctively reached up and coupled her hands and accepted the blade. I wrapped its belt over the opposite shoulder of my own blade and let it rest against my chest. Both blades formed an X like figure over the painted red sword.

We pressed our foreheads together and she whispered, "Nathan, you've healed my wounded spirit."

Before I could reply, she passionately kissed me and I reciprocated in kind.

I'm not sure how long we stood there. My mind went to a blissful place, a place I could have remained forever; a place where only my mate and I existed. My eyes opened suddenly as the sound of some commotion occurred near one of the cave entrances.

I heard my named called.

I answered, "I'm over here! What's happening?"

Sam stepped out of the cave and yelled, "Nathan, get in here quick!" I quickly glanced into Niysia's eyes, grasped her right hand and we bolted for the cave.

Once in the cave, I stopped abruptly as I heard the radio talking. Sam and the others stood close listening.

Sam said, "It started a about a minute ago."

I didn't recognize the voice as it spoke, "Roger, missiles are away. First stage burn was successful. All missiles are on target. This time I think it'll be a direct hit, sir." Another voice answered, "Understood, reconfirm time to target."

"Roger, time to target is six minutes forty seven seconds, mark. All missiles are on course and their trajectories are ballistic…." Then there was only static.

Colonel Quaritch turned and said, "It sounds like the internal chatter between a fire controller and his commander, but it's on an open broadcast across all channels. I don't get it."

I looked at Jake, "Let me see your holo pad." Jake pulled it from his satchel and handed it to me.

I started working intently with it just as a more familiar signal came over the radio. "This is Vigilance do you copy?"

Sam grabbed the mic and replied "Roger Vigilance, we're here."

Giles' voice came over the speaker, "We're tracking multiple inbound bogies headed your way. We don't have specifics yet, but it can't be good."

Just as Giles finished, I handed the holo pad back to Jake, "Don't lose that."

Jake nodded.

I continued, "Baker reads seven inbound bogies, probably long-range missiles. Type unknown, origin unknown, but probably from the Black Jack. We've got less than six minutes to get out of here."

For a few seconds everyone stood silent, shocked by what I'd just said. Jake broke the silence, "Why the hell are we staring at one another, let's go!"

I yelled, "He's bloody right! Lets get our people out of here. Move it people, move it!"

The group started to scramble.

"You have your orders and rendezvous locations. Let's go people!"

There were several confirmations to my orders; some I understood and some not so much, but they were on the move and that's what mattered.

I turned to Niysia, "Don't forget the M.A.C."

I kissed her again and reached up with both hands to hold her cheeks as I stared deep into her eyes.

"I see you."

Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she whispered, " I love you."

I nodded, "Don't forget. You have plans for me."

She smiled and giggled.

I whispered in her ear, "I thought so."

Neytiri walked up. "Niysia, we need to go."

I pulled my hands down from Niysia's face and placed a hand on her shoulder and the other on Neytiri's shoulder, "With Eywa's Blessing."

We all three turned our heads down toward the ground for a second and then looked up at each other. With no further words Niysia and Neytiri ran for their Ikrans.

I turned around to ensure the cave was clear to find Jake standing right behind me.

I shook my head, "You have a bad habit of that don't you?"

He grinned, "Comes with the job."

He pointed at my new knife, "I see she finally told you."

A hint of frustration crossed my face; "You could have said something sooner."

"It was her story to tell."

I shook my head as I watched the last of our people vacate the camp. "I can't argue with that. Let's get the bloody hell out of here."

Jake nodded, "Right brother. Let's get outta here." As we left, Jake mounted his Ikran and I mounted my direhorse. We were the last to leave the camp. I rode hard pushing the direhorse harder and harder for speed. I saw glimpses of Jake through the tree canopy as he flew into the distance. About 90 seconds later, I heard the explosions from the missiles impacting behind me and could feel the reverberations of the blast waves on my back.

I didn't look back; instead I spoke into my radio mic.

"Renee, base camp was destroyed but everyone's out safely and on the move. We should all be in place well before zero-hour."

Renee replied, "Understood. The Doctor's last report was very positive and the countdown remains on schedule.