"We have a major disadvantage in the forthcoming battle against the tawtute," said Zhake. He was standing on the roof of the control tower addressing the most experienced warriors of the gathered clans. "They will be able to choose where they land, and with the numbers and weapons they will deploy will overwhelm any concentration we can gather against them. If we try to face them head to head on their initial landing they will defeat the People."
One of the older warriors from the Ikran people of the Eastern Sea gathered a round of laughter when he said drily, "How do we beat them, Toruk Makto? Talk them to death?"
Zhake gestured to Na'dia to step forward. "Some of you may have heard of Na'diakhudoshin. Less than a month ago, on the far plains, she slew one hundred and eighty-three tawtute warriors out of a force of three hundred and two, forcing the survivors to flee back into the sky."
There was a respectful murmur, with many of the largely male warriors gazing upon the petite Na'vi woman with total astonishment. How such a small woman could have created such bloodshed, they wondered, as her skin darkened with embarrassment.
"Na'diakhudoshin was the victor over seven days as she did not seek to challenge the tawtute in direct battle, but to use the skills of stealth, surprise and deception to bleed them dry, one by one," said Zhake.
"But this is not an honourable way to fight," complained one warrior, one of the youngest on the roof.
"Tell me, tsamsiyu," said Zhake, "What use is honour if the tawtute are victorious and despoil the forests of Eywa? What use is honour if your mate is widowed and your children go hungry?"
The older warriors grinned at the stupidity of the young Na'vi. They knew what the Toruk Makto was saying, but remembered that they, too, were once young and naive. That was why they did not laugh out loud, but still the skin of the young warrior darkened with embarrassment.
It seemed that objections to the manner of the forthcoming battle had been overcome. Na'dia wondered if the young warrior had been specifically chosen attend this meeting to prompt Zhake to ask those questions – if so, it was a masterly stroke of crowd manipulation, and set the scene for what he was about to say.
"Many of you fought in the battle of Vitraya Ramunong," said Zhake. "The weapons the tawtute bring to this battle will be even more terrible. That is why we will not face them in open battle, yet pick them off one by one, like stragglers from a herd of starving talioang."
"Is this why you take the tawtute things away from this place?" asked a deeply scarred plains warrior. "You will surrender this place to them, but make it worthless?"
The Toruk Makto grinned toothily. "That is the core of our battle-plan," he said, and proceeded to elaborate on what he intended. The warriors nodded solemnly as he talked, asking the occasional pointed question, but it seemed that all were in broad agreement with his proposals.
The sun was high in the sky when the meeting finally disbanded, the warriors of each clan returning to consult with their fellows. Na'dia had been trying to unobtrusively hop from one foot to the other – the metal roof of the tower had been heating up slowly under the heat of the sun, and was pleased to escape when Zhake called her over.
"You understand your part in this?" he asked.
She nodded. It was clear enough.
"Good," he said.
"I do have one suggestion," she offered. When he raised an eyebrow in inquiry she continued, "The tawtute do not know that we have passed through the Eye of Eywa. They will be searching for an active link unit, especially if they think they will capture either of us. Why do we not make it easy for them? They must broadcast some kind of traceable radiation."
"We are short of serviceable link units for the remaining Avatars," said Zhake. "I like the idea, but..."
"What of the units in the hab module near the Tree of Souls?" suggested Na'dia. "They may be damaged from the battle, but surely you could get them to radiate in the appropriate spectrum, and then, when the tawtute get too close..."
"Boom," finished Zhake. He nodded. "It is a good idea, and will discourage them from searching for the other link units. The module would have to be moved closer, of course. I do not wish to risk the Tree of Souls again."
"Zhake, how long do you think the tawtute will wait before they attack?" she asked.
The answer was brief and to the point. "Not long enough."
