Jake definitely had a great deal of work to do. He and Sir'tey made sure that the more inexperienced hunters were each assigned to a mentor. A number of the younger ones would qualify for Ikinmaya if they managed a clean kill and so excitement was running high to begin with. Neytiri had counseled him to treat the incident with Pa'kan as a responsibility that had been dealt with and was a closed issue as far as he went. The Omatikaya seemed to accept that, to his great relief.

Fortunately, the hunt went very well. There were only a few minor injuries and a generous number of sturmbeest were bagged. The clan was kept busy for several days processing such a huge amount of meat.

The war party delegates from the local clans began arriving almost as soon as the last of the meat was dealt with. Parties showed up each day for almost two weeks and Jake had to get each one settled in, briefed, and started on both the defensive martial arts and soccer practices. His leather workers were going as fast as they could to provide each of the delegates with soccer balls – the influx of new hides from the hunt was quickly coopted.

It was both tiring and time consuming to welcome each delegation properly, get them located in the Tree (the hammock-weavers were working furiously to make all the needed spares quickly enough) and introduce them to a skilled Omatikaya who would begin teaching them defense. After several repeats of the head-scratching questions regarding soccer, Jake finally delegated the initial explanation to the hunter in charge of each group.

His clansmen had caught on to the game quickly, and Jake finally got the idea of having the most adept play practice matches to demonstrate it for the new arrivals. It was much easier for the Na'vi to absorb the explanations when they could see it happening in front of them. They got the analogy to nantang, even thought Jake privately thought the teams were more like packs of bumbling viperwolf cubs at the moment, but that would change with time and practice.

The afternoon meetings with Norm now included Neytiri, Sir'tey, and Mo'at, and were largely strategy sessions on how to deal with the Venture Nova. They discussed what different scenarios they might have to deal with, and had to decide where to post Na'vi to cover those eventualities. They also needed to plan for evacuating the avatars to New Hometree. Norm confided privately to Jake, "It's not really necessary this time around but it might be next time, and it won't hurt to know how to do it before we actually need to."

They also discussed what needed to be brought up at the next gathering's first war council, which was quickly approaching. "We must make sure that Perrat's idea of traps is considered," Neytiri insisted.

Sir'tey agreed, "Everyone will have ideas to share, and those thoughts will spawn more. The more traps we can devise, the better. It will take time to implement them and time is our greatest advantage. We must make good use of it."

Mo'at added thoughtfully, "Olo'eyktans and Tsahiks will need to discuss these ideas with their own clans as well. Many Na'vi will have things to contribute, and these things will need to be brought to the next gathering so that they can be shared with the rest of us."

Jake turned to Sir'tey, "How many trees in our territory have the scouts found that could temporarily house small groups of Omatikaya?"

The senior hunter immediately answered, "We have identified three hands of trees that can support various numbers of Na'vi, some for several months if necessary."

Norm chimed in, "You'll want to make sure that you don't locate too many people in any one place. The more Na'vi there are in one spot, the more attractive a target they become."

Sir'tey nodded acknowledgement. "We will have to make sure to stress that to the other clans as well. It will be difficult to attack people who are so scattered."

The scientist turned to the ex-marine. "Jake, one thing I'm concerned about. We know that this ship isn't likely to be dangerous, but wouldn't it be better if the Na'vi started practicing these maneuvers now? I mean, we don't want to give anything away, obviously, but won't it be confusing and dangerous if we don't do it before we actually need to?"

"Good point," Jake conceded. Privately, he was impressed by Norm's attitude. He's really stepped into Grace's shoes in a big way these past few months. He's gone from being a green recruit to taking responsibility for the whole mission. He's a good man.

The Tsahik cautioned, "I agree this should be practiced, but there is not enough time to do this before this ship comes."

Sir'tey added, "Even if there were time, I think it would be wise not to show our plans to the Sky People, since we expect this ship and the one following to not be dangerous."

The Olo'eyktan agreed. "We can practice this some time after the first ship leaves. We should probably do it two or three times before the six year ship comes, just so everyone is familiar with the safe locations and how to get there as quickly as possible. It'll cut down on the chaos later. We'll need to discuss this at the war council too."

Neytiri turned to Norm, "Will you need help moving your supplies once the ship has gone?"

The xenoanthropologist shook his head, "Everything will be safe in its containers on the landing field until we can deal with it. It'll give my people something positive to do. I appreciate the offer, though."

Mo'at nodded, "To bring the food that Eywa provides for them into their home with their own hands will be very good for their spirits."

After a bit of a pause, the master hunter said thoughtfully, "I am thinking that the gathering presents another opportunity that we should take advantage of."

Everyone in the group turned to him. "What opportunity is that?" Jake asked.

Sir'tey looked at his Olo'eyktan. "You are intending that all the warriors of all the clans learn how to play nantang-ball, are you not?" The marine cautiously nodded, so he continued. "Why not have those here play practice games at the gathering, just as they are doing here now?"

Neytiri caught the idea and ran with it. "It will be a new thing. People will be curious and interested. They will see the game and want to play it, even before their warriors return to their clans from the war party. The People will welcome a new game."

The hunter agreed, "It will make spreading nantang-ball through the Clans much easier and faster, and that will make it achieve its real purpose that much the sooner."

Norm snorted in an undertone to Jake, "Welcome to the Pandoran Soccer League."

A beep at the scientist's throat – Max's signal – cut off any reply the Olo'eyktan was about to make. Norm pressed the transmit button on his throat transceiver. "Go ahead, Max. What's up?"

The fuzzy haired scientist's voice came back immediately. "Sorry to interrupt, but I knew you were in your meeting and I thought you'd all better get this information at once."

Jake was instantly on the alert. "What is it Max? What have you got?"

"We just got a telemetry update from the outer system nav-sats," was the reply. "We've got a firm time estimate. The Venture Nova will be making Pandoran orbit in exactly six weeks."