ALL RIGHTS GOES TO JAMES CAMERON AND HIS WONDERFUL VISION OF THE AVATAR-VERSE
Note: I'm still studying and researching about the Avatar-Verse and still researching about Army stuff. I'm no expert on it so bare with me.
Note 2: I use italics for when characters are thinking or talking to themselves. (So it isn't too confusing). Otherwise I hope you enjoy the story! Xoxo
Chapter 1
I remember the first day of training, my commander had told me.
"The years you spend on the planet, the challenges, and triumphs you face will be nothing you've ever encountered here in this field."
Now that-... that has been stuck with me since my departure from earth, in cryo-sleep I dreamt of what I would face there.
Sure I've red books, studied the language.
But I'm pretty sure most of it is BS and nothing like what the Veterans from 26 years ago talked about during the trainee meeting.
I tried to stall this job for a few weeks, because of my brother. But I knew nothing would change. So I went.
Unable to contact them for the next 7 years. I'd just have to wait and see what Pandora has in store for me.
Feeling the sudden breeze hit her feet.
Her eyes opened and dilated. Adjusting to the dark.
She felt herself get rolled out of the white-like coffin.
"Wake up Ava. We're almost there." A Nurse would carefully tap her. Ava squinted as the light burned.
The Nurse helped her sit up.
Ava winced a bit, her limbs having a fuzzy sensation, she'd stretch out her wrists and fingers. She'd look around the very lit white room.
Seeing others wake up too.
She was in a row with others near the very top. There was a big opening. Between the wall she was in and the one across from her.
Full of squared rows. Everything covered in the color white. Including her clothes.
She'd touch her pale face, it felt icy to the touch, as she shivered slightly, from goosebumps.
It was cold. It was nothing she couldn't handle.
She brushed off the cold sensation that was slowly creeping up on her.
It reminded her of when she was stationed in Norway. Mountains everywhere are covered in snow. The gorgeous fjords everywhere.
But, the cold- when it sets in at night huddling together with others hiding under a Jeep from enemy fire. Holding her weapon for dear life shivering.
Repeating to herself over and over.
Mind over matter, mind over matter, mind over-
Explosions were heard from far away as debris flew at the Jeep. She rolled over seeing a gulf of flames and the soldier next to her gurgling as blood spurted out of his neck-
She closed her eyes quickly.
Opening them again remembering where she was. The memories of leaving Earth are still fresh in her mind.
She moved her head around closely observing movements nearby.
The Nurse, floating from zero gravity, swung over to look at a computer.
"Your vitals look great Ava, you were stable the whole ride." The Nurse spoke professionally and giddy smiling at Ava.
Ava turned, wincing, a sharp pain shooting to her neck. It was sore from being in one position for 3 years.
She thought to herself for a second. You'd think with all this advancing technology to make traveling faster, they could make more comfortable cryo-chambers.
She'd massage her neck as she spoke to the Nurse.
"Everyone else make it safely?" Ava would say truly concerned for her fellow soldiers.
The Nurse sighed. Losing the smile a bit as her blue eyes glimmered in the light, and her white suit floated with her.
"There were some casualties, but thankfully you weren't one of them." She squeezed Ava's arm to show some sympathy and comfort.
Ava looked away, she spaced out thinking of those poor soldiers who'd travel all this way to just…
"Will they have a burial?" Ava turned back, still long-sitting in the cryo-chamber.
"Yes. Unfortunately it won't be on Earth. It will be on Pandora."
Her legs felt stiff, as she bent her legs slowly. She could hear and feel her joints crack and pop, as she was lifting them up.
Her knees now to her chest.
"Oh…" She didn't know what to say as she stared at the big wide window near her.
The dark sky full of stars.
As she sat there waiting for protocol.
Before hopping on a transporter to the planet. She was escorted to a room to change.
A different Nurse she had met.
Her sandy hair with streaks of gray next to her shoulders, handed her a uniform and a patch insignia of her ranking.
The nurse stood waiting outside of the small metal room.
She unfolded the clothes.
As she looked up at the mirror in front of her.
Touching the skin around her eyes she noticed subtle wrinkles.
It was only 3 years- how did my body age that much?
She still felt 21 years old.
She knew she would have to mentally mature quickly to survive.
She quickly changed out of the soft white pajama-like clothes. Into her slightly worn out itchy uniform.
She sat on the bed as she squeezed her feet into her combat boots, she quickly tightened her boots, then tied them.
Getting up, placing her hair into a tight low bun. Her dark brown hair shined faintly in the dim light.
She'd hear clanking and cracking noises echoing through the ship.
She paused looking up as her light swung lightly.
She'd leave the room.
Thanking the Nurse, then saying goodbye.
Then marching off to the hangar center where the transport would be.
Crap crap- I need to hurry- can't be late. It sure as hell would look bad if I did.
As she sat on the transport seat buckled in, holding her mask, and pack. while her commanding officer gave a rousing speech.
"I do not want any slips today. Once we land- make sure you put those masks on."
He'd roar with authority at the young soldiers
"IF anyone dies on my watch - it's my ass on the line not yours. Let's not have any casualties on day one."
Feeling the transport lower he'd grab his mask.
"Suit up ladies, we have work to do!"
The majority of Ava's class were men.
She knew she would be treated like one and at times would have to act like one.
She quickly slipped the mask over her face. She held the bottom of it as it hissed oxygen into her face.
The transportation doors lowered, the bright light of Pandora's sun filled the room.
"Get to your stations now!" The officer yelled out signaling them to move out.
Ava quickly grabbed her bag marching out following her comrades.
She didn't have time to marvel at the scenery. Maybe when she adjusted more.
At night she could have a better look.
She reached the bunker room slightly winded from the jog. She'd shuffle her way through mostly men, her small size made it a bit of a struggle.
She took her mask off placing it on a holder with her last name. Ruiz
She then finally made it to a table. She unzipped her bag to sort her items into a cubby.
She had an unsettling feeling being surrounded by all these soldiers, very few she knew. But she was used to being around soldiers back on Earth.
But here on Pandora it feels…
Hostile.
A very unwelcoming stench.
The smallest glances she'd noticed, and received in the few hours of being out of cryo-sleep.
It made her neck hairs rise. But again she brushed off the feeling. She didn't want to judge, not at least after meeting them.
Since she'd be stuck with them for the next 7 years.
"Alright everyone listen up!" A woman walked in wearing her jacket uniform with a hat.
"The Colonel wants to meet with each and everyone of you."
Her presence was powerful. She stood tall even though mostly everyone towered over her.
Everyone gathered around, all seemed to be closely listening to her.
Ava glanced quickly at everyone that towered over her, then quickly back to the woman.
Being respectful to those of higher ranks. Ava stood straight up.
The women held out a clip board looking over it.
Ava assumed it was some kind of list.
"And for those who are a part of the Avatar RDA Program. Report to the Lab immediately after."
She snapped the clipboard.
Stepping aside as everyone walked out.
Hope you enjoyed it, please review!