Chapter 2
They all stood tall facing forward in post.
Ava looking dead on. Couldn't help but think.
Why would the Colonel want to meet in the hangar?
Earlier before getting into post she saw AMP suits everywhere behind her, some unoccupied. And some have users walking around.
She thought it would be in a more controlled- less noisy setting.
The thought vanished from her head as she continued to stare at the metal wall.
She heard a rugged southern sounding voice coming from her left.
Too far away in the line to see, she assumed the Colonel had entered.
She gulped. The feeling of seeing the Colonel made her stomach turn.
She heard the stories about what happened to him. With Sully and the Metkayina.
To fail like that- She doesn't quite understand how he would keep going after.
She's sure he's only gotten more pissed over the years after it happened. She would be super pissed if her men died and she'd fail the mission too.
The steps echoed in the semi-noisy room as people worked on machines and others trained in AMP suits.
"You all are here because you qualified back on Earth. They thought you had something resourceful for me to use." The Colonel spoke towering so high above the men and women below him.
He kept some distance back so he could see everyone's faces. He had a slight sinister smile. As he held a mask up to his face.
Breathing in, he would place it back down continuing to talk.
"Before I continue on- Now I know what you're thinking. I know I'm just as blue as the enemies. Don't let that fool you. Some of y'all will look like me in a bit."
He continued as Ava stepped slightly forward.
She'd never seen an Avatar or Na'vi. Never realizing how tall they actually were.
She was amazed. She'd never seen an alien humanoid.
"No matter how much you kiss ass to me or others, I will decide if you're useful or not."
He got closer starting from the left slowly walking down looking at each person in the face.
Ava's hands went slightly cold as she saw his boots reaching closer.
"Some of you will have the honor to work with me. You will show me tomorrow. If I want you on my team, or the other well trained qualified SecOps RDA Avatars."
He continued to walk, keeping his eyes wide open exhausted from the previous nights of working endlessly to locate Sully.
Still vindictive of what happened many years ago to his original RECON team.
The scientist worked very hard and managed to make new clones from his previous RECON team.
The Colonel decided to make them Head SecOps of RDA. With multiple companies of RDA Avatars.
The Colonel thought this thoroughly. It would be impossible for them to fail now.
With more than just him leading, and at least hundreds of soldiers following his lead.
"My job is to make sure you're qualified to protect yourself in any circumstances we encountered."
He'd continue to walk slowly. He stance was very intimidating.
"Some of you will learn fast but not all of you will succeed in these trainings sessions. We are to destroy the indigenous that threaten our way in trying to make a new home for humanity...and with the Sully's-" He paused seeing the slight change in expression from everyone.
"I want them alive."
Ava would be nudged.
Two tall men in uniform stood with a devious look in their eyes.
She noticed the left one had a clean shave and striking blue eyes.
"Who let the kindergartener in?" He'd scoff.
As the other man on her right chuckled softly at the comment.
Her eyes glanced between the two.
Are these seriously marines or teenagers?
"Well see how far you get. Midget." The man spoke again.
Smiling at how genius he thought was putting down others for his enjoyment.
Ava mentally rolled her eyes. Great one more thing to deal with.
Bullies.
Really starting to consider this is highschool all over again. I'm short so what? I'm here for the same reasons they are. Height wasn't one of the requirements.
She ignored the men, focusing back up as the Colonel reached her view.
The Colonel holding his hands on his hip as he walked, his 10ft slim body made small strides.
He paused.
"Well, well- looky here. Aren't you a small creature for your kind." Looking at a young woman who seemed to be one of the shortest in the group.
Ava tensed up pausing to look. She knew he was talking to her.
He rested his face looking at her doll-like features. She couldn't be no older than 26. He had seen most of the profiles for the men and women.
All ranging between 28-35.
She'd look up at him, her glassy eyes staring.
Those big eyes… it had him remembering of Spi-
"What's your name, soldier?" he'd stand in front of her with a stern look.
Ava was hesitant to speak, she'd clear her throat.
"Ruiz, Ava sir."
"I assume by now you can tell you're shorter than almost everyone here." He'd scratch his chin.
"Yes sir, I am aware."
He glanced at the other soldiers, speaking to them but mostly to Ava.
"Be expected to be treated like shit by your own men. It'll toughen you up and make you better than em."
Ava tried to be subtle with her expression as she made a frown of confusion.
She was not expecting him to basically give her a heads up.
But internally she was smiling, it was a kick to the teeth for the two idiots beside her.
He then sharply turned to her. Arching his back getting closer into view.
Ava slightly frightened as her heart raced. She could now see every little detail of his face.
To his striking yellow eyes, down to the white like freckles on his face.
"You're gonna be trained like everyone else in this program. So you're small? What of it? There ain't no special treatment cause of it"
Ava was concerned it was like he was reading her mind. Must have something to do with dealing with fresh meat for years as a human and avatar.
"And if you can't do what the rest can, I'll have you sent back, and leave your avatar corpse to the animals."
Ava, stunned by his words, stood frozen as the saliva she tried swallowing stayed stuck in her throat.
"Understood sir."
He would lean back. Walking slightly backwards pointing at random soldiers as he talked
"That goes for the rest of you too, if you can't do it. Get the hell out."
Quaritch smirked, acting intimidating was one of his best shots to get these soldiers scared shitless of the horrors awaiting past them on base.
"Dismissed." The Colonel turned to the door walking out.
Ava let out a sigh of relief. Being called out like that wasn't my ideal way to have everyone know who I am.
She'd shake out the feeling of humiliation she felt. Walking to a separate door following the signs that said 'Lab' with other soldiers.
"Hello everyone." Ava walked in greeting everyone with a smile.
Some murmured a greeting and others said "Hello" back to her, and some even waved to her.
The vibe felt different; it was very calming compared to the sectors. It may have something to do with the blue dim lights and nature everywhere.
"Wow…" She'd slowly 360 her way around looking at the ceiling down.
A scientist came up to her "Ready to see her?" the man said to her while holding a tablet.
Ava thought for a second, she lost all of focus of thought looking at the plants.
"Yes! Yes sorry- I'll follow." She'd switch immediately back to her professional self.
Walking around the corner she saw others were already looking at their Avatars.
She'd follow the scientist to hers. She paused seeing a man next to her looking intrigued at his Avatar, as he analyzed every detail on it.
He noticed her watching him "He's got the same tattoo as me." He smiled looking at his Avatar in the glass tubed.
"Hmm I think he's more buffy than you" She'd smile looking at his Avatar.
"I very much doubt it, without me he's nothing." He stood up walking over to her.
"I'm Pax." He held his hand out.
"I'm-"
"Ava? Yea I know"
Before she could finish speaking he interrupted her.
"Right…" She'd cringe a little remembering.
She shook his hand. "You are maybe the 3rd nicest person I met here- Hopefully we'll be on the same team." She looked up at him.
"Yea then maybe we could race to see who's the better Avatar." He'd say in a joking way.
She laughed. "Maybe. Well- I should see my Avatar. Catch up Later?"
Pax saluted her off with two fingers leaning against the corner of the tube "See you later then."
She'd quickly catch up with the scientist.
"Annnd here we are, Ava meet your Avatar." He made a hand gesture towards the Avatar. Then walking out of the way.
She got up close in disbelief of how much they resembled each other. The Avatar in fetal position would twitch and move its head to face Ava.
Mildly disturbing but awesome.
More Chapters ahead! disclaimer: I am a huge procrastinator, and I am still a student. So it may take me a while but they will be out eventually.
Hope you enjoyed it, please review!