The Balance of Life

Part One - Discovery

Chapter 4 - Part 1--- NewHome

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When Neytiri heard the familiar sound of banshee wings she looked up just as Jake landed in the small clearing in front of where she and Ralu were standing. Moments later, Ell'a'u and Tey'bar landed and dismounted as Jake had done. After giving his banshee an affectionate rub along its smooth neck he set it free with a dismissive wave of his arms. Ell'a'u and Tey'bar freed their banshees as well, walking over to where Ateyo and Neynat were standing.

"The Samson should be landing shortly," Jake said after he strode over to where they were standing. "Is your patient behaving himself?" Jake added, speaking to Ralu with a nod to where Norm lay on the litter just a short distance away.

"Yes. He could hardly do otherwise. Norm's spirit has not returned."

"That's probably for the best."

"Rocky—not sure if you remember him—told me that they came across six trees that might make a decent home for our people. He said that they were about half the height of Hometree, located alongside a river. Most importantly, the trees appeared to be unoccupied."

"That is interesting. How far away were they?" Neytiri asked as the sounds of distant rotors reached her ears.

"About an hour by banshee, possibly a bit more. They are mostly south of here. A direction Ell'a'u and her teams did not search."

"Six trees would give our people room to grow. It also could splinter the Omatikaya into opposing groups." This was something that she was already worried about, give the altercation that had led to Norm being stabbed.

"Once the Samson arrives we can question the avatars on board, see what they thought of them."

"These avatars have never lived in a tree. I'm not sure what value their opinions would have."

"Good point. At the least they can give us a good description of them and the surrounding area." Jake sensed that Neytiri seemed distracted, irritated even though she was trying hard to hide it.

"We should go and see for ourselves as quickly as possible. The sooner our people can focus their time and energy on something positive the better."

"I'm not sure we should leave our people alone at the moment. We need to find shelter from the severe storms that Norm said could be headed our way."

"My feeling is that most of our people would feel more at ease staying here next to Eywa and the Mother Tree. Some would go just because you asked, but they would rather stay here."

"In that case maybe we should give these trees a look see. As it would take several days to move everyone that far, I wouldn't want to start something like that until we are sure where we are going will work."

"Yes, I agree."

"Looks like they are about to land," Jake added as the Samson appeared over the treetops and began to descend towards the clearing. "We can ask Rocky if he has enough fuel and time to take us there before they head back to their base."

"Can I go too," Ralu asked as the wind began to swirl around them. "I could tell you if the other children would like this place."

"You think so, do you?" Jake asked, pulling her next to him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"What do you think, Neytiri? Should we bring the midget?"

"Assuming they have time to take us, it would be for the best." Neytiri didn't add that she would feel uncomfortable leaving Ralu behind, even though she knew Ell'a'u or some of the other people she trusted would look after her. And Ralu did have a valid point. What the potential new home looked like to a child's eyes would be important.

As soon as the Samson landed, Judy and Abby jumped out and made their way over to where Jake was standing.

"We can get Norm's avatar aboard," Abby said speaking to both Jake and Neytiri, with a quick glance at Ralu.

"That would be great," Jake answered. "I need to talk with Rocky."

Leaving Neytiri to help Abby and Judy, Jake jogged over to the Samson.

"Kyle, Buck, good to see you again."

"Same here," they both replied.

"Rocky, can you take Neytiri and me to where you saw the trees that might make a home? I know it's a lot to ask, but if they are going to work I'd like to get the clan moving there as soon as possible." Jake asked after Rocky had opened the cockpit door.

"Fuel's not a problem," Rocky answered, scratching his chin. "Neither is the daylight. The weather could be a problem. Not sure just how much time you would have to check the place out. At hour at most would be my guess."

"That would probably be enough," Jake replied. "It would either eliminate them as a possibility or tell us that the trees warranted further investigation."

"Rocky, we should do this," Buck added. "Unless you feel there is a safety concern due to the storm front moving in."

"Kyle?" Rocky asked.

"Yeah, I think we should give it a shot. Even if Jake and Neytiri only get to check it out from the air it would be worth the trip. Besides, I'm in no hurry to get back."

"Hi, I'm Zoe." Zoe had been following the conversation and introduced herself when Jake looked directly at her for the first time.

"Nice to meet you again. We met once before back at Hell's Gate—when my body was like yours."

Jake waved at Neytiri and Ralu to come a head when Abby and Judy started to load Norm's avatar into the Samson. Jake was a bit amused when Neytiri bent almost as low as Ralu's standing height. Remembering that this would be her first fight in a machine he hoped that she would do all right. The wide grin on Ralu's face told him that she could hardly wait for the adventure to begin.

"I told Ell'a'u and Tey'bar to take the others back. Ell'a'u will tell mother where we have gone. Between them, they can start finding shelter for the night."

"Good idea. Climb in," Jake gestured to Neytiri after Ralu scampered aboard and sat down next to Norm's head.

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Author's Note:

In case anyone is wondering just how many avatars/Na'vis' the Samson can lift. Remember it was able to lift the remote control station. It's more than a bit crowded, but the trip won't take long.

Enjoy.