The Balance of Life
Part One - Discovery
Chapter 4 - Part 10--- NewHome
"All things considered, we got off lucky," Gary began as he gazed out of the open shutters in the Ops Center. "The storm broke every statistic on record. If it had lasted as long as we originally thought it would we might not have gotten off with so little damage."
"Peak wind speed was just under one seventy-five. That beat out the previous record of one twenty," Zoe commented as she continued to review that weather data from the satellite. "The storm is blowing itself out over the ocean. From the orbital images it looks like we are in for several days of sunshine. It's going to be a soggy mess out there for the next week or two. I hope the Na'vi came through the storm okay."
"Any update on the continental drift from the Geo-Packs?"
"For now it looks like the subcontinents are remaining the same distance apart. It's going to take a few weeks to get some decent measurements. From what I have so far things look relatively stable."
"I'll take all the good news I can get," Gary replied when he turned away from the pale blue sky visible overhead.
"In that case I'll add that there aren't any reports of damage from sensors inside the complex. The processing plant may be another story however. It's hard to tell if any new damage was done by the storm. The quakes did plenty on their own."
"I noticed that a section of the perimeter fence was damaged by the main entrance," Gary said as he sat back down in front of his console. A good sized tree was uprooted and dropped there by the wind. It's not too badly damaged. The avatars should be able to repair it without much trouble."
"The security cameras in the avatar training grounds showed some minor damage. Nothing that can't be fixed if need be," Zoe added when she swiveled around to look at Gary.
"Hell's Gate, this is Jake. Do you read me?"
When Jake's urgent voice boomed out over the comm link both Gary and Zoe jumped from the unexpected sound of his voice.
"Read you loud and clear," Gary answered as Zoe came over to stand behind him with her hand on his shoulder.
"We need your help," Jake answered, a mixture of relief and anxiety in the sound of his voice.
"What's wrong? What can we do?" Gary answered back.
"The Well of Souls is completely flooded. If we don't get the water drained out quickly the Mother Tree will most likely die."
"You want us fly in one of the large mining pumps? Are the Na'vi going to go for that?" Gary asked as he placed his hand over Zoe's, having sensed her distress.
"Some won't, but most will appreciate the fact that we are doing everything we can to save the tree. We didn't spend countless lives defeating Quaritch to save the tree, just to lose it to a fricking storm."
The anger and frustration Jake was feeling came through the comm link as though he were standing in the same room with them.
"It will take us a couple of hours to get everything together and fly to your location," Gary began. "It's just past 8 local time. We should be there no later than 10."
"Have someone bring me an avatar chronometer. I seem to have forgotten to bring one with me."
"Is there a place for Rocky to set the pump down near the Well of Souls?"
"There are a couple of decent places. Better bring about a couple hundred meters of hose along with the pump."
"Will we be able to reach you if anything comes up?"
"No. I'm headed back now unless there's anything else you need to know."
"Not that I can think of."
"One more thing. If Norm is up to it, I'd like him to come with Rocky—in whichever body he is more comfortable. We are going to need is knowledge of trees."
"I'll relay the message to him as soon as we clear."
"Okay, I'm off. We'll be waiting. Over and out."
"Over and out," Gary added as he activated the compound wide paging system. "Everyone report to the avatar lab. Jake needs our help. Zoe and I will be there in five minutes."
Gary repeated the message just in case someone missed it the first time.
"Can you access the inventory database from the lab console?" Gary asked as he got to his feet.
"Yes, that won't be a problem."
"Okay, let's get this mission on the move."
"Norm, wake up," Karen shouted as she jumped out of bed after Gary's page.
"What?" Norm mumbled, his voice slurred by the deep sleep he had fallen into.
"Wake up. Jake is in some sort of trouble. He needs our help."
"What are you talking about?" The mention of Jake's name had roused Norm from sleeping like the dead to semi-conscious.
"Gary just announced over the PA that Jake needed our help and everyone is to meet in the lab in five—make that four minutes. So get up and get dressed."
"Hell, I can't even find my clothes in four minutes."
"Then you'll just have to go naked."
"I'm hurrying," Norm said as Karen wiggled into her clothes and stood there looking at him.
"Just get you pants on. You can put the rest of your clothes on once we get there."
Having had pretty much the same idea himself, Norm grabbed shoes, socks and a shirt just before they dashed out of his room and headed for the bio lab.
"Did Gary say anything else? Did he say what kind of trouble Jake was in?"
As Norm's imagination was quite fertile, he could picture Jake in just about every conceivable disaster known to man or Na'vi. By the time they reached the lab he was berating himself for having left Jake alone. Which, of course, was stupid as Jake was more than capable of taking care of himself. Even so, Norm felt guilty about leaving his friend after Jake had done so much for him.
As several of the others had yet to arrive, Norm had time to dawn his shirt before he sat down to slip into his shoes and socks. Gary and Zoe arrived by the time he was fully dressed. Kyle and Judy were the last to arrive as was usually the case. As soon as they arrived Gary addressed the group.
"About five minutes ago Jake called in over the comm link. The Well of Souls is flooded."
Norm felt as though the floor had just dropped out from under him. He could not begin to fathom what the members of the Omatikaya must be feeling. The Well of Souls had been their one constant in a world that was shattering around them. To lose that too would destroy what was left of the clan. So deep was his anguish and sorrow that he almost missed what Gary was saying.
"He didn't say if it was directly due to the storm, a flash flood, or some other disaster. He wants us to fly one of the heavy duty pumps used in mining operations to the Well of Souls to drain the water before the Mother Tree is permanently damaged or destroyed."
"Will the other Na'vi allow that?" Buck asked.
"Jake said there might be some resistance, but he didn't think it would be a problem with most of the people."
"The number of clan members that are against everything we stand for are going to have a hard time drumming up support among the rest for us not to help in a crisis like this." Norm added as all eyes turned to him. "If you had a firsthand feel for the size of the well you'd realize that there isn't any way for the Omatikaya to drain the water themselves. There must be close to a million cubic feet of water in the basin."
"Those pumps are rated at 250 cubic feet per minute," Rocky declared. "At that rate it will take all most three days to drain a million cubic feet. If I remember correctly the fuel tanks on those pumps hold enough fuel for one day of continuous operation at full capacity."
"The weather according to the satellite looks to be mostly sunny for the next four or five days," Zoe added. "You shouldn't have any trouble making a fuel run once a day."
"The Na'vi don't have any experience with this kind of thing," Abby offered. "In fact they are likely to be intimidated by the whole thing. If this is going to work the avatars need to go with Rocky to install and work the pump."
"I was counting on that," Gary answered. "Norm, Jake would like you to go along. He needs your knowledge of Pandora botany. It's up to you whether your avatar is healed enough to go back into the field. If not Jake still wanted you to come in person."
"We'll link up and meet you at the hanger deck," Buck told Rocky. "It shouldn't take long to gather up what we need to take with us."
"All right, see you in ten," Rocky replied as he rose to leave the lab.
"Max, is my avatar healed enough to take it out?" Norm asked.
"Under normal circumstances I'd prefer you take it out into the training area for some rehab before returning to the wilds, but as long as you don't overdo yourself you should be good to go."
"I'll make you a sling just in case your arm tires," Judy added. "Your muscles are going to be weak."
"Karen, you should go with them," Max suggested. "Judy and Ron will look after the pods. Do you good to get some time in the field."
Knowing that Karen would not stop worrying until all the avatar drivers where back safe and sound, Max thought this would let her keep an eye on them and hopefully easy her mind. Besides she could observe the Na'vi up close and personal.
"Okay. I'll change into a field gear and meet Rocky on the hanger deck," Karen answered, a bit shaken by Max's suggestion. "Let him know I'm going along, will you?"
"Will do. Grab an extra exopack. It's always wise to have a spare in the field."
Karen started for the door and abruptly hurried back to soundly kiss Norm. "See ya," she stated and dashed out of the lab.
"Looks like Karen is really up for this trip," Abby commented, flashing a quick grin at Norm.
"It would seem so."
"Okay. Let's get you drivers linked up and ready to go," Ron suggested. "Time is short so we'd best not waste any."
Author's Note:
Enjoy.