I. Don't. Own. Avatar. How is this not clear by now?

Chapter 15: Forlorn Hope

Date: March 30th, 2170

Location: Camp Augustine, Pandora, Alpha Centauri A System

The last several days had been tense for the three lone humans. None of the avatars had been responding to their calls, and they had heard nothing from the new arrivals since the Germanic colonel had told them to call back later.

"How bad do you think the fight was?" Norm asked quietly, all of them once more all in Max's shack as they waited for the appointed time to call up the new humans.

"No idea." Max breathed, shaking his head "If it was really bad, they might have had us call back even later than a few days, so I don't think it was that pitched of a battle. But that's just from their point of view, who knows what's going on with the Omaticaya."

Katrina winced, no doubt remembering the casualties from both the attack on the home tree and the titanic battle that had followed days later, "I did some math after the last time," she said very quietly, "And for every human that went down, a dozen Na'vi died or were wounded. And the Na'vi won that fight."

It was Max's turn to wince, "The Na'vi didn't win that fight Katrina, Eywa did. Without her, the bombers would have made it, and everything would be different. But remember, Jake is Olo'eyktan now, and Miguel said he was training everyone over the years, that should help quite a bit."

"And if it was just a raid," Norm chimed in, trying to keep the mood up, "They wouldn't have stuck around to fight. Maybe set some stuff on fire, fire some arrows, run away."

"I hope so," was all Katrina said, and the three lapsed into silence once more.

The computer chimed, and all three glanced at it as Miguel's voice sounded, "Max? Norm? Katrina? You read me?"

Max leaned over and activated the microphone, "We hear you Miguel! What's going on?"

"Shit man, it's gone to shit. They, I mean we, raided the new human encampment two days ago. Jake had everyone pumped up, we had those molotov jars he figured out how to make, seemed like a good plan, then everything just went to shit. I mean seriously to shit man!"

"Miguel!" Max snapped, "Calm down man, be calm, and tell us what happened there!"

They heard an explosive sigh, and in a forced calm sort of tone, their Avatar friend continued, "They were already dug in Max, concrete bunkers, freaking trench-lines, the works. I was with the distraction team, we were supposed to lure them out into the jungle but they wouldn't leave their damn positions. We did manage to keep their intention enough for Neytiri to lead the ikran'makto in and start torching things, but they hacked half of her riders from the sky after they did it. She made it out all right, but two of the older kids disobeyed Jake and tried to follow them in. They.. they got shot to pieces man."

Everyone grimaced, "Was Tsu'tey one of them?"

"No, he hasn't bonded to an ikran yet. He did try to follow us on the ground Jake caught him and had Dana take him back. We lost a lot of people though Max, eighteen of the hunters are dead, and we've got better than two-dozen wounded over here."

Max slammed his fist down on the table, "Dammit, I told Jake this would happen. And it's not the damn RDA either."

A startled silence followed, "What? Who are they then? How do you know?"

Massaging his temples, he continued, "We tried to contact them during the battle, to try and set up negotiations of some form. We didn't know it was happening and they blew us off. Called back the next day and talked to some German guy who said that it's a UN expeditionary force, and to call back tonight after they finish repairs and burying their own dead."

Miguel swore, "That explains the discipline then, and the defenses." He swore again, "Max, don't let the others know you're trying to talk to them. Everyone is fighting mad over-here, and if they here you're talking with the enemy.."

"I know Miguel, I know. But from the sounds of it one battle was bad enough, the Omaticaya can't take more losses like that, we have to at least try and talk."

"Shiiiiit." they heard a sigh, "I can't bring that up to Jake or Neytiri man, neither one wants to back down. Maybe Mo'at will listen, I think she's getting sick of fighting and death, but I don't know. I'll try, but I can't make any promises over here. I'll try and call back in a few days, but no promises on that either."

The link went dead and Max leaned heavily back in his chair. Eighteen dead. More than twenty-four wounded. The clan only had about sixty hunters and warriors overall, one fight and a third of their strength is dead, and another third is unable to fight for who knows how long.

Katrina had clearly done the mental math as well, and she shook her head, looking grim, "Too many dead... another fight like that and it could destroy the Omaticaya, they just won't have the population to survive on their own. They'd have to merge with another tribe."

"Think there's any chance of Jake calming down and talking?" Norm asked quietly.

He sighed and thought it over, "Maybe. Maybe once he realizes that it's not the RDA, that maybe talking will be able to do something. He's going to be pissed about losing people, but hopefully he'll be realistic enough to realize that another fight is the last thing his clan needs right now."

"But what if he calls on Eywa again? And the other clans? If he calls as toruk'makto, they'll answer and we'll have another huge battle." Norm persisted.

Max winced, "And it will be one without the advantage of the vortex to protect them from tracking weapons, nothing to disrupt the human communications and motion-trackers. We have to keep it from getting to that point if we can. And if we can't..." he sighed, shook his head, "No. We'll plan for that later. We have a call to make now."

He carefully brought up the programs that would relay their signal from the transceiver at Hell's Gate, and then calmly waited for contact.

There was not a long wait, the gruff Germanic voice of the UN colonel came on in less than a minute. "Dr. Patel, please respond, this is Oberst Weigand of the United Nations Expeditionary Force."

Steeling himself, Max once again brought the microphone up. "This is Dr. Patel, we read you Oberst."

"Gut. I do apologize for our lack of manners before, particularly on Administrator Selfridge's behalf. As you can imagine, it was a difficult night for us."

"I understand," he assured him, "I take it the battle was relatively minor then?"

"Perhaps," came the caged and cool response, "We are very interested in why you are communicating with us at all, considering your previous actions against your own species."

He winced, "I was acting in the interests of saving as many lives as possible then, and we are doing the same now. We were hoping to sit down and negotiate with both you and the Omaticaya and to find a compromise that will result in less people, both human and Na'vi, being killed."

Another, familiar voice, came over the comms, "And what reassurance would we have that, even if we did reach a compromise, it would be honored by the Na'vi? We have been attacked by them twice now without us doing anything provocative towards the indigenous."

"I can assure you that the Na'vi takes oaths very, very seriously and that they would respect it." he attempted to assure them.

"I am all for negotiations Mr. Patel, I, like you, would like avoid bloodshed if it is at all possible. But Mr. Selfridge brings up a point. Perhaps if, just at first, you and I were to talk over possible compromises? Then we could approach the local tribe with ideas more likely to be mutually acceptable." The Oberst spoke in a reasonable tone.

"And what assurances would we have that you would not simply abduct us?" Norm shot in, leaning towards the mic.

"Touche. Perhaps a meeting at the old Hell's Gate complex, just myself and Dr. Patel? I could even arrive first, unarmed, and await your arrival alone."

Everyone glanced at each other. "Give us a moment." Max turned the mic off and turned to the others. "I'm going to do it," he raised a hand at their objections, "because we need to learn more about what is happening here. Selfridge is back, which means so is the RDA, but this UN guy seems to be running the show. And he has a point, we need some kind of acceptable compromise before we approach the Na'vi with it."

"Even assuming he doesn't just kidnap you Max," Norm protested, "If we go through with this it could destroy what little trust we still have with the tribe, they'll think we're conspiring against them."

He ran a hand through his hair, "I'm getting tired of saying this, but we don't have a choice Norm. The only other thing we can do is sit here and do nothing. And we need more information if we're going to know how to approach this."

Katrina sighed and stood as Norm chewed on his lip, "I'll go get the Samson ready."

Date: March 30th, 2170

Location: Hell's Gate, Pandora, Alpha Centauri A System

There was a single Samson visible in the distance, circling the area slowly. A uniformed man was leaning casually against the front of the armory block, obviously waiting for them.

Swallowing as Katrina brought them in, he stepped off lightly before heading towards the waiting colonel. He heard the Samson behind him lift off, his friend bringing it up to slowly start circling the base opposite her counterpart.

He looked over the German man, slowly. He had the same kind of fit tone that had so characterized Quaritch, but was obviously much younger. Salt and pepper hair was military short, and his dark blue eyes were piercing. He was wearing the standard gear of a professional soldier, body armor, back-pack, the works. Only the usual full-face helmet was missing, replaced instead by a standard exopack. The pistol holster on his right thigh was empty.

Max's was not. He did not want to have to use it, but much better to have it and not need it. And besides.. after that day, so long ago now, he had never not been armed while at Hell's Gate. "Colonel Weigand?"

The other man nodded, "Dr. Patel. It is good to meet you, surviving so many years here is quite and accomplishment."

He nodded slightly, "It has been difficult, but please do not change the subject of this meeting. We're here to talk about minimizing casualties on both sides, not how we survived here."

"Indeed, we can discuss the latter later no? We will have ample time."

Max frowned, "You intend to stay long term then? Is mining the only reason you're here? Did you not get the transmission we sent concerning what happened here?"

Weigand shrugged, "Jawohl. It had no bearing on our plans to return. And yes, we are here to mine, and for unobtanium alone. Were it not here, we would not have returned."

"But what happened here was an atrocity! What Quaritch and Selfridge did just for money, you can't expect me to believe you're here for the same reasons!" he protested.

"We are not here for money, we are here to save Terra and humanity." the Colonel tilted his head and looked at him with those piercing eyes, "And the Na'vi are not without their share of the blame for what happened, their intolerance is as much to blame as human greed."

He blinked, "Save humanity? Terra?"

A wave of the colonel's hand, "A motion was made to change the official name of the earth to Terra some years ago. And yes, save humanity. Our race has long been living on the knife's edge, Dr. Patel, surely one of your intelligence would see that. The battles of the Third World War and the resource wars that followed were horrible, but unobtanium is changing that. Anti-matter reactors give us the power needed to fuel the reclamation projects to save our world, and the ability to travel the stars. We have found other worlds, but to colonize them we need more of the precious metal found only here."

"And the tons of unobtanium shipped back aren't enough?"

"For half the world they are, which brings us to the crux of the matter. Half the world is living in a renaissance world, the other in poverty. The United Nations is doing what it can, but without more unobtanium, war will come, and this time we fear that it could be the final war." At this, the accent became thick, anger evident in his tone, "We cannot allow that to happen, not while still have strength to fight."

Max grimaced, sighed, and began to pace. "And the Na'vi?"

The Oberst spread his hands, "As long as they stay out of our way, we have no reason to harm them. But remember, this is our survival as a species that could be at stake here Herr doktor. We will show no mercy if they chose to do battle."

"And the damage to the nature on this world?" Max pressed.

"Again, we will do as little damage as is possible, and will reclaim the land once our projects are complete. You have my assurances, reclamation is a very popular theme amongst our people these days. Now," Weigand began to pace in turn, "I admit to knowing little of the Na'vi but something tells me that they will not accept this as a base for compromise, so what do you propose?"

"They will certainly not like it," he admitted, "but maybe.. maybe if you reclaimed this area? Fix the damage the RDA caused both here and at the mining site? It would make your argument that you intend to cause as little damage as possible more believable to them."

"Perhaps. We could start some minor work on that, to at least begin the process... hmm.. I will talk to Herr Selfridge and see if any of his miners could be put to work." the colonel glanced at the darkening sky. "I will speak to my staff, if you will in turn approach the Na'vi, but for now, at least, I believe we should adjourn."

Max nodded slowly, "I hope you really mean what you say Weigand, about wanting to cause as little damage as possible."

The other nodded, "I am here for my people Dr. Patel, I will do what must be done, but I do not believe in excess. I wish you luck on speaking with your native friends, and as a fellow human I hope you survive the days ahead. But I must admit, I do not believe that words will resolve our differences with the natives. They do not care for our presence, and are utterly intolerant about our ways. Please contact me after you have spoken with them."

With that, he turned and headed towards his own Samson, which banked into the area upon seeing them separate.

Sighing, Max signaled Katrina to come in and pick him up, and wished with all his heart he could have told the Oberst that he was wrong.

Up Next is Chapter 16: Creative Bastards

And there we go, the first negotiations between Max and Weigand. Weigand trying to stress why the humans are there, and Max hopelessly looking for a peaceful solution. Hope you all like it.

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