One
7 months later
Jake looked at the image on the viewer, his deep concern reflected in those large eyes.
"And when was this video taken?", he asked, turning to face Norm.
The tall scientists tapped on the screen, "Only about a day ago", he replied. "Jake, you do know what this means, right?", Norm gave him a worried look and sighed. "I mean, she sure as hell isn't coming back here to say hi and have a catch up with you". Jake pressed play on the video and watched the screen as several heavily armed SecOps members strode through one of the outposts that lay beyond Hells Gate.
The men were instantly recognisable, despite the exopacks that covered their faces. The five men where not what truly concerned Jake, it was who was with them. That small woman strode confidently past the camera, her feminine face exposed as it turned up and smiled coolly.
"Evelyn", he sighed, pressing pause on the video. He gazed at those cool green eyes, so filled with determination and, for the first time in almost a year, Jake felt a pang of fear.
This woman had taken on Na'vi warriors and almost defeated them. She had raised a Thanator, teaching it sign language and forming a fierce bond with that terrifying predator. It was not those facts that scared Jake. It was the fact that Evelyns husband was dead, killed in the heat of battle by Neytiri. He could only imagine what he would do if anything like that ever happened to the one he loved. He felt certain that he would seek revenge on those who took that life and Jake was sure that Evelyn would do the same. What other reason would she have for returning to Pandora?
Two
Evelyn stood on top of the out-post and motioned out towards Hells Gate, "We need a chopper and that, my friends, is where we will find one". She turned to face her team, "Now it's easily 5 clicks from here and the territory between us and Hells Gate is hairy. I will need you to more vigilant than normal people, especially given our current predicament". Her Lieutenant stepped forward, peering intently at her through his exopack mask, "Colonel Quaritch, we wanted to ask you something". Evelyn nodded and motioned for him to continue, although she already knew what he was going to ask.
"Colonel mam, why is, that after everything these savages have done, after taking your husbands life, you are going to help them?". He turned around to his comrades and each of them nodded. It had been something that Evelyn had asked herself before taking the mission. The Na'vi had tried to take her life twice, once almost successfully.
She sighed, running her hand through her thick hair, "For a start, I will not hold an entire race responsible for the actions of one or two. Not all the Na'vi hated us, you need to remember that". Evelyns green eyes grew firm and cool, "And I most certainly do not hold them responsible for the death of Miles. Only two are to blame for that and trust me", she narrowed her gaze and turned out towards Hells Gate, "When we are finished, they will pay with their lives".
Three
"You know why she's here Jake!", Neytiri exclaimed, as she paced nervously back and forth. "I killed her husband and she's come back here to seek her revenge". She leaned against the tree trunk, closing her eyes and hanging her head down, "Evelyn will bring death Jake. Death and sorrow".
Jake moved towards his beloved, taking her hand in his and tilting her face upwards, "Neytiri, for a start, I would never let anyone harm you. I would defend you with my very life". He gazed into her eyes and offered a reassuring smile, "And this place, it is our home, not theirs. They don't know this world as we do and that will be a huge advantage for us".
Neytiri seemed to regain some of that inner strength and pulled away from the tree, "So, do we find them Jake? Find them and launch an ambush?". Jake hesitated for a moment, a sudden pang of guilt sweeping over him. To date Evelyn had done nothing to any of the Na'vi, in fact it seemed as though she was heading nowhere near them. During her time on Pandora the only time Evelyn had attacked the Na'vi was in defence of her own life. She had never been the aggressor. Could he truly attack her? Take the life of someone who had never inflicted harm on him or his people?
It was as he looked at Neytiri that Jake made up his mind. While it was true that Evelyn had never started a fight, he felt certain that she was here to do just that. The death of her husband possibly sending her over the edge. "That's the plan", Jake sighed, brushing the hair from Neytiris face. "We strike when they least expect it and eliminate those who would do us harm".
Four
'How can they be here?', the Soldier thought wildly, his attention set firmly on the group of SecOps personnel making their way through the dense jungle. 'And her! What the hell is the Major doing here?'. He took several cautious steps backwards, hoping they would not detect his presence. The young soldier knew he needed to return to base camp and relay this intell to his commanding officer. He knew what the reaction would be and dreaded what was to come.
Five
It felt like they had been walking forever, that dense jungle making their journey towards Hells Gate far more difficult. Evelyn drove the men hard, pushing them through the jungle, yelling that they were not to give up or waiver. If they did, she would leave them for the wildlife. While her reputation as a hard leader was well known, so was the fact that she was fiercely protective. And unwaveringly loyal. In fact her loyalty to her late husband was well known and no-one had ever dared speak ill of him in front of her.
Now, the determination that she had become so famous for, was all that was driving her through the jungles of Pandora. In truth, Evelyn did not want to be here. She wanted to return to Earth, leaving this cruel world behind, along with the memories that it held. The very thought of coming to the Na'vis' aid almost sickened her, but that small speck of humanity kept winning out, telling her she could not let them be wiped out. She turned her attention back to her team and sighed, annoyed that they were once again wavering too far behind.
"Come on people!", she ordered, "Lag behind and you're dead!". Evelyn grabbed her small computer and brought up the image of the map onto its screen. "We've only got an hour to go before we reach base people. Don't give up on me now". 'Not when we're so damn close', she thought, peering intently through the jungle before them, 'You still have to get through those bloody gates Evelyn!'. Evelyn shoved the computer back into her pocket and hissed, irritated by the reminder. Getting to Hells Gate would be easy, it was the entering part that she was worried about.
"Colonel!", one of the man called out, making Evelyn snap her attention back towards them. Corporal Tunstin, the youngest of the group, ran towards her, his grey eyes filled with concern. He held up the monitor on his arm, pointing to a block of red light flickering on its screen, "Looks like we've got company heading our way".
Evelyn pulled his arm towards her and locked her eyes on the image, "Damn!", she groaned.
"Is it the Na'vi?", Tunstin frowned, his eyes darting around the jungle.
Evelyn shook her head, "No! Didn't you listen during the debriefing?", she tapped on the screen. "Red equals human, green equals Na'vi and blue equals", she paused shaking her head, "Blue equals, run for your damn life". Evelyn leaned closer towards the screen, a flicker of green catching her attention, "Looks like we have a native just a little ahead of our own". She pushed Tunstins arm down, turning her attention towards where the device indicated movement.
Something deep inside Evelyn stirred, filling her with a feeling of concern. She knew that everyone had been evacuated from the planet, leaving behind two groups. Those the Na'vi trusted and the group who had hidden away. The same group that Evelyn and her team were meant to hunt down. But her team weren't fully equipped yet and facing the rogue group now would mean certain death. "See those trees with the massive root system", she said firmly, pointing to several trees nearby. "Tuck yourselves in tight people! And, unless I order otherwise, keep your bloody selves hidden!".
For a moment the men seemed unsure how to react, but that familiar, icy look assured them that had not misheard her and the team split up. Evelyn waited until they were all hidden before turning to make her way to shelter. "Always gotta be something, right Miles?", she whispered, pulling her sword from its hilt. "This particular something just isn't what I damn well wanted right now", Evelyn placed her hand on the side of the massive tree, taking one last look at the jungle. "Let's hope these guys move fast, 'cause I don't fancy a night out here".
As she prepared to slide under the tree, a flicker of movement caught her eye and Evelyn instantly raised her sword. She moved away from the tree, her eyes narrowing as she tried to discern just what was making its way towards her through the thick foliage. It was as gun-fire broke through the air that Evelyn finally realised what was running towards her. And at that moment, she made a decision that would change everything.
Six
How long had he been running? In all honesty, the young Na'vi boy just wasn't sure. All he was really sure of was that the sky-people chasing him were relentless, clearly not willing to give up their pursuit of him. He was exhausted, scared and utterly lost. The sound of gun-fire behind him sent a wave of terror sweeping over him and the young boy turned his gaze upwards. 'Eywa, please help me', he thought wildly, 'Send me a guardian to protect me. I beg you'.
Seven
"We are closing in sir", the soldier hissed into his radio. "Do you want us to execute sir?". Only static replied and the soldier prepared to repeat his question. "Affirmative", came the cool reply. "Wipe the blue bastard out".
For a moment the radio fell silent and the young soldier went to move forward, more than prepared to follow his commanders orders. "Soldier", that icy voice broke over the radio again. "Just remember, I need Evelyn Quaritch alive. If anyone harms her, they will have me to answer to".