43: Goodbye Silver-hair

Jake tried his best to keep her talking. He made a point to ask specifics, obvious questions; subterfuge so she would still consider him less intelligent. He'd never get a direct answer anyway, he was in no position too, so outright asking was the best way to hide the fact he was trying to get answers in a sneakier manner. Naturally she dodged or hand waved her answers, when she did answer, but when he got her railing about her motivation it made her passionate enough to drop her guard… or so he planned. "And you really think people and Na'vi can't live together? You've been here for years, you've seen the cooperation, the companionship, the team work that happens here."

"Yes Jake, after humans were made the minority. Imagine how great it will be once the humans are gone completely! Life will go back to the natural way of things, there will be no need for technology!"

"Aside from what you save yourself, being immortal and all." Jen glared, "Of course I figured it out, who wouldn't? You can make a new body anytime you want, copy your mind over, and you continue living… that's immortality… but… how long do you think your machines will last without maintenance? Spare parts? Fifty? One hundred years? And how about your mind… you know making a copy of anything degrades it, use to happen with our disks all the time. How many eons until you forget it all Jen? What's your best scientific guess?" Jen looked thoughtful now. "And your mind control machine, when that breaks, where will you get the parts? Or do you intend to shut it off as soon as the humans are dead?"

Jen huffed, "Of course I don't intend to leave it on Jake, that's foolishness, I wouldn't damn the entire planet." Good, that meant it could be shut off.

"No, at least not until you find a cure. Or did you forget? Yeah Paul is the strongest thing out there, but you want to cure him. What kind of life can you have until you do? And after you do, who will protect Pandora from the humans? You said the wildfire virus killed itself out, right? You can't keep making new ones, and what's worse, he can't be everywhere at once. Humans will land again Jen, and they WILL be able to make the same cure you do. Maybe not today, or even the near future, but that's a lot of tomorrows to wait Jen. A whole lot." Jen was chewing her lip now. "And do you really think the Na'vi will accept you, either of you? After what you've done? They'll get down here and destroy that machine while you're off napping, you can't protect it forever, even if you live that long. Is that what you want Jen? Trapped underground, guarding it day in and out? What kind of Eden is a metal box?"

Jen was standing rigid now, "Shut up Jake, you're just trying to goad me."

"I'm trying to make you see the truth." Jake countered. "You're living a fantasy, nothing has gone like you planned and you've had over ten years to do that- how long did it take for your plans to be ruined? Days?"

Jen snarled, "I wont' listen to you Jake, and the harder you make it for me to think the less I want to keep you alive!"

"But you know you can't get rid of me! Or they'll track it back here Jen, they'll find your machine and you, and destroy them both!"

Jen leveled on him, "You think you're so clever, threatening me from that slab, yet how did you find this place? Chance! Accident! I got complacent, lazy! I'll never make the same mistake again!" That was it. She confirmed the machine was here, with him. Otherwise she wouldn't have been worried about people finding this place.

"We found your stash in the grotto, and I found you in the wreckage, face it you can't counter Na'vi curiosity, not eternally. They will find you."

Jen slapped her hands down on the table. Jake stopped, starring at her hard, she held her head to the side and eyes squeezed shut- strict control. After a moment she let up and relaxed visibly. She turned from him, as if to turn from the truth he was, and stepped way. "The only reality in this room Jake, is I am here. You are there. Restrained, on that slab. What happens next is up to you; if you fight, you will die. If you cooperate, you will live. It's that's simple." Without word further, or waiting for reply, she continued out of the room. Jake watched her back leave through an automatic door, and rested his head.

…

Neytiri rode carefully, she did not wish to tire the Pa'li, nor draw undue attention to herself. There was urgency yes, but she knew better than anyone what rushing would accomplish- and what was near. She listened to the world as she rode, silent but for her breathing. It was if the world breathed with her, but beneath it, the hum of something sinister. She must have rode an hour, conscious of her surroundings and the blood pumping through her heart, matched by the pounding rhythm of Pa'li beneath her. When she finally arrived at the decimated base, breaking through the foliage at a walk, the sheer number of Nekxtskxe who lay wounded and moaning still stunned her. So many where simply unable to move and other appeared dead but for the slightest breathing. She could not bare to think of what may become of her friends and family if such devastation befell the whole of Pandora. Dismounting she trotted past the guard who eyed her but did not interfere; she wove through the bodies and into the compound- her goal was clear, but the chaos inside the laboratories made it difficult to pin people down. Everyone was moving, doing, trying to accomplish something. Finally she gripped the arm of a passing Avatar. "Where is Jakesully."

The avatar wiped away her annoyance instantly and smiled, "I haven't seen him, he's probably with his friend Yawne."

"They have found him?" Neytiri nearly started, "Is he alright?"

"I was just on my way there."

Neytiri quickly fell in line behind the woman; she did not know her face, nor her name- but in this buzz of people she couldn't be blamed for missing a few. Though something did strike her… familiarity? No, she did not know all the Avatars, nor their dreamers, but it was possible she had met this dreamer before and not her avatar so it was only natural she would not recognize her in her other body. Regardless, they shuffled down hallways lined with beds, people passing them at a run made it difficult to maneuver. There was an instant trust, comradely to get what needed done done; she did not question it beyond that. They made their way through several rooms, opened from end to end, with people working, sweating and sometimes cursing. Finally they reached a room with a Nekxtskxe guard who halted them, they eyed the Avatar suspiciously, but once they saw Neytiri- they spoke to the other side, and the door opened. Neytiri was shocked by Peyral's face. Her expression alone told the story. She needn't even see the body fully bandaged in the background. The Avatar moved forward to check on his wounds, Neytiri gripped Peyral's arm. She whispered to her, in english, hoping the guards would not understand.

"How is he?"

Peyral's face remained stone harder than stone, she couldn't even respond- so great was the fear that such stone may crack. Neytiri understood and covertly squeezed her hand. "Eywa will be kind." she intoned, meaning it. Yawne had a knack for survival, everything set against him he survived, like Jake. Yawne may come out of it disfigured or even crippled, but at least he would come out of it, that much she knew and believed. Peyral's eyes flinched in the slightest, but she remained strong. The noisome beep of the machines did a lot to hide her ragged breathing. Neytiri looked from her to the guards, the lone nurse. "I beg to speak to you." She said swiftly, pulling Peyral's hand. She had to get her away from the guard- as her best friend she couldn't let her hold the brave mask, not in front of her. Neytiri turned to the guards, "Watch well." They narrowed their eyes, but didn't comment. Neytiri pulled, and Peyral reluctantly followed. She pulled her down the hall, out of ear shot as best she could and began to make as if she wept. "Oh Peyral, I am so worried for my mate, I do not know what I shall do." And then she pulled Peyral forward, wrapping her arms around her. And Peyal began weeping.

Hushing her gently Neytiri let the more muscled woman bawl like a lost child, under the cover of the sound being her own tears. Now the Nekxtskxe would not think their mighty queen had shown any weakness, but for the Omaticaya queen to weep so was accepted. In this way Neytiri allowed her best friend to release all her pent up worry and fear, onto her shoulder. Keeping golden eyes ever open for any sign of those passing.

It was a long while before Peyral had finished and gotten a better hold of herself. She concentrated and breathed, and generally left her face alone so her features would not appear puffy- to hide any sign she had been crying. Neytiri on the other hand, looking at her, and they shared a strong moment of understanding and support. Peyral didn't even need to thank her. However, such things had taken too long already. Neytiri whispered again, "Do you know where Jake is?" having remembered he was not in the room with the guards or nurse.

Peyral shook her head, "I assumed he was with the scientists, perhaps Norm."

Neytiri nodded, "I shall try to find him, you must stand beside your mate. Be strong." Peyral bowed her head, nearly wiping her eyes- but she didn't, and lifted her head proudly. Together they walked back to the guard who did not bother to hide their interest. Peyral and Neytiri walked beyond them back into the room. "Did the woman leave? I had hoped she could take me to Norm." she asked idly. One of the machines was beeping.

"She left not long ago." A guard replied.

Neytiri narrowed her eyes, something was different from before- and having been around such machines for days while she lay with Jake, starring at the same patterns, the numbers, the odd symbols… she realized it meant something was wrong. The hair stood up on the back of her neck. "What is this?" she mouthed, and moved to Yawne's side. Danger, it was a sign of danger. Neytiri's eyes widened. Yet the machines didn't sound different. Only the single symbol let Neytiri know there was something dreadful wrong. "What has happened?" Neytiri turned to the guards her eyes widening, they didn't understand, they replied confused but Neytiri pushed it aside. "Where is that dream walker? A doctor, we need a doctor!"

Her alarm set them off, and Peyral was at his side with eyes the size of plates, frown set, hands gripping the bed. "Yawne, my love." she said, and repeated, but she could do nothing. One of the guards called down the hall, the second ran. Neytiri tried to make sense of the machines, tubes, wires, beeping- sky people nonsense that meant life or death, what should she touch? What could she touch? She went to Yawne's side and placed her fingers to his neck. She could not bother the sky people works, so she relied on her own. His heart was racing more than Pa'li at a full run. His body was literally screaming with effort though he lay completely still. "Eywa!" With a sudden commotion the Nektskxe who had ran before returned pulling three people with him. He was shouting orders in Na'vi, threatening, but two of them were only lab technicians- not medical staff, the third however, was. A nurse, barely a field operative, but, she knew the buttons.

"Good lord!"

"I didn't do anything!" one cried.

"What's happening?" the third shrieked.

Neytiri pointed insistently at the machine. "Hurry." She commanded.

The nurse looked confused and assaulted, but she knew enough to see the danger, and she pressed several buttons. "This must be a, malfunction, I don't understand… it isn't registering, this should have called the head of staff-"

"You must fix him!" The guard shouted in Na'vi. The nurse cowered.

"I don't understand, the dream walker said he was well!" the other whined. Neytiri's eyes nearly rolled as she heard their words, her head tilted, her world moved- that nurse, that avatar, she had done something. She had done something to Yawne. Neytiri's body moved on it's own, foot before foot, out the door frame- down the long corridor, heart hammering, that sinister breathing beneath it all following her like a wave of darkness- down the corridors, down, faster, she had to go this way, she had to have gone this way. People were a blur, some said her name, it didn't matter- down, faster, she had to catch her. Corners, twists, turns. This had to be her trail, her footsteps were right in front of her, that way of walking, that bobbing braid. Neytiri's hand reached out, a body whipped around, golden eyes- confused and on guard. On guard. That was it, that was the familiarity- it was a sky people way to hide their emotions, thoughts, and actions as if being watched constantly. It was so uniquely human, Navi always displayed their emotion like a rippling pond, clear on their faces, their ears, the way they held their tail. But humans lived to control themselves, yet couldn't hide that in Avatar form- but this avatar was utterly human. Trained. Each movement, ear twitch, tail swish, controlled, watched, guarded- the sheer humanity of hiding something by presenting nothing told Neytiri everything.

"Who are you."

"Shit."

The room exploded with a hiss of gas. She had dropped something, Neytiri began coughing, the girl was running. No! Neytiri gave chase, hitting the wall as her fingers began to tingle. No! Her toes split as she kicked the floor clumsily, her vision fell, her body hit heavily. No, no, no! The girl seemed to run through ice water, faster than Neytiri could ever catch. People were falling all around her, chaos, panic. Warriors of the Nekxtskxe flew by her, down the hall, in pursuit. No, please no! Numbness came. Faces. Walls. Norm, a light, Max, Norm again. A pinch, beeping, some kind of mask. "JAKE!" Neytiri threw herself upwards, pushing Max back and slamming him into the wall. Norm babbled words, Neytiri pushed against him weakly, the mask made it hard to speak.

"Neytiri calm down, you're going to be fine!" Norm was saying.

"Jake!" He was in danger, she knew it, that was why she could not find him.

She was why.

…

Jake's ear's perked as he heard a door slam, heavy breathing. Jen entered the room as if she had been running, she smelled of jungle, her lab coat was torn. Jake made no comment, asked nothing as she moved about the room hitting buttons. "Well Jake, time, to, get you-" she turned pushing on his bed, the surveillance gun lowered. "-out of here." She carted him over to the side of the room. Jake allowed his left fist to come upwards and connect soundly to her jaw, the neatly severed bonds on his wrist adding extra weight. The shock and suddenness of the attack left her reeling as Jake sprung upwards, his right fist connected with her cheek. She hurled into the opposite side of the room, Jake said nothing as she collided with the carts and shelves spilling tiny class vials everywhere. She looked up at Jake in stunned horror, disbelief muddied by pain. Jake, lashed his tail and reached for a medical tray- knowing in the next second she would lift the tranquilizer gun. As soon as he swallowed the sight of her with metal tray a metallic 'ping' resounded, followed by a cocking and another 'ping!' Jake dove to the side. She was already up and reloading- she could fire very quickly. Jake retreated further into the room, looking for the door she had used.

He didn't want to escape, but he had to block her own exit. Foot steps running in the opposite direction told him there was another way out, a way she was now trying to use. Jake abandoned safety for a darting look from his cover, room empty. Jake leaped forward, his breath hissing in and out with effort. Left, down this corridor, tray held at the ready- his only shield. The foot steps continued, she wasn't interested in tangling any further. Right, Jake abandoned stealth for speed and took it at a dead run. His bare feet hurt against the harsh grating, but he wouldn't loose her. Right, down this way, the signs and sounds sang to him. He saw the flash of a blue tail. Yes, yes, yes! Jake rounded on her as she was moving something away from the wall. Some kind of generator machine with a satellite head, "No, not now!" she wailed, throwing another dart at him. Jake ducked, rolling, he came up fast-hard, and knowing exactly what to do- pushed with all his force against the machine right into her. The hulk of equipment slammed into her, continued, and into the wall- throwing her against it like a wet sack. Jake saw her spit blood, but still managed to get her gun up again. Jake leapt to the side as a dart zipped past his eye, "You're running everything!" she hissed at him.

Jake slung his metal tray, connecting with her gun hand, she dove in the opposite direction, holding her stomach- the machine was hard to get around. Jake climbed it as she disappeared down another hallway, kicking it aside Jake continued after her- it had to be the machine she had mentioned, but she was more important- she had to be stopped. It was a race now, her curves moving like a gymnast mounting a riding horse, Jake's like an Olympic runner gunning for hurdles. At the last second, she leapt, Jake instinctively followed. Her body sailed through two connector tubes, like plumbing, Jake barely slipped through- feeling his abs scrape on plastic. His fingers touched her coat. Grip. She jerked back, Jake counter balanced, she slipped out while throwing it in his face. Blinded, he didn't guard for the heel to his groin- blinding pain, other hand whipped outward, the barest scant of hair in his fingers. Thunderous footsteps- Jake tore the coat from him, bit the pain into his lip instead, and got. His. Feet. Moving! She rounded on a hallway, Jake was seconds behind, he shouted to pour on speed and distract her- like a baying hound on the fox- and she, unexpectedly, stopped. Jake hit the brakes, chin into the back of her head, she bowed forward, and pushed upward, sending Jake sailing over her.

"Freaking Judo!" Jake gasped as he scrambled to his feet. She answered by gasping to catch her breath and turning around, Jake wiped his chin and stood back up. She was going back the way they came now, Jake had no trouble navigating, but catching up was one heckofa task, she was even more committed to escaping, perhaps now that she knew there was a way out. Looping under the pipes, Jake didn't even slow his stride, right through again, around the corner, she had a good lead. Room, another room, she was right there! Jake planned a jumping kick, she rolled, Jake steeled himself for another flip and jumped into it instead- too late to realize she had gone for his metal trail. Face to tray. Jake hit the ground, curses spilled like blood from his nose. She put all she had into that hit and while he was still conscious, it again gave her enough time- she was rushing over to the other side, Jake scrambled up, too slow! She was in the doorway- aaaand slammed into a solid brick wall of muscle, wrapped, in several, layers, of bandages.

Jake stared in disbelief, Yawne, like some kind of mummy from the ancient days- blocked the whole doorway. Looking down in grim distaste as Jen looked up, trying desperately to catch her breath. His hair was jet black, skin immaculately blue and only the faintest hint of scars rolled across his entire body. Jake couldn't grin any wider, Nekxtskxe poured in around him, including Peyral; they surrounded her. Jake laughed to himself and tried to catch his breath. "No! No! No! How!" she wailed, hammering her fist into the floor.

"You should know." Yawne growled as they moved in to take her. "You're the one who cured me."

…

Jake was hefted to his feet by a Nekxtskxe, and nearly knocked over again by Neytiri who flung her arms around his neck. "JAKE!" Jake welcomed the embrace and returned it strongly. Their moment was shattered however when Jen began cursing to herself.

Jake looked up, "Yawne, wait." Jake was still hit hard by the sight of him. Bloody bandages hung from his massive frame, emphasizing the rich dark blue of his skin and the stark black of his hair. It was still the same long wavy braids and still the same bulky arms and shoulders, but he had no scars on his face. Without the tell tale zig-zags, it was like looking at some kind of perfectly formed greek statue, but there was something more- Yawne's eyes themselves had changed. He used them now to glare at Jake expectantly, as if he was impatient at the world. Jen hung limply between the two guards who pushed her arms behind her back, and waited for the word from their leader. Jake squeezed Neytiri's arm as he moved to them. Yawne did not outright demand an explanation, but his face clearly thought it. "She cured you?"

Yawne never dropped his grim expression, "So I am told. Neytiri and she were allowed into my chambers and she –did something- after that my body began to alter itself. The doctors tried everything to help but in the end, I became as you see me now. But I wish to know, why."

Jake came around, "She infected you with the Wildfire virus?" Jen didn't answer the direct question aside from trying to catch her breath, Yawne curled his lip in a snarl. Jake held out his arm, "Jen, answer us; why?"

Yawne and Neytiri both reacted. Jen returned their awe with glares, Yawne made to move forward, pushing against Jake's arm. "She will not speak, we'll have to loosen her tongue."

Jake straightened his arm, feeling the hard skin of Yawne's chest push against his arm, like it was pulsing. "Hey, hey, calm down."

Yawne gripped his wrist, "She will not answer Jake, time is too short, she must answer, Jake."

Jake stepped between them, hands planted firmly on Yawne's chest, his back to Jen; "and I'm telling you Yawne, slow down." His tone was gentle, voice low but Yawne snapped his eyes up.

"Jake. Move." His voice was even lower, and tone deadly.

Jake couldn't believe his ears along with his eyes. "Calm. Down."

"Move." Yawne's chest tightened. "or be moved."

Jake stepped back, face falling to match Yawne. "Whatever you say. Kerusey."

Everyone froze.

Jake and Yawne stood starring at each other now, unmoving. Yawne looked annoyed, but Jake did not back down. Neytiri watched from behind the guards, her hand moved steadily to her knife, even as she eyed the Nekxtskxe; her uncertainty was clean on her face as well, but all attention was on the two figures. They spoke in low english so none of the Nekxtskxe could understand. "You're being stupid Jake."

"So I'm stupid?" Jake launched back.

"She has to talk Jake, who knows what this stuff inside us is doing right now, or where P'all is. We need that information."

"At what price. How far are you willing to go."

"As far as it takes Jake, to protect you and my people, you should know that."

"All I know is I'm standing between you, a girl, and violence."

Yawne scowled, "You're protecting her Jake? Really? The one who infected me, captured and probably infected you too? No, Jen, who we all trusted? Who we thought was dead? Who Paul thought was dead?"

Jake still didn't give ground. "Right now? I'm protecting a friend. From himself."

Yawne's eyes became blades. "Jake…"
"You've changed. Not just your appearance. I don't know what's happened to you, but every since you left those caves, you've not been yourself. I don't know what happened there, and I don't know why you've become what you have. But I don't like it, none of us like it. You're sick Yawne, but the disease isn't from a virus."

Yawne listened to Jake coldly, still, and starring; then, he bowed his head. His right hand came up and clapped Jake on the shoulder. Jake felt the edges of his mouth curl, maybe now they coul-

"Jake. Shut up."

Yawne's hand snapped to Jake's neck and began to squeeze, one guard dropped Jen and turned his short spear on Neytiri who pulled her knife, the other pulled Jen away, holding a blade to her throat. Yawne erupted at Jake, "YOU AREN'T ME, YOU'LL NEVER BE ME, AND YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE! YOU LIVE IN A PRIVILAGED HAZE OF DUTY AND HONOR- BUT NEYTIRI IS THE ONE REALLY PROETECTING YOU! YOU'VE NEVER HAD TO REALLY LEAD YOUR PEOPLE, NEVER HAD TO RISK THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN! TORUK MAKTO? YOU'VE ALWAYS COME OUT UNSCATHED; NOT A SCRATCH!" Jake buckled under the stronger man's overpowering grasp. "Eywa chose you, protects you, and loves you above all others- but she killed me, Jake. Don't think you know ANYTHING about me!"

Jake didn't even hold Yawne's wrists. "So that makes this right?"

Yawne shook like he was holding a jack hammer and Jake's face tightened with the strain, but he didn't fight back. Yawne used both hands, the guards waited in tense poise, Neytiri tried to keep her eye on all. Yawne bowed his head, great frame shaking, but his hands didn't squeeze- they locked together, holding Jake down, but not choking him. Behind the curtain of black hair, behind the twitching muscles… a soft hiss… and Yawne pressed his forehead into Jake. "Jake…" his voice trembled, almost too softly, "Jake, I don't know what I'm doing."

Jake brought his own hands up, gently taking Yawne's own, "I know buddy. I know."

Yawne helped Jake to stand, his face a solid mask, "Let her go." His voice nearly faltered, nearly. The guards watched in tense expectation, but complied without hesitation. Jen slumped to the floor. Neytiri moved up and took her aside. Yawne lifted his hand, drew it across and out. The Nekxtskxe looked to each other, but didn't comment as they both moved calmly to exit. Once outside, they closed the door behind them. Apparently accepting of this, 'new way' of leading. Once gone, Yawne slumped to the floor, crossing his legs… and bowed his head.

Jake frowned down upon him, as did Neytiri, but they said no more. Instead, they turned to her. "Jen." Jake said calmly, "Why did you cure Yawne?" Jen didn't return his gaze, she looked away forcefully, frowning determinedly. Neytiri yanked on her arm. Jen hissed in pain, but didn't answer nor look at them. Jake lifted his head and rolled his neck, "Alright, alright fine. Obviously, you did it for a reason. A reason you don't want to tell us. Why would you cure Yawne?" Neytiri looked up to them. Yawne remained bowed. Jake sucked in a breath and let it out. "Because you wanted to test something… and he was a perfect test subject… another experiment. But what were you testing… a cure?" Jen looked struck. Jake's eyes widened. "You found a cure? No… you've had a cure. But, you never used it. Couldn't. But you had to now, because of what I said- No, because Yawne was your one chance. He was deeply infected like me, like P'all, but you couldn't try the cure on me. You needed me for something else, but Yawne, if it worked on him- good, but if not, you didn't care if he died. Right?"

Jen squeezed her eyes shut.

"We can cure P'all?" Neytiri said quietly.

Jake smiled, "Yes. Apparently we can." Jake turned, "Yawne, get Norm and his team in here, we need to look over her work, and bring any tech people you know too." Yawne lifted his head. "There's a machine we have to deal with, it's reflecting all our negative thoughts back at us somehow. We have to destroy it." Jen began to silently weep.

"A mash'een?" Neytiri gaped, "Then it was truly Sky people who did this?"

Jake nodded, "Apparently they tried years ago, it's what Ryder had to prevent."

Yawne stood fluidly, bowed his head respectively, "I understand." then turned.

Jake caught him by the shoulder before he could leave, Yawne stopped and looked over his shoulder. Jake smiled, "Nobodies perfect." Yawne nodded and opened the door- just as Peyral was trying to open it from the other side. She jerked at Yawne's appearance. Eyes turning into spheres, but, she was also out of breath.

"My, my love?" she gasped.

Yawne wilted, "Pey-"

Peyral gripped him, shaking herself and silencing him "No, listen, he is here…" Jake furrowed his brow, Neytiri and even Jen looked up. "…P'all is here, outside the fences!"