And a Cup of Water — Chapter XV

Taking hold of Asher's arm, Dr. Spellman leaned in to explain this rather abnormal procedure of his. "If I let you go," he said, easing his grip slightly. "Then the Na'vi are going to see that and assume you are no longer under the protection of Jake. By which point, they will turn you into a pincushion with their arrows. Got it?"

Asher swallowed hard, the vivid image of arrowheads flashing across his mind was not what he imagined happening to him tonight and he hoped it stayed a fantasy—for his sake. Unfortunately for them both, this meant that Asher was going to be led around by the scientist, like some kid lost in a park and later found by an exasperated parent who wanted nothing more than to end this charade of playing escort.

"Yup, got it," he replied, flashing a thumbs up to Dr. Spellman.

"Good," Norm said, smiling and resuming his hold on the driver's right arm. "Glad you see it my way."

Norm didn't entirely trust Asher from doing anything stupid, and how could he when the man showed up on their front doorstep unannounced? That was stupid enough. But rather it was the Na'vi that concerned Norm the most. More accurately, the Tipani faction, who themselves have demonstrated enough times that they kept a relatively cool but amicable distance with the Omatikaya unless it involved the Sky People, then most bets were off the table. And given the justifiable grievances that their People had suffered through in recent weeks, Norm completely understood why Amanti was angry at Jake Sully when he brought the avatar here and Jake had not included her in his decision.

A decision that may very well upend the remaining threads of the Omatikaya-Tipani relationship if Asher failed to play his cards right.

It was also simply unfortunate for everyone that Asher did come looking for them at all. To Norm, Asher represented a wrench being thrown by an angry pedestrian child, crying for attention and upsetting everyone around them. And as a result, that very wrench came hurling towards the strained tension that had been building over the past month by the RDA against the Tipani. Utterly decapitating any progress made by Norm, Max, and the rest of the scientists of the former Avatar Program. Whatever was left to pick up would now be futile as the Tipani had immediately grown reclusive against them because of Rayan Asher.

This left Norm with no other option than become the hapless fool in a twisted circumstance conjured by a dimwitted moron with no sense of understanding of the Na'vi. A dimwitted moron, he reminded himself, who had the power to either save the Na'vi or send them to ruin by sneezing in the wrong direction. Either way, he only hoped Asher was wise enough not to trip over too many tails before the night was over. Otherwise Norm was going to witness a sacrifice unlike anything he had ever seen before.

With those thoughts in mind, the scientist extended his arm to unseal the door.

Standing directly behind the scientist, Asher's expression flickered between a haunting blend of fear and forced but heavily practiced composure of calm. His anxiety radiated from every pore on his skin, knowing that here in a few minutes, he was going to be saying a lot of things that had to make sense, otherwise he knew he was going to die tonight. Such reckless nervousness demolished through his mind, trampling over his thoughts on what he should say, on how to say it, and more importantly, not to sound like a lobotomized victim while saying it. The trembling of his fingertips mirrored the turbulent storm brewing within, tricking his senses into believing he was drenched in perspiration. Yet, when he looked down, he found his shirt surprisingly dry, a bizarre contradiction to the overwhelming apprehension that consumed him.

Weird.

He tried to force himself to think about the positives of the meeting. For instance, there were no knives, blades, or any assortment of weapons to be used against him when it was his time to talk. At least, he prayed no one was going to pull a knife on him. But he reminded himself: as long as I keep cool, and relaxed, and professional, no one is going to harm me, especially not now with Norm by my side.

And if everything does in fact go well, Asher could be seeing a peace treaty sitting on his lap by tomorrow morning and hopefully, a one-way ticket back to Earth thereafter.

With the door opening and the light peeking into the dark interior of the gate, Norm looked back over to Asher, nodded, and then stepped out with his hand tugging on Asher's arm to follow.

He quickly swallowed back on the anxiety as Asher attempted to put on a weak smile for Norm before stepping out onto the grated platform with the scientist.

Before him stood all of High Camp. Though calling it a 'camp' was utterly disingenuous. From what Asher could discern, it was a veritable fortress, a fortified bastion pulsating with activity. Various Na'vi, and even humans, walked around as if this was simply a normal everyday thing to do. Not back at Bridgehead it wasn't. But here? Asher almost sincerely believed there was no war by the way humans were interacting with the Na'vi and vice versa.

Taking a mental note, Asher surveyed the scene again, his gaze shifting from one aspect of the camp to another, until he settled on the array of tents and human structures scattered across the cave. The prevalence of smoke rising from the tents indicated to him fire, and with fire came the alluring and tantalizing smell of cooked, roasted food.

Oh God the food! Even his own stomach rumbled in retaliation of the antagonizing aroma, craving flavors he knew nothing about but wanted to taste all the same. Sadly, he couldn't think of food at a time like this. He needed his wits about him and as Asher tried to think past them, hoping it would breeze by him, it remained, suffocating him with the bountiful flavors of meat, vegetables, and whatever else he dared to imagine. Licking his lips, he tried to take another step with Norm, only to be assaulted by the overpowering sensation to vomit.

Recoiling for the handrail to steady his balance, Asher practiced the breathing technique to keep the air flowing to his brain, preventing him from blacking out and disconnecting from the avatar. Norm meanwhile didn't seem to care or notice what was happening as the man pulled on Asher's arm, urging him to continue forward.

"Ho-hold on," Asher mumbled, trying to shake off the disorientation.

But the more he stood around, attempting to collect his thoughts, the more he was breathing in the fumes that made him lightheaded and woozy. A kind of weakening that made his knees wobble beneath his shorts and turned his feet into concrete slabs, preventing him from moving any further.

"C'mon before someone sees you," Norm whispered, clearly not believing Asher.

"Give me a minute!" Asher spat back, trying his best not to throw up from his words.

Norm simply rolled his eyes and yet he reluctantly complied, forcing himself to stay alongside Asher as he waited for the man to finish making love with the railings.

Now that Asher's mind was free from Norm's barking, he could fully grasp the reality of his empty stomach. The past twenty-four hours had left him without a single morsel of food to thrive on and it appeared the avatar was burning through calories faster than a human. Not even a lingering crumb nestled between his teeth could save him this hour. He needed something to eat and soon.

"Dr. Spellman sir," Asher called out, his voice depressed with desperation as he leaned over the railing.

"It's just Norm," came the sardonic reply.

"Okay Norm. Do you have anything I can eat real quick?"

"Eat?" Norm repeated with an almost baffled-blue look to accompany his voice. "Like… what?"

"Anything, I'm getting sick, and I think I haven't eaten in a while."

Norm begrudgingly sighed and checked each pocket before finding something from one of the bigger pockets of his shorts. Pulling it out, he realized it had been half-eaten. He didn't think Asher would care as he tossed it over to Asher. "Last one," Norm added.

"Thanks," Asher breathed and quickly tore open the rest of the wrapper, not caring for a second that it was half eaten before munching on it as though his life depended on it. It was granola with almond nuts. How did he get the one with almond nuts? Asher had been trying to look for one for ages.

After a few quick bites and mindless contemplation of where to get his next meal, Asher stood back up and nodded to Norm. "Okay," Asher said, wiping the crumbs from his mouth. "I'm ready."

"Damn, took you long enough."

"Yeah," Asher said, acknowledging Norm's assurance with a nod, and motioned with his head to continue moving forward. "Let's get going."

Together, they descended the stairs, the echo of their boots resonating with metallic reverberations in each step, filling the air with a percussive clang that gradually dissipated into the absorbent cave floor below. Progressing along an unseen trail known only to Norm, their footsteps was accompanied by the occasional crunch of rocks, pebbles, and resilient weeds stubbornly pushing through the crevices. While the surroundings held little novelty for Asher, a seasoned explorer of caves both on Earth and its moon, he couldn't help but glance around, contemplating the enigmatic existence of such places.

Amidst these ruminations, Asher's pointed ears perked up, attuned to the barely perceptible whispers that reverberated from the concealed recesses of the cavern. Shadows danced playfully, veiling the Na'vi figures from Asher's inquisitive gaze as he tried to steal glimpses of their presence. The outlines of their bodies materialized faintly, adorned with the ethereal glow of bioluminescence, while their eyes shimmered like distant stars, partially illuminated by the flickering flames nestled amidst the encampment. It was as if they held themselves in check, restrained by the instinctual desire for self-preservation in the face of the approaching demon.

As Asher and Norm advanced through the crowd, the Na'vi emerged from the depths of their tent-like structures, their tails undulating with curiosity, their murmurs infused with intrigue and skepticism surrounding this mysterious newcomer they now referred to as the dreamwalker.

By the time they passed through the crowd, Norm turned and led him to a different part of the cave, where Asher started to see the true intentions behind Jake's plan.

Neatly stacked on his left-hand side were caches of weapons, food, and equipment, each with a yellow label to suggest as much. The weapons, unlike everything else, were only covered by a tarp with the true potency of their purpose hinted at by the teasing glimpse of rifle stocks that Asher could see from the bottom. Whenever the breeze brushed against the blue tarp just right, it revealed an offering of several heavy-caliber rifles. Enough to blow a hole in someone's gut.

This got Asher thinking: Were these weapons solely employed by humans? Or did the Na'vi also wield them too?

He hoped for the Na'vi's sake, they didn't touch them. But he figured he'll bring that up with Jake at a more opportune time.

Quickly moving along the path of the cave, Asher's attention shifted upon the imposing Samsons that were situated in the far distance behind the shacks, their hulls adorned with vibrant yellow and blue stripes. And despite being well over twenty-years old and outdated, they were still packing with the menacing array of teeth in the form of loaded missiles nestled within their rocket bays.

Goodness. They are prepared, he thought. And just when he thought he saw it all, his gaze shifted to the center, where the unmistakable silhouette of several AMP's were outlined by a nearby torch light. They were not being used but he could see that they were parked into their AMP stations with GAU rifles hooked across each AMP.

A knot suddenly tightened in his stomach and this time it wasn't hunger, but that all-too familiar tension coiling around his thoughts as Danielle's words returned to haunt him.

This man was preparing for war.

They were starting to get close now when a formidable assembly of Na'vi warriors surrounded them. Each armed with their distinct weaponry that included bows, arrows, spears, and other hand-to-hand weapons. A clear testament to their loyalty in Jake's crusade against the RDA.

While such a sight would undoubtedly send most SEC-OPS fleeing for the hills, Asher found their presence unremarkable. Given that he had spent enormous time around heavily armed individuals before, the Na'vi were merely demonstrating their readiness to defend their sacred land.

Which was good. Any less and Asher would be gravely offended. For a frightened group of people would be more than willing to do anything, which made them susceptible to control. But a group of people willing to defend their cause made his job a lot easier to deal with, as those are the kind of people that gave UNE pause and consideration for. Otherwise, the UNE would give the go-ahead to the RDA to rain down upon them a godly firestorm unlike the universe has ever seen.

Regrettably, what truly did catch Asher off guard wasn't the Na'vi. It was the fact that he was seeing avatars casually walking around, brandishing rifles, pistols, and high-caliber weapons that could make a mercenary blush.

This was not what he wanted to see but needed to know.

Scientists turned soldiers. MOLLE-plate carrying-M69 wielding scientists. And they looked especially comfortable handling them as Asher and Norm walked by the canopy that housed the avatars. Some of them were cleaning their weapons, others, practicing tactical maneuvers as though they wanted to give Asher a show that they too were committed to the cause.

Fools. Damn fools.

No way did they learn this all on their own either. Jake had to be the one training them.

Damnit, Asher thought, he was converting a bunch of nerds to be fighters. It was impressive, but this could rightly give the RDA reason to go after everyone here.

Trailing behind Asher and Norm were Kiri and Miles 'Spider' Socorro. Kiri, standing taller than Miles, wore a brooding expression, and was visibly irked by the special treatment bestowed upon this self-proclaimed dreamwalker. Whose only purported contribution was nothing more than a flimsy 'peace treaty' that she nor Spider had seen yet.

Feeling his fingers growing numb, Asher subtly jerked his arm to remind the scientist to loosen his hold. Norm casually acknowledged the signal while offering a wave to the approaching Na'vi who eagerly rushed to catch a glimpse of the avatar.

"It's for your safety," Norm uttered, his words sounding almost rehearsed.

"Fine but I need this arm."

Norm chuckled, granting Asher some respite by slightly loosening his grip. "Be careful what you wish for."

In this precarious situation, where anything can go tits up, Norm, being the more experienced of the two, understood the measures necessary to ensure Asher's safety, even if the driver didn't particularly like them. He knew that any hostile action against Asher's avatar could not just spell, but shout disaster for all the Na'vi here. So, when Asher felt his blood circulating into his arm again, Norm tightened his grip.

"Just keep quiet," Norm reminded him, his voice a firm whisper. "We're almost there."

At the far end of the cave, a fire burned low, its feeble embers carried by the breeze of the night, brushing past the faces of Jake, Neytiri, and the woman who had once sought to kill Asher. Seeing that woman again made Asher groan inwardly as Norm pushed him ahead.

"Do you know how to conduct the Na'vi greeting?" Norm whispered.

"I do."

"Good, don't do it here. The Tipani leader does not see you as one of them."

"Got it," replied Asher.

By the time they arrived, Norm exchanged a knowing glance with Asher, silently urging him to remain still as he let Asher go and took a confident step forward towards the gathering of Na'vi. The scientist then seamlessly engaged in the customary greeting with each individual. After greeting everyone, he discreetly returned to Asher's side, maintaining his supportive hold on the driver.

Jake, catching sight of Rayan Asher standing alongside Norm, started to move around those seated by the campfire. He briefly stopped behind Neytiri, his hand squeezing on her shoulder to let her know that everything was under control before moving to approach the dreamwalker.

Neytiri, having felt her mate's strength, remained seated, her face partially hidden, as if attempting to shield herself from the presence of the demon standing before her. Yet, despite her best efforts, Asher caught a sideways glance of her eyes, perhaps hinting that his survival with her blade had not gone unnoticed.

"Rayan Asher," Jake said, his voice confident, but completely laced with a sarcastic undertone. "The man of the hour. Our UNE savior."

Neytiri translated for Amanti. In response, Amanti made a noise with her mouth when Neytiri touched on 'savior'. It sounded… bad.

As Asher surveyed his surroundings, he couldn't help but catch the glimmering primeval gazes of the Na'vi, their attention focused solely on him—the demon. Drifting his attention back to Jake, Asher couldn't help but voice this observation. "I don't think they're too pleased to see me, sir."

Jake shook his head as he approached the man. "And? What did you expect? A celebration? A welcoming party? Hooray everyone! This man is going to save all of us!" Jake then paused, his expression solidifying within his own frightful annoyance. "Rayan. They believe you're here to kill them. And I am heavily biased to believe them too, so you better come with the goods, or else I'm going to let them tear your avatar limb from limb."

With a sudden, decisive motion that caught Asher off guard, Jake firmly grasped his arm and led him toward the campfire. Each step felt burdened, as if weights had been attached to his once ordinary khaki boots. Asher strained to summon the resilience he had learned through SERE training, but the techniques seemed futile in the face of his mounting anxiety. Beads of sweat trickled beside his temple, his human-like eyes darting nervously between the two Na'vi women who harbored a deadly intent. His tail, a distinctive marker of his non-human nature, flicked with involuntary agitation, while his ears betrayed his unease with sporadic twitches.

Amidst the flickering glow of the fire, Asher's gaze was drawn to the enigmatic figure of the Tipani clan leader, her face exuding a stoic expression that seemed impenetrable. Her thoughts and opinions, though recognizable, remained veiled behind a mask of inscrutability that defied unraveling.

This was far worse than being stuck among Heinleinite's who wanted nothing more than to blow his brains out, all because they didn't understand his version of English. At least those guys could still be reasoned with since they were humans.

Here? No such thing. The only human was Jake and the scientists. The rest were occupied by Na'vi. Tired. Exhausted, and running on adrenaline Na'vi. They had the power to kill this avatar and the only thing stopping them from killing him right now was the vague promise of protection in this treaty.

Shuffled beside Neytiri, Asher found himself standing next to one of Jake's sons, their faces instinctively twisting in disgust when they caught a whiff of the foreign scent emanating from the dreamwalker.

"Sit," Jake commanded, exerting pressure on Asher's shoulders with his hands until the man reluctantly sank to his knees.

As Asher bore witness to Jake's actions, he couldn't help but notice how convincingly Jake had embraced the persona of a Na'vi warlord. It was as if he had become one with their culture, fully immersing himself in their ways and becoming, as Danielle feared, a cult leader. The thought lingered a little longer in Asher's mind, wondering if this transformation was merely a facade or a genuine integration into the heart of the Na'vi.

Kiri and Spider, who followed Asher and Norm, each took a seat to the north-end of the fire where the mother Na'vi hissed at Spider, demanding his departure.

"Yeah-yeah, sorry Kiri," Spider mumbled, feeling the force of Neytiri's hiss against his face. "I'll be over here if you need me."

Kiri nodded to him but quickly shared a look of disgust with Neytiri, who didn't see her daughter's expression as every eye fell back over to Asher.

Switching to the Na'vi language, Jake turned his gaze towards Amanti and proceeded to introduce her to Asher. "Olo'eykte Amanti, this is Rayan Asher."

The human name echoed through the air, remaining untranslatable in Na'vi, and causing a collective twitching of ears within the circle. The unfamiliar and unpronounceable name only deepened the prevailing disdain they held for the dreamwalker. Tsmupxa was one of them. Being Amanti's eldest son, he couldn't contain his contempt any longer and expressed it by spitting into the crackling fire as he kept his gaze locked on Asher, showing the vrrtep that he didn't belong here. Amanti quickly intervened by gently tapping on her son's knee, sharing with him her disapproval of such actions, but the look of disgust remained on her boy's face.

Okay, Rayan. They're just people. Danielle said they're people. Scared people—that's all. C'mon, get it together. Asher attempted to tell himself.

Seated next to Amanti and their mother was her youngest son and only daughter, both of whom maintained a respectful silence in the presence of Olo'eyktan Tsyeyk Suli.

Amanti's young son, Srìlo, caught Asher's attention as the driver's gaze briefly swept over her children. The teen's wary eyes met Asher's, his ears low in a gesture of caution, as if afraid of his mother's disapproval for studying the dreamwalker. But Asher, maintaining the role of an objective diplomat in need of demonstrating friendliness, offered the teen a subtle smile before redirecting his focus to Jake.

A smile? Demons can smile? Srìlo pondered. He almost wanted to ask it questions, such as where it comes from, why it was doing here, and if possible, could they be friendly? Yet his tongue was trapped between his mouth, withholden by the fear of his mother's retaliatory belief that he has no reason to interact with demons.

She might be right, but the teen was far too captivated by the dreamwalker to let these questions go unanswered. Such a measure to indulge in his inquisitive nature was a burden that was only slightly shared by Kxeyìn, his oldest sister.

Seated behind her young brother, Kxeyìn peered out from the depths of his shadow. With barely a single golden eye visible, glimmering against the backdrop of the glowing fire, she scanned the faces encircling the flickering flames, starting from her left. Her scrutiny briefly settled upon Kiri, the girl who was far younger than herself, hung onto her father's every word with unwavering attention. Finding no further intrigue there, Kxeyìn fled her focus to Neytiri, a woman who commanded her utmost respect for helping the Tipani. She, however, was far lost in her own ruminations than Kxeyìn might have initially believed. She stared openly at the dancing flames; her thoughts veiled from the prying eyes of the onlookers.

Continuing, Kxeyìn skipped over the demon as she landed on Neteyam, a boy who was very much captivated by his own thinking and lost in the very translation of his dreams. She never knew where he might be, but she believed, in earnest like his own mother, that he was trying to make the best of a terrible circumstance. Leaning next to Neteyam was Lo'ak, a teenager with a considerably short temper. He was always nice to her, but Kxeyìn felt he was too immature for her taste.

Lastly was Tarsem, a man who had arrived shortly after the demon had settled down by the fire. Despite his outwardly composed demeanor, a subtle wry grin adorned his face, disguising the sinister intent that lay beneath it. Like a death march of daggers, his gaze fixated on the demon standing before him, harboring the same undeniable desire as her own to kill the demon.

And then there was Olo'eyktan Tsyeyk Suli. She didn't know much of the man, but she knew well enough to keep her distance out of respect for her mother.

Once she was done, Kxeyìn shifted her focus back to the flames, but not without stealing a quick, reluctant glance at the demon. It was a momentary weakness, an instinctual curiosity that she immediately chastised herself for. Disgust crept over her as she retreated further behind her brother, feeling a sense of shame that she could even entertain the thought of looking at the demon in the same way she looked at her own People.

After the brief introduction made by Jake, Amanti, rising to her full height, defied the conventional expectations of sexual dimorphism among the Na'vi. The books had failed to capture this fact, a detail that Asher himself had overlooked when she approached him on the platform back in the science shack that morning. While the males typically towered over their female counterparts, Amanti stood tall and commanding, revealing the unpredictable nature of genetics shared between humans and Na'vi. However, compared to Jake, she stood slightly shorter.

And despite this oddity, Asher's fascination for her went beyond the mere observation of her height. He quickly found himself studying the intricate braiding pattern of her hair. A detail easily missed when he had the tip of a spear tickling his throat.

Such complexity was of Amanti's hair that it utterly baffled Asher's mind; its intricacies a puzzle he couldn't fully grasp. And yet, there was a simplicity to it that defied explanation. It began with the colorful, delicate beads, foreign to the Omatikaya forest, that Asher started to look at. Seashell-like shells tapered at the end of each braid, producing a subtle clatter with every movement of her head as she approached him. But there was more to her than just her hair. Her face exuded strength, and femininity, completely arresting Asher's attention and knowingly drawing him into a dangerous realm of intrigue. After a while, he wised up and averted his gaze elsewhere, searching for a different focal point of interest to keep him safe. He found the fire in the middle to be a refuge to seek, but it didn't last long when Amanti stopped before him.

Damn, I need to look at her before she knew something was up!

Reluctantly drawn back to her gaze, it was a dare to an audacious flight towards the sun, much like Icarus before his tragic demise. Was Asher destined with a similar fate? Possibly. He was about to find out, and as he did, there was no more denying it. She was a fascinating creature to look at. But more so, Amanti embodied a woman of formidable and commanding presence, the kind Asher had only glimpsed from afar, never fortunate enough to experience up close. She was a diplomat's paradox, both a nightmare and a cherished dream. Interacting with someone of such profound importance was a stark contrast to dealing with rebel instigators, gangsters, and the corrupt politicians whose words held little weight and their appearances ragged and underdressed.

No other figure in the camp commanded as much respect as this frightfully cryptic woman. An intense curiosity surged within him when he locked eyes with her, urging him to uncover her identity, to understand who she truly was. But a voice of caution echoed in the depths of his mind, warning him to regain control before he spiraled into an abyss of fascination that he will soon regret.

He needed to gather his composure, to anchor himself in the present moment before he allowed his thoughts to consume him and make a fool out of him.

She's Na'vi, he told himself. Not some object of adoration. Not someone you need to talk to. She will kill you if you give her that chance.

More embarrassingly, he didn't find her remotely attractive. Though objectively, she was 'attractive' in the sense that she didn't look ugly. But he was attracted to her power. Something about her was just…

Stop it!

With a firm grasp on the revered Tipani staff, embellished with ornate carvings chronicling the storied history of her People and adorned with precious trinkets of profound significance, Amanti raised it aloft. Uttering a whispered incantation, too faint for any mortal ear to discern, she brought the staff crashing down upon the cavernous floor. The impact echoed through the chamber, its reverberations mingling with the collective hush that had befallen the assembly. All eyes turned toward her; drawn by the potent presence she commanded in that solemn moment.

"I am Olo'eykte Amanti." She said, her native words unable to be understood by Asher. Jake, standing at the south end of the fire, glanced over to Asher, and translated: "I am clan leader Amanti."

"I am Tipani," she said, gesturing to herself. "My children are Tipani," she motioned to them flanking on either side of her. "And my People are Tipani. And through our unwavering spirit, there will be no fear except for the fear we give our enemies. And through our unwavering strength, there will be no death except for the death we give our enemies."

Suddenly, the air erupted with a resounding warrior's cry, unleashed by the Tipani themselves. The fierce proclamation echoed throughout the cave, sending a ripple of surprise and awe among onlookers. Even Neytiri, usually composed and in control, found herself taken aback by the intensity of their collective voice.

Jake smiled, knowing he made the right decision to help the Tipani. These were the warriors the Omatikaya needed.

However, for Asher, a wave of anxiety crashed upon him, constricting his throat and making it difficult to swallow. The full weight of the situation settled upon his shoulders, as he came to the slow realization that he had unwittingly stepped into one of the most challenging scenarios a diplomat could face.

Focus, Rayan. Focus!

Next to him, Jake's voice reverberated, bringing Asher back to reality as the translated words became apparent to him. So then, they are a warrior clan, Asher thought. Just what Jake needed. More soldiers. This was not going to look good on the report.

"You," she said, her finger pointing to Asher. "Are unwelcomed here. For your existence is a curse upon our lands and before our eyes."

The translation continued as Asher looked on, sensing most of what she was saying before the last of the translated word could penetrate his mind.

"You dishonor our bodies, our image by being here. And if it were not for Olo'eyktan Tsyeyk Suli. You would be dead! But…" she took a moment to catch her breath, her head bowing in Asher's direction as he saw the low glow of her eyes lit up against the fire. "I respect Olo'eyktan Tsyeyk Suli to not harm you, vrrtep. This means we will only listen to your words as given by Olo'eyktan Tsyeyk Suli. For he gives life to your words. All other matters that come from you, do not exist." She stabbed the ground with the staff again, indicating she was finished and handed this conversation over to Jake.

Asher shared a quick, but meager smile before nodding to her. Completely forgoing the need to repeat Danielle's phrase to them. It just seemed not like the right time to do it.

"So," Jake said, settling down on the ground. "Care to share with us about what you're doing here? I'll have Neytiri translate on your behalf."

Neytiri gave a hesitant nod to Jake. Unsure if she really wants to.

At the same time, Asher's tail flopped on the ground as he tried to pick up his shattered thoughts and re-engineered them to say something coherent.

"S-sure. Uhm. Yeah. Hi." Asher choked out, waving to everyone. That only seemed to piss them off further.

Clearing his throat, he glanced back to Jake, figuring that this would narrow down his chances of being killed if he only looked at the man he came looking for.

Neytiri meanwhile looked across to Amanti and pointed to her own head as she said, "skxawng." Amanti seemed to agree.

"Yeah okay, uh," his eyes searched nervously over Jake's lap—why the hell was he looking at Jake's lap? "All right," Asher said, finally finding the courage to look up to Jake. "Well, Jake. I am a diplomat, representing the UNE, as you know."

Jake nodded, his fingers twirling in the air, signaling to Asher to skip past the familiar details. "Yeah-yeah. Let's get to the part where the RDA wants to attack this place if I don't do what? Accept your peace treaty?"

"That's true, yes." Asher's face flushed with unease as an unexpected revelation sprung to mind. He felt the urge to shield his face, as if that could hide the truth from Jake. However, it seemed only fair that Jake should know, especially now that the young Na'vi girl and the human boy were aware of it.

"But it's not that easy." Asher added.

Jake smirked. "It never is."

"The UNE will not accept any kind of treaty if, fourteen years ago, you uh-um."

Jake subtly tilted his head. "Uh what? Spit it out."

"Hell-man. I would sooner be back in Malaysia than have to say this."

"It will help a lot if you can just say it instead of pussyfooting around."

Asher brought his attention back to Jake, his neck straightening as he said, "if you attacked Hell's Gate without provocation."

Jake leaned back, his gaze still as he uttered, "Huh."

Kiri jumped in. "Dad," she said in Na'vi. "He's going to tell the Sky People that our People attacked them for no reason!"

Neytiri looked at both of them, as did Amanti.

"What does she mean by that, Neytiri?" Asked of Amanti.

"I do not know, Olo'eykte Amanti."

Jake nodded to Kiri then glanced back to Asher. "Okay," Jake mused. "So you're here to see if I really attacked the RDA because I fell in love with Neytiri? Is that it?"

Neytiri leaned forward, her eyes fixed on her mate when her name was mentioned.

Asher felt momentarily taken aback, his mind racing to rectify the situation. "Yeah, but...wait," he stammered.

"Nah. There's no waiting," Jake declared, shaking his head at this nonsense as he prepared to get up and leave. He almost couldn't believe he risked everything for someone who believed in a bunch of bullshit like that.

"Wait!" Asher's voice rose, desperation creeping into his tone as he sensed the tension rising among the others, their hands tightening around bows and spears. "Wait a damn moment, Jake, sir. I don't believe it. None of it."

Jake quirked an eyebrow back at him. "And what makes you think I care?"

"Nothing sir," Asher replied, his voice firm. "But my job is to find out what really happened here. The RDA can spew their crap all day long. But right now. There is no one on your side, including Earth."

"We don't need Earth." Jake smugly stated.

Frustration burned in Asher's chest, fueling his determination. "Fine," he said, his voice tinged with defiance. "But you need to understand something—"

Before Asher could finish his sentence, Jake interrupted with a menacing tone. "There's no need to understand anything, bloodhound." Jake sneered, closing the distance between them. "Listen to me good because this is the only truth you will hear about the RDA—your friends. They will always come for our People. It doesn't matter what you do or say or cry about. They will come for us, and they will keep coming for us until there is no one left. Got me, bloodhound?"

Asher's tail thrashed behind him, betraying his mounting frustration. "Sir, I need you to understand that if you don't hear me out then Ardmore is going to come here and wipe this place off the face of the moon!"

"So?"

Asher was left flabbergasted. "So?" He repeated, trying to rationalize what he just heard. "So you don't care that you might be endangering the Na'vi here?"

Danielle is starting to sound right about Jake.

A chuckle escaped Jake's lips. "I already endanger them enough by letting you live. Maybe it's time I rectify that decision."

Norm knew it. Asher made the fatal mistake.

In that instant, Asher rose defiantly, provoking Neytiri to stand alongside him, her blade unsheathed with purpose. Amanti, an observant spectator, decided to remain quiet, choosing to leave this matter entirely in the hands of Neytiri and the Olo'eyktan to deal with. She also secretly hoped to witness the Omatikaya tear apart the demon, bringing about a twisted delight within her.

"You're not going to do shit!" Asher shouted at Jake; his finger boastfully positioned in such a way that Jake could slice them off if he wanted to. But he was curious how far this driver was going to take it before he realized he went too far.

"Oh? And what makes you think I won't?" Jake asked, his grin getting the better of him.

"You don't get it, do you? Killing me won't solve anything. It will only prove to me, to Ardmore, to everyone on Earth – that you're nothing but a power-hungry killer, consumed by your twisted infatuation with an alien. And what's worse? You're too damn blind to realize it! Why? Because you think you are better than me. Because I don't know the Na'vi—I don't know Pandora like you do. And that's fine because I really don't. I admit it—I don't. But you know what I have that you don't? Humility. With enough sense to understand that what you're doing here is about to get your people killed! That's what you don't have or seem to get. I can't believe it but maybe you are truly lost in this fantasy, this-this delusion! You lost it the moment you came to this moon and refused to wake up from this dream you've built for yourself."

Asher's arms flailed in the air, his frustration reaching its boiling point as he desperately tried to make Jake see reason. Within the same time, Jake's sons rose to their feet, their hands clutching tightly onto the hilt of their blades, unsure if this confrontation was about to take a dangerous turn. Tarsem also took this opportunity to side with Neteyam and Lo'ak, curious to see where this was going to go. Perhaps Tsyeyk Suli finally got it through his head that these demons were only here to hurt the People, not help them.

"I mean really think about it, Jake. You picked a fight with the RDA. And not just the RDA. But all of Earth! What exactly did you think was going to happen? You think the RDA was going to raise their hands and say, 'I surrender'? No! These bastards took their sweet time amassing enough resources to come back here and firmly put their boot on the Na'vi's throat, because they managed convinced all of Earth that you betrayed them—humanity—for a woman! Look at her, Jake. she's not even human!"

Asher's finger flung towards the very woman as Neytiri, her voice laden with fury, protested in Na'vi, "Jeyk! This demon has no authority to speak to you in such a manner! Let me kill it!"

Jake's hand rose in a calming gesture, silently urging Neytiri to restrain herself, as he stood there, absorbing every syllable that escaped Asher's mouth.

"You want to kill this avatar? Go ahead. Do it," Asher cried out. "I'm done playing chicken with you and the Na'vi. I came here because I wanted to see with my own eyes what their story was like since no one else gave a shit like I do. But you know something, maybe the RDA is right. Maybe they should get it over with and just nuke this place. All because you refused to hear what I have to say. Is that real enough for you jarhead, or do I have to spell it out for you in crayon?"

The words spilled out of Asher's mouth like venom, seeping into the air and infecting the atmosphere with a toxic mix of frustration and anger. The silence that followed was suffocating, each breath held hostage by the weight of his revelation. Only the labored breaths of Asher, like a wounded animal gasping for air, dared to disrupt the heavy stillness.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the stifling silence was quietly awakened by the sound of Jake's measured footsteps as he circled around Asher. The weight of their gaze meeting with heavy, unspoken threats and simmering animosity.

"Yeah… yeah you're right," Jake said, nodding in affirmation to Asher's words. "Maybe I did lose a bit of my humility by being out here. Maybe I should've kept my mouth shut and did I was told. Maybe I should've listened to the Colonel and let the Omatikaya die. But you know what?"

Asher, standing there, finally flapped his arms as if to suggest 'okay, what?.'

"I didn't lose my humanity. Because that woman you just accused of not being human," Jake said, gesturing to Neytiri. "Well… she showed me what it means to be human. And I get it. I really do. Because you think that I chose to fight for the Na'vi, that I ended up losing myself out here, that I 'went native' as they say. Truth is. I haven't. I simply found myself again—here. You probably don't know or maybe you do, but before all this, I was just another grunt doing wet work for a nation who was bought out by faceless corporations. I thought I was doing the right thing back on Earth. Helping people. Serving my country. Protecting it. Y'know, the typical life of a Marine. But it was a lie. I was taking lives in service to a nation who wanted nothing more than blood to flow so they can keep selling arms to everyone and keep the forever war going. And what did I get in return? I was left paralyzed. I was left destitute with no future. I didn't even have enough money from my pension to fix my back. But you know what I didn't lose?"

Neytiri's expression softened as she listened to her mate's words, a hint of sadness in her eyes. It had been a while since Jake had opened up about his past, and revisiting those memories reminded her of the broken soul he once was when she first came to him.

"Me. Cheesy, I know. But I was looking for the truth at the bottom of a bottle. Struggling to find a reason to keep living, to find something worth protecting. And I did. Here. These people, my people, my family. They are worth fighting for. Worth… living for. And I'll do everything in my power to keep it that way. With or without your treaty."

Asher at first didn't know what to say. He tried thinking of something profound but when he went to open his mouth, nothing come out other than an 'uh'.

"Yes bloodhound," Jake said, softly smiling. "That means I'll listen to what you have to say about the treaty. But understand something loud n' clear. There is no amount of promises that I will commit in your treaty. The RDA had on more occasions than not, tried to kill me and my family. So forgive me if I think your treaty will not amount to anything. But…"

Jake took a look around to the other Na'vi, knowing that if there is a slim chance, a faint hope of securing their future. He was going to take it.

"…I'll give it a try."

Asher's gaze dropped to the ground, a turbulent mix of frustration and self-reflection clouding his thoughts. He had read everything there was to know about Jake, and from Danielle's own words, there was a pre-emptive cognitive focus to paint Jake as the bad guy. But in doing so, Asher had overlooked a fundamental rule of diplomacy: Don't believe anything until you see it for yourself. That was why he came here, to see what the Na'vi were like through Jake's perspective. But he had failed to empathize with Jake's position, instead viewing him as the enemy and the Na'vi as hostages.

Sensing how wrong that was almost made Asher want to retreat into his human body. But he couldn't do so. Not when he was so close. He didn't have time to complain. Swallowing his pride, Asher nodded. "Okay," he said. "Okay, Jake. The details of this treaty is in my backpack. It's in a tablet and Norm or whoever, can go and get them for me."

Jake nodded to Norm, silently conveying the instruction to retrieve the tablet.

"But just so we understand each other, Jake," Asher said, his hands clenched tightly in his pockets as if seeking solace from the scrutinizing eyes of the Na'vi around him within their confines. "There is no treaty until I have all the information about what happened here. You, the Na'vi. Everything. The UNE needs this information in order to agree with my assessment in approving the treaty. If they don't. Then they will not abide by it, regardless if you signed it. Okay?"

Jake gave some thought to it before nodding to his demands. "So you want everything?"

"That's correct, sir."

Jake cocked his head a little. "Alright." He turned to Amanti and said in Na'vi. "Olo'eykte Amanti. Can you please bring Tsahìk Sänume to us?"

Amanti's tongue clicked softly against her teeth as she swiftly shifted her gaze towards Tsmupxa, silently conveying her instruction to summon Tsahìk Sänume. With purposeful determination, the young man rose from his seat and seamlessly disappeared into the depths of the surrounding crowd.

"What did you say?" Asked Asher.

"You need evidence to support this little thesis of yours that the RDA are attacking the Na'vi, right?"

Asher nodded. "Yeah but—"

The diplomat's words were cut short when Jake turned away momentarily, his attention drawn to someone at the edge of Asher's vision.

"I see you, Tsahìk Sänume." Jake greeted.

Intrigued, Asher followed Jake's gaze and was greeted by the sight of a frail, elderly woman standing before them. Time had etched its mark upon her weathered face, and she adorned the familiar attire of the Tipani, except for this strange headband that she wore. It was an exquisite veil of tiny beads that obscured one of her eyes—not that Asher could tell just yet.

"Tsahìk Sänume," Jake introduced, guiding her gently to face Asher. "This is Rayan Asher, a dreamwalker. He needs to see firsthand what the Sky People have done to you." The driver remained seated as she gradually revealed a devastating revelation to the RDA's infliction upon the Na'vi.

"My God. Your eye." Asher exclaimed.

The woman did not understand him but kept still all the same. Beneath the beaded veil of her headband, Sänume's right eye was absent, replaced by freshly scarred, melted flesh.

Jake's voice resonated with a mix of sorrow and determination as he explained to Asher, "This is Tsahìk Sänume, like many of the Tipani, she was caught in the crossfire with SEC-OPS while fleeing their home. A white phosphorus grenade exploded near her, causing fragments to embed into her eye. One of the Tipani was fortunate enough to assist her in removing the searing pieces lodged in her flesh. She lost her sight in that eye and struggles with the use of her fingers due to nerve damage caused by the fragments."

Against his better judgment, Asher approached the woman, compelled to take a closer look at the damage. The instinctive response of any other Tipani or Omatikaya would have been to retreat at the mere presence of the demon, but Tsahìk Sänume defied such expectations. She remained rooted in place, her gaze meeting Asher's with an innocence that belied her age and wisdom.

"Yeah, this is the work of WP's all right." Asher explained to Jake, his hand momentarily gesturing towards the scars. "But as you know Jake, Geneva convention only benefits humans, and while this is terrible, it's not…illegal."

Jake gave a sarcastic chuckle. "Illegal? Rayan. The Na'vi are not human to be given any 'rights' whatsoever, according to your UNE. That means the RDA can kill the Na'vi. Maim the Na'vi. Destroy the Na'vi. It does not matter to the UNE or anyone else on Earth because the Na'vi are not human."

They aren't, Asher thought.

In Na'vi, Tsahìk Sänume whispered with a hint of anxiety underscoring her tone, "Olo'eyktan Tsyeyk Suli, am I free to go?"

Jake smiled and motioned for her to leave. As she departed, Tsmupxa took her by the hand and led her away while talking to her about how she felt of the demon. Her only response was that she was not afraid.

Jake then gestured for Asher to retake his seat, while Norm walked past Tarsem and handed the tablet to Asher.

"Now that you've seen what the RDA is capable of doing to the Na'vi, will that be enough?" Jake asked.

Asher shook his head. "I'm going to need more than that."

Jake's tail whipped behind him. "Of course. More."

"I'm sorry. That is just protocol."

"Yes," Jake mused sarcastically. "Protocol."

The diplomat continued pressing around on the tablet before finding the treaty. Turning the tablet over, he handed it to Jake.

"Take your time," Asher said.

Jake's eyes briefly scanned the title, reading:

Earth-Pandoran Treaty
United Nations of Earth and Associated Powers and Colonies
and
The Indigenous Species of Pandora — The Na'vi