Chapter 6: Fighting for Freedom (Ending & Epilogue)
Jake's eyes slowly opened from his slumber. The first thing his eyes were trained on was the backside of Neytiri, who was still engrossed in a stasis-like slumber. Jake had his arm wrapped around her, and was cuddling in close proximity to her, the warmth of their bodies provided a tranquil comfort and soft reassurance that they would be there for each other in their most dire hour of need.
Slowly and meticulously, Jake began to rise himself from the bed, being ever so careful as to not wake Neytiri, and began preparing himself for the conflict that was sure to happen later in the day.
He decided to go towards the Home Tree balcony, just outside the Chieftain's quarters, to embrace the Pandoran morning. As he gazed down at the village below, it was a more serious tone and bustle to it this particular morning. Garrisons were forming and repeating the necessary drills to combat the RDA and their forces, anti-air batteries that were recommissioned from the RDA forward base were installed in key positions where an attack from the air could be most probable and likely to occur. Children were with their groups leaders to ensure they knew where to remain isolated from any attacks posed by the RDA, and they were one of the key assets to protect besides the Home Tree in this battle, which had now gone under new reformation and construction to become a more fortified version of its more tranquil and peaceful self before. Jake's subconscious repetitiously played every scenario, wondering if each would secure peace and freedom for his people.
Suddenly, he felt a warm presence envelop him, and two arms wrapped themselves around his waist.
"Everything will be alright Jake, we have meticulously planned for this for a long while, everybody understands what is at stake and we're prepared to do what is necessary to finally achieve freedom."
Jake soon repositioned himself to allow Neytiri to rest her head on his shoulder, as both Na'vi now observed the activity occurring below.
"Have we done enough? Can we overcome the threat this is coming this way and emerge as a people?"
Neytiri looked with concern on her face as she heard the words muttered from Jake's mouth.
"Of course we have Jake! Under your guidance and leadership, we have become stronger and more resilient than before! We know our enemy now, but I don't believe they know us yet!"
Jake smiled.
"Whatever happens, I will always protect you, our child, and our people with every breath I draw."
Both embraced in the tightest hug they had ever experienced, as Jake made his way with Neytiri to make a formal announcement to his tribe, the Omaticaya, and the neighboring and allied tribes of the Na'vi on Pandora.
Everyone gathered towards the center of the village square as Jake made his way to the center pedestal to begin his pivotal speech to the Na'vi.
"Brothers and Sisters of the Na'vi tribes! We are nearing the conflict for which we have striven these many months to prepare for! We have labored and toiled through many hardships and have forged strong bonds and friendships with one another! I have full confidence in your abilities and your devotion to each other and your loved ones. We will endure and struggle, yes, but only then will we triumph, and we will triumph! The RDA will be thwarted and routed, and a new era of peace and prosperity shall await us! May the grace of Eywa guide us!"
Cheers and roars from the crowd erupted, as Jake descended the stairs through the crowd to prepare himself and the others for battle, this was the final stand before obtaining the life he always dreamed of: Love and Family.
Omaticaya and Na'vi guards were on high alert as the day progressed further, vigilant to remain looking upward towards the sky, as at any moment the RDA could emerge from hyperspace just outside the planet's orbit. Norm was sitting in a hunting perch in the tree tops with Grace, assessing if there were any forward reconnaissance teams approaching the Home Tree.
"Anything on our scanners?"
Norm asked in a hushed and whispered tone as to not draw any more attention to their position and to maintain the element of surprise.
"Not much on our end, Jake and Neytiri have their groups covering the front approach, where the main attack is going to take place, we're going to ensure that their flank is secure and if we mop up here, we can support the main group as they push them back away from the main generator protecting the Home Tree."
Norm smirked.
"You really read extensively over those battle plans didn't you?"
Grace lowered her infrared scanning binoculars and turned to face Norm.
"The fate of the planet is at stake Norm, as well as the future of our people, of course I studied the damn battle plans! Are you implying that you never studied any of the plans we devised in the months leading up to this battle?"
Norm scratched the back of his head.
"Well...I mean...it was rather difficult to juggle being your assistant and knowing how to be proficient with a rifle, so I'd say mission accomplished with all things considered!"
Grace pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes.
"*Sigh* Alright, let's just keep our attention towards the task at hand, we're the group that's keeping this entire battle from falling apart, and everyone has entrusted our capabilities to fend off the RDA flank."
Suddenly in the distance there was a large thundering roar.
"What the hell was that?"
Norm questioned, as Grace extended her hand to cease any chatter.
"It's the RDA Transport ships, they just entered the orbit of Pandora, they'll be sending down troop drop ships to us at any moment. Quick, go set up that mortar piece for me would you kindly?"
Norm swiftly moved towards the mortar piece that was covered by a piece of tarp and unveiled it.
"Now you did read the instruction manual like Jake told you to?"
Norm turned to Grace.
"Thankfully I did, but even still, we only have a limited supply of motor shells to use on infantry and vehicular units, so we have to make these shots count. Considering how there are multiple teams, it's best that we spread out our shots to avoid having multiple mortars on the same target, that way we eliminate more of their forces while also conserving ammunition."
Grace smiled.
"Well at least you made up for earlier!"
There was an abrupt crack in the distance near one of the trees, but close enough to be detected by the Na'vi teams to be vigilant and alert.
"You heard that too right?"
Grace posed the question to Norm.
"Yeah that sounded rather close, didn't the RDA just enter orbit? They couldn't mobilize their forces that quickly...could they?"
Mechs soon emerged from the tree line, having support infantry supporting them.
"I guess that answers your question Grace!"
Grace then pulled out her radio to communicate to the other teams in the surrounding treetops.
"All units, all units! We have visual contact on mech units 2 clicks from our position to the north, you have permission to fire, but be sure to spread your shots out, we only have a limited supply of these things, and it's imperative that we defend this position at all costs!"
A barrage of mortar fire soon echoed throughout the lush Pandoran rainforest, RDA mech units were being decimated left and right, but there were innumerable units encompassing the battlefield, so the Omaticaya and Na'vi warriors had to be conscientious of how they approach the battle strategically, because if they do not play their cards right...the battle could be lost before it even started.
Back in the village, Jake and Neytiri were nestled with most of the Na'vi forces to protect the generator from the incoming RDA forces soon to arrive at any moment.
The Na'vi children were inside the makeshift bunkers, hoping and praying that Grace and Norm would return safely in their part of the battlefield.
They had just received word from radio chatter that Grace's group had made contact with the RDA and were steadfast, holding down their positions with mortars and small arms fire.
For now, the main group looked out toward the horizon where the Pandoran sun was rising, anticipating and waiting for the RDA Samson's to crest the horizon with troops and hellfire incendiary missiles on board to target their main objective: The Home Tree.
The roar of engines soon became audible and a low hum soon engulfed the surroundings of the Na'vi warriors, who were now armed with rifles and makeshift combat gear.
Jake soon gained a position of elevation to assume command over the ensuing battle that was quickly approaching the village.
"This is it everyone! Stay sharp, aim true, and look out for the people next to you and we'll prevail from this battle to see the dawn of a new age! For the Omaticaya, for the Na'vi, for Pandora!"
Battle cries roared from the crowd and mass of warriors and villagers, as anti-air batteries were assumed and battle positions were taken.
This was the moment of truth, in the battle that lied ahead for both sides, fates would be decided, and the fate of a people rested on the shoulders of a few, for the many future generations that were in the balance. Jake fully realized this, and the future that he desperately wanted for his people, and the price for it, was only going to be paid in full by bullets and bloodshed.
The RDA fleet was hovering over the vast and lush expanses of the Pandoran rainforest below.
Parker Selfridge was in the observational portion of his ship, glancing every now and then to the command map and radio operators in the background, coordinating the various units attacking the Na'vi forces.
As he gazed out over the battle in front of him, sporadic fire, missiles, and smalls arms fire being seen and heard he began to ponder if what was happening was truly worth it. They were soundly routed on the last occasion, and he knew the Na'vi would fight savagely in order to defend their home and those around them.
Before he could continue further with the pondering of his thoughts, he was soon interrupted by one of the strategic coordinators for the battle.
"Sir our forces are in a gridlocked stalemate with the Na'vi at the moment, would you like to have progress updates moving forward?"
Parker slowly turned to face the soldier, with one arm crossed around his waist with the other resting on top, his hand covering his mouth in contemplative expression.
"Yes that would be much appreciated, keep me posted as to how our units are faring."
The soldier saluted before exiting the office observation room.
Parker slowly turned back to the window, as his eyes began to drown in regret and sorrow.
"Is it...worth it?"
As the mechs approached through the tree line, Grace and Norm were continuously pelting the enemy advance, along with the surrounding Na'vi forces attempting to thwart the advance of the RDA.
"All units continue to apply pressure on the advancing units, we need to keep them at bay while our main force continues to thin out the main invasion, If we lose this ground here, that makes it a hell of a lot easier for the RDA to capture Pandora!"
Grace had courage and concern in her tone of voice as she practically screamed into the mobile communication radio they had been using to coordinate battle chatter and tactics. There were various and innumerable mech units converging on the Na'vi mortar positions, but they were unable to move past the point of highest mortar concentration. There was an issue that was impending on the Na'vi side of the battle though...they were exhausting their mortar supply rather quickly.
"Alright, our suppressive fire seems to be tapering off and the RDA know that, I'm soon going to have to resort to my other plan of action to counteract these bastards, and tip the scales of battle in our favor."
Grace soon went over to a console that was near their tree top overlook position and started to type a long string of code and sequence.
Norm started to glance over and temporarily stop his commandeering of the mortar the had been using and had put on a contemplative expression across his face as to what Grace was doing.
"Uh Grace? I don't believe it is such a great time to be checking over research notes when we're in the middle of a battle for our very existence, don't you agree?"
Grace rolled her eyes.
"Very funny Norm! No I didn't want to mention this until the perfect opportune moment. I was able to install an EMP sensor into the Unobtanium generator that we had retrieved and salvaged from the abandoned RDA base. The plus side is that the RDA will not be able to use their mechs for this battle...the downside being that all Na'vi forces will have to protect the generator until it is able to provide a shield to protect Home Tree."
Norm looked at Grace shocked.
"You waited to do this now? Why didn't you use this earlier?"
Grace then glanced back.
"I had to ensure all of the mechs had been deployed to the ground and where they could be terminated when they were most vulnerable. Had I acted too hastily, we would still have to deal with a ton more mechanized units, and would have sustained numerous casualties. This way we can eliminate the RDA forces here, and regroup with the main force to protect the shield generator as it recharges. They're going to need all the help they can get, that's where you come in Norm! You're going to provide Jake and Neytiri support, and coordinate our forces here as I help protect the children and wounded with the medic teams! Is that clear?!"
Norm hastily nodded, as Grace looked down towards the computer console she had been using.
"Well here goes nothing! Beginning initiation sequence in 3...2...1!"
With that Grace initiated an EMP wave on the generator in the village that emitted a large purple aura that knocked out the RDA mechs on the ground along with their electronic attachments on their weapons for the RDA infantry.
The Na'vi quickly seized the opportunity to tip the battle into their favor, their sheer size and newfound prowess with their newly acquired weapons, were able to quickly dispatch the RDA forces that were now left vulnerable on the ground.
Meanwhile the RDA fleet lay in wait, only being able to witness the vast aura that now engulfed the battlefield, temporarily disabling the intelligence systems on board the ship.
An RDA logistics officer soon rushed into Selfridge's office, uncaring of the courtesy to knock first out of panic.
"Sir! I believe they just rewired our unobtanium generator to also have an EMP component to it as well, our ground infantry units are sustaining heavy casualties!"
Parker was in a state of induced shock. The counterattack which they had been preparing for so long, was beginning to be catastrophic for the RDA, and his self doubts and inhibitions were starting to override his rationale. He slowly turned to face the logistics officer, his eyes were conveying a "1000 yard stare".
"Have every squad leader in the fleet mobilize our Samson's we need to hit them now, or else the battle is completely lost!"
There was an uneasy shakiness in Parker's voice as he relayed the order to the officer, but ultimately the soldier ignored it and retreated from the office to deliver the message to the war room on the adjacent part of the RDA ship.
As he stared out towards the chaos in front of him, the embers, smoke and flames, with sporadic gunfire being seen, Parker, against his stubborn nature, started to admit defeat in his subconscious.
"The Planet does not want us..."
For the first time since setting foot upon the planet for economic profit, a humanistic perception started to enter. If his attack fails with the Samson's, the RDA will be disembarking from the planet in defeat.
Jake and Neytiri were finishing off the remnants of the remaining RDA infantry that were in retreat from the main village. Cheers rang out from the Na'vi en masse, as they realized they were one step closer to liberating and freeing Pandora.
Grace and Norm's squadrons soon caught up to now reinforce the large Na'vi army.
"Grace since when did you implement and install an EMP inside the generator?"
Grace smiled.
"Well Mr. Sully since you are so inclined to know, I had it finished and installed about a month ago. The properties of unobtanium can be unstable, but when retrofitted with Earth's planetary minerals that we salvaged from the sample lab at the RDA base that was abandoned. The results? Well they were what you just saw a few minutes ago!"
Jake smirked.
"Well that was one hell of a show! Great job!"
Grace smiled in admiration.
"Well I didn't become a scientist just to play around in a lab with chemicals or in a classroom to teach Na'vi children about their ABC'S and 1,2,3's. I got to have a bit of fun don't I?"
Everyone gave a little chuckle to one another.
"Well we better save these laughs for later if we survive this attack, right now the RDA still has not sent in their aerial units yet, and if we do not successfully defend this generator, you might as well kiss Home Tree, and frankly, Pandora goodbye!"
Norm stated, as everyone dropped the happy-go lucky attitude, and snapped back to the reality that they now faced in front of them.
"Alright then, I got to get to the bunker to reinforce the protection squad there, Norm is going to attend to the medical teams set behind our lines. Jake, you and Neytiri are going to be without support from us from here on out, the Sky banshees are going to be the best defense we have against the RDA aerial units. If we knock them out, we can say with certainty that the battle is won, but for now, we're still in imminent danger despite the massive progress we've made thus far."
Everyone nodded and assembled in their appropriate posts.
Grace soon rushed over to the concrete bunker where the Na'vi children were waiting for her arrival.
"Ms. Augstine! Ms. Augustine! We're so glad you're okay! Are we winning? Do you guys need help?"
One of the young students rushed over along with the rest of his peers to hug their teacher.
"No, no children, the best thing for us to do right now is to stay safe in the bunker until coast is clear, okay? I hope you all remembered what I taught you all about the safety protocols for bombing raids!"
The children then started to recite the verse they had learned from their teacher to protect themselves.
"Stop! Find cover! Shield yourselves and others!"
Grace smiled.
"Very good kids! Now let's all go in an efficient and calm manner."
As the kids were slowly filing into the bunker entrance, one of the students approached Grace and nudged her leg, the child, who was obviously much smaller in stature and scale, looked up to the half human-half Na'vi teacher.
"Ms. Augustine? Are we going to be okay? Will I be able to see my parents and friends again?"
The question hit Grace like a brick.
She glanced and surveyed the village. The destruction and sheer chaos was too much to bear at the moment, as the Na'vi started to take their wounded to mobile medical centers and shock trauma units for further care and evaluation.
Grace, despite seeing this, saw the looks and expressions of hope come across the faces of the Na'vi surrounding her, and soon was reinvigorated with a sense of pride and affirmation in her initial beliefs before the battle, as she turned to face the Na'vi child who was patiently waiting for a response.
"We will."
Jake and Neytiri soon mounted the Sky banshees as well as dozens of other Na'vi to take on the aerial units now assembling in the hangar bays of the gunships.
Jake gave a slight smile to Neytiri as she did as well in exchange back to them, as they took off from the platforms with the innumerable amount of Na'vi air units flying towards the gunships.
"Alright, Neytiri we have some flak cannons on the ground to provide support, but we're going to have to part for a bit okay? I need to find Parker and convince him to end this fight once and for all, you lead our forces forward to take out the Samson's, I'll land in the hanger bay of the command ship and find Selfridge!"
Neytiri nodded, but before they parted she yelled back to get his attention once again.
"Jake!"
The Avatar quickly turned his head to look back.
"Be careful...I love you."
Jake gave a slight smile.
"I love you too! I promise, I'll be back!"
With that Jake flew towards the hanger bay of the main command ship, as Neytiri led the Na'vi aerial forces to take out the Samson's attempting to demolish the fortress that is the Home Tree.
The battle raged outside, as Jake landed inside the hanger bay. The exterior cannons were too focused on the mass of Anti-air batteries on the ground along with the Na'vi sky banshees attempting to sabotage the systems of the ship, so he was able to remain undetected...for now.
He jumped down from his sky banshee, Toruk, and assessed the activity in front of him. Despire his large stature compared the human RDA crew, he was able to remain in the shadows above and navigate his way through towards the command center at the bow of the ship. He tried envisioning the outline of the ship when he was first aboard, just before they entered cryo-stasis. The scale of the ship was massive, but luckily there were holographic displays of the various routes one could take on the ship, combined with the enhanced stamina and agility of his Avatar body, made the long trek across the ship relatively fast and immediate.
Most of the RDA crew were preoccupied with the battle that was ensuing just outside the ship, but as soon as Jake revealed himself to Parker, the ship was going to be on high alert, so he had to choose his words carefully when the confrontation does occur.
He was mere feet from the bridge as he crawled through the ventilation shaft, even he was impressed as to how he was able to remain undetected for this long, considering how he was the largest humanoid figure on the ship at the moment.
"Well Jake...the entire fate of the battle rests in your hands now, no pressure right?"
As he looked down from the open vent towards the command bridge, he took one last deep breath before jumping down into the wolf's den.
The human crew of the ship were startled and the guards that were in charge of security had their guns drawn, baffled as to why the Na'vi in front of them had no attacked them yet.
"Wait! Wait! My name is Jake Sully and I'm the leader of the Omaticaya tribe. I wish to speak to Parker Selfridge to bring an end to these hostilities!"
The RDA crew were hesitant at first to allow the Avatar to meet with Mr. Selfridge, but were put to ease when he uttered the prospects of potential peace talks to end the conflict. As a squadron of guards escorted the Avatar towards Parker, and as they were just about to enter the office, Parker was already drawn towards the office door that Jake was entering.
"Thank you guards, leave us please."
The tall Avatar soon came forward from being escorted by the squadron, and soon he was towering over the RDA administrator.
"I've come to you to discuss-"
"Peace? Yes, I'm already aware of that, and ironically enough I wanted to discuss the same thing."
Jake had his eyes widened from hearing these words, but he wasn't complaining, so many had been lost from both sides and this battle needed to end quickly, as Neytiri and the others were still fighting for their lives.
"I...misunderstood your kind, and certainly I misunderstood you when you were still human confined to a wheelchair. I'm willing to pull my forces from this battlefield, as long as you promise to allow us to have a peaceful retreat from Pandora."
Jake was relieved to hear these words, but he didn't allow his expression to reflect his inner feelings and thoughts.
"I'm pleased to hear that Mr. Selfridge, and I certainly accept your terms, but why the change of heart?"
Parker soon moved towards the window overlooking the battlefield, outstretching a hand.
"This. The bloodshed. Ultimately over what? A bit of money over a mineral that will ultimately cause more bloodshed in the shape and form of advanced armaments and weaponry, I've known better than to trifle over this. Whatever the verdict is back on Earth for me...no amount of monetary value is worth all of this death and destruction. I also have seen what this planet can do once it is backed into a corner...and it is not pretty."
The sincerity and emotion in Parker's voice ultimately conveyed to Jake that he really meant the words he had just mentioned.
"That takes a lot of guts and balls to admit what you just said there Parker."
Parker gave a sigh and extended his hand.
"I'll be sure to give the retreat order to the command center, we're going home...and it's time for your people to be able to live in peace."
Jake accepted his hand and gave a handshake that surprised the RDA director at first, but both saw it into each other's eyes, that they were tired of war and wanted to live in peace for the remainder of their lives, regardless of what fate had in store for both of them.
Jake walked out of the ship, RDA personnel hung their heads in defeat, but were relieved the battle was over and they could go home instead of dying on a planet, far far away.
Toruk was still waiting for him in the hanger and Jake gave a pat on the creature's head, as he flew out of the hanger to reunite with the tribe below.
The Samson's broke formation from the battle, as the Na'vi on their sky banshees were confused as to what had just occurred, but soon they saw Jake Sully emerge from the main hanger bay and followed close behind him.
Grace and Norm, along with the rest of the Na'vi villagers emerged from hiding as the sky banshees all began landing.
All eyes were on Jake as he was accompanied by Neytiri, everyone silent as to what their chieftain was going to say.
Jake slowly observed his surroundings, before smiling.
"We're free."
*7 YEARS LATER*
"Alright Jack, make sure to breathe okay? This is not going to happen right away, it takes a ton of practice!"
"I know dad, just let me concentrate okay?"
Jake slowly backed away from his son, as he slowly drew the bow towards the wooden target ahead.
Jack fired and hit the target square in the bullseye.
"Great job son! You're a natural at this! Your mother is going to be so proud to hear about this you know that?"
"I already am!"
"Mom!"
The child Na'vi running to his mother's arms with all three smiling gleefully.
"You're already a better shot than your father than when he first began!"
Jake scoffed.
"Granted I was in a wheelchair for a few years, so I was a bit rusty with my sharpshooting."
Neytiri chuckled.
"You're still a great sharpshooter my love."
All three made their way from the path towards the village.
"Excited to go back to school today?"
Jack on the shoulders of his father shrugged.
"It should be alright, Ms. Augustine always makes the lessons interesting, and the other kids are pretty friendly."
Jake smiled.
"I heard Ms. Augustine is taking you guys on a trip to the Hallelujah mountains for a field trip..."
Jack suddenly looked down towards his father's face.
"REALLY?! AWWW MAN THIS IS GONNA BE AWESOME!"
Neytiri soon rested her head on the arm of Jake, as he lowered Jack onto the ground.
"Alright, this is where we depart until we meet again this afternoon. Now remember what I told you, be sure to keep Ms. Augustine in sight at all times, I don't want you running off and getting lost, Pandora is not the place for a young kid like yourself to get lost, it's very dangerous...I should know."
Jack chuckled.
"Don't worry dad, your first experience on Pandora gave me nightmares for a week after you told me about it, I won't run off!"
Neytiri and Jake hugged their son, as Jack gave a high five to Grace as she was walking towards the couple.
"Don't worry lovebirds, I'll take good care of them!"
"Thanks Grace...also you still owe me for beating you in pool last week!"
Grace extended her middle finger as she walked away with a smile, and quickly transitioned to a wave goodbye, as the parents on the ground watched as their kids were carried away in the Samson for their field trip, Grace and Norm acting as the pilot and co-pilot.
As Jake smiled towards his son, who was looking back to him in the aerial vehicle, and felt the embrace of Neytiri at his side, he realized that he had found what he had finally been looking for all these years: Family and Community.
Finally, the Omaticaya, and Pandora...were free.
*END OF STORY*
