Pandora: The Final Solution

by Tisrusewa Karyu

When the ISV Venture Star reports that Hell's Gate has fallen to a coalition of Avatars and Na'vi, the entire RDA organization springs into action to save their cash cow. The lowest cost solution has unforeseen consequences. Irayo.

3. Chapter 3: Omatikaya

Pandora: The Final Solution

I gratefully acknowledge one of the foremost creative geniuses of our times, James Cameron, for conceiving the lush moon Pandora and the "noble savages," the Na'vi, that inhabit it. This story uses the characters and setting he created for his movie, Avatar. I have not received any money for my work based on Avatar. If I could get paid by the hour for these stories, I would retire and spend all my time dancing and writing in comfort.

This chapter contains only one original character, and is set on Pandora mostly before the last scene of the movie.

Author's Note: This is my first writing using the characters from the movie Avatar. Let me know if I have strayed too far from canon – I have tried to stay as true to Extended Collector's Edition with deleted scenes as possible.

Chapter 3: Omatikaya

As the injured return to Hell's Gate, the medical staff works feverishly to treat as many as possible. There are few actual battlefield wounds; the poisoned arrows and spears used by the Na'vi are terribly effective when they hit their intended targets. The injuries are mainly bites and crushing trauma from trampling by animals. Then, human Jake and the Na'vi forces arrive to reinforce the avatars holding the command center. Max is shocked to see how emaciated Jake has become. He and Norm are the newest avatar drivers, but Jake is practically living in the link, and has logged more hours than most drivers on Pandora. Max wants to examine human Jake and make him rest, but avatar Jake must lead his forces to mop up around the Well of Souls and secure Hell's Gate, so he goes straight to the link room with sentries to watch his link. No one is going to push that big red EMERGENCY STOP button without a deadly fight. The exam must wait. The focus changes to stabilizing all patients and preparing them for transport. Once the last injured are put on board the shuttle, the medical staff slows down. A few decide to leave on the shuttle with everyone being banished, including a woman avatar driver, as they desire to return to Earth rather than remain as exiles on Pandora.

Jake asks for volunteers to treat the injured Na'vi, and the remaining medical staff quickly responds, without even taking a break. They gather up all the supplies they can carry, taking two or three spare exopacks each. Avatar Jake takes Max and several duffel bags of supplies on his toruk. Max is terrified of this mode of travel, so Jake ties a rope harness on Max, and securely ties Max and the duffels onto his avatar body. The rest of the staff follows on pa'li, riding behind their Na'vi guides. The Na'vi have set up their hospital on the terraces around the Tree of Souls, with Mo'at and Neytiri directing the tsahiks and healers from all clans present. These injuries are much more severe, as the human weapons are much more damaging. Max helps with triage, and as they arrive, the tawtute healers take on the worst injuries of Na'vi who can be saved, as human medicine has much more experience with such wounds. Human Norm appears out of the forest wild-eyed and disheveled, but immediately helps Max and the other humans by translating and updating records. He verifies that his avatar was killed in action, and gets verification that Trudy was shot down. Max is glad to see Norm working hard, because drivers who lose their avatars are susceptible to deep depression and suicide. The humans, except for Norm, are horrified as the clan leaders do their duty and dispatch those who cannot be saved. Even Jake is seen finishing off several of his clan members, with other clan members solemnly watching and singing the funeral rites led by Mo'at or Neytiri. Max is impressed that Jake has taken on his new role so quickly and naturally, even though this particular duty is so inhuman. However, he saw Jake's human body back at Hell's Gate, and knows Jake must take a long break very soon or face a major health crisis.

While the healers are tending to the injured, the rest of the Na'vi forces are scouring the forest around the Well of Souls. Their highest priority is finding any injured survivors that were missed during the first sweep. All human artifacts, except for the DMTs, also called dog-tags, are picked up and collected in piles alongside artifacts too large to move, such as the shattered AMP suits and the burned-out hulks of the downed gunships and shuttle. At his express command, all dog-tags are turned over to Jake, who takes the time to ask many questions about the discovery of each. He also has the nearest available human, usually Norm, take notes for later updates to the RDA personnel records. He may have fought against them, but Jake still cares deeply for his brothers and sisters in arms. Pa'li and ikran that are too badly injured are put down; those that can be healed are led to pastures where they can be treated and guarded from predators. The dead pa'li and ikran are given suitable prayers for their service to the Na'vi, and are left where they fell to reward the predators and scavengers that came to the aid of the Na'vi defending the Well of Souls. The remains of dead humans and Na'vi are gathered and transported to the plains around the Well. The Na'vi are buried in one mass grave near the sacred tree, and the humans are buried in a separate mass grave much further away. One unique body is found, Norm's avatar that was killed in action. It is buried in the line of graves near the sacred tree holding those that died here from wounds received when Hometree was destroyed, alongside the human body of Grace and the body of Tsu'tey. Norm stays away from his avatar's burial, but a contingent from Plains clans attend along with the Omatikaya and humans that know him. That night, the entire Na'vi encampment holds a victory celebration, tempered by the great losses suffered during the battle.

The next afternoon, Mo'at gives the Grace avatar back to the humans. Max takes charge of the unconscious avatar, preparing it for transport back to Hell's Gate. Although most think it should be buried with Grace's human body, Max sees another use for it, but must work out the ethical and moral issues first. He asks Jake for a private meeting, but is horrified when Jake waves Mo'at, Neytiri, and Norm to join them for the discussion.

"Er, Jake, I want to discuss some very private and sensitive issues with you first. We can bring in the others later."

Jake sighs as he sits down, Na'vi style, and says "We are all pressed for time, so let's just get it settled."

"These are sensitive medical issues, and I don't know which topics are taboo. There was a time on Earth when I could have been beheaded or burned at the stake for what I need to discuss."

Mo'at is surprised by his words, and says in her most calm and quiet voice. "Maxpatel, you are gentle when dealing with patients, and fierce when fighting injuries or diseases. We know you are a gifted healer, and you know much more about Na'vi bodies than we do. You are saving injured Na'vi whom we could not save, and we are very grateful. If you touch on a forbidden topic, we will not harm you, but might tell you to stop. However, there is no medical topic that is forbidden."

Max looks very uncomfortable, but starts in. "I've been told you and Neytiri are married. Congratulations are in order."

Jake beams, and then his face falls. "Uh, yes, we are mated before Eywa, for just over a week now. It's very different here, very private. It was pretty sudden and unexpected for us, too. That's why we were in the Tree of Voices the morning it was bulldozed. Almost got my avatar killed because Grace wouldn't let me link until I ate breakfast. Guess we're the last to get mated there. Sorry, I've been a little busy. Should have told everyone back at Hell's Gate. I apologize, Max."

Now Mo'at looks unhappy. "Our way is to give the newly mated couple eight days away from all clan duties, time to learn about each other. Your eight days have been a time of great sorrow. I will see to it that you get your eight days together."

Neytiri now has her turn at looking unhappy. "Jake and I need the eight days, but we cannot go while our clan has no home. Thank you, Sa'nok, but please don't send us away yet. We must take care of the clan first."

Mo'at reaches out and takes a hand from Jake and Neytiri each into her hands. "The Omatikaya Clan is very lucky to have its clan leader and next Tsahik more concerned with the welfare of the clan than themselves. Over time, you will learn that the clan reflects your relationship. It is clear to me now that Eywa made you say hateful things to each other just before Hometree was destroyed. Ma 'itan, you had to say something to shatter the trust in your beloved wife. Ma 'ite, you had to drive your beloved husband away, to make him do something normally very stupid, challenge a toruk. Only by compelling him to become Toruk Macto could Eywa get the clans together to force the evil tawtute away. Eywa's will has been done, now you both need to heal your hearts. After we are done here, you two must get something to eat and then go to the cave assigned to me, and stay together for the night. Make tsaheylu and share your feelings. I will post sentries so that you are not disturbed." The mated pair look as if they are going to object, so Mo'at raises her hand and says in her most commanding voice, "It has been decided. You will get your eight days later, but your hearts must begin healing today. When you return from your eight days together, we will have a feast in your honor. I will see to it that all of Jake's tawtute friends are also invited." Max and Norm nod their assent.

Jake puts his hands up, and says "We will do as you command, Tsahik. When I landed my toruk in the Well of Souls after our first flight, I did not know how I would be welcomed, but when Neytiri said 'I See you' to me, I knew everything between us would be worked out. We will do as you say, and maybe a little more." Jake smiles broadly as Neytiri can only blush and look away.

Norm looks to Mo'at, and offers "Tell your sentries, if anyone finds dog tags, they can give them to me. I know what to do with them, and what questions Jake wants answered."

Mo'at nods. "Thank you, Normspellman."

Norm looks to Jake. "Jake, you're the boss, no one questions you. But, they'll question me. What should I say about collecting dog tags?"

Jake says "You cannot beat a foe if you do not respect that foe first. We beat the tawtute because they did not respect the Na'vi or Eywa. I respect the tawtute because I know we will fight them again."

"Wow! That sounds very deep. And I thought you were a skxawng." Everyone in the group smiles or laughs.

Even though Jake is smiling, he looks at Norm and says "Enough of that. Max has something important to discuss. Go on."

Max blushes, looking even more embarrassed than before, and says "It seems everyone has become unhappy, and the really bad news is not out yet. I don't know what you have been told about the Avatar program, but there is one very personal issue you need to know. RDA has always been concerned about avatars procreating," Max sees both Mo'at and Neytiri frowning, "making babies. They do not want to be bothered with baby avatars, so avatars are genetically designed to be sterile, uh, cannot make babies." Everyone is dead silent, and Norm is blushing now. "This means you two will not be having babies, not without a lot of help." Max pauses, and sees shocked looks all around.

Mo'at says quietly "I wondered about that the first night you came to us, Jakesully. Male adults have an odor that affects female adults, that comes from just below the base of your tails. That is why I pulled your tail up while examining you that night. I have never smelled that from you. The uniltìrantokx, dream walker body, has many subtle differences with the Na'vi body."

Max continues "To complicate matters, humans do not have much understanding of Na'vi reproduction. Even the experience of avatars has not helped much. For example, we don't understand the role of tsaheylu. Mo'at just commanded you to do tsaheylu later today. I saw Jake's avatar doing tsaheylu with his toruk when I flew out here. The direhorse riders do tsaheylu with their steeds. Many avatars have tried tsaheylu among themselves, but it never works. Sometimes, the tendrils grab hold briefly, then they let go, and will never connect again."

Mo'at speaks softly "What you describe is what happens when children try, or when two adults that are too close, say brother and sister, try."

Max hits his forehead with his palm, and says "Of course! All avatars are made from the same genetic base collected many years ago. They are all brothers and sisters. Would be identical, if it were not for the human genes added from the drivers."

Mo'at looks at Max, and asks with her stern commanding voice, "What is this genetic base you mentioned?"

Max looks to Jake, who simply nods yes. "One of the first human explorers here on Pandora, that is the human name for this moon, ..."

Norm pipes up "Eywa'eveng." Mo'at nods.

"... encountered a young hunter who was injured. Actually, he heard a pack of viperwolves ..."

Norm interjects again "nantang."

"... yapping, and chased them off after killing some with his machine gun. Then, he found the unconscious hunter under some bushes, obviously injured by the, uh, nantangs. He treated the hunter's bites, and wiped him off with a towel. When the hunter came to, he got up and ran away. I'm sure that explorer was the first human the hunter ever saw. When the explorer returned to base, he put the dirty towel in the recycle bin. Another physician researcher took the bloody towel, recovered as much blood and tissue as he could, and sequenced the genome for that hunter. That is the basis for all avatars made by RDA. They are all brothers and sisters to that unknown hunter."

Mo'at looks deep in thought, and then speaks up. "I know this story. It happened when I was very little. The father of Ateyo's mother told my predecessor about an unusual encounter. He was chased by a pack of nantang, and went up a tree to escape. One nantang jumped on him from a higher branch, and knocked him to the ground. He woke up, expecting to be with Eywa, and instead was greeted by a red-faced demon wearing strange brown clothes. He ran away, as fast as he could, so the demon could not follow him. At first, the Tsahik didn't know what to make of his story. But when she and the healers looked at his injuries, they realized the demon had treated him in ways unknown to them. As more encounters were reported, she came to realize that the demons are what we call tawtute today. She told me to watch these tawtute, she always had bad feelings about them."

Jake sits upright. "And she was right. I'll be damned, we're all related to Tsu'tey. He is, was, the son of Ateyo. I'm glad I don't have to explain this to him. That also means that we really are brothers, or cousins at least. Max, concerning tsaheylu, the best I can tell you is that it allows one creature to plug into the nervous system of another. When I bond with a pa'li, a direhorse, I can feel what it feels. It doesn't know language, so we don't talk with each other. But, I can look where to go, and it can see what I see and go there. When I bond with Neytiri, I feel what she feels. That makes sex much better, because I know immediately what works or what doesn't work. She doesn't have to tell me. We can use language through the bond, but opening up and sharing feelings is so much better. The Na'vi male and female parts on the outside are a little different from human parts, but not that different. The only surprise for me is the lack of pubic hair on Na'vi. My human body has far more pubic hair than my avatar body, but what little it has is more than the Na'vi I've seen. It seems Na'vi have hair only on their heads and the tips of the tails."

Max twists around, and yanks a leaf from the bush behind him. Immediately, both Mo'at and Neytiri mumble something to themselves. Max looks to Jake again with a questioning look, who says "They are thanking the bush for the gift of the leaf."

Sheepishly, Max grins. "Oh, guess I have a lot to learn about Na'vi ways."

Norm adds, "I've been studying them for most of my life, and I often feel like I haven't scratched the surface yet."

Max repeatedly stabs the stem of the leaf with his pen, leaving a row of craters. He pulls out another device that looks like his pen, only fatter and sculpted. "Don't know what your predecessor said, but say these holes in this leaf are a viperwolf, uh, nantang bite. With a laser scalpel, the usual treatment is to cut the tissue out around the bite like this, avoiding blood vessels and nerves." He switches on the scalpel, and cuts two lines just along the holes, cutting out a neat wedge of tissue. While he is cutting, a continuous stream of smoke rises from the laser, leaving an acrid odor. "Must cut at the right speed, too fast causes bleeding, too slow causes scarring and retards the healing. Once the wedge is removed, the wound is pinched together, and a spray-on bandage applied. The hunter did not get the follow-on treatment that keeps a scar from forming, so he would have had a scar marking the incision, probably for the rest of his life."

Mo'at looks at Max with wonder, and says "Yes, he always had a scar on his forearm, and did not remember how it came to be. We would clean out each puncture individually. We have herbs that clean the wound, stop the bleeding, and deaden the pain. These are chopped together and sprinkled into the wounds. Next, we apply a sticky liquid made by a certain insect to fill the wounds, keep the wounds clean, and keep the herbs in place. Finally, we wrap leaves or cloth strips over the wounds."

"Those leaves or cloth strips are what we call bandages. You have seen the more complicated bandages we use on the injured we are treating."

"Thank you, Maxpatel, for showing us one of your techniques. I'm afraid that is keeping you from what you must discuss."

Max picks back up. "This is a good lead-in to another issue I have. That blood and wedge of flesh from the hunter's forearm are the only samples used to sequence the Na'vi genome. With all the various clans here, I would really like to collect blood samples from each clan so I can get a better handle on the genetics of the Na'vi. Everything so far has been based on that one hunter. There are two problems, I don't know if collecting samples is taboo, and I need to keep the samples on ice, so someone will have to go back to Hell's Gate for ice."

Norm says, "The link module from Site 26 is nearby, and we moved several refrigerators into it before flying it out here. Quaritch wrecked one link and the big window, but there is still power and the refrigerators were working fine last time I was in there. They're lab grade refrigerators, and can be adjusted down below zero C. You can put samples in one, and make ice in another."

Max brightens up. "That's great! I don't need to freeze the samples, but making them very cold will help when transporting them back to Hell's Gate. Is there any problem with taking blood samples? Is it taboo?"

Mo'at asks "What is taboo? You keep saying that."

Jake replies "Something that is taboo is something that is forbidden. I remember my first night here when you stabbed me and tasted my blood. Is that something only a Tsahik does?"

"Yes. Only a Tsahik wields a Thorn of Eywa, and uses it only to check blood. No one else in the clan does that, but, then again, there is no reason for anyone else to do so."

Max asks, "So, healers do not take blood from patients?"

"That is true. If they suspect a problem that requires checking the blood, they ask me, and I do the check. I've been doing this for a long time, and I know what to See, to smell and taste as you would say."

Max says "That's amazing! I know Na'vi have much better senses, just never thought that blood testing could be done that way."

Jake says "You know, if Toruk Macto asks for volunteers, everyone here will line up to give you samples. What do you need for your study?"

"I have a top-notch sequencer back in my lab. Unfortunately, don't have any grad students to run it, just the med staff, but I think we will have more time on our hands in the near future. I'd like to get six to eight samples per clan, from unrelated Na'vi. Haven't done the math yet to determine the actual sample size needed, but that would be plenty. We did bring lots of supplies out here, I could draw samples from everyone without running out."

Jake smirks, and says "Well, seeing how Neytiri and I have our work cut out for us for the rest of the day," Neytiri hits his shoulder, hard, "ouch, maybe Mo'at could explain what you are doing to the other tsahiks. From each clan, you should get the clan leader and tsahik, along with their healers and several of their warriors. That will give you a good mix of men and women from each clan. If any Tsahik objects, just skip that clan, But, I think all will agree. Would be best to have the tsahik stand with you as you take the samples."

Mo'at asks "Why are you doing this, Maxpatel?"

Max answers "I haven't thought through everything yet, but Norm needs a new avatar. If I can work out some of the problems using better genetic data, I could make replacement avatars for everyone, fully functional with less subtle differences, capable of fitting into Na'vi civilization better, the way Jake has. The avatar program has never really lived up to its potential, for various reasons."

Mo'at looks straight at Max, and using her stern voice again, asks "Why do you say that?"

Max answers, somewhat hesitantly, "I think RDA management originally intended for the avatars to be the overseers, getting Na'vi to work the unobtainium mines as unskilled laborers for little or no wages. However, the Na'vi do not have the cultural impetus to work jobs the way humans do, and no way has been found to change that. Then, after the decision was made to study the Na'vi, the avatar drivers were picked as post-doctoral fellows by RDA. Such researchers are taught to maintain scientific objectivity. In other words, they want to study the Na'vi without being affected by what they see. Also, they don't want to cause problems with the Na'vi like the anthropologists that studied the Yąnomamö of South America. All avatar drivers must study that sad affair, and thoroughly learn to keep their distance. I think Jake is the only exception."

Jake says "Yeah, my first night among the Na'vi, when I said I wanted to learn, Mo'at told me 'It is hard to fill a cup that is already full.'"

Choking back his laughter, Max continues, "Exactly. I wouldn't say all avatar drivers have full cups, but until Jake here, they all held back from embracing the Na'vi way of life. Grace went the furthest by wearing Na'vi jewelry, even on her human body. I can see how Mo'at would be frustrated by the avatars not working to fit into Na'vi life. 'Going native' is a widely known phenomena, and no one wants that label in their personnel files. My guess is RDA would fire any avatar driver that is going native. If we are going to survive on Pandora, we must learn much more about living here, and that will go much faster if we can work with the Na'vi while they show us what they know."

Jake looks around the group, and asks, "Has anyone told Max about Grace?"

"I heard she died from gunshot wounds. Quaritch shot at Trudy's Samson as you were leaving, so I assumed that's how she got shot."

"That's all true, Max, but there is one very important part missing. Mo'at tried to save her by transferring her spirit into her avatar, permanently."

Now Max looks shocked. Looking at Mo'at, he asks "Really, you can do that? We've never been able to do that, but then no one has tried too seriously because no one wants to kill their human body in the process."

Mo'at looks uncomfortable. "Her wounds were too great, there was not enough time for the transfer to work. To be honest, I have never tried a transfer before. When Toruk Macto begged for the help of Eywa, it was here at the Tree of Souls. I did not know if there was anything I could do for Graceaugustine. I made tsaheylu with the sacred tree, and asked for guidance. Eywa showed me this transfer, which was common during the time before the First Songs. However, Eywa requires many adult Na'vi to make tsaheylu with the roots of the sacred tree and ask for the transfer to keep it from being done for wrong purposes. Fortunately, many clan members knew Grace from her school, so there was no problem. Even though it came right after the destruction of Hometree, everyone could concentrate enough to make it work, but Grace was just too weak and died before it could be accomplished."

Jake looks to Max. "I want you to know about this spirit transfer capability. I think you are going to give me hell for the bad shape my human body is in, and I think the best solution for me is to permanently move into my avatar body as soon as possible." Both Mo'at and Neytiri look at Jake with a start.

"Jake, I last saw your human body back at Hell's Gate, and I'm very concerned for you. Your hard work with Neytiri over the last three months has made your avatar body very strong, but your avatar is of no value if your human body collapses. Yes, permanently transferring to your avatar body will get you past the impending crisis with your human body, but you still have the fertility problem with your avatar. If you take a long rest now, and pace yourself better afterward, your human body can carry you through the time it takes for me to make you a new avatar. One that is fertile and maybe more like the Na'vi."

"Well, I'll think about it, and discuss it with Neytiri today. But, I've got to find a new home for the Omatikaya Clan and get it started, and I have to talk to the other clans here to get organized because the next ISV arrives in nine or ten months, and I need to help you get organized back at Hell's Gate, and a million other things. I really can't afford the down time, so the only choice is the spirit transfer. On the other hand, I don't know if Eywa is willing for me to transfer. I have to rely on Mo'at to ask Eywa, and to coach me so I know what to do to 'pass through the Eye of Eywa, and return.' I might run into Dr. Augustine while I'm there and never get back."

Mo'at looks to Jake, and says, "I will ask Eywa, but since you are Toruk Macto, I have little doubt that she will embrace your request. She may not say anything about passing through. That is a question of your heart, and I don't See any problem there. You will have to deal with Dr. Augustine on your own, if you do encounter her on the way."

"I hope I find her on a good day." Jake, Norm, and Max all laugh, thinking about Grace's temper tantrums. Neytiri is mystified, as she spent many hours at Grace's school, and saw only her best side. "Max, another thing to consider is to make avatars for all humans back at Hell's Gate, and then transfer everyone, so there are no humans left. Mo'at will have to take that up with Eywa." The entire group looks stunned at this vision of Jake's.

Max recovers and asks "Let me get the genome sequence results first and see what I can do, then we can decide on the number of avatars to make. Is there any chance of getting Grace out of Eywa and into her avatar body?"

Mo'at answers, looking downward "I am not certain, Maxpatel. Usually, when someone goes to Eywa, it is forever. Since she was in the midst of the transfer, it is not certain if she could be recovered now."

"I ask for a reason that goes back to the main topic today. Human fertility treatments often result in multiple births. But the structure of the Na'vi womb is such that some think multiple births are not possible. Do the Na'vi have multiple births?"

Both Mo'at and Neytiri have troubled looks. Neytiri says "Most Na'vi women have more than one baby."

Norm figures out the problem first. "What Max needs to know is whether Na'vi have more than one baby at the same time. Don't know if Jake has told you yet, but he was born with an identical twin, his brother Tom. I worked with Tom for three years before he died, and now I've known Jake for over a quarter of a year. Do the Na'vi have two or more babies born at the same time?"

Both Mo'at and Neytiri look at each other and laugh. Neytiri rattles off what sounds like a childhood nursery rhyme, mostly translated to English. "Palulukan, nantang, and fwampop usually have more than one baby at a time. Talioang, 'angtsìk, yerik, pa'li and syaksyuk usually have only one baby at a time, but rarely have two babies. Na'vi have only one baby at a time."

Max asks again "So, Na'vi do not have two or more babies at a time?"

Mo'at answers "No. I have heard of times when there are two, but the babies never survive. There just isn't enough room inside the mother for more than one baby."

"That is what I feared. Humans usually have one baby at a time, but there is a small probability of more than one baby, and the body of most mothers can accommodate several. When human fertility treatments began, several eggs would be collected from the mother, fertilized outside the body, and then implanted into the mother's womb. Because the probability of success for a single egg was so low, multiple eggs were used. As success rates improved, multiple births became more common. I think the most human babies occurring naturally was twelve, but most did not live. There have been cases of eight babies, all living, after this fertility therapy was used. Success rates are good enough now that most doctors will only implant one or two fertilized eggs. Since Na'vi mothers can only carry one baby, that means only one fertilized egg can be implanted at a time. As this has never been done for avatars or Na'vi, the success rate could be very low."

Mo'at looks very thoughtful, and quietly says "I can understand how this can work, but I never dreamed that such a thing is possible. Your medicine is beyond our imagining. And humans have been doing this fertility therapy for a long time?"

"Yes, for more than two centuries. That's over two hundred years Earth time. More than two very long lifetimes here." Max pauses to see if Mo'at says more, but she is still pondering the wonder of human medicine. He presses on with his issues. "There are a number of ways we can proceed. When the two of you are ready, come to Hell's Gate. I will need Neytiri just before the middle of her cycle. I will need Jake after two or three days of no sexual activity, after your sperm count has recovered. Once the eggs are fertilized, we have several options. One is to implant one egg in Neytiri, and see how that turns out. Another option to consider is using surrogate mothers. There are two female avatars available without drivers, Grace's and Ivanna Petrakov's."

Jake asks, "What happened to her? I didn't hear of any avatar casualties."

Max looks down, and softly answers "There were no casualties, or even injuries, with the avatars. Her uncle is high up in RDA's space operations enterprise, I think number two there. She decided to return to Earth. She is a microbiologist, and made some amazing discoveries here. But, she spent the minimum time required in her avatar, and never did much in it except work in the garden. We will really miss her, because she kept the garden in excellent shape. She's the one that got Grace to look at the roots of the plants here."

Jake looks down, "Well, I know life here without RDA's support is going to get very rough, and keeping anyone here who doesn't want to stay is asking for trouble. Sorry she left, though. What did she discover?"

"Her first day in her avatar, she went out to the garden, and took some soil and root samples. She isolated many viruses from those samples,and then began looking at how those viruses affect the plants and animals here. One virus is in every plant she and Grace examined, and seems to stimulate root growth. Ivanna and Grace argued for hours about that virus, because they cannot find an evolutionary reason for it. Ivanna is convinced that that virus was manufactured by some alien race to encourage root growth, but no reason for root growth has been found. That is what Grace was working on when she died."

Norm adds, "Yeah, our first sortie into the forest, just before Jake got chased off by a palulukan, Grace showed me how the roots pass electrical signals from tree to tree. Signal transconductance she calls it. At site 26, she came up with an experimental set-up so she could record the signals. However, all signal processing software she used on the recordings hasn't given any usable results. Think she was going to send the recordings back to Stanford and have the EE department analyze them for her. So, Ivanna got her onto that line of research."

"Yes, and she had other interesting results. One widespread virus lives in all plants, but has no apparent host to attack. Ivanna thinks it was designed to inhibit the growth of grasses. Only problem, no one has found any grasses for testing. Maybe it is working perfectly. While Grace was running her school, she asked the students about the plants familiar to the Omatikaya. She showed the students pictures of grasses that grow on Earth, but none have seen anything like them. That is something high on the list of things to find on Pandora, or at least was, before recent events. Grace tried to get Ivanna to go out in the field and look for grasses, but Ivanna was happy staying in the lab and garden. Don't think she ever left Hell's Gate."

Jake asks "Did she have any personal problems?"

Max answers "Not here. Her husband died from a lab accident in Africa. He was a microbiologist on call to the UN, and got sent into Africa for one of the new diseases that breaks out there every generation or so. Think he identified the latest super-strain of ebola, and it cost him his life. She gave up a promising academic career to come here shortly after he died. Rumor has it that her uncle offered to give her a recommendation, but she refused, saying she wanted no appearance of favoritism. Unlike Norm and most other drivers, she had not studied Na'vi before applying, but her research credentials were so good, she was accepted anyway. Her work here proved she was a good pick, even though her avatar was a waste."

Jake returns the conversation back to the main topic. "OK, you have two female avatars without drivers. Keeping Grace's avatar alive makes sense as long as there is a chance that Grace could be retrieved out of Eywa. Ivanna's avatar is totally useless, except for being a surrogate mother. If Max would ask the other female avatars for volunteers, my guess is that we would have more surrogate mothers than we could use."

Max says "Yes, that's true. And there are good medical reasons for using avatars with drivers. However, there are two avatars without drivers, and using them for surrogates will be easier to explain when RDA returns. Also, there is no driver available for retaliation if RDA returns in force and takes back Hell's Gate."

Jake replies, rubbing his forehead "Yeah, I see where you're going. Keep those avatars alive, for now. Well, the clan is my family now, and I need to find a home for them. So, you have plenty of time to look at the genetics. After we get a new Hometree and have our honeymoon, we can discuss this in more detail. Neytiri, you've been very quiet. Have any questions for Max?"

Neytiri says quietly "I never dreamed there would be a problem with us having children. Max says everything so plainly, but it is so new for me. I will have many more questions after I think about this. But, there is one question bothering me now. What does it mean to collect my eggs?"

Max looks at Neytiri, and says "It is better to discuss this back in my lab, where I can show you the equipment and pictures of the possible procedures. Humans usually have two choices, invasive and non-invasive. The invasive approach uses small cuts in your belly to insert instruments to find and remove your eggs. The non-invasive approach inserts similar instruments through the vaginal opening, the opening between your legs where babies are born. Many human mothers choose the invasive approach, because they do not like the idea of putting the instruments into their openings. Since there are always risks of complications when making cuts, I prefer the non-invasive approach, but it is your decision. Fertility therapy is a very personal and private issue for the parents, and I will give you all the information you need to make informed decisions, and will do whatever you want. I don't have Na'vi sized instruments now, but when I get back to Hell's Gate, I will have them made. I will make the instruments for both approaches, so you can see what I'm talking about."

Neytiri responds, "Thank you, Max. You have given us much to think about, and we did not have to kill you for what you say." The whole group laughs, even though Max blushes again.

Jake looks to Max, and makes a request that also sounds like a command. "Max, you and your staff need to research something else. I'm concerned that the human population here on Pandora is too small to be viable in the long term. When I suggested making avatars for all humans here, that is the reason why. If they can be made identical to Na'vi," he holds up his hands and wiggles his little fingers, "that is even better. Either way, the humans here have to make some hard choices for long term survival."

Max hangs his head, and answers "Will do. I started to think about that as the shuttle was being loaded up for the last time. Can you get someone to take Grace's avatar back to Hell's Gate?"

Jake stands up. "OK. One more thing first, and then we'll wrap up. The military has something called operational security, OPSEC for short. Basically means not giving away any information accidentally. Like soldiers going into battle with their cell phones turned on and transmitting their GPS coordinates. SecOps did not have a chance to destroy the computers at Hell's Gate, so they are still usable, but I don't want any information in them that could be used against us. So, Max and Norm, when you get back to Hell's Gate, see if some computers can be taken off the network and set up in a locked room with no connections to the outside. I don't want viability issues, or a better genetics map of the Na'vi, or my fertility therapy, or any other plans we make getting stolen by RDA hackers. Clear?"

Both Max and Norm nod their heads yes, even though neither know what can be done. This will take some research and work by the more technically inclined personnel back at Hell's Gate.

Jake is now in full command mode. "Let's recap. Short-term assignments first. Norm, take Max to the link module, and get the refrigerators cleaned out and running at the right temps. I will get someone to take Grace's avatar back today, and return with ice and coolers early in the morning just in case the refrigerators aren't working out. I will also get some ikran riders out looking for candidate trees for the new Hometree while they're hunting to feed everyone here. Jake and Neytiri are to get an early supper and go to Mo'at's cave for a very serious time of healing. Mo'at is to get the sentries posted and spread the word that Max needs blood samples from all clans tomorrow morning. Also, set up a meeting of all clan leaders and tsahiks tomorrow at the midday meal to discuss the next ISV arrival. Norm is to handle any new dog-tag finds. Max is to take care of wounded here. Human Jake is to slow down a bit to avoid health problems. Long-term assignments. Jake and Neytiri need to discuss the fertility therapy options, family size, timing, and so forth. We will go to Hell's Gate and see Max to work out details. Max and Norm need to get OPSEC in place at Hell's Gate, and then look into the viability issue and how to deal with it. Max to keep driver-less avatars alive and well, work up better genetics of the Na'vi, get fertility instruments made, and make a new and improved avatar for Norm. Mo'at is to commune with Eywa and see about me transferring permanently into my avatar, maybe transferring all humans eventually. Did I miss anything?" Everyone shakes their heads no.

Jake looks to the group, and says "Thanks for your help. These are hard times for all of us. Don't be afraid to bring anything up. Mo'at and Neytiri know that we humans have much to learn, and they have always been willing to teach me what I need to know. Likewise, we have much to teach them. Another topic to consider is how much we should teach them, because we do not want the Na'vi to pick up the human traits that have lead to the destruction of Earth. I worry more about that than anything else, as Neytiri could tell you. When things get better with the clan, we will spend some time at Hell's Gate to plan for the next ISV. Max, thank you and thank your staff for the good work you are doing here, healing the worst injuries. Norm, thanks for all you do, and your translating skills are invaluable." With that, the group disperses and gets to work.