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.

Chapter 25: Mo'at – Meeting With Akwey

Rounding a bend in the path, Mo'at spots Jake and Neytiri standing together just outside the common area, facing the small crowd of leaders from the Plains clans. She thinks, "I'm glad to find them here. And thankful they look so happy together. Like all newly mated couples, they are holding hands, twining tails, hanging on each other, with smiles and tanhi beaming while they gaze at each other. They must have found much healing for their hearts last night." However, Jake's face hardens as he speaks to the leaders. She thinks, "Something bad must have happened while I slept apart from the clan."

Neytiri spots Mo'at approaching while Jake is speaking, and he picks up on her shift of attention. He turns towards Mo'at and says, "I See you, Tsahìk. Please join us."

Neytiri looks to her mother and says, "I See you, mother. You are looking much better this morning."

Mo'at replies, "I See you, my children. Yes, my body and spirit are better today. You two are looking well this morning, when your faces are not so grim."

Jake and Neytiri smile quietly in reply and surround her, each placing an arm on her back, then turn back towards the leaders from the Plains clans. She holds the plastic cup in her right hand, and presses her right hand down against her hip to hide the cup.

Mo'at turns to Akwey and makes the usual greeting gesture by touching her forehead with her left hand, saying, "I See you, ma Akwey and ma leaders from the Plains."

Akwey replies with the same gesture and says, "I See you, ma Tsahìk." Many of the leaders standing behind him are echoing his words and gestures.

Jake continues, "I was just telling Akwey and our friends from the Plains that we must return to the place of the tawtute. We sent so many of them off of Eywa'eveng that they cannot take them all back to Earth, and their leader above the sky will be forced to kill those he cannot handle."

Mo'at thinks, "The tawtute are vicious beyond all understanding." She shakes her head in disgust and practically spits out, "This leader would kill his own brothers and sisters?"

Jake nods his head in the affirmative, and tries to put the situation in terms that Na'vi can understand. "Yes, it is disturbing to us, but necessary for them. It is a very long journey, and there is not enough room with air and water and food for all of them. Here, Eywa provides, but they are traveling very far away. There are no hunting grounds, no watering holes, no hope of getting any help. The only way for any of them to return home is to limit the number in the traveling party to match the supplies that they can carry with them, and that is also limited. Much like limiting the distance you can travel based on the amount of supplies you can carry on a pa'li."

Mo'at looks to Jake and says with a determined voice, "I do not believe anyone can get beyond Eywa's influence, but I understand what you are saying. There has been too much bloodshed already. All life must be protected. What can be done?"

"The leader wants to return those he cannot handle back to us rather than kill them. These people are the ones that keep the machines running in Hell's Gate, and most did not participate in the attack against us, from what I have been told. The leader is also asking for supplies needed for the return trip. He is making reasonable requests, but it could be cover for another attack."

"That is why so many ikran riders are leaving?"

"Yes. They are flying back to Hell's Gate, the tawtute settlement, to prepare for their arrival. I am asking Akwey and the other Plains leaders to send their healthy pa'li riders now, with the leaders following after the mid-day meeting. If possible, that meeting will be held sooner. The pa'li riders need more time than ikran riders to cover the distance, and they should arrive before the shuttle lands. I have not spoken to the tawtute leader yet, I'm hoping he doesn't start his flight before I speak with him."

Akwey looks to Jake and says, "I agree that this landing could be another attack. What is your plan?"

Mo'at thinks, "Eytukan was always so frustrated by Akwey's incessant questions."

Jake looks to him and replies without hesitation, "Three groups are needed. First, we must protect against an attack from the shuttle when it lands. We will surround the landing zone with barricades and warriors to contain them. If necessary, we will destroy their flying machine, but that is very dangerous, our last resort. The whole village could be destroyed, and that would be the death of our tawtute friends. Second, we must protect those warriors from any attack coming from outside the tawtute place. We will put patrols outside the fences, and some groups of warriors hiding near the gates. Third, we must protect our encampment here, especially the Tree of Souls. That was their target before, and could be again, after drawing our forces away. Several clans have arrived since the battle, and more are heading this way. Since they are tired after their travels, we will have them take over the protection here. I did send one newly arrived clan out earlier this morning, but won't do that again. The new arrivals will get added to the defenses here as soon as they're ready. Once we see how this plays out, whether there are any engagements, we can move warriors where they are needed. We do need to expand our hunting grounds to feed everyone. When we are done, we can spread out and hunt while returning here. Do you see anything that I'm missing?"

"No, Toruk Makto. You have everything covered." Akwey turns to the leaders behind him. "Does anyone have anything to add?" He gets no response except some gestures and murmurs. He turns back to Jake. "The hunters have been busy butchering the talioang and 'angtsík killed during the battle. There is plenty of meat ready now. But we will have to expand our hunting area to accommodate everyone, and to feed our pa'li. Splitting our forces is not good for fighting, but is good for hunting. Our pa'li riders will go straight to the tawtute village, taking plenty of meat with them, and will hunt when safe to do so. How will they meet up with the ikran riders?"

"Good question. The ikran riders are to report behind the highest point of the cliff on the far side of the hole, the opposite side from the village. It is a good vantage point that looks over the entire area, and has been used often by the Omatikaya to watch them. I will send you guides that know that land. The first pa'li riders should also report there. They can use the tawtute path once they leave the mountains. Near the village, the path meets up with a wider path that is very hard, almost like stone. One way goes to the large hole they have dug, and the other to the village. That junction is the best place for them to ambush our warriors. The first pa'li riders should avoid this big path and take cover in the forest, and ride around the hole to report in. Once that area is secure, clear of tawtute warriors, a small force should patrol that junction, and direct all following pa'li riders to the village. The ikran riders on patrol can track the incoming pa'li riders."

"That is a good plan. I will have our pa'li riders prepare now, and will leave once your guides join them."

Mo'at thinks, "I am impressed. Jake laid out his plan, and the greatest warrior from the Plains is praising it, accepting it without his usual objections. Even Eytukan never managed that with far simpler and less consequential plans."

Jake nods to Akwey, and says "Let me get the guides for you now." Jake makes a loud whistling sound, and a couple of warriors run up to him.

While Jake is giving orders to his warriors, Mo'at looks to Akwey and says, "I heard about you and your son in the battle. I was grateful that Eywa spared both of you, especially after your son lost his pa'li."

Akwey nods his head. "Yes, many fine warriors and mounts were hurt in that charge, so I was much relieved when I saw my son and picked him up. He fell into a stream when his pa'li went down and avoided major injuries. I heard that your daughter had a similar experience. Is that so?" Akwey looks to Neytiri.

Mo'at takes Neytiri's hand in her left hand and answers, "Like your son, her ikran was killed while she was riding it. It was able to dive into the trees as it died, throwing Neytiri into the branches and vines, saving her life but leaving her covered in bruises and scrapes. Then, Eywa sent her a palulukan to take her to her mate after he jumped from a flying machine he killed. Her palulukan was killed while she was riding it. She was pinned under its dead body, but managed to escape in time to kill the tawtute that killed it, saving her mate's life. She found out later that this tawtute was the leader of their warriors."

"I've heard the rumors that Neytiri rode a palulukan. That's never been done by any Na'vi." He looks to Neytiri. "So this is true?"

Neytiri answers, "Yes. I was in the middle of the fight, and the palulukan appeared out of the shadows. I thought I was prey, until she crouched down and let me climb on her back and make the bond. Only then did I know that Eywa had sent her to save me and my mate."

Akwey looks to Mo'at. "The first Palulukan Makto is mated to the sixth Toruk Makto, the fiercest Na'vi couple ever. Eywa works in mysterious ways."

"Yes, She does."

"I can't wait to see their children. They should be the mightiest warriors the Na'vi have ever produced."

Neytiri turns away, blushing. Jake gets that goofy lop-sided smile on his face. Mo'at sees their reactions, and remembering the words of Toktor Max from yesterday, says gently, "You are making plans for Eywa. You may be surprised."

Akwey laughs, "Now you sound like my mate. Yes, we will see what Eywa is planning for all of us."

"That is all we can do."

"When Toruk Makto landed at my village, I was surprised to see Neytiri on the toruk with him."

Mo'at nods but is thinking "Please don't talk about that with Neytiri listening."

"During introductions, we learned she is his mate. I remembered our conversation from what, ten, twelve years ago."

She thinks, "He's talking about it," and replies, "The clan gathering, I remember. We discussed the possibility of pairing Neytiri with your son to take over your clan, after Tsu'tey and my older daughter Silwanin take over the Omatikaya. They were just children then. We decided to keep that plan in mind, but wait until they were closer to adulthood to make any decisions. Eywa has a way of changing our plans."

Neytiri has been listening quietly during this exchange, but this revelation causes a shocked look to replace the polite smile on her face.

Akwey chuckles as he sees her reaction. He looks to her and says "You haven't taken over your mother's role as tsahík yet, but the day will come when you must think about successors for you and your mate. You must always keep an eye open for all strong candidates in other clans, and always be ready to discuss inquiries about the candidates in your own clan. You should start looking today."

He turns back to Mo'at. "I was saddened to hear the news about your daughter Silwanin. That had to be difficult. We knew Neytiri's path after that was probably not going out to us in the Plains. And then hearing about the loss of your mate Eytukan. You have my sympathy, and my mate also sends her condolences to you."

"Thank you, I appreciate that. Thank your mate for me when you get home. So much has changed since that gathering, especially over the past few days. Eywa willing, my hope is that this time of sorrow is over now."

"I have been a warrior my entire life, always preparing for a fight, but this warfare has been more terrible than I could imagine. We will do what we must do, but, if possible, I want to see it end without more killings."

As his aides run off, Jake re-enters the conversation. "That's what I want, too. I'll fight if I have to, but I'll do what I can to avoid it. I'm really short on pa'li, but I'm sending all that's left with the guides. They're preparing to leave now, and will be at your camp as soon as they're ready."

"Thank you, Toruk Makto. My son will want to lead his warriors, but I'm going to let him pick the leaders and give the orders, and then have him attend the council meeting. Are you still planning to have it at midday?"

"It should be held sooner. I need to leave here as soon as I can to make ready for the arrival of their flying machine."

"We could hold the meeting there, maybe before the flying machine arrives."

"Well, the meeting should be here, so the tsahíks and other elders caring for the wounded can attend. We need their help and understanding, too."

"It is good that you want to include them. I'm impressed that you are willing to hear everyone out. If you want, I will go around and talk to all clans, so they are ready whenever you call the gathering."

"Thanks, that would be a great help. Until this tawtute issue is resolved, flexibility for everything else is much needed."

"I am happy to help however I can."

Mo'at looks to Akwey and asks, "Have you been thinking much about your son?"

"Yes. My mate has been wanting to discuss when my son and his mate should take over our clan. I always tell her they aren't ready yet. I see now I wasn't ready."

"Eywa makes her own plans. By you not being ready, you are here today to help all Na'vi. Eywa will let you know when it is time. I so badly want to join my mate in Eywa." Neytiri frowns at her mother's admission. "But, my clan has faced so many changes, losing so much and so many loved ones so quickly, it is not time for me to go. I must provide some stability to my clan. When Eywa is ready for me, She will tell me." Neytiri now looks less worried, but not completely relieved.

"My mate told me I should ask Eywa about my son taking over. I have spent much time bonded to the sacred tree since the battle, pondering this issue. I now see he is much better prepared for leading the clan than I was when I started."

"You should tell your son those same words, and your mate."

"I think I will, first with her, and then to him at a clan meeting I've been putting off for far too long." Akwey looks to the other leaders from the Plains surrounding him. "Does anyone have any questions for Toruk Makto?" No one answers. He looks back to Jake, "We have taken enough of your time. I will alert the other clans, and await your call to hold the council. You should eat your breakfast now. It may be a long day."

Jake nods his head. "Thank you, Akwey. I really appreciate all the help you and all the Plains clans have given. May Eywa be with all of you."

"May Eywa go with you at all times." With that, Akwey turns and leads the Plains leaders back towards their encampments.