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.
Author's Note: Hope you have a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2018.
Chapter 28: Mo'at – War Council
Mo'at is surprised by the response to her ceremonies for Jake. The Na'vi witnesses are roaring their approval, not the usual reaction for these childhood rites. She has performed the All-Mother ritual countless times before, but always for young children, and never did she get a response like this. The largest attendance before today was the All-Mother class she gave for Silwanin and her many contemporaries. Almost the entire clan was there, and their response was subdued compared to this.
Jake and Neytiri step down towards Akwey and the group of leaders behind him, and Akwey moves forward to greet the couple. Mo'at reaches out and puts her hands on their shoulders, and says "We should go to your healer friends first, so they can return to the injured."
Jake stops and nods briefly. He looks to Akwey and says, "Akwey, everyone, thank you for coming. We'll be right with you, we have to get the healers back to the injured first." Akwey nods, and steps back among the rest of the leaders.
Mo'at steps around Jake and Neytiri and descends to the group of Avatars and humans. In English, she says, "I am Mo'at, Tsahìk of the Omatikaya clan. Thank you for coming."
Norm answers, "Thank you for inviting us. I translated your words into English while you spoke, so all of us could understand what you said. I read transcripts of these rites years ago, but that's just not the same as attending them."
Mo'at thinks, "They know but they do not See." Looking towards Doctor Cari, she says, "I am happy you were able to get away. Now you have seen the first bonding and All-Mother rituals, and they are not as deadly as you were taught."
Cari replies, "Thank you for inviting us. These rituals are so much more meaningful in person, and they say so much about Eywa and the Na'vi. I have many questions, but I have to get back to my patients."
Mo'at scans the faces of everyone in this group while saying, "I, too, must go now, but I will say this first. After talking to Toktor Kari and Ketiking last night, I dreamed of these rituals all night long. That is Eywa's way of telling me that I must perform these rituals for Jake and all of you that desire to have them. I want to discuss much with you when we have the time, for these rituals are some of the things necessary for you to join a Na'vi clan. Recent events have upset our lives. Now we must do the work necessary to rebuild our lives. You must decide if you will remain together in your own place, or leave and join the Na'vi. Jake said your long term survival is best with the Na'vi. That may change after more of your kind return, especially those skilled in keeping your machines operating. You must decide for yourself. Think about what you have seen, what you want to do and learn, how you want to live out your lives on this world. Do what makes you the happiest. That is the Na'vi way, based on what we have learned from Eywa. We must meet many times, discuss everything, and answer your questions. I promise to find the time to talk to each of you individually, and my daughter and her mate will do the same." Neytiri and Jake nod their heads in agreement, even though they both look surprised by this expectation. "You must return to the injured, Jake and Neytiri must travel to defend us, and I must return to my clan and lead them to find a new home and reorganize the survivors after our recent losses. Thank you again for being here today."
Jake says, "Yes, thanks for coming. I didn't know what I was getting into, and I'm glad you were here to support me. Norm, Max, I need you to stay. Everyone else, get back to work." The group smiles and laughs. "I and all Na'vi thank you for your help in healing those in your care. We'll get together again after your patients are released and this thing with the Venture Star plays out. Certainly before we tear down the MASH and take it and you back to Hell's Gate."
The humans and avatars take their leave and walk up the ramp up to the hospital tents.
Mo'at next steps to the group of Omatikaya. "Thank you for coming down here to watch Jake receiving his rituals. Please go back to our camp and gather all available clan members on the way. We will hold our clan meeting as soon as I get there. If anyone cannot get away, that is acceptable, as long as there is one member present who can speak and listen for each work group."
Jake says, "Neytiri and I have to join the warriors and hunters at Hell's Gate as soon as we can, so Mo'at will be running the meeting by herself today. We have discussed what must be done, and now we need your help. Each of us must do our part to get our clan back to normal life in a new home. Thank you for coming."
Mo'at looks to the two boys who gathered up the clan and says, "Thank you for getting everyone down here who could get away. I know you would rather be with your siblings and friends heading out with the hunters and warriors, but your work here is just as important to the clan."
The boys beam, and the older says, "You are welcome, Tsahìk."
The Omatikaya adults take their leave, round up the children, and walk up the trail out of the Well.
The three Omatikaya leaders return to the group of leaders. Jake continues on to the injured warriors standing together on the far side. Akwey looks to Mo'at and says, "I don't think I can say those words correctly. Jakesully? Think I'll keep calling him Toruk Makto. Jarhead Clan? I thought I knew all clans. Never heard of them before, or any with such an unpronounceable name."
Mo'at answers, "My daughters taught me the tawtute language as they were learning it, and making this strange sound was difficult at first. Jakesully has been with us long enough for me to learn how to say his name. Learning their language is like shooting a bow and arrow, it looks easy but takes much practice to master. That clan is not from Eywa'eveng, it is from 'Rta. It is a clan of all warriors, and he belonged to it before he came here."
"A clan with only warriors? They did everything themselves to live?"
"That is what it seems. They partly healed him when he was badly injured, and then put him out when it was clear he could not recover completely. Everything about 'Rta is so different, so hard to understand, so wrong in so many ways. And, it seems, they have the same difficulty understanding our ways."
"And one of them became Toruk Makto?"
"Yes, Akwey. As you said earlier, Eywa works in mysterious ways. And you can see how Jake is working hard to become one of us. He has asked me to transfer his spirit into his Na'vi body. I am meditating on this, and when Eywa gives me the sign, I will attempt it."
"Attempt?"
"Yes, I tried it once before, to save the life of the one who was a teacher to many Omatikaya children, including my two daughters. Her human body was badly injured, and she was too weak. She did not live long enough for Eywa to transfer her spirit into her Na'vi body."
"I heard there was a healing ceremony here before Toruk Makto gathered the clans. I didn't know the details. There is a healer here, a former tsahìk, that could help."
"You mean Za'kì?"
"Yes, you know her?"
"I heard she was here, and just met her last night. I plan to talk to her this afternoon."
"Good. If anyone can help you, it is her. I will ask Eywa to give you the sign before everyone departs. I want to be part of that ceremony for him."
"It would be better if we had more people bonded to the Tree. We had most of the surviving Omatikaya for the last ceremony. That was the best we could do at the time, but maybe it was not sufficient."
"I will discuss it with the other leaders. It is difficult to stay here, getting enough food and water for our people and animals is hard, and everyone wants to get home to inform our clans and mourn our losses."
"And you should get home as soon as possible..."
Jake returns and interrupts his tsahìk, "Yes, I agree. I am very grateful for the help you and all the other clans have given us, and I'm sure everyone wants to get home now. We have to meet this shuttle first, and we may need to keep forces here and at Hell's Gate for several days."
Akwey makes a fierce frown, and demands, "For how long?"
"That has not been decided. Their leader is coming down to discuss it in person. They sent me a long list of supplies they must have before leaving. I don't know how many trips that will take, but I intend to limit the trips, we can't do this for long." Jake turns his head towards the pair of humans standing apart in exomasks, one holding a coil of rope. "Norm, Max, come here." Looking to Akwey, Jake says, "You know Norm, his avatar fought and died with your pa'li warriors. This is Doctor Max Patel, he is the leader of the healers here, and is also the leader of those who stayed behind at the tawtute village called Hell's Gate." Looking to Norm, Jake says in English, "I'll take the rope now." Norm tosses it to him.
Akwey looks at Norm and says, "Yes, I see the resemblance to the warrior that was fearless in the charge and died afterwards. This one is little and pink, not blue and normal sized like the warrior I knew." He next looks to Max and says, "We Na'vi are indebted to you and your healers." Norm translates Akwey's words from the Na'vi.
Max bows towards Akwey, and replies to Norm, "Tell him he is welcome. It is the duty of all medical doctors to heal the sick and injured. All of us that stayed are focused on healing the injured in our care, and we are glad to be of service to you and all Na'vi people." Norm translates while Max looks on, smiling as best he can while feeling inadequate, facing the fierce clan leader with the bone through his nose.
Akwey nods to Max and then Norm. "I look forward to working with both of you." Looking back to Jake, Akwey says, "We will have to split our forces, and we will need more food and water."
"And we must be ready every time they are on the move, because they could be bringing their warriors back down here, attacking the Tree of Souls or Hell's Gate." Jake pulls out his knife and cuts the plastic ties off the coil, and hands the cut pieces to Norm who pockets them. Jake unrolls the rope onto his feet until he holds both rope ends in one hand, and then pulls the rope through his other hand.
"I was thinking the same thing, Toruk Makto. We cannot sustain that kind of readiness over a large area. We must limit the times and places they are moving, but they are far above us, beyond our control."
"There are some weapons at Hell's Gate that can extend our reach. I'm going there as soon as we are finished here, and see what's available." Jake pulls the rope until he finds the bend at the center of the rope, and cuts it with his knife. He hands one end to Norm and says in English, "Find the midpoint." He holds the ends together of his piece and repeats the process to find its midpoint. Norm mirrors his actions.
"How will these weapons help?"
"We can't control them, but we can hold them off, and easily destroy their flying machine if it does something aggressive. It is the only one they have now."
"We should destroy it, and then we can go home and not fear their return."
"They will return. There are five or six ships on their way here now, and more will follow once word of what happened here gets back to Earth."
"Toruk Makto, when is the next arrival?"
Explaining when the ISVs will arrive is something Jake has been dreading. He remembers watching the orientation video back in New Mexico with some of his fellow travelers, and only the geeks appreciated the rather boring animation and voice over. From Earth orbit, the departure occurs when the Earth is closest to the Alpha Centauri system. Likewise, the arrival is timed to occur when Polyphemus is closest to the Sol system. Complicating the matter are these facts. First, the length of a year is different for Earth and Polyphemus. Second, the Alpha Centauri system is a binary system, and possibly a trinary system, affecting the movement of everything in that system. Third, both systems are moving through space around the core of the Milky Way in slightly different trajectories. Fourth, each ISV has its own "swim lane" in both directions to avoid collisions with the other ISVs, obstructions, and potential debris fields, as dodging problems in relativistic flight is so difficult. Each flight cuts through the asteroid belt, the Kuiper belt, and the Oort cloud, and maps more magnetic fields and clouds of dust, gas, and plasma. These data are used to determine the paths for following flights. In other words, each trip is different because of many variables. Jake didn't care, just as long as he got delivered alive and whole. Now he wishes he paid more attention to that video. He'll have to get the scientists in Hell's Gate to work out the times, if they can't find them in the computer system. Even if he knew the details cold, he doesn't know how to explain it to the Na'vi in terms they would understand. And then there is the problem that maybe it is better that they don't know. The less Earth knowledge they have, the less the humans are contaminating them. Still, they must know when the next ISVs arrive here. He thinks of an easy way to answer that question without going into any of the actual details.
Jake answers, "I wish I could tell you, but I do not know. It is difficult to be certain. It is like making a long hunting trip, over many days, and encountering bad weather. The prey will take shelter when conditions are bad enough, and you could use much time looking for their hiding places. If conditions are very bad, you may be forced to stop and find shelter yourself. Your ground trails may be flooded or otherwise impassible, and your aerial trails may be unusable because of strong winds. Maybe you will not find prey for days, forcing you to camp until conditions are better. These ships also have to deal with weather and obstacles in their paths. For safety, they take different paths, so the loss of one ship will not cause the loss of any nearby ship. One trip usually takes about six Earth years, and can vary by many days, depending on conditions. These ships are given directions before they leave, and if these directions were sent here and can be found, I will be able to give you a better answer." Jake looks to Max and Norm and says in English, "When you two get some time, can you track down the flight plans for the ISVs?" Both nod their assent. "Max, come here. I'm ready for you." Jake starts wrapping the rope around Max's waist and legs.
Akwey says, "Without knowing when, we must keep in touch as often as possible."
"Yes, that is true. I need your ideas on how that can be done. Each clan will have to watch their territories and beyond, and send word out as soon as anything unusual is seen. Neighboring clans will have to agree on patrol boundaries outside their territories, so no piece of land is missed in between."
"We have never covered such a large area before. Maybe the ikran clans can cover that much ground, but pa'li can only travel so far in a day. You are asking for much, Toruk Makto."
"You have seen how they fight, how completely they destroy things. No one clan is strong enough to stop them, only by having all clans doing their parts and working together can we hope to stay alive."
"Those are hard words, and true words. We must continue to work together, or die. It is very difficult to cover that much ground, but we will find a way." The leaders behind Akwey murmur among themselves, but no one speaks up to disagree.
"So the first thing to work out is how we can stay in touch. I want all of you to think about that. Ask Eywa for help. If all of you ask, I'm sure Eywa will aim us to the best way to stay in touch." Jake has wrapped the rope around Max's waist, including between his legs, and now is holding the two ends up over his head.
"What else do you have in mind, Toruk Makto?"
"Keeping in touch is good, but we have to meet face to face on a regular basis, say once a season, to discuss our preparations, keeping our clans safe, our strategies and tactics, the training needed to achieve our goals, whatever is important to our survival. Here again, I need each of you to think about what must be done, and meditate on these things with Eywa, to see what we can do. Should we always meet here, or some other place, or take turns hosting this gathering?"
"I agree, we have much to discuss. We should take turns, to spread the demands across all clans. I never thought the Omatikaya Hometree could be destroyed, but it was. That means the home of each clan is in danger. When they return, we may have to send our clans out to our hunting camps or other safe places, to save lives in case of attack."
"Yes, that is just one idea in a long list of things we must discuss."
"I've been told you easily beat Tsu'tey when he went after you with a knife. Only you can teach us that way of fighting, Toruk Makto."
"I need to get my clan into a new home, and after we get established, I will begin training warriors in what is called hand-to-hand combat, or close quarters fighting. We can discuss how best to train all clans in these techniques. Many warriors must know it when we have another battle on land, because we must use a different approach, charging into them was too costly."
"Yes, doing that is our way, but too many warriors and their pa'li were killed or hurt. I have been thinking about what should have been done, but I have no answers yet."
"Think about hunting them like prey, instead of riding into them, and attacking one on one. That is what I'm thinking. We also need to discuss how best to respond to them landing somewhere difficult to attack, like an island or mountain top." Looking down at Max, Jake says in English, "OK, Max. Squat down slowly. The rope may pinch your boy parts, so rearrange yourself to keep that from happening. Don't be shy, the Na'vi aren't."
Max gets partway down, and stops. "Ouch." He stands, pulls on one rope, and puts his other hand down in his pants. "Now I wish I would have worn briefs today, this is dangerous to one's genitals. I'm ready." This time Max squats down and stands up, and gives Jake the thumbs-up signal with a smile. "You sure this will keep me from falling off?" Jake wraps the rope ends together, and drapes them over Max's shoulders.
"Yeah, it's called a Swiss seat. Its meant for rappelling, so it'll hold you during our flight to Hell's Gate. Keep those ropes off the ground, if you can. Norm, your turn." Norm hands the mid-point bend to Jake, who starts wrapping the rope around Norm's waist in the same manner as Max.
Akwey says, "Toruk Makto, you have given us much to think about, but all I can focus on now is what you are doing with this rope."
Jake looks to Akwey rather sheepishly and says, "I'm sorry. Maybe I should have waited until we were finished. I am flying to Hell's Gate on my toruk, and need to take Netiri, Max, and Norm with me. When I flew Max out here, he was so frightened about falling off, he said he would never ride on my toruk again. So, I'm putting this harness on him and Norm to keep them from falling off."
"Is this something you learned while you were in the Jarhead Clan?"
Jake laughs. "Yes, it is. I told Mo'at I was from the Jarhead Clan the very first time I met her in Hometree. Didn't think she remembered. The proper name for my military branch is the Unites States Marine Corps. I was a Marine, a warrior that travels on very large boats that land on beaches. I was trained to fight in a place called Venezuela. It had jungles with mountains, much like here. We had special harnesses for climbing up and down mountains. Sometimes, though, we only used ropes, especially if we couldn't afford to carry or get caught with our mountaineering gear."
Akwey grabs one end of the rope from Max's shoulder. "This is a rope? It looks like a vine, or a woven leather cord."
"Yes. It was leftover from tying up the hospital tents over there. I saw the tent ropes when I walked in earlier, and then when Max said he'd rather walk than fly, I remembered making this harness."
"Your people have so many tools, and so many ways to use them."
"Yes, and I worry about what the Na'vi should learn from Earth. I don't want to teach the Na'vi something that Eywa does not want the Na'vi to know."
Akwey hands the rope back to Max. "I understand. That is a very difficult problem. There are many things from the battle that I want to forget, but I will not be able to put them out of my mind."
"If you ask Eywa..."
"...now you sound like my mate." That causes a wave of smiles and chuckles throughout the assembled leaders.
Jake smiles and says, "Sorry, just trying to help. I wish we could talk all day, there is so much to discuss. But I have to get to Hell's Gate as soon as I can. I know the tsahìks are staying here with the healers and the wounded. I think most of the clan leaders will be heading over to Hell's Gate, either flying with me on ikran, or riding pa'li, or running on foot. I will spend as much time as I can talking with you there. Before any clan leaves for home, we must decide where and when to gather again. That, or figure out how we can stay in touch and call the next gathering that way. Before I leave, I do have something to say to the tsahìks. I just heard that Eywa started on a beach, so this Tree of Souls is not the oldest of the sacred trees?"
Mo'at replies, "That is true. This Tree of Souls was old when Hometree was a sapling, but it was not the first sacred tree. The trees on the beach were destroyed by a storm, but Eywa and the spirits within her had spread across this world before that happened. There are sacred trees widely scattered all over the land."
"When our enemies return, they will destroy this tree first. They have weapons that can incinerate this entire area. They don't even have to land first, they can just drop it from above. We won't know they are attacking until it is over. There will be a very bright flash of light. All living things here will be turned into smoke, instantly. The stone arches and rock overhangs, even the inside wall of the well, will be turned into burning sand and blown far from here. The only other sacred tree I have seen was the Tree of Voices that was destroyed the day after Neytiri and I became mated before Eywa among its fronds. Please tell Eywa that this Tree of Souls will be destroyed like that Tree of Voices, and new sacred trees, especially new Trees of Souls, are needed." Some of the tsahìks have stricken looks on their faces, but most have looks of stony determination. All will let Eywa know.
A healer that looks like the oldest Na'vi woman ever asks Jake, "Why would these people destroy this tree?" Mo'at recognizes her as the healer and retired tsahìk Za'kì she spoke with last night when she was with Doctor Cari.
He answers, "They think all Na'vi would be so upset by its destruction that they would no longer be an effective fighting force."
"All living things eventually die. Someday, even I will die." Several in the group smile or chuckle at these words.
"I was told this is the most sacred place for the Na'vi. Its destruction wouldn't matter to you?"
"It would be upsetting, but life would go on. Eywa is concerned only with the balance of life, even with Her sacred trees. I am sure there are other sacred trees in places hidden to us. Eywa will reveal them when they become needed. What is your interest in this tree?"
"I was here for the healing ceremony where Mo'at tried to move the spirit from Doctor Augustine's human body to her avatar body. My spirit is also in my human body, and I want to move it permanently into this body." Jake points to his chest. "I have asked Mo'at to seek Eywa's permission and help for such a transfer. I know others, the healers that were just here, would also like to transfer their spirits."
Norm adds, "I, too, want to transfer, but I need another body first. It may not be ready before they destroy this tree."
"I see. Before the time of the First Songs, this spirit transfer was needed by the first Na'vi clan, but I have never been able to find out why. Eywa does not want any Na'vi to know, apparently. This tree will transfer souls only when Eywa deems it useful. I will meditate on this when I next bond with Eywa. Toruk Makto, you have been chosen by Eywa, so I think that She will approve your transfer. For your friends, Her approval is not as certain. Since they are healers and others that have helped the Na'vi, I think She will approve. Do not rely on Eywa to do your bidding, though, those that have are usually disappointed. I heard the animals attacked the enemy after you asked for Eywa's help. Is that true?"
"I did ask Eywa for help, but in a general way, the night before the battle. When I first saw the wild ikran attack, I was as surprised as anyone."
"Have you asked for help today?"
"No, guess I haven't had the time to ask."
"It is acceptable to ask for Her help, but always do what you can on your own. Eywa helps those who help themselves."
"I heard something like that when I was a young boy."
"It is good advice, keep it in mind. Just so you know, I once asked Eywa to keep the last Toruk Makto alive so I could visit with him in person."
"What happened?"
"He died before I was old enough to travel to him on my own. But, She did grant me this wish, in Her own way. I never dreamed that the next Toruk Makto would be chosen before I die. Please return alive very soon, I want to talk to you."
Turning to Mo'at, Za'ki asks, "What made you try the transference? It has never worked after the time of the First Songs."
"Yes, I know. It was the only thing I could think to try. It did seem obvious, though, there were two bodies and only one spirit for Graceaugustine. I have also seen that with Jakesully. When his spirit leaves this body to return to his original body, this body becomes unconscious. Their spirits are based in their other bodies, but are able to enter their Na'vi bodies using their machines. It is not like forcing a spirit out of a body so that another can take its place."
"Interesting, you are on the right trail. I never thought there could be a body without a spirit. In the past, the few times it was tried and failed, there were always two bodies involved, each with its own spirit. I thought about trying it when my mate was dying from his hunting wounds, but I knew I could not get him to this tree in time, and I was not willing to ask anyone to sacrifice themselves to keep his spirit out of Eywa. Did you think about doing this for your mate?"
"No, not at all. We were separated, and I couldn't see him. He was outside Hometree with all adults who could use a bow or spear. I was inside with the children and the rest of the clan and pa'li. Some ran outside when the smoke weapons made us cry and cough. The fire weapons chased everyone else out. Then the thunder weapons knocked over Hometree." For the first time in living memory, Mo'at hangs her head, looking downward and appearing old and overburdened. "I don't know why, but I felt a great pain while the thunder weapons were hitting the tree, and it stopped once Hometree was lying on the ground." She lifts her head to look directly at Za'ki, and her normally strong bearing returns after she wipes away some tears. "I was busy gathering the survivors and treating the injured, and didn't have time to think about it. When my daughter walked out of the smoke carrying his bow, it occurred to me that my mate was badly hurt. I didn't want to believe he was truly gone until the warriors carried his body out. When I saw his injury, I knew I felt his suffering, and was glad it didn't last long."
"I have heard of such feelings, you must have been very close. You are very strong to talk about it so soon after his death. Thank you for answering the prying questions of an old woman. We must get together and talk more." Za'ki looks to Jake and says, "I will pray to Eywa to give Her approval for your transfer, and the transfers of your friends who have Na'vi bodies without spirits. But first, I will pray that there are no more deaths or injuries. May Eywa be with you, your mate, and everyone going with you into harm's way."
Jake responds, "Thank you for your prayers. May Eywa be with, too."
Mo'at says, "Thank you, Za'kì. I have to get to a clan meeting as soon as I can, they are already assembling. I have many things to discuss with you. Let's meet this afternoon, if you have the time."
"That is good. I will be down here among the injured or bonded to the tree. See you then." Za'ki turns towards the tree and toddles towards the nearest frond. She bonds with it, and uses it to let herself down to sit on the ground.
Akwey looks to the leaders standing around him and asks, "Are there any more questions before we break up?"
"I know you can't give us the exact time, but about when is the next arrival?"
Jake looks up in the air, thinking, and then answers, "Less than a year, say about three fourths of a year."
"That's not long."
"No, it isn't. The good thing is that they were not planning to attack us when they left, so they are not coming out here with a large group of warriors and weapons. None of the ships in route are ready to attack us. The earliest we have to face that is about six Earth years from now, more like seven to eight, maybe ten Earth years out."
Akwey says, "That gives us time to prepare, but we must be ready for a long time. That will be very difficult."
"I will do everything I can to see that we are ready, and to give everyone a better idea when the attacks will come."
Akwey answers, "I also will do everything I can to prepare for these attacks, Toruk Makto." Behind him, many of the clan leaders say similar words.
"Now, I'd love to talk all day, but I have to get to Hell's Gate and get ready for today's landing."
Akwey says, "Go, take the ikran riders with you, and we pa'li riders will get there as soon as we can." He turns to the Plains leaders behind him and says, "Makto ko." The clan leaders from the Plains sprint up the trail out of the well to their pa'li. The clan leaders from the forest and the Eastern shore clans move to empty spots in the well and call down their ikran.
Mo'at moves in with the tsahìks and healers that remain. She looks to Jake and Neytiri, and says, "Take care of each other. May Eywa be with you."
Neytiri answers, "I will keep my mate safe. May Eywa be with you, mother."
Jake only nods and says, "May Eywa be with you." The grim look on his face says his mind is already at Hell's Gate.
Jake looks to Norm, and says, "OK, time to squat and make sure the ropes don't pinch."
Norm squats down part way, and pulls on the ropes and his clothes. He slowly bounces up and down, getting lower each time. Finally, he stands and says, "I'm good to go."
Jake says, "Here's how we're going to get on my toruk. Neytiri goes on first. She'll help Norm up who goes behind her. Bad news, Norm will have to sit over her tail. I go up next and tie Norm onto Neytiri. I'll get in position up front. Neytiri will help Max up, who goes in front of her and behind me. Max will have to sit over my tail. After I tie him on, we'll take off. Max and Norm, the ropes will hold you, but if you need to hang onto something, grab the ties on the loincloth in front of you. Got it?" Everyone nods. "Good." Jake whistles, and his toruk touches down between Jake and the field hospital. Jake makes the bond with it, and then rubs its neck. He waves the riders on, and they quickly get into position on the back of the toruk. Once Jake gets Max tied to his back, he looks around the well and sees all ikran riders at the ready. He shouts, "Makto ko," and his toruk leaps into the air, followed by the ikran that take up positions beside and behind the toruk.
Mo'at watches the spectacle, thinking, "Eywa, please bring them all back alive. I don't know if I can handle any more losses."