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.

Authors Note: Sorry for the long delay. Too many medical problems means no time for fun things, like writing. Will try to get back to a more regular schedule. The Avatar sequels will be released soon, but I may continue on with this line if reviews and readership continue. Please let me know.

SOP means Standard Operating Procedure

RPG means Rocket Propelled Grenade

SAM means Surface to Air Missile

Chapter 30: Captain Gustav – Negotiations

Jake says, "Un-huh. Let's get down to business."

Captain Gustav thinks, "Lighten up a bit." Looking to Jake, he asks, "Before we start, I just want to know what I should call you. Is it Corporal, Tore-Rook Mack-Toe, Clan Leader, or Mystic Imperial Poobah of the Water Buffalo Lodge?"

Chuckling, Jake replies, "There's no lodge here, and I don't have one of those hats. Just call me Jake."

"The young Na'vi woman who greeted me said you are Tore-rook Mack-toe, Eywa's chosen rider. I take it that huge orange beast up there is yours?" The Captain points to the comm tower. The toruk hasn't moved from its sleeping position, except to open its eyes to look down at Jake after hearing his voice.

"It is. Maytse told you that?"

"She seems very unhappy about not having her dream hunt yet."

"Yeah, she and Wrrtll would be very happily mated now if it wasn't for Selfridge and Quaritch." Turning to Neytiri, Jake asks, "I wonder if your mother could hold their dream hunts in her cave?"

Neytiri replies, "I'll ask, but they still have to do their preparations. Remember how sick you were, even after fasting?"

"It's a blur now, but you know what must be done."

"The worms should be around the Tree of Souls. We also need a water drum."

"Oh, yeah, no one has gone back to Hometree to see if the old one survived down below. I'll ask the leaders if they have anyone who can make a new drum."

"Mother is very happy with Wrrtll's dream hunt song."

"That guy can do anything. I had a hard time learning the song for skxawngs. It's time, Wrrtll and Maytse have waited long enough."

"I agree. I will speak with Mother."

Captain Gustav thinks, "They are very considerate of their people," and says, "You are very lucky to have such followers."

Jake nods and says, "Yes, I am. But they are friends, not followers. After Neytiri, they are my oldest friends among the Na'vi. We got our banshees on the same trip. One thing I've learned being with the Na'vi is that everyone in a clan trusts their lives to each other. They would die to protect me, as I would die to protect them. If only the people of Earth cared for each other so much, especially the politicians and corporate executives."

"Having a celebration, like for that couple getting married, would go a long way to showing your clan that you are taking them back to a normal life again."

Neytiri nods and replies, "Yes, it would. That is a very wise thing to say."

Gustav thinks, "Keep thinking I'm on your side." Looking to Jake, he says, "If you are leading a homeless clan, and have a new wife and pet, you have a very full plate. You must be spending many hours in a link. Your wife does know about your human body?"

Neytiri answers, rather forcefully, "Yes, I have held both his Na'vi and human bodies in my arms. Why do you ask?"

Looking back to Jake, Gustav says, "It is good to have the manufacturing and engineering staff back here, to continue to receive ISVs as they arrive, and to keep your links up and running. I know there are more avatars here than links. If more avatar drivers take the plunge and go native, following your lead, you will have a big problem with allocating link time. You need to have more links built, and a place built to house them. There is also a problem with the power plants. You know about that?"

Max interrupts, "I have been told the replacement nuclear reactors are on the next ISV."

"That's my understanding, too. You need to build an annex on the power plant, and have the new units installed and brought online, to ensure the long term survival of Hell's Gate, including your human bodies and the links that make the avatars operational."

Jake rubs his forehead with one hand, and says, "I see where you're going. Even if I was totally dead set against you returning any personnel, the survival of everyone in Hell's Gate is at stake."

Gustav thinks, "Good, he's getting it." Looking to Jake again, he says, "Indeed. And it is greater than that, because the survival of all souls aboard the in-bound ISVs are also at stake." Looking back at the doctors, he says, "In that vein, I have a question for the good doctors here. Are either of you in charge of Hell's Gate now?"

The two doctors turn to look at each other, and look back to the Captain. Norm replies, "Jake is in charge of Pandora, including Hell's Gate. What's your point?"

"Hell's Gate is very important to all ISVs heading here. A common misconception is that the large industrial facilities in Hell's Gate are for the mining effort. That is far from the truth. These capabilities, machining, manufacturing, chemical production, all the rest, make it possible for the ISVs to return to Earth. I need to speak with those in charge of Hell's Gate to make it clear that as long as ISVs continue to fly here, equipment and supplies for them must be produced to keep them operational. With at least three ships heading this way and past the point of no return, they will orbit here for service. Hell's Gate must keep in touch with all ISVs at all times to take orders and be ready to deliver replacement parts and consumables, especially high priority items that are urgently needed, maybe as soon as they get into a parking orbit and can send out a shuttle. My email listed those items needed before we break orbit. I need to take the air scrubbers and water reclamation units in your warehouse now with me as soon as I can leave here. And if they can be squeezed in around the water tank, I'll take a load of water, too."

Norm looks coolly to the Captain. "Do we look like engineers or stevedores?"

"No, and I don't expect anyone in the avatar program is capable of handling this supply mission for the Venture Star. That is why I brought the SecOps personnel with me that do this, and I will take them with me when I return. The people here will have to pick up their game when the in-bound ISVs arrive, and work with their crews to refuel and load the shuttles."

A stingbat zooms around the corner, flying as fast as it can. Right on its tail are several riderless banshees, all wearing flying harnesses. The lead banshee surges forward with a downflap of its wings, and bites down on the stingbat. The head and wingtips of the stingbat flutter down as the banshee swallows its body. The banshees turn in formation and disappear behind the hangers as the head and wingtips skitter along the tarmac. A six-legged creature darts out across the pavement, gathering up the remains, and disappears the way it came. Two young Na'vi women chase after it.

Jake laughs. "Welcome to Pandora. The Na'vi call it a riti, a stingbat. I was off the Valkyrie about a minute when one attacked me. A trooper killed it with his sidearm. I saw a colony of them in Augustine's school, but they ignored us. I've never seen one eaten on the fly like that."

Captain Gustav says, "I've been here in Hell's Gate many times, and never saw either of those birds up close. I take it both are lethal?"

Jake says, "Yeah, you can't let your guard down for a second. Think all banshees that flew past are tame, used by our ikran riders. They are our best protectors from stingbats now."

"You're not upset that I brought some SecOps personnel down here?"

"As long as they aren't armed and you take them with you. They are the only ones left out here that can do those jobs. Between the Na'vi and Avatar program personnel, they aren't welcome. I think the forest would be much more welcoming." Gustav can only nod, thinking, "It won't come to that." Jake smiles broadly, and then gets more serious. "So, what is your first concern now?"

"My immediate concern is off-loading the personnel now in the Valkyrie, and begin the refueling and loading process."

"Your email has a very long list. Is everything going to fit on this return trip?"

"No. There is no way to get everything in orbit with just one trip. If you allow it, I think twice daily trips for two weeks will get us ready to return, provided there are no break-downs with the Valkyrie or Venture Star."

"That sounds really excessive. Why so many trips?"

"If you look inside the hangers, you should find the special transport tanks for water, liquid oxygen, and various compressed gasses. When one of the big tanks is locked down into the hold and filled, it usually maxes out volume and weight for that run. I really need one run for each, and could use several for water and oxygen."

"All this stuff is made here? You can't make it yourself?"

"No. To cut the weight of each ISV, those capabilities were moved into the docking facilities, Hell's Gate on this end. The only thing not made here is the anti-matter for the main engines, because it is too dangerous to transport into orbit. We brought more than enough for the return trip."

"Why so much now?"

"We were scheduled to stay here for several more months, and had not been pushing our resupply missions yet. We still have cargo in our holds for delivery here, and have been concentrating on high priority cargo, mainly unobtainium and personnel rotating back, for return trips. And we were fighting some maintenance issues with the other Valkyrie, the one destroyed in the battle, that slowed down our mission tempo."

"So, you are not ready for an early return. I thought you had to keep ready for return at all times, in case of a disaster."

"That's true, that is one of my responsibilities. But, we were prepared for a return with a normal complement of human cargo, not the overloaded condition forced on us until everyone can be prepped and put into cryo."

"So, it's all my fault you can't leave?"

"Well, in a manner of speaking. Who caused this battle?"

"This battle never would have happened if Selfridge and Quaritch weren't greedy bastards."

"Why do you say that?"

"They showed me the surveys done around Hell's Gate. The biggest deposit of unobtainium closest to Hell's Gate was under Hometree, the home of the Omatikaya clan. They were determined to open a new mine there, no matter what."

"So they started it?"

"Yeah, they had the Tree of Voices bulldozed. Neytiri and I were there when it was destroyed, and my avatar was almost killed by a falling tree. The Omatikaya retaliated, burning the dozers and killing the SecOps squad protecting them. Quaritch struck back by destroying Hometree, killing many Na'vi, including the clan leader, Neytiri's father."

"Selfridge told me everything was your fault. You didn't get the clan to move."

Jake looks angry. "That scumbag!" A look of regret covers his face and affects his whole bearing. "Yes, the first morning after the Omatikaya took in my avatar to study me, Quaritch and Selfridge gave me that assignment. That was before I learned the ways of the Na'vi. At first, I thought I could find something to trade with them. But, as time went on, I saw there was nothing we had that they wanted."

"Not even firewater, like the old American west?"

"No, their's is much better. Believe me, it has one helluva kick."

"So you failed that assignment."

"Yes. Tell me, if you had a home used for uncounted generations over thousands of years, would you trade it away for stuff you don't need? The Na'vi say 'Eywa provides' and She really does. The Na'vi must work hard, but they have everything they need for happy and fulfilled lives. Far better than humans on Earth. As I came to see the attachment of the Omatikaya clan to their ancient home, I realized they would never leave it. That first meeting, Selfridge even told me I had to find a carrot, or it would be all stick. He was planning to destroy Hometree all along, and I was stupid enough to think I could make a deal for it, to impress him and Quaritch."

"I see."

"So, if you want to blame me, go ahead. Better me than the Na'vi. The only thing they are guilty of is trying to protect their home and way of life. Not that anyone in RDA cares. There's no profit in letting the Na'vi be."

"I'm not blaming you. And you're right. I think most RDA personnel don't give the Na'vi much thought. My biggest problem with the Na'vi is that they are fond of sneaking around Hell's Gate, losing things. My security is always finding Na'vi made contraband, like arrowheads and other trinkets, in the belongings of those going back to Earth."

"That proves my point. Everyone is trying to profit from the Na'vi, without thinking about the Na'vi."

"Why would the Na'vi be shooting arrows into Hell's Gate?"

"They don't shoot directly into Hell's Gate. My first day, just before the stingbat attacked me, I saw a dump truck with tires full of arrows. I've heard that some of the youngsters have shooting contests using the tires as moving targets while the trucks are on the road between the mine and the processing plant. Neytiri's father always tried to stop it, but kids will be kids, especially when their hunting takes them that far from home and they're still empty-handed. They take their frustration out on the tires, even though it costs them the arrows they shoot."

"I might have done the same."

"Me too. Guess it's my turn to stop that. It should be easier now, with the mine shut down. There won't be any tires on the road for targets."

"Sounds like you have your hands full as the clan leader. I know we've covered this already, but I can't stress it enough. You will have to live in your link to do what you have to do. Links use lots of power, have mechanical parts that wear out, and electronic parts that eventually go bad. In order to stay out in the field as much as you can, you will need the raw materials and spare electronic parts that are now in the hold of the Venture Star and all other inbound ISVs. The factory can make more links, and replacement parts for existing links, from this cargo. If you don't have the materials and the skilled labor, you will be out of your avatar eventually."

"I agree. But I can't have flights for the next 14 days. Four days is all I can allow."

"OK. This Valkyrie has been very reliable, so I'm not expecting any maintenance issues. Let's go three days and see how much we can get moved. We can discuss the situation at that time. That will give my crew a chance to reassess the situation, to see if we're good to go with what we have."

"I can live with that, but you can't stretch it out much. The sooner everyone's lives return to normal, the better."

"I agree. Can I start off-loading now?"

"Yes, but not all at once. Send them out with their belongings in groups of eight when called."

"That will take some time."

"Your right, but that is how it must be. If a crowd comes out, my people will open fire."

"I understand. I saw the RPGs. Would you really destroy the Valkyrie?"

"If that is what it takes to suppress a sneak attack. Some were in favor of shooting it down while landing just now, to end the possibility of another attack until the next ISV. Keep everything cool and orderly, and we'll get along just fine."

"I intend to do that. I do have my ground crew and a SecOps crew to load for the return trip. Can I send them out now to begin the turn around?"

Jake rubs his forehead again. "How many?"

"Three for the ground crew to refuel and do the pre-flight checklist, and six to collect and pack the cargo."

"Tell me they aren't armed."

"They are not armed, but they were really upset when I insisted that they not take any weapons. I couldn't understand their resistance, but after seeing that stingbat, I can see why they wanted their handguns."

"No weapons. I'll have teams of Na'vi protecting them. They must stick close to their guards, or they could become prey."

"I will explain that to them."

"You do that. Send the ground crew out first. After they go through my security checkpoint, they can get to work and then the cargo crew can come out. Both groups must be escorted at all times."

"I can live with that. They will install the water tank first, and then fill it. That takes the most time. While the tank is filling, they will pack and load the air purifiers and water treatment units and emergency head strings, and if the loadmaster allows it, however many cryo units will fit."

"Head strings?"

"Each string has four toilets and the necessary plumbing, all in one piece. They get installed into the rec room and other common places, using pipes and mounting plates waiting behind wall panels. There's no privacy, but many more can be processed for cryo at the same time. They're one hundred per cent plastic, and get pushed into the exhaust plumes when we break orbit, so no space junk."

"I didn't know such a thing existed."

"No one here thought to put them on board when sending everyone up to the Venture Star. It's in the SOP for planetary evacuations."

"Sorry. No one handed me the RDA playbook. We did send food base."

"And I'm glad you did, we really needed it. We'll get those head strings up there, and they'll be in use within an hour of docking. So, shall we begin?"

"Yes, Captain. I'll give the orders." Jake turns away, puts his hand to his throat mike, and gives the necessary instructions.

Gustav looks to Neytiri and asks, "Why did those women chase after the animal that took the remains of the stingbat?"

She smiles at him and replies, "That animal normally eats its food as soon as it can. The only time it carries food away is when it is a mother with young to feed. They are looking for its den, so they can move them away from this place."

"We try very hard to keep such pests out of the Venture Star, but a few do get on board hiding in the cargo. Wish I could borrow some of your folks to track them down."

"Jake has shown me his memories of your space machine. Finding Eywa's children there would be very difficult."

"It is. We have a saying, 'Life will find a way.' No matter what is done to keep creatures off the ship, they always find a way to get on board and stay alive, both from Earth and from here. Back at Sol station, before the ship is refurbished for the next flight, it is completely opened to space and 'aired out' to kill off the creatures, and then crews use special equipment to find the remains and clean up any remaining micro-organisms."

"We always worked hard to keep pests out of Hometree. We kept other animals around to eat them. If we let Eywa's creatures do what they are meant to do, that works best."

Jake turns back and says, "Your escorts will be here shortly. Some of my people think we should hold onto you until your resupply missions are complete, but I think it is best to take you back to the shuttle so you keep everyone there in line. Let them know that we will toast your ship and everyone near it if it looks like you are springing an attack on us. Keep everything calm, and that won't happen."

"I was expecting to be taken hostage, and I thank you for not doing that. Yes, keeping things orderly is making the best use of my time. It goes without saying that the ground personnel are under my command just because of circumstances, and not all have accepted that. I promise to keep the peace as best I can, because I want to get home back on Earth."

Jake puts out his hand and says, "I promise the same, because I need to get back to finding a new home."

Gustav thinks, "Good. It is done." The two men shake hands. "Now to seal it." He takes a step back and salutes Jake, who returns the salute with a bemused look on his face. "Guess he never had an officer salute him before."

Wrrtll and Maytse return, with another Na'vi woman walking rather stiff-legged beside them, fully covered in a khaki outfit and plopping each booted foot down. Over one shoulder is a bundle of wheel-chocks that she is carrying like a dead yerik. She swings them around and down on the ground in one smooth motion. She slides her bow off her other shoulder.

Jake looks to the Captain and says, "Here are your escorts, you know Wrrtll and Maytse, and this is Peyral, one of our best hunters. She has volunteered to stand guard among the ground crew, that's why she's in an avatar sized safety suit."

The Captain replies, "Pay-rell, I'm pleased to meet you."

Peyral nods and says, "I See you, leader. I am happy to protect your people, but I don't know how you can wear so much."

"Such suits can be burdensome, but are necessary."

Jake looks to her and says, "Peyral, thank you for doing this. Wearing that get-up is very difficult for any Na'vi."

"I know you wore something like this when we first took you into Hometree, and I remember your tail being free."

"It was, but I was wearing an outfit designed for trekking in the forest. You're wearing a safety suit for being around the shuttle where you could easily injure your tail or queue. I've been told there are very hot and very cold places where you could get bad burns. With your tail and queue tucked up against your back, they will be safe, especially after you put on the vest and helmet."

"My tail aches, I'm feeling hot and scratchy, and it is hard to understand how there can be more to put on," she says with a grin. "I thank Maytse for carrying the rest for me." Peyral nods towards Maytse, who nods in return.

Jake asks, "Captain, could you have the ground crew help her with the rest of the safety suit? She doesn't know how to work the radio in the helmet. I recharged the batteries and tested it, but I don't know what channels they're using."

The Captain replies, "Yes, of course. My people will help you get it buttoned up, and that will protect you from most hazards around the Valkyrie. They will rely on you to defend them from the local dangers, like that stingbat I just saw."

"I am happy to protect them, Leader. I do sentry duty most days when I'm not hunting, and I've handled many dangerous situations."

Wrrtll says, "Everyone, please follow me." He turns and starts walking away. Maytse pushes the vest and helmet onto one arm, and uses the other arm to gesture the Captain forward, who walks after Wrrtll. Peyral slides her bow over her shoulder and picks up her load, and plops after the males. As before, Maytse brings up the rear. As they walk past the camera stands from the shuttle, Wrrtll and Maytse pick them up. Gustav thinks, "These Na'vi are as efficient as my crew. I think they have been underestimated by the RDA leadership here."

At the ramp, the three Na'vi stop as the Captain strides up it. Wrrtll and Maytse set the camera stands down on the tarmac at the ramp corners, and Peyral stops between them, swinging the wheel chocks down onto the bottom lip of the ramp. Gustav sees the loadmaster at his post on the inside along the ramp and walks to him. "Time to unload. Page the ground and cargo crews."

"Aye, sir." He turns to the control panel and punches on the announcement system, "Ground and cargo crews, report to the ramp."

The Captain turns as a woman squeezes out of the crowd. Maggie Zillman, officially the Deputy Director of Engineering and Operations and now the boss of those being returned, asks, "How did it go? You're here, that's a good sign."

"Yes, things went much as we discussed. Corporal Sully is now in charge of everything. He is Tore-rook Mack-toe."

"Really?"

"You know what that means?"

"Why, yes. I spent many evenings drinking and talking to Doctor Augustine. That puts Sully in the pantheon of Eywa's heroes. He's practically a god, after Eywa, of course."

"He is also the clan leader of a homeless clan, and has a new bride and a new pet. I only spoke with two humans, Doctors Patel and Spellman, and they defer to Sully."

"I know Max, he's a researcher, not an administrator. Spellman must be the new avatar driver. I don't know him or Sully, they're too new." The ground crew stops in front of the Captain and Maggie, wearing their safety suits and heavy-duty exo-packs, holding their helmets in their hands.

"Yes. It seems they are not organized yet. If you give them what they want, keep the science missions progressing, the links running, the lights on, and food in the mess, I think they will let you run the place. Just keep in the good graces of Sully, he's too busy to run Hell's Gate, and you effectively will be the next administrator, just as we discussed." The Captain sees the cargo crew walk down the ramp, dressed in their normal work-clothes of camo fatigues and exopacks.

"I never took this job thinking I'd become administrator, but I'm glad to do it. I'll do what I can to keep everyone alive and happy until reinforcements arrive."

Everyone on the top of the ramp hears a loud whistle and an odd hissing sound, followed by several men yelling, "Put him down!" Then the entire cargo hold echoes with a roar from a banshee.

The Captain is thinking, "Now what?" and runs to the men in the middle of the ramp. He sees Peyral holding one of the cargo crew in the air at arms length, parallel to the ramp, more than two meters above the heap of wheel chocks. His head is turning red. One of her hands is wrapped tightly around his neck and the other is squeezing his ankles together. He is flailing at her face and pulling on her hand while struggling to bend his legs, to no avail. A banshee is sitting on the tarmac, maybe only a meter behind Peyral, intensely watching the captured human.

Wrrtll says calmly but loudly in English, "Peyral, I know you are angry. We all are angry at what they have done to us. Don't let your anger keep you from Seeing."

The anger in Peyral's face melts into shock. She lowers her head slightly, but keeps the man at arms length, out of reach of her face.

The Captain runs down the ramp towards Wrrtll and demands, "What is the meaning of this?"

Wrrtll answers calmly in English, "That man insulted Peyral. Seeing how she is holding him, like any hunter would when about to kill a fkio using only their hands, I'd say she is going to kill him and feed him to her hungry ikran. Holding a fkio that way keeps its four wings out of your face, and she is keeping his hands away from her face."

The Captain turns towards the rest of the cargo crew standing on the ramp and demands, "Is this true, did he insult her?"

The crew chief answers, "Yes sir. He insulted her. We didn't know she understood English."

"There's much you don't know. I met four Na'vi so far today, and they all speak English better than me." Turning towards Peyral, the Captain says, "I apologize for the bad behavior of my men. If I did not need that one to locate the things that we must have, I would let you feed him to your banshee."

Peyral flings the hapless insulter up the ramp so that he crashes into the other five members of the cargo crew, all falling into a heap on the ramp. She nods her head, and replies, "I, too, must apologize. I should not have lost my temper. With the insults and the sight of those clothes, like the warriors that killed my friends, I lost control, something that no adult should ever do."

Gustav looks at the cargo crew who are all standing now. The insulter is bent over, breathing deeply with his hands on his knees and head down, but appears uninjured. "Get inside, by the loadmaster's station. I will deal with you in a minute." Turning back to Peyral, he says, "Thank you for not killing him. Next time, they will not be dressed like that."

She nods again, and says, "Thank you for not being upset at my reaction. I did not think about what I was doing."

"He had it coming. I hope he has learned his lesson. It seems no harm was done, let's get on with the unloading." He yells up the ramp, "Ground crew, come here." The three ground crew members trot down the ramp. He points to the woman and says, "May I introduce the crew chief, the leader, Connie Wexler. She handles the avionics equipment and all things electrical. Next to her is Bill Brown, who handles refueling and recharging of life support systems. Next to him is John Hoffman, who handles propulsion systems and all things mechanical." Turning to point at Peyral, he says, "This is Pay-rell, an excellent hunter who will be protecting you up close from the local wildlife. She knows English, but is not familiar with her safety suit. Connie, help her with the suit while your crew puts the wheel chocks into place. Then she will take you to their security checkpoint, and bring you back here so you can do your jobs. We are their guests, so mind your manners."

Connie replies, "Aye, Captain. We saw what just happened. We'll cause no problems, for you or them."

"Any weapons?"

"No, Captain, not even tools. Everything we use is in the hanger. We won't touch the weapons locker in there."

"Good. Were-till, the ground crew will have to travel between this ship and a hanger. It would be good to put escorts by the hanger. They will not need safety suits there."

Wrrtll answers, "I will pass that on."

"Thank you." Looking to the ground crew, he says, "Carry on." While the Captain walks up the ramp, the men put on their helmets and drag the wheel chocks away, disappearing beneath the ramp. Connie helps Peyral into the vest and helmet for the avatar safety suit, puts on her helmet, and they also disappear beneath the ramp, with Wrrtll and Maytse following.

When the Captain gets to the loadmaster's post, the cargo crew are waiting, all standing at attention. Gustav ignores them and goes to the intercom in the wall and punches it on. "Bridge, did that incident get recorded?"

"Aye, Captain. I didn't know a Na'vi woman could move that fast, or is that strong."

"They are big and fast and smart and strong, and they speak English. Am I being recorded now?"

"Aye, sir. Everyone on the top of the ramp is visible and audible."

"Thank you. Out" He punches it off. He walks directly in front of the cargo crew and stops, looking into their eyes in turn. "I know you're SecOps and technically are not in my command, but I cannot tolerate stupidity by anyone now. Outside this ship are more Na'vi than I can count, and they would like nothing more than to kill us all. Worse, there are some humans running around with RPGs and shoulder-launched SAMs. Tell me, troublemaker, what would happen if they shoot those into this ship?"

"We'd be screwed."

"So, you are not a complete idiot." The Captain puts his index finger into the face of the insulter and practically shouts, "I'm working hard to save the lives of everyone on this ship, and you just about got us all killed. If you want to get back home, keep your mouth shut, get your job done, and stay away from the natives of this moon. If you can't do this, I will hand you over to them so they can feed you to their pets or the local wildlife, their choice. Have I made myself clear?"

The insulter answers, "Yes, sir."

Gustav shouts, "Have I made myself clear?"

The entire ground crew answers in unison, "Yes, sir!"

"Don't you forget it, because I won't!"

Again, all six answer, "Yes, sir!"

In a normal voice, Gustav says, "Here is the plan. When the ground crew returns, you will be escorted to their security checkpoint. The human checker used a weapon detector on me, so I'm guessing you will get the same treatment. If you have anything on you that could be mistaken for a weapon, hand it over."

The insulter bends down and pulls a knife out of each boot and hands them to the Captain, saying, "If she wasn't holding me that way, I would have offed her."

"And we would all be dead now, in a burning pile of metal. My guess is that the Na'vi with the poisoned spears will stick you right away if the weapon detector goes off."

Two more crew members produce knives and hand them to the Captain.

"Is that all?"

The crew chief answers, "We don't like being unarmed while we're out in the open."

"I know. I saw a stingbat fly by and get eaten by a banshee. You will have Na'vi escorts protecting you, and this base is overran by them and their pets. You will be safer today than ever before. Just don't give them a reason to kill you or anyone else. Our lives are depending on you."

The crew chief and another pull out their knives and hand them over.

Gustav looks to the one member who has not surrendered a weapon and demands, "Where are your knives?"

"I'm the fork lift driver. My knives are under the seat."

Gustav says, "Under no circumstances are you to draw them. The archers will turn you into a pincushion with their poisoned arrows before you get out of the forklift."

"Yes, sir."

"It is clear that discipline among the SecOps forces was sorely deficient under Colonel Quaritch. If you don't do something stupid and get us all killed, I'll get you back to Earth. But we need supplies and equipment to return alive and in one piece. Can I count on you to get what we need packed in here without causing any more incidents?"

They all answer, "Yes, sir!", but not in unison, distracted by activity at the bottom of the ramp.

The Captain turns around as Wrrtll cautiously walks up to him, holding his spear with both hands. Gustav hands the knives over to the loadmaster, who disappears with them into the back of the bay.

"Captain, I'm here for the cargo crew." Wrrtll sets the blunt end of the spear down onto the ramp, freeing one hand.

"Good. I was about to tell them that they will be surrounded by Na'vi escorts to protect them from the dangerous wildlife. They must rely on the Na'vi to protect them at all times, or they may get eaten. Were-till, this is John Pulaski, the crew chief. He will tell you when his crew must split up. There will be times when they must be in different places."

"I will pass that on to their escorts at the security inspection place. For the rest of the day, Maytse and I will be taking groups from here to there. When we return, we will begin taking those who are staying here, eight at a time."

"Were-till, let me introduce Maggie Zillman. She is the leader of those that are returning here."

Maggie touches her forehead with her left hand and says in Na'vi, "I See you."

Wrrtll smiles and using the same gesture, replies in Na'vi, "I See you."

Maggie switches back to English, "I knew Grace Augustine. She taught me that, but I never tried to master the language. The pronunciations and infixes throw me."

"I understand. English has so many words with similar meanings but subtle differences. Na'vi changes one word in many ways to make different meanings."

The Captain says, "Maggie will live here from now on. Maybe you can get together and teach each other more of your languages. Were-till, when you return, just come up the ramp to this spot. One or both of us will be here to send out the next group with you. Maggie will be in the last group. I will stay here to oversee preparations for taking off, and we will trade off when we are needed elsewhere."

"I understand."

Maggie asks Wrrtll, "Where are you taking my people?"

"First to a security checkpoint, and then to the main building to wait in the eating place."

The Captain says, "The cargo crew needs to get going, you can talk more on the return trips."

Wrrtll replies, "Of course. Please follow me." He turns around and carefully lowers his spear. He stops beyond the bottom edge of the ramp and waits until the entire cargo crew are on the tarmac, and then leads them away, with Maytse bringing up the rear again.

Once the cargo crew and their escorts are out of sight, the Captain goes to the control panel and switches on the announcement system. "Attention everyone, this is the Captain. Negotiations have been successfully concluded, and you will be off-loading shortly." A cheer comes up from the crowd. "The cargo crew will be returning shortly, and will be installing a large water tank in the center of the hold. Please give them room by moving against the walls. They are taking groups of eight from here to a security checkpoint and on to the cafeteria. I don't know what is planned from there, but I do know there will be gravity assisted toilets and showers, maybe even baths." Another cheer goes up. "They are scanning you and your belongings, so if you have any weapons or contraband, it is best you leave it behind with me or Maggie Zillman or a crew member." He puts his hand over the mike and asks, "Maggie, do you want to add anything?"

"Yes, Captain, I do." She moves close to the mike as the Captain removes his hand. "This is Maggie Zillman. I don't know what is planned inside, but once they release us, I ask that you drop off your stuff at your old quarters and report to your duty stations. Don't change rooms or use any abandoned facilities until we get a chance to double check all spaces and systems. I'm sure the current residents haven't followed protocol, and I don't want anyone hurt. Report all issues to the operations center, and we'll sort it out from there. It may take some time for our bodies to recover, so I'm going to minimize duty schedules as much as possible for the next three days, except for emergency repairs and monitoring of life support and safety systems. Unless the Venture Star needs something that we don't have in storage, all production will remain on standby for at least three days. I'll have a Q&A session in the cafeteria, so save your questions until then. See you inside." She looks to the Captain, who shuts off the mike. "Thanks. That will help get them thinking about work again after this little vacation to the Venture Star."

Gustav says, "Hell's Gate is in good hands with you running the place. Why don't you get the next group ready for Were-till? I need a break and some water. I'll be back in five."

"I'm happy to do that. You have done the hard work today. You deserve a break."

"Thank you. Be right back." The Captain turns and walks down the middle of the hold where the passengers are clearing out for the water tank. He thinks to himself, "This long day is far from over, but the most important part is done. Barring any problems, things should run more smoothly now."