}{}{Two Days Later}{}{
General Frances Ardmore roamed the scene of bent metal and burned ground. The path of destruction was clear... they had gone for the printers. A convoy had been sent out; and this was the result! Ardmore worked her chin back and forth, showing the displeasure. Most assumed that 15 years apart from Earth's technology provided them with an edge. The element of surprise had helped create Bridgehead. However, she had read the files on Sully... he and the leftover lab guys were a quick study.
Even more than that, Quaritch hated to admit, breathe boiling in his chest. These hostiles...
"How did they do it?" Ardmore directed her non-question at the lieutenant. "A night mission, 32 Skels accompanying the cargo. How did natives with STICKS stand up to that?"
The lieutenant kept his head down, weapon sighted on the cool echos of jungle beyond the kill zone. Quaritch had already counted 26 of their own dead... with fewer blue bodies among them. Wainfleet and the others held the perimeter, but their RDA outfits didn't allow for the level of Na'vi camouflage. Ardmore stepped up onto the main truck, which they were salvaging. The recoms had arrived first, his first mission since recovering from their water scrimmage. He had yet to recover his reputation however; without his 'son', and the loss of their largest, most experience nautical asset. General Ardmore's Skel-Suit kept her at eye level with him as she waited for a full report. She'd established early on that not a move or breath was made without her say so.
Nor did either allow for anything to slip under the radar... another reason Sully ticked Quaritch off. Just a matter of time. With his kid dead, he'll come in hot. He'll slip up, somewhere-
"They destroyed whatever they couldn't carry." Quaritch kept in stride with her to the back of the truck. "They either can't understand how to drive, or don't care. All repairable, of course. If our engineers are given the time."
Ardmore nodded, eyeing the empty truck in disdain. "We'll have new printers up and running by the end of the month."
"Might be best to build the printers on site." Quaritch motioned ahead, to the clearing just through the line of gigantic trees. Dozers had been widening it, making way for the second human settlement on Pandora. The terrain was much thicker than the shoreline where they'd broken ground for Bridgehead; their sprays against the planet's immune response worked a lot slower. Air lifts to the new site were too obvious, as the area's banshees attacked within three minutes of any flight. Then they had tried the trains... an endless back and forth of establishing tracks and Omatikaya blowing them up.
"We could set up the Blue Team with the necessary engineers to get a substation going." Zhang, ever the technical thinker, pointed over the clearing with his hypotheticals. "Camo-tents over the printers, then once enough buildings go up, we get the spray underground, we'd be able to christen her."
"That's the type of effective thinking I like to hear." Ardmore glimpsed toward the sun, keeping in mind the minutes before the next eclipse.
Quaritch lifted his shoulders. "We're paving the way... giving the rest of our species a fighting chance."
He kept his tone as earnest as possible. Quaritch knew the speculation his every word was met with; and putting in twice the effort to back it up. Psych evaluations were run frequently on recombinants, ensuring stable transitions. A precaution that the RDA didn't have a repeat of their failure with Sully and the dozen others who'd defected. Ardmore wasn't going to waste time on an ineffective resource. She'd be watching him very closely.
"No turning back." Ardmore went a few steps out, indicating that Quaritch follow. She gazed over the gigantic fauna, noting the dimensions and colors a moment before meeting the colonel's razored gaze. "We understand the stakes here, Colonel. This is our new home."
Quaritch gave a reflective nod. Ardmore cocked her head at the sudden, very non-mechanical sound of breath. Guns- RDA and Recoms- readied, but she held off, maneuvering to the other side of the blasted truck. Hidden beneath the massive tire, a bloodied hostile clung to its life. The head-painted proudly- turned and Ardmore spotted the large gold eyes on her. There was no masking the hatred in them. Nor the strange peace they carried.
"We're here to stay." With a sigh, Ardmore unsheathed her sidearm. "The sooner these aliens understand that, the better."
She fired.
}{}{}{}{
Kiri scrambled to collect another batch of seaweed. Off from the others, she had the clarity to spot even the smallest strands... as well as the freedom for her thoughts to float about. Everything beneath the surface swayed, pulling some of the sadness and uncertainly from her. Kiri took the nearest stalk gently, knife digging it out at the root. There had been much gathering since the Battle of Three Brothers, for the wounded. Ronal had instructed this was the best for binding open gashes. The natural minerals cleansed any bacteria, fighting infection at an astonishing rate. Kiri was astounded how vegetation changed with the terrain and still fitted to the people's needs. Truly, we are protected.
Yet, the protection felt bittersweet. Kiri's breath caught, releasing bubbles. Each one reflected Neteyam's face... her diligent, overachieving brother. Barely three weeks and she still turned, expecting to see him with that gentle, proud smirk on his face. He carried the ability to boast without appearing conceited.
Clutching the seaweed, Kiri pushed up from the sand. Tears stung the corners of her eyes, but she masked them, squinting into the sun as her face broke the crystal surface. Cheeks immediately warmed and her grief calmed with the intake of air.
"Bout time."
"Hush up, Monkey Boy." Kiri drew up to Spider, straddled on her ilu. His dreaded hair was like gold, while the blue dye across his body continued to fade from so much time in the water. Kiri smiled her thanks as he hulled her up onto the animal. She passed him the weed. "Pack this in, quickly."
Spider folded the soggy strands into the remaining space of their pouch. Resting a hand on Kiri's waist, they glided inland, deep indigo water turning cerulean against the air-brushed island sands. The beauty of the village, interwoven to the graceful roots of the mangroves, closed off any loneliness instantly. The teens dismounted, Spider handing her the pouches and patting the ilu back into the waters. Kiri eyed the infirmary ahead. "Come."
Spider lingered back, tugging the edge of his mask. "I... It's better I don't."
"Spider." Kiri took his hand. "You cannot live like this," Her ears twitched irritably. "They should not make you feel-"
"Can you blame them?" Spider stopped her, eyes downcast. "The warriors are recovering, and their fight with the Sky People is just beginning."
"You're providing valuable information against Sky People." Kiri reminded him; but he stepped back, muddling the sand with his toes. "I only upset them. I'm gonna look for Lo'ak."
Kiri watched him head up the beach, toward the rocks where the water pooled at low tide. It had become a frequent spot of his since staying with them among the Metkayina. Dad had given him the choice, though Kiri felt that this wasn't the outcome Spider had been expecting. Kiri dragged herself toward the infirmary, clutching her herbs tightly in frustration. Tonowari's family worked hard to show Spider acceptance, but Kiri watched the hesitancy in their eyes. Then, there was the scowling and snarling when Spider passed, and parents keeping their children back.
I know the suspicion. Kiri curled her four fingers in. But not the hate.
"Kiri!" Qu'sin, an elder mother waved her over, where her mortar and pestle moved tirelessly. The sudden blast of a conch muted her motions, drawing attention to the late noon sky. Ikran! Mom and Dad were back from the summit! Kiri yipped out with the rest, searching for Ronal, the tsahik. She hurried to the back of the infirmary, where Kiri caught a pole, eager. "They have returned."
Calm and commanding, Ronal hesitated over the resting Metkayina. Deep, wide eyes longed for her husband, but she kept her path. "Go. Greet your parents."
Kiri didn't hesitate, running out to where Tuk and several others gathered. Claws in the sand, the ikran screeched and stretched as the warriors dismounted. Tuktirey sprung into Dad's arms, whereas Kiri spotted Mom first. And Kiri's intial relief stalled. Their eyes met as Tonowari greeted his people, promising understanding around the evening's communal fire. Mom's eyes reached out in relief- and love. Kiri's heart became lead but received her mother's hug. Quickly breaking away to take Dad's arm. "You were gone so long."
Dad kissed her forehead, keeping Tuk on his hip.
"Grandmother wishes you well." Mom spoke up as Lo'ak completed their circle. She drew him in, but her eyes still watched Kiri. Only to stiffen as Spider rushed in. "I'll take the ikran. They've gotta be tired."
"Hold up." Dad stopped him, motioning to Mom. Kiri caught Tuk's hand as Mom withdrew from her satchel. The siblings grew quiet at the warm flashes of amber within Mom's palm. She swallowed, upholding her mood with them. "As promised."
An extension to their songcords. Dad separated two of the angular stones. "From the stream where you all learned to fish."
Lo'ak's chin quivered as Dad placed the first in his hand, while Mom placed another in Kiri's. With a thick throat, Kiri rolled the stone between her fingers. They had all agreed after the funeral, wanting something from the forest; from home. She could hear the trinkling water over the rocks, the echos of the ikran overhead...
Spider's breath hitched as Jake motioned for his hand. "Sir... I-"
Jake closed the boy's hand over the stone. "Neteyam taught you himself."
Spider watched his feet, knuckles white around the gift. Kiri glanced behind at the Metkayina who watched. Her ears caught a whisper. "A Sky Murderer with a songcord?"
Mom's voice came hard then. "You should be thankful indeed."
"He is." Kiri jumped in, cheeks going hot at her mother's continued hostility.
"Really I'm-" Spider began, blushing. But Mom had already turned back to her ikran. Kiri huffed, touching Spider's wrist. She and Lo'ak looked at Dad for validation. He held his back straight, but Kiri saw the weariness across his chest and shoulders. "Give it time."
Tuk poked her head gently between them to show a hopeful smile. "They'll love you soon, Spider. Just like we do."
Kiri wished she lived in the same straightforward world as her sister.
}{}{}{}{
Ronal passed another platter across the fire, praying nourishment to her people, body and soul. Huddled beneath their tightly woven communal hut, where gentle heat embraced them in community. War had now come, after so many songs of peace had been passed down. Her children would learn death and suffering in a way they had not before. Ronal laid a hand to her stomach. And you, small one? What will you-
"Mother?"
She righted at Tsireya's questioning look beside her. Ronal sighed in fatigue. "I am fine. She is excited to be born."
"She?" Tsireya's brow raised. Ronal leaned their foreheads together. "Your father and I have a bet going."
"Ao'noung and I as well!" Tsireya giggled, the fire catching the underlids of her eyes; making her expression even sweeter. This helped Ronal's smile as Neytiri entered the tent. Her mate gestured to where their family sat, but Neytiri only moved to the other side of Ronal. "Good evening, Ronal. I see you."
Ronal's eyes stirred back to her family as Neytiri sat. Her bypass disheartened them; especially the Sky Person. The pale boy's presence cast much unrest, but Ronal agreed with Tonowari in letting him remain. She nodded at Neytiri. "They were eager for you to join them."
"I must speak with you." Neytiri merely nodded to Tsireya, who moved along respectfully. "I carry greetings from my mother, one tsahik to another-" she undid a pouch of dense leaves. "She sends many herbs from our forest, asking that you send some back-"
Ronal stalled Neytiri's tasteless air, reading carefully the face where she had not seen enough happiness. "You hope to be tsahik one day."
"Mo'at will pass it to me." Neytiri answered quickly. "And one day, I to Kiri."
Ronal felt the glow of the fire; warm unlike her words. "Not like this."
Neytiri's whole body jerked this time, eyes challenging this statement. Ronal kept her voice low. "The human, Spider, what is his story?"
"Gah." Neytiri hissed- different from how she would her other children. "He could not return with the Sky People, after the great fight of the Hallelujah Mountains."
As Ronal glanced over, Spider worked to place food through his mask, grinning at Lo'ak, while getting an elbow from Kiri. He remained wary, looking for footing, but comfortable. More so, the Sully children were comfortable toward him. What more could be judged, him being the only sky child she knew of? Ronal looked back, finding Neytiri's face darker. "He took this name, but his namesake is his fathers'; a sky demon against the great balance."
The same who had threatened Tsireya's life. Ronal controlled her next words. "Jake presented the boy to Tonowari and myself. He- apologized for my sister's murder." Tears mixed into her memory of Spider's broken confession. "She did not abandon her son... he felt honored to witness such love. He seems to regret his heritage. Jake promises his fight is alongside the Na'vi-"
"My husband," Neytiri grimaced, forcing back the layers of emotion Ronal knew exhausted her. "Is Na'vi. He honors this one life. Meanwhile, Sky People harbor a darkness that pulls their dead from the ground..." She flicked a despondent hand to Spider. "The boy's only connection to his people; this could sway him to choose his own kind."
She faced Ronal fully now, showing the hate. Ronal did not shy from this, covering Neytiri's hand on the healing pouch. "You are letting your grief guide you."
Neytiri jerked her hand back. "Whatever it takes to save our home."