Losing Control — Chapter X

F.O.B. Ticonderoga — One Hour Later

Wade slumped over the only table they had in this bunker, feeling the weight of frustration pressing down against his temple. No, on second glance, it was his two fingers that he had left forgotten beside his head, supporting his weary weight after Asher's tenth attempt to enunciate, 'Oel ngati kameie' had failed.

It wasn't entirely Wade's fault that he felt this way, not when he was asked by Asher to teach him the Na'vi language, a rather surprising request from a man who seemed quite adamant on not learning it when they first arrived at Ticonderoga. But ever since Asher got into what he referred to as an 'engagement' with Jake Sully, he was all for it. Being the far more ecstatic one, Wade didn't care for the reason. He was just happy that Asher was finally willing to learn something about the Na'vi culture.

Shortly after Asher finished his routine, or so he claims, of exercising a hundred push-ups, Wade got him started by focusing on the fundamentals of the language. Those were vowels, syllables, spelling, and how to say them. When Wade felt he was comfortable, he moved him up to pronouncing his first phrase in an entirely different language. Of course, this was all quick and dirty, just to get him to the point where he could feel proud about saying something in the Na'vi tongue without feeling dejected.

But a sense of dejection was all that Asher was ever going to feel. With his chin lowered and eyes tightly shut, he mustered all his concentration to pronounce the words correctly: "Owe-uh, Oh-oll-crap!"

Frustration surged within him, and Asher couldn't contain it any longer. He flung his hands into the air, exasperated by this silly lesson. "This is stupid, Wade."

Wade lifted his head, curious about his remark. "What's stupid?"

Asher reclined into his chair, his gaze drifting up to the concrete ceiling. "This. All of this. My job isn't to be buddy-buddy with the Na'vi." He stated as much before pulling Danielle's chair from the side so he could use it to prop his feet over it.

"I mean, at first I thought 'maybe I should learn it' but that was when I was being chased through the jungle in a half-broken avatar, not really thinking clearly, until I found out that the one who was chasing me was none other than Jake—an obvious English speaker. So why do I need to learn this goofy-ass language?"

Wade straightened up in his chair. "First," he said, lifting his index finger. "The avatar is not broken. Second. No one is asking you to be friends with the Na'vi. We just feel that you should be prepared in the event you do have to talk to them, that's all."

Asher looked back down to Wade. "Why? What reason do I need to have to talk to them? I'm sure the avatar is in Jake's custody, which means I'm halfway through with this mission. The next step is to talk to him about the Na'vi, about himself, and hopefully, if everything works out in their favor, and I don't see any issue, we can get that treaty signed and I am outta here."

Wade's frown deepened as he listened to Asher's dismissive remarks. "You're going to ask Jake about the Na'vi instead of talking to the Na'vi directly?"

"Yeah, and?"

"And?" Wade repeated, astonished that Asher wasn't getting it. "And because Jake is a human."

"So? Doesn't he speak on their behalf? Last I heard, he was some sort of clan leader."

Wade nodded, acknowledging Asher's point but there was an aspect of his short-sighted knowledge that he did not quite understand, at least not yet. "He doesn't speak for all the Na'vi. Only his clan."

"Yeah—and I'm not here for them."

"You're not?" Wade said with a look of muted surprise.

Wade always had this vague idea swirling in the back of his mind that Asher was not on board with the Na'vi train when Wade first met him at Bridgehead. Not that Wade wanted him to, but he had hoped, to some regard, that Asher would at the very least, be curious enough to ask about them. But he never asked who they were as a people. Except for a few minutes with Danielle as they were on their way to Ticonderoga. However, that felt less of an interest in the Na'vi and more as though he was feeling his way around them, to determine what he was getting himself into.

Then, as they arrived to Ticonderoga, Asher reinforced this perception about himself when he made it known to Danielle that he was more than willing to give Ardmore permission to kill the Na'vi if he ever found any incriminating evidence that supported the RDA's belief about Jake Sully.

That did not mean he didn't care about the Na'vi. He just didn't care to see their viewpoint on the matter of this conflict.

But that didn't stop Wade from believing he could change Asher's callous attitude towards the Na'vi.

Since leaving Bridgehead, Wade was already formulating a plan in his head while Asher ran around in the forest, getting chased by Jake. He figured he would start by encouraging Asher to learn their language, and maybe, from there, it would get Asher to talk to a Na'vi, and by doing so, he would hear what they have to say about who they are as a people.

Quite a lofty goal but Wade was optimistic, until now.

Now, Asher had no interest in learning their language, let alone talking to them or involving them in any way with the treaty's decision-making process. This was why Wade stared at him from across the table, unsure if he was helping a man to bring doom upon the Na'vi. A sentiment Danielle shared with Wade earlier when Asher went into his avatar the first day.

From Wade's opinion, Asher had become the man who held the gun at the head of an entire species.

"That's right," Asher stated, bringing Wade back to the conversation. "My mission precludes them, well, let me rephrase that, not entirely, because Jake got them involved in this war. At the same time, the UNE doesn't believe that the Na'vi are capable of understanding the circumstances that Jake has placed them in. So, for right now, the UNE's primary concern is between the RDA and Jake."

Wade did remember when Asher grew infuriated by Ardmore's guidelines and rules. Was that also a ruse? Just to get his way to Jake without any obstacles by the General? It sure made sense now.

"So," Wade said, his finger twirling in the air. "When you were talking to Ardmore on the condition she wanted you to write reports about your interactions with the Na'vi. What was that about?"

"You mean the Na'vi part?"

Wade nodded.

"By Na'vi, I mean Jake. Not the blue natives. I did not want her getting involved between me and Jake. But it wouldn't make sense to just say 'between me and Jake'. I knew the RDA had limitations with the Na'vi that they cannot break, as per the deal with the UNE to return to Pandora. So, I used that leverage against her, and it worked, to some degree. Similarly, I would tell Jake the same. This way, the privacy of both parties remains intact and free from polluting each other with nonsense. This protects me, and it protects both of them. I do not want to be responsible for instigating another war because I gossiped to either side."

"Okay, then the Na'vi were never part of the plan?"

Asher slowly tilted his head. "Sorta. They are merely an unfortunate circumstance in this mess that two sides created. From the beginning, the UNE was leaning in the RDA's favor in their belief that Jake is in fact a terrorist. And as a result, they believe he used the Na'vi in an illegal manner. If—" Asher added cautiously, "—the Na'vi were attacking the RDA without Jake's aid, then I wouldn't be here. Then the UNE would fully support the RDA's decision to fight against the Na'vi. And as we've seen so far, the Na'vi were not capable of mounting such a large-scale attack fourteen years ago, not without Jake's help. And that is why I am here. To find out why and, whether it was the fault of the RDA or Jake's fault."

Wade shifted uneasily in his seat. This was the UNE's belief, not Asher's. But it was also too cold for a man like Rayan Asher, a man who was a soldier and ultimately knew what collateral damage looked like. If he made the judgement call that Jake was in the wrong, then he was going to hand the reins of destruction over to Ardmore, on the basis of his own opinion!

No. Something wasn't right. Wade needed to know more behind this strange thought process that Asher was making.

"So, then what do you believe?" Wade asked.

"Hmh?"

Wade threw a nod to the man. "What do you believe about the Na'vi?"

Asher shrugged. "Doesn't matter what I believe."

"Sure it does."

"No. No it does not."

Wade tilted his head towards Asher, saying, "everyone has an opinion about the Na'vi. Including you."

"I do but it doesn't matter."

"Why do you think it doesn't matter?"

"Because my opinion about them cannot be used on this mission. If it does, the UNE will disregard the peace treaty. The treaty has to be made from an unbiased, objective standpoint. Otherwise, it will come across as though I'm favoring a side."

Wade made a funny face at the sheer absurdity that an opinion can hurt anyone. "Then let's say your opinion is between you and me. Forget the peace treaty. What do you think of the Na'vi?"

Asher turned his head, his gaze shifting to the wall with nothing on it aside from a few scratches left engraved on the brick and mortar, his answer floating on the tip of his tongue.

"I've never met one," he said, which was too much an obvious answer that Wade was prepared to reinforce his question with a more straight-forward approach when Asher continued.

"But, from what I've read, seen, and heard? Heh-they sound incredibly aggressive when approached. Especially last night. Which, sure, it makes sense. We're the aliens. I mean, I would too if I was in their position—be the aggressive kind. But the book I bought before departing from Earth was written by what appeared to be some kind of peacenik looking weirdo, who held a different opinion about them than most people. That the Na'vi are these hunter-gatherer types that forage for food and live off the land. With a religion close to animism, and a community that supports and helps one another. But I think they are utterly backwards. They haven't forged any civilization; beyond the tribes and cliques they've created. And no intricate network of trade that we know of, no complex political systems, not even the wheel! They live, and breathe, by the edge of death that I kinda feel sorry for them in a way."

"Sorry huh?"

Asher gave him a look that suggested not to look too deeply into it. "Well y'know. Like seeing the homeless on Earth, they look lost. I imagine the Na'vi are the same way, just going day by day, surviving. It doesn't sound, great, honestly. Kinda why I believe Jake might be using them, because they don't know any better, don't know that they might be supporting a guy that is tossing them into the lion's dean, sort-of-speak."

Wade didn't agree that the Na'vi were 'lost', but he did bob his head somewhat in agreement to the belief that Jake might, in some way, be placing the Na'vi in serious danger. Especially since Danielle harped on the man every chance Jake was brought up in casual conversation, reminding both Wade and Asher about how Jake forced them to fight the RDA. But that did not mean the Na'vi were incapable of self-governing and independent of thought. Surely they had their own opinions about Jake, the fight, and everything else in between?

Yes! That's what Wade will use against Asher. His quest for the truth.

"Then," Wade interjected Asher's thoughts. "You have to find out."

"That's why I'm here."

"No-no," Wade said, his finger pointing to Asher. "You have to find out with the Na'vi themselves. Forget Jake for a minute. If the Na'vi believe what they're doing is because Jake told them to do something, then you need to find out for yourself, by talking to a Na'vi—any Na'vi that isn't an avatar."

"Well, I imagine they wanted to use him to overthrow the RDA. That much is known. That and his puppy love with one of the women. Which is, sad and gross."

"Right," Wade said, continuing, "but consider this for a moment. Jake could very well be a cult leader by this point. To such a degree that he might have imposed a certain God-like characteristic of himself like a savior figure, onto them, like a cult of personality. You could talk to Jake all live-long day and you're only getting a quarter of your questions answered. But to really find out what is going on, you should talk to the Na'vi."

Wade was making an odd-kind-of-sense. Asher did read about cults with leaders who sounded as though they held all the answers to every imaginable problem in the world, which was why cults formed in the first place. A togetherness, a common communal tribe that brought people from various paths in life to converge around a single person who claimed to be a know it all. And Jake, being formerly human, would have a ton of answers that the Na'vi simply never asked. There was also a characteristic charm that these leaders had, which in turn, earned the people's trust, followed by unwavering support for their leader that they would quite literally die for them. While Asher never encountered such people in his job, he did find plenty of egotistical psychopaths.

Ardmore being one of them.

But it did make sense that Jake too might be another, and if Jake was responsible for creating a cult of personality around himself, then Jake was the problem, not the Na'vi.

"What if the Na'vi are too afraid to speak the truth?" Asher asked, his attention now being drawn on the fact that he would go along with Wade's suggestion.

Wade waved both hands. "The Na'vi don't know how to lie. At least, I hope they haven't learned how to by this point. But if you can get one to be honest with you, then, maybe, they'll tell you why they have followed him this far. Maybe it's no longer about the land? Maybe it has to do with, I don't know, Jake and whatever crazy ideas he had cooked up inside his head?"

"Family?" Asher asked.

Wade shrugged. "We don't know until you ask around."

Asher rolled his eyes. "Great, so I'm going to play spy?"

"All I'm saying is. With Jake alone, you're probably going to be lied to. And if you think his word means everything, then either you really suck as a diplomat, or the UNE is a joke."

"Hey, I have to stick within the rules. If we diplomats just did whatever because we felt like it, then we would get a lot of things wrong, and believe me, a lot of people killed."

"Why? That doesn't make sense. I imagine diplomats like you have to ask everyone. Right?"

"No. Do you see me asking every RDA employee about how they feel?"

"N-no."

"Exactly."

"Because the average RDA employee is a worker bee," Wade added, "They will repeat the propaganda fed to them. The Na'vi on the other hand, are not like that."

"Of what we know so far," Asher kindly reminded Wade.

Wade nodded. "Sure, of course. But trust me on this, the Na'vi are different on this issue. Find one. Talk to one. And besides! Jake is going to assume you don't know how to speak Na'vi. You're going to have an advantage over him."

Advantage. Now Wade was speaking his language.

"Fine Wade," Asher breathed out, knowing that having to learn this tongue-twisting language was going to be a pain in the ass. "I see your point."

Wade lit up but there was a condition he had to make sure Asher followed. "Okay-okay, but I need you to do something for me."

Asher shrugged; he didn't see the harm in whatever this red-headed man had in mind.

"I need you to take learning their language, very seriously."

"Uh-okay."

"And I need you to have an open mind with the Na'vi."

"That's part of my job."

Wade leaned in, his gaze growing serious. "I mean it. Don't dismiss them. Don't go into their world with your opinion about them. It's going to look strange, but they're just people, like you and me. Okay?"

Asher didn't see the point of why that mattered but he agreed regardless. "Alright, I'll make sure to keep an open mind. But you remember one thing Wade. This is not a promise. My mission is still with Jake and the RDA. No one else."

Wade leaned back into his seat, his hands in the air, gesturing a surrender. "Absolutely!"

"Now. How long will it take me to learn the language adequately enough to speak it and understand it?"

"Have you learned any other language before?"

Asher was embarrassed to admit, but he never even learned his own father's language. Let alone any other language. Too much time was spent living day by day, trying not to die in the streets of Seattle. It wasn't because the Asher family lived that poorly, but they also didn't live in a nice one either. The crumbling society in Washington State also saw various upheavals in Rayan's life that the only way to get out of it was to join the US Army. He never joined the signal corps, and sure lacked enough brain cells to rub together to be inducted to the intelligence wing of the army.

But what he lacked in learning anything remotely complex, he was efficient at being a soldier. Quite a cliché now that he had come to think of it. Probably explains why he related to Juan Rico in Starship Troopers, a novel so old, he wasn't sure he would understand it, but the Army did, and they forced that book on him to read it every day of his training. And apparently, so did many former military in SEC-OPS who had come to call the Na'vi 'Blue Skinnies'. He'd guess that they didn't read far enough into the novel to discover that the skinnies became allies to the humans.

Funny how that works.

"Uh-no," Asher answered.

"Well," Wade started to say, breathing out calmly. "You won't have enough time. So, what we're going to do is do this my way. I need you to pay close attention to everything, okay?"

"Alright, Wade." Asher agreed, shrugging. What was there to lose? It's not as though he speaks English any better, but he manages.

Inside the communications tower of Ticonderoga, Danielle nervously bit down on her bottom lip, her two front teeth digging into the flesh as the weight of the situation with Asher was becoming increasingly problematic for her.

"I do not care if it will kill him," Ardmore asserted, her hand gripping a coffee cup just beneath the viewscreen of the monitor. "You need to make sure Asher continues driving that avatar, otherwise we're going to miss out on killing Jake. Is that understood, Miss Ibarra?"

Danielle exhaled, then, reluctantly under the glowing holographic illumination of Ardmore's face, nodded. "Yes ma'am. But if we push him, we're going to lose Asher in the process."

"Then make sure you don't lose him," Ardmore reminded her before taking a sip from the cup. "But I don't care for one damn second that he's having these hallucinations."

"As I've said ma'am," Danielle reiterated, her tone filled with urgency. "The nanites in the avatar's bloodstream are interfering with the network signal. They could potentially be affecting the avatar's brain functions, to the point that-that his human brain is also being impacted in a way that could kill him."

"In what way?"

"Psionic delirium."

There was a moment of dead air as Ardmore leaned out of the viewscreen, engaging in a conversation with someone outside of Danielle's sight and hearing. After several more seconds, Ardmore leaned back in front of the camera, a confident grin on her face.

"We'll ship any necessary medical supplies you need to make sure he keeps going. Once he makes contact with Jake, then we can proceed with phase two."

What was that about? Danielle thought. Didn't matter. Medical supplies was going to help her to help Asher. But there was another matter regarding this 'phase two'.

Lifting the frame of her glasses, Danielle pinched the bridge of her nose, and let out a weary exhale. It was only a matter of time before Ardmore discovered that Asher had made contact with Jake and although the last report Danielle sent didn't mention it, it now made more sense than ever to bring it up. If only to know what the General's plans were for Jake's demise.

"He-uh-he made contact."

Ardmore's face grew tighter on the camera as she said, "he made contact? Why didn't you tell me this right away?"

"Respectfully, ma'am, I was more concerned for Asher's health, and he also got into a fight with Jake."

"Really? A fight?"

"It turned amicable. No one died."

"Shame. Well, now you have something to be even more concerned about. It looks like we're entering phase two of this operation." Ardmore took another sip from her cup.

"What's phase two?"

"You'll know more once the nanites gather sufficient information from their camp."

Danielle cleared her throat. "Sufficient information, ma'am?"

Ardmore nodded on the screen. "That's right. I guess I'll share with you a little more on this, this way you don't fret about any hiccups that Asher may encounter with the avatar. Dr. Hurley has told me that the nanites are more than just enhanced GPS trackers. They are listening devices as well. They utilize the body to 'listen' on the micro vibrations he makes while talking. Then, they use the network device he carries around in his backpack to transmit to Ticonderoga, and from there, to Bridgehead, where I can hear with who is talking to. This helps with determining what is being said, and this way, he can't lie to us in his reports. We will know the truth."

Danielle lowered her head, of course Ardmore would have done something like this. That was her nature. Control.

Ardmore tapped on the camera, producing an audible clink that drew Danielle's attention back to the screen.

"I hope I'm not losing you here, Danielle."

"You're not, ma'am."

"You sound sad. I expected you to be more grateful at our new prospect? We're one step closer to taking out Jake Sully for you."

"I am ma'am. But I'm worried about the Na'vi."

Ardmore could be heard snickering. "That's what I really appreciate about you, Miss Ibarra. You care for them. And I care for our people, including you, and that means making sure both sides are safe from threats like Jake. Once we can remove him from the picture, the Na'vi will be left alone, if they behave themselves, that is."

"Can I ask you something, ma'am?"

Ardmore took another sip from her cup before nodding. "You can."

"Are the recoms going to be involved in anyway?"

"With Jake?"

Danielle nodded.

"No, they are not. In fact, the recoms haven't even been activated yet. Isn't that right, Stringer?"

"Yes ma'am," Stringer said off camera.

"But I can tell you that the Na'vi will not be harmed in anyway. That is my guarantee." Ardmore said, smiling.

Ardmore's smile looked about as fake as they come, but Danielle had no choice on the matter, despite how much she questioned this promise. All Danielle had going for her was to kill Jake. It might not be enough to secure the Na'vi. Danielle needed her own plan in the event Ardmore didn't keep to her word.

"So, you're not going to tell me how you're going to get Jake?"

Ardmore was seen laughing on the screen. "If I didn't know any better. I would assume you're a spy for Jake."

Hearing that made Danielle blink and her heart leap around. She wasn't but it felt as though she was going to lose Ardmore's trust at any moment.

"N-no. I'm not," Danielle said, stuttering with trickling fear.

"I'm only kidding, Miss Ibarra. But as of now? No. Too many moving parts at the moment. If I tell you now and something changes later, it will make the information I shared with you irrelevant."

Danielle nodded. "That's true ma'am."

"Good, any more questions?"

Danielle shook her head. "No ma'am."

"Good. I'll be reading the reports you've sent, but for now, you're dismissed. Ardmore out."

With those final words, the screen went black, leaving only the RDA logo spinning in place of Ardmore's face.

Danielle stood there for several seconds, her gaze fixed on the blank screen, processing the weight of the conversation. As the logo spun around, she took a deep breath and composed herself. She was playing an incredibly dangerous game with Ardmore. One slip-up and Danielle might find herself killed or the Na'vi killed or both.

Breathing in the warm air, she turned and walked towards the exit. Opening the door, she unexpectedly bumped into Captain Nathan Richter, who quickly tried to brush off the encounter as a mere accident.

"Oh, excuse me!" Richter said, his face bemused by the accident.

Danielle pushed up her glasses, her unease growing as she tried to navigate past the man who blocked her path.

"Whoa-whoa. What's the rush?" The Captain interjected; his tone laced with intrigue and curiously, aggression.

"Excuse me?" Danielle replied, her voice tinged with a hint of honest confusion.

The Captain planted both hands on his hips, his imposing figure looming over her. From his commanding presence, he peered down at her, his eyes searching hers out. A way to gauge and establish himself as the superior being of this interaction.

"I said, 'what's the rush'?"

Danielle met his gaze, uncertain of his intentions, as she shook her head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to—"

"—what is your driver doing?" He interrupted her bluntly.

Danielle blinked. "Huh?"

Without warning, the Captain pressed his body against hers, effectively pinning her against the wall. Her heart raced as she felt the weight of his presence holding her captive.

"Your driver. Has he been a good boy out there with the blue skinnies?"

"I don't underst—"

In a sudden movement that seemed to be out of nowhere, Danielle let out a yelp as the Captain firmly gripped her shoulder, instilling his intimidation over her.

"I didn't get a word in before you all left for your cozy little home. So I'll say it now. While I have the chance. If your driver attempts to do anything that will place my men and this base in considerable danger. I will forcefully enter that bunker and execute you all. Is that understood?"

Danielle trembled but she maintained her eye contact with the man. "We are here under the General's permission," she managed to get out, her voice shaky.

"I don't care if you're here to do God's work. If I so much as feel even the slightest tingle running up my spine, whether someone left the AC on for too long or I sense the Na'vi are watching me, then I will end your operation. My mission is to protect humanity on Pandora and your driver is excluded from my protection. Is that understood?"

His hot breath grazed against her cheek, and the pungent warning of his words lingered in the air, much like the potent scent of onions assaulting her senses. Despite the discomfort, Danielle managed to gather herself and slowly nod to him in acknowledgment.

"Excellent," he said, releasing her. "You have a g'day, you hear?" Tipping his cap, the Captain then entered the room beside her, leaving Danielle to silently walk away in shock.

"Oel… uh-ngati, k-kameie?" Asher stammered to the finishing line of the phrase. To his surprise, Wade stood up and clapped.

"Why are you—?" Asher asked before Wade laughed.

"You finally got it!"

"Oh?"

"Yes, buddy! Oel ngati kameie!"

"Huh," Asher said, unsure if this was some kind of joke. "I did?"

"Yes-yes!" Wade said before sitting back down.

"Oel ngati kameie, huh, not too hard."

Wade frowned, "let's not get ahead of ourselves. That was one phrase. You have a bunch of other things to learn."

Asher tilted his head, a question sitting on the furrowed brow of his head. "So what does it mean exactly?"

"I see you."

"I know what it means, but what does it mean-mean? You're tellin' me that the Na'vi just go around saying, 'Hi! I see you!' to each other?"

Wade let out a chuckle. "From what I've been taught, it means something spiritual. I have no idea what, but it's intimate. Kinda like how we say we love inanimate objects, but saying I love this person, hold two different meanings? That's how I've always interpreted the meaning. But it appears to be a very important phrase to say. I don't know exactly how important it is, but just keep that in mind. Danielle might tell you more."

"Oel ngati kameie, okay so then what's next?" Asher asked, his curiosity getting the better of him to learn the next word, phrase, or syllable from Wade.

But before they could continue, the door hissed, alerting the two that someone was coming in. The white lab coat gave it away as Danielle sealed the door behind her, allowing herself to remove the mask to place it on a set of boxes next to the entrance.

"Mornin' Danny!" Wade greeted.

"Miss Danielle," Asher also greeted, but she didn't greet either of them as she made her way with eager speed to the link room.

Asher shared a look of concern with Wade while Wade shrugged back to him. Standing up together, they both followed her to the link room where they found her typing on the computer monitor.

"Mr. Asher, you need to go back into your avatar. It's getting late."

"What's going on?" Asked Asher, he could see she was shook by something. Reaching out, he touched her shoulder but there was no response.

"If you're done trying to touch me, then we can proceed with linking you to the avatar."

"What the hell is going on?" Asher asked again, this time by positioning himself behind the monitor so that she was forced to see his eyes through the transparent monitor.

Sighing, she rolled her eyes. "You're not a child, Mr. Asher."

"And you're not like this, Miss Danielle."

"Probably because you got into a fight with Jake and all morning long, I have been wondering what else you might screw up?"

Asher straightened up over the monitor. "That's what has been eating at you?"

Inhaling, she wrangled her thoughts before recomposing herself. She was showing too much emotion by behaving out of line. Anymore questions, and they would start to suspect something was much more off with her than the little annoyance she had for Asher.

"That and I have not been able to sleep properly since we got here. So, can we please get on with this?"

Asher walked around the monitor, petting his stomach. "Okay, but I need to eat first. Do we have time?"

She pulled back her sleeve, looking at the watch. It was nine in the morning.

"You have ten minutes."

"Ah, great to hear. It will be really quick. I promise." Asher then dispersed to find something to eat.

Meanwhile, Wade had walked into the room, his expression turning to concern for Danielle.

"Are you sure everything is okay?" Wade whispered to her; concern etched on his face.

"Yeah, it's just Asher being a damn kid," Danielle replied dismissively, but Wade could sense there was more to the story. Her avoidance of eye contact betrayed her attempt to conceal the truth. Deciding not to press the matter further, Wade simply nodded and made his way over to the computer monitor where Danielle was stationed.

"Huh," Wade blurted out. "I'm getting some strange readings from the backpack."

Danielle looked over her shoulder, "what readings?" Was it the nanites?

"Shit!" Wade shouted, "the battery life is going into the red!"

"Mr. Asher! You need to go in now!" Danielle yelled out.

Wade spun around to face Danielle. "He can't go in. Not with the avatar acting up. He'll disconnect within a matter of seconds."

"We don't have a choice," Danielle retorted, "C'mon, hurry up Mr. Asher!"

Wade's expression hardened as he met Danielle's cold gaze. He understood the weight of her concern, but he couldn't shake his own reservations. "We do have a choice! If he gets disconnected, he might have another psionic delirium episode!"

The tension in the room thickened as their differing perspectives clashed. Wade knew that their mission was crucial, but he couldn't ignore the potential risks involved. Danielle, on the other hand, was driven by the urgency of the situation, willing to take the chance despite the dangers.

In that moment, she turned to face Wade, her own expression becoming tense. "If we don't do anything to get Asher back into that avatar, and save the avatar, Ardmore is going to kill the Na'vi!"

"But—Asher!"

Danielle leaned into Wade's face that he could feel her breath as she said, "We are out of options, Wade."

Wade stared at her for a moment longer, unable to recognize his friend as she turned back to shout for Asher one last time.

"Where the hell is he?" Danielle asked impatiently.

Appearing at the entrance, Asher pushed through them. "Sorry, was using the restroom. What's going on?"

"The backpack is losing battery power; you need to go in now." Danielle said, her voice shaking with the upmost urgency over the possibility of losing the avatar.

"Okay-okay, I'm going in."

Wade stood lost in the middle of the action, unsure if he should send his friend to his potential death or walk away. But he didn't have to make that decision as Danielle took over the controls of the link unit.

Lying in the link bed, Asher prepared himself, and just as he was doing so, he caught a glimpse of Wade looking over his shoulder with a grave concern eroding into his face.

"Link is ready, good luck Mr. Asher," Danielle said as she pushed down on the link unit's cover, sealing Asher within it.

As he drifted off, Asher felt the corners of his consciousness being untethered from his physical body and transported through the ethereal slip of the tunnel where the avatar awaited at the other end.

Immediately, Asher felt his consciousness being enveloped by a profound grogginess that suffocated his thoughts, rendering him temporarily blind to his senses. Simply opening his eyes took considerable effort that he swore were taped shut. If this was how Jake treated all his guests, then this man was far more warped than he previously thought. Something else was bothering him. He couldn't move his arms, his legs, or his body. Breathing felt raggedy, thick, and slow. But after a while, for what seemed like an eternity in battling his paralysis, he managed to lift his heavy eyelids, only to find a chilling sight before him—a glimmering blade hovering perilously close to his face, held by a snarling figure that looked down upon him with death in her eyes.