Chapter 3: Red Eyes


Kiri's screams echoed through the marsh as she desperately struggled to free herself from the machine's grip. The force of its hold began to numb her fingers, and fear surged through her veins. But instead of dragging her into the mud, the machine simply stared at her with its piercing red eyes, intensifying her panic. The memories of her nightmares flooded back, accompanied by the sounds of screams and the scorching heat of surrounding flames.

"Let her go, you motherfucker!" Spider's voice boomed with anger as he continued to work on fixing his rifle, his frustration hindering his progress.

With one leg already sinking into the mud, Kiri planted her other foot on the edge, trying to gain leverage to free herself. "Let me go!" she shouted, her voice filled with desperation.

"Disarm yourself."

The cold, metallic voice of the machine cut through the chaos, causing Spider and Kiri to freeze in shock. Spider locked eyes with the machine, its red optics seemingly piercing his soul, while it raised Kiri's arm threateningly, as if to demonstrate the consequences of disobedience.

Caught off guard by the machine's unexpected communication, both Kiri and Spider hesitated for a brief moment, stunned by the revelation.

"What the-" Spider muttered, his surprise evident as he tightened his grip on his useless weapon, determined not to let the machine remain unaware of their defiance. "Release my friend first, you human swine!"

"I am not human," the machine's voice rang out, causing Spider to falter. Its attention turned toward him, and Spider felt a twinge of unease. "Disarm yourself."

"Spider, just do it…" Kiri groaned through the pain, her voice filled with anguish.

Gritting his teeth, Spider reluctantly tossed his firearm into the mudpool. "Are you satisfied now? Let her go!"

The machine's gaze lingered on the spot where the weapon had sunk, then returned to Kiri, who it still held captive.

"Please... just let me go," Kiri pleaded, her voice trembling with tears. "We've done what you asked."

"Identify yourselves," the machine demanded, its emotionless speech sending chills down Kiri's spine.

"I won't tell you anything until you release my friend!" Spider growled with defiance.

"My name is Kiri," she whimpered, unable to endure the pain any longer. She knew she shouldn't reveal their identities, but she had no other choice at that moment. "And this is Spider."

"Kiri, stop—" Spider's voice filled with alarm, but he was interrupted by the machine.

"Explain your purpose for pursuing me," the machine's voice remained unwavering as it fixed its gaze on Spider.

"We stumbled upon your crash site," Spider rushed to explain, struggling to comprehend the fact that he was engaged in a dialogue with a machine rather than a human. "We followed your tracks!" He finished, realizing the foolishness of his words.

"Why were you pursuing me?" the machine inquired, its gaze unwavering.

"We had no intention of harming you!" Kiri exclaimed, frustration and pain lacing her words as she pounded her fist against the metallic hand.

"Inadequate response," the machine responded, turning its attention back to Kiri. "The human possessed an M69-AR."

"I've already discarded it!" Spider's frustration seeped into his words, his defiance evident.

A tense silence settled, stretching out like an eternity. The surroundings seemed to fade into the background as the weight of the moment hung in the air.

"Threat assessment is minimal," the machine finally responded, its tone devoid of emotion.

"Then let her go!" Spider's voice reverberated with urgency and determination.

"I require extraction first," the machine responded, addressing its current predicament. "Before it returns."

"Let me go, and I'll help you!" Kiri cried out. Her hand and fingers had become completely numb and pale from the lack of circulation.

The machine did not release its grip on her. "Negative."

Spider felt utterly useless as he observed Kiri's struggle. "What exactly are you talking about?" he interjected, desperately searching for a way to free her.

"Infernus Scolopendra," the machine replied after briefly scanning the surroundings.

"A what-?" Spider asked with confusion, as if it had just spoken a foreign language.

Lifting her head despite the pain, Kiri recognized the word, although she couldn't recall when or where she had heard it before. She knew it was the scientific name for a Na'vi animal. "It's referring to another animal," she informed Spider before turning her gaze to the machine. "Is that why you're trapped?"

"Affirmative," the machine responded.

Spider would have retorted with a snarky remark, but he held his tongue for Kiri's sake. "So how do we get you out? You weigh more than both of us combined."

Despite the pain, Kiri noticed that all the animals had vanished from view, and the marsh surrounding them had suddenly fallen eerily silent. The disconcerting change made her want to speak up, but she was interrupted.

"I have analyzed the vines of that tree, and they possess sufficient tensile strength," the machine stated, looking towards a nearby tree—an overgrown, ancient behemoth stretching up to the canopy. "Retrieve it."

Spider glared at the machine, his frustration evident. "Listen, buddy. We don't trust you. You'll either kill us once we help you out or turn us into hostages."

"A logical assessment based on the current parameters, but I am not the most dangerous threat to you in this sector," the machine replied. "Retrieve a vine immediately."

"Since you leave me with little choice," Spider scoffed, rolling his eyes in disdain as he cautiously backed up towards the tree, hands raised.

A wave of panic surged through Kiri as she realized she was now completely alone with the machine, but she couldn't resist asking, "Can you please let go?"

"What purpose would that serve?" the machine inquired.

"So I can feel my arm!" Kiri cried out. "Don't you understand how much this hurts?"

The machine stared for a few seconds before loosening its grip slightly, allowing circulation to return to Kiri's arm, but still not enough for her to escape.

"Thank you," Kiri blurted out instinctively, then immediately regretted expressing gratitude to the murderous machine. Nonetheless, she breathed a sigh of relief as the blood rushed through her veins. Anxious for Spider's return, the passing time and ensuing silence created an awkward, tense atmosphere. "So, uh, how long have you been stuck here?" she asked, attempting to inject some levity into the situation.

"Six days, eight hours, thirty-eight minutes, and fifteen seconds," the machine answered, its gaze fixed on Spider, who was struggling to find a vine long enough to reach it.

Kiri audibly gasped as she calculated the time in her head. It had been almost a week since she had her nightmare. "How is this possible?" she whispered to herself.

"What is possible?" the machine inquired, catching Kiri off guard with such a direct question.


As Spider observed the tree, his focus was fixed on finding a long and sturdy vine capable of supporting the weight of the submerged machine. With no knowledge of its actual size or heft, he scanned the surroundings in search of the perfect vine.

After rummaging through the foliage, Spider finally located a lengthy and robust vine that seemed to fit the requirements. It was firmly entangled against the tree, requiring him to exert considerable effort to dislodge it. He already had a plan mapped out in his mind: once he handed the vine to the machine, they would take advantage of its distraction and make a swift escape. Their priority would be to return to the camp, inform Jake about the situation, and devise a strategy to neutralize the mechanical threat.

As the fog thickened once again, the visibility in the area diminished, leaving Spider only able to discern the forms of Kiri and the machine. The machine still clutched onto Kiri, and Spider's gaze shifted back to the path they had traversed, leading to the river. He couldn't help but notice the unnerving silence that enveloped the surroundings.

With the vine now slung over his shoulder, Spider's attention was abruptly drawn to the sound of a snapped branch in the distance behind him. He swiftly turned,spotting a moving through the dense fog. However, the mysterious presence was moving too swiftly for him to discern its nature. Though it sparked a sense of concern, Spider recognized that his immediate focus had to be on freeing Kiri. Thus, he began making his way back towards them, determined to confront the impending threat after ensuring Kiri's safety.


"Do you remember me? From a week ago?" Kiri's voice trembled as she addressed the machine. Relief washed over her when she heard Spider approaching, struggling to drag the vine along. "Negative," the machine replied coldly. "Facial recognition does not match any previous encounters."

Kiri clenched her teeth, battling through the pain and mounting anger. She fought to control her tail, which threatened to thrash back and forth in response to her exhaustion. Even her knees and back ached from her constrained position. "Why did you kill the Na'vi in the village?" she demanded.

Spider halted in his tracks, looking at them with shock. "What did you just say?" he asked, his eyes wide.

Kiri glanced back at Spider, wishing she could reveal everything to him, but now wasn't the time.

"I followed assigned directives as part of my basic routines," the machine responded impassively. "Explain the source of your information."

Kiri turned her attention back to the machine, avoiding direct eye contact. "I was there," she paused, collecting her thoughts, "but not really there..."

Spider, now only a few steps away from Kiri, wanted to speak up, his anger evident in his eyes. However, he restrained himself, knowing that he needed to free Kiri first. He unceremoniously dropped the vine to the ground and took a step back. "There, now let her go."

The machine examined the vine, then glanced at Spider. "Negative. Safety is compromised. There is a high probability that you will flee as soon as I release the female."

"Isn't that convenient, being the world's smartest robot?" Spider scoffed. "You'll butcher us just like you did in that village."

Before the machine could respond, Kiri interjected, her voice quivering. "How do we know you won't kill us?"

"The situation is mutual," the machine stated flatly. "Self-preservation is my primary prerogative."

Spider nudged the vine towards the machine with his foot, interrupting Kiri before she could say anything. "Listen, I got you the vine, and you'll never see us again," he asserted. "So let her go."

"Very well," the machine conceded, loosening its grip on Kiri and grabbing the vine with an audible hydraulic groan.

Kiri, relieved to be free, instinctively clutched her injured arm. She straightened up, examining the deep bruises imprinted on her skin where the machine's hand had gripped her. Waves of pain throbbed through her arm, feeling as if it had been relentlessly pounded by a hammer.

Spider hurriedly approached her, pulling her away from the machine's reach. "Are you okay?" he whispered, ensuring their conversation couldn't be overheard. "Do you still have your knife? We can cut the vine."

Kiri blinked, contemplating the situation. "I do," she responded quietly, mindful of the machine's previous awareness of her possession. "But we shouldn't."

Before they could further discuss their plan, the vine suddenly snapped taut, lifting a few feet off the ground due to the intense tension. The machine exerted tremendous force, causing Spider to stagger backward. Both of them distanced themselves from the strained vine and watched as the machine, using its right arm, began to heave its upper body out of the mud.

"Let's get out of here," Spider urged, grabbing Kiri's arm and pulling her back into the foliage.

Kiri raised her hand to halt him. "If we run, it will pursue us," she cautioned, her mind replaying the events from her nightmare. "We must remain calm."

"And if it forces us to return to the camp?" Spider hissed, closely monitoring the machine's movements. "We can't allow that either. Besides, isn't there something out there that caused it to sink into the mud in the first place?"

Kiri nodded in agreement. "You're right." They began taking slow steps backward, retreating towards the large bioluminescent foliage shrouded in mist.

The machine struggled to extricate itself from the mire, its damaged lower left arm near detachment below the elbow hindering its efforts. Nevertheless, it managed to break free relatively swiftly, utilizing the full strength of its legs and the pull of the vine. Rising from the mud, it stood tall, emitting audible hydraulic noises throughout its body.

When Kiri and Spider beheld the machine in its entirety, they were awestruck. It surpassed the size, weight, and bulk of a Na'vi, towering as high as one of the RDA's Skel suits. With its menacing red optics glaring down upon them, it dwarfed both of them. Apart from exposed areas, its body was entirely encased in mud.

Instantly, the machine turned towards them, a hydraulic sound emanating from its right arm as it folded aside, revealing an internal, high-powered machine gun. Its stance shifted, the weapon now pointed directly at them. "Halt."

Kiri and Spider froze at the sight of the machine's lethal armament. As the dense fog closed in, enveloping their surroundings, another prolonged silence fell upon them.

Subconsciously, Kiri reached out and tightly squeezed Spider's hand in panic.

"Cease your movements, or your lives will be terminated," the machine warned, initiating a self-examination for visible damages.

Spider's expression turned grave, his regret for not whisking Kiri away immediately etched on his face.

Kiri glanced at Spider, her voice a hushed whisper. "Remember... remain calm."

Sparks visibly flew as the machine extended its left arm, attempting to move its damaged lower left arm. Kiri and Spider startled, instinctively taking a step back.

With its gun arm still aimed at them, the machine's attention fixated on Kiri. "Explain the source of your knowledge regarding the village encounter."

Kiri's throat tightened, her voice trembling. "As I mentioned earlier... I was there, but I wasn't really there."

Confusion clouded Spider's face. "What do you mean?"

The machine awaited a suitable response, its gun arm gleaming amidst the muck that slid off its body. The camouflage patterns and remnants of the RDA's green stripes revealed the metallic shell beneath.

Kiri's eyes reflected primal fear as she glanced at Spider. "I had a nightmare a week ago, and I witnessed everything," she revealed, her voice faltering. Tears threatened to spill over. "This 'drone' and other humans slaughtered everyone in the village," she concluded, referring to the machine.

Disgust etched Spider's face as he glared at the machine. "How do you defend these accusations?" he demanded, his grip on Kiri's hand tightening.

"The events described are accurate but incomplete," the machine responded. "43% of the villagers were not terminated."

"Half a village is still half murdered," Spider growled. "And you will pay for your crimes, just like the RDA."

The machine raised its gun barrel directly at Spider. "A threatening statement will not be overlooked," it warned. "An appropriate response will be determined."

"Do we look like we can do anything to you?" Spider retorted, frustration evident. They were clearly outmatched, and the machine gun appeared capable of blasting a baseball-sized hole through his chest.

"The immediate threat assessment is minimal," the machine repeated. "However, this encounter increases the probability of you alerting the RDA to my location."

Spider looked offended. "We're not with the RDA, you dipshit," he snapped, gesturing to his scant loincloth attire. "Do we resemble the RDA?"

Kiri affirmed, her anger simmering. Though she could now feel and move her fingers, her arm throbbed with pain. "We're not with the RDA. They destroyed our home."

The machine focused on Kiri. "Your biological profile matches that of an Avatar. State your current RDA facility."

Self-conscious about her five fingers, Kiri attempted to conceal them, her tail flicking with anger. "I'm not an Avatar; I was born!"

Spider interjected, matching the frustration in Kiri's voice. "What exactly do you want from us? Will you keep us at gunpoint indefinitely?"

"If it desired our demise, we would already be dead," Kiri stated grimly, vivid memories of the machine's capabilities flooding her mind. She closed her eyes, fighting off the haunting screams as if they were happening in the present. "I've witnessed what it can do."

Spider glanced at Kiri, frustrated by the withheld information. They would have a serious conversation about this later, assuming there was a later to be had.

The machine began to speak, but its words were cut short by sudden loud noises in the distance. In an instant, its attention diverted, and it swiftly turned towards the source of the disturbance.

Unable to ignore the commotion, Kiri and Spider also faced the sound. Something was stirring in the marsh, causing water to splash as animals sought refuge beneath its surface. Small creatures scurried past their feet, fleeing from the approaching noise.

A persistent, unsettling hissing filled the air, emanating from the direction of the movement. It grew louder as whatever approached sped through the marsh. The dense fog obscured their view, but they could discern the creature's large size.

"Flee, now!" Spider yelled in fear, seizing Kiri's arm. They managed only a few steps before the ground began to vibrate with an alarming intensity.

In a momentary glance backward, Spider noticed that the machine made no attempt to pursue or escape. Its posture shifted towards the impending danger, its gun arm pointed in the direction where the fog was thinning. "It returns."


Authors Note: Chapter was updated on 6/8/2023