Chapter 10: Shadows in the Jungle
Author note: I use { } to separate Na'vi and English when it's appropriate for the scene.
Kiri inhaled deeply and counted.
One, two. Inhale, exhale. One, two.
Kiri found a comfortable spot under a tree, closed her eyes, and focused on her breathing, attempting to calm her racing heart. Her arms trembled down to her fingertips. Images of fire and smoke flashed in her mind, but then, all of a sudden, a gentle scent wafted in her direction. It was the scent of the nearby "sun lilies," the multi-petaled bluish-purple flowering plants that the Na'vi used to make jewelry. She and Tuk made them together for the family. The thought of her typically serious father wearing the sun lily jewelry brought a mix of amusement and endearment.
One, two. Inhale, exhale. One, two.
The images were still there. Thinking about Jake Sully didn't help much, and Kiri absentmindedly played with his bracelet on her wrist. Impatient with her progress, she cracked open an eyelid and took in the scenery. An enormous waterfall in the distance, surrounded by dozens of large grazing animals. It was far more pleasant than the swamp in its playful vibrance against the morning sun, although the swamp's dismal filthiness had its own charms.
That's right; she was no longer back in the village. Her skin felt warm from the morning light shining through the forest canopy. Her eyes followed the outlines of the trees until she could see the top of the mountains, with their hazy, snow-covered summits that reached into the heavens. She had only seen snow from afar when she had ridden Gracie, going so high that she had encountered freezing altitudes. She imagined that snow felt soft and sponge-like.
Thinking of Gracie brought her back to the moment she and the Ikran were torn from each other, queue disconnected. Kiri carried a burden of guilt for the loss of Gracie, feeling responsible for pushing her beyond her limits prematurely.
The pleasant scenery barely distracted her from the traumatic events. Kiri, Txoum, and Ghost had walked tirelessly with few breaks through the valley for two days and nights at this point. Her mind played with every imaginable possibility, but every one ended in frustration. Even in her sleep when they set up camp for the night, she spent it reliving every second of that day, and it always ended up the same. Txoum would wake her up and say she was having a nightmare. To Kiri, a nightmare wasn't the best way to describe it; it was a living hell.
Txoum also lost his Ikran during the battle. It was not easy to discuss it on the first night of travel, as the emotions were still so raw, as was everything. First a searing hot pain, and then sudden isolation like the world turned black. It left them breathless, like taking a punch to the gut. Even though the two managed to bond over their immense losses, it still left them feeling hollow. When they managed to sort through some of the emotions, Txoum and Kiri both promised to return and commemorate all the deceased, Na'vi and Ikran alike.
Once more, Kiri closed her eyes, determined to fend off the overwhelming memories that loomed in her mind. "Why couldn't I protect you, Gracie? I promised to keep you safe." The guilt welled up inside her, creating a heavy knot in her stomach.
After several minutes of doing this, Kiri opened her eyes and finally felt her mind clear for the moment, and she remembered she needed to finish what she was doing. She was collecting supplies—herbs and edibles—because they were leaving soon after Txoum returned with their breakfast. With her tattered leather bag resting at her feet, she reached down and picked it up before placing it over her good shoulder. Her other arm was still in its worn-out cast, and she resisted removing it.
Kiri then began thoroughly searching the area. There were many mushrooms, both little and large, in all shades of color, and only the small bluish-green ones were non-toxic, so she grabbed a few of them. Above her head, a tribe of curious, six-legged monkey-like creatures called Syaksyuk were in Na'vi, eating fruits and swinging between the branches as they observed her. They were cute and adorable, but they sure weren't sharing their food.
Kiri considered climbing the tree to acquire the delicious fruits, but she knew she couldn't do it with her broken cast arm. So, adhering to the ground, she retraced her steps towards the camp they had established for the night. She picked as many herbs and nuts as she could find before she was within sight of the camp.
The camp was simple, with two large leaves propped up by poles to create a makeshift rain shelter, accompanied by a warm fire. Txoum hadn't returned yet, and when she circled the last tree in her path, she paused and gulped.
Ghost stood nearby, motionless as if turned into a statue, their typically vibrant red eyes barely discernible. Every night, they went into this state, which they described as a "low power mode," to preserve their battery levels. They were like this when Kiri left, which she could never get used to, but she figured they would have "woken" up already.
Kiri thought that something might be wrong as she put her bag on the ground and moved in front of Ghost, making sure to keep a safe distance. Behind the dimly lit glass lenses of the machine's eyes, she could see black, round camera eyes, which she found unnatural-looking.
"Are you okay?" Kiri asked awkwardly with a wave of her hand.
Ghost immediately snapped its head up and peered at Kiri. The machine "turned on" with a series of audible mechanical noises, and she could see the camera's eyes moving before the lens turned the familiar shade of red. In less than ten seconds, they awoke.
"State your needs."
Kiri scratched her arm clumsily, and her tail swayed side to side nervously. "I was just checking to see if you were okay." She said, peering back and hoping Txoum would return since she didn't feel safe being alone with Ghost.
"All systems are within acceptable parameters," Ghost responded, and they began scanning the area from left to right for dangers.
"Okay," Kiri responded before hearing some rustling overhead. The troop of Syaksyuk had swooped through the trees, curiously following Kiri. When they noticed Ghost, some of them hissed and issued loud warning cries, alerting other animals close to a predator, which quickly fled.
The noise caught Ghost's attention, and they looked up at the treetops. Several of the younger Syaksyuk hid behind their parents while the elder ones held their ground and stared defiantly. It was clear they viewed the machine as an unwelcome intruder.
Ghost just stared back at them.
"They won't hurt you," Kiri said to Ghost, perhaps worried they might do something to them.
"Prolemuris noctis," Ghost stated, referring to the human scientific name for the species. "The threat level is minimal."
The troop of Syaksyuk and Ghost were playing some kind of staring game now, but the Syaksyuk had numbers on their side if that mattered.
"We call them Syaksyuk," Kiri said, getting a bit worried that something might happen, "which means night climber."
Ghost continued to stare. The Syaksyuk troop, alarmed by the creature's intense red gaze, swiftly swung away through the trees, disappearing from sight.
Kiri let out a sigh, wanting to express her unease about Ghost's imposing red eyes but unsure how to convey it to a machine designed for combat. It was supposed to be scary, right?
Ghost turned their attention to Kiri and uttered the word, "Syaksyuk."
Kiri blinked as it repeated the word perfectly. "Yes, like that," she said. "How much Na'vi do you know?"
"Rudimentary," Ghost replied, "I can translate 6.3% of your conversational data."
Kiri was taken back even more. "So you've been listening to what we've been saying?" she said, referring to Txoum and her.
"Yes," Ghost said, and for some reason, every time they said yes the last few days, it made Kiri feel pleased for some reason. "Audibles are stored, evaluated, and relevant data is saved. Data is then compa-"
Kiri could feel this conversation was going to turn into techno blabber again. "Okay, I get it," she interrupted. "You try to compare what I say in Na'vi to English to make your own translation."
"Yes," Ghost said again, "direct translation would build the database faster."
Kiri felt the tension with the machine ease slightly, despite the very obvious red eyes that constantly stared at her. She took a deep breath to calm herself. "Say hello, my name is…"
It was then that Kiri remembered that Ghost never even named themselves. She had given them that nickname.
Ghost spoke in Na'vi. "{My name is demon suit.}"
Kiri immediately felt embarrassed, as it was obvious that Ghost picked up that name from Txoum. Also, the accent was way off, and the synthetic-sounding voice would probably make any Na'vi immediately want to attack them. "No!" she blurted out. "Not like that!"
Ghost just stared at her.
Kiri rubbed her face a bit. "We'll need to work on this," she said, "You say it like-"
Ghost abruptly turned its head 45 degrees to the left and gazed past Kiri. Kiri instantly turned around to see Txoum arriving in the distance. He did not bring back a kill today, but rather two fish punctured by his spear. Kiri felt that was a remarkable haul for just one spear because that was two more on one spear than she's ever caught.
"{My apologies about being later than usual, There was no game I was able to hunt alone, so I headed to the river.}" Txoum said to Kiri, stopping and giving Ghost a dirty look. He couldn't help but feel a surge of anger whenever he looked at Ghost. The mechanical being represented the very technology and humans that had taken his father's life. Though Kiri had tried to bridge the gap between them the last few days, the wounds were still fresh, and trust was a fragile concept.
Ghost just regarded Txoum.
"{Oh, it's okay,}" Kiri said, her stomach growling. "{That should hold us for now.}"
"{I'm sorry I'll do better next time,}" Txoum said with a frown. His stitches had thankfully held up over the last few days, and the wound was healing. So there was at least that.
"{I also collected some berries and herbs,}" Kiri gestured to her bag.
Ghost just watched the exchange in Na'vi. Kiri figured they were recording everything they were saying.
Txoum nodded before he started pulling the fish off the spear and started cutting them up to be cooked. Some of the fish were poisonous, so it took special skill to cut them.
Kiri then looked towards Ghost. "Okay. Let's start over. You say it like this," she said, making sure to speak her Na'vi slowly. "{My name is Ghost. It is nice to meet you.}"
Txoum stopped cutting and looked towards Kiri. "{Are you really teaching it our language?}" he said, feeling a bit insulted.
Kiri couldn't reply before Ghost spoke.
"{My name is Ghost. It is nice to meet you,}" Ghost repeated. The accent was slightly improved, but with such a neutral-flat tone, it could be taken more as an insult.
Txoum and Kiri were both surprised. "{Well then}," Txoum said, taking it halfway between an insult and genuine respect for a first-timer speaking their language.
Ghost stared at Kiri.
Kiri pondered and then advised, "You could work on your voice tone, perhaps make it a bit more expressive," offering Ghost guidance in a teacher-like manner.
"{What you should really teach it to say is,}" Txoum said, clearing his throat and throwing some fish cutlets into the fire, "{I've fought with the sky people. I'm not here to burn down your village like the last few times.}"
Kiri shook her head. The comment was a bit childish, but it was true. Keeping Ghost away from any Na'vi clan outside of her own was probably better than teaching them Na'vi.
Ghost looked at Txoum. "Translate?" they asked Kiri. This was the first time they had actually asked Kiri this, and she was taken off guard.
Txoum noticed the machine's attention and stared back at Kiri. "{What is it asking?}"
Kiri suddenly felt herself in the middle of an awkward situation, so she tried to pivot things. "We should get ready to leave," she said in both Na'vi and English.
Txoum just shrugged and started cooking all four fish. Noticing Kiri's bag, he opened it and borrowed some spices and herbs to add to the mix.
"Words have been noted," Ghost said.
"No! Erase that," Kiri said to Ghost, rubbing her forehead. It was pretty obvious that the machine took everything literally. "That's not what those words meant."
"The data has been cleansed," Ghost said. "I am combat ready and ready for departure."
Txoum was cooking like a professional, and Kiri couldn't help but notice that as well. It smelled good too. However, her attention was brought back to Ghost as she had to finish their conversation.
"You can just say you're ready to leave," Kiri said, not liking the "combat ready" notation. "We'll let you know when we're ready to go."
"Noted," Ghost said, and they moved some distance from the combat to take up higher ground to observe the surroundings.
Kiri took a sigh; the day had barely started and she was already tired from navigating awkward scenarios. She then turned and looked at Txoum, her palms resting on her hips. "{Where did you learn to cook like that?}"
"{My mother,}" Txoum replied as he turned over some of the fish and sprinkled some more herbs in. "{Don't you remember the booth at the festival? I helped cook half of that.}"
"{Yeah, the festival,}" Kiri said, and she reclined her head and tried to remember that day. That was only a few days ago, but it felt like months had passed. Txoum stopped cooking because he couldn't help but think of his parents, especially his mother now.
Kiri cleared her throat and played with her mothers necklace. "{Let's remember to keep our minds clear ahead,}" she said, repeating the advice Txoum had given her.
Txoum nodded and went back to cooking.
After completing their meal, the trio traveled for hours through the valley's meandering terrain. The surrounding landscape was a safari of diverse animal species, with pristine mountain peaks and enormous cascades. The environment was mostly open, with a few patches of bamboo-like forests here and there, and many of the enormous megafauna weren't endemic to where Txoum and Kiri grew up.
The majority of the animals were herds of triceratops-sized green and orange-skinned beasts with giant sails on their backs in varied hues of color that shimmered in the light. They moved slowly and clumsily, communicating with roars and grunts. Their names were Zituaweu, which means "big backs" in Na'vi. They were entirely unconcerned about the trio and kept to themselves.
Among the Zituaweu were Epawkaw, meaning "flat tail," which were six-legged horse-sized beasts with long, flat tails and crests jutting from the sides of their heads. They traveled in groups of four to six individuals and communicated by clicking noises and other cries, as if they had their own language. They were considerably quicker and nimbler, omnivores who scavenged or feasted on low-lying nuts.
Being at their native home in the deep forest far from there, Kiri and Txoum rarely saw herds of creatures packed like this unless they were flying on their Ikrans. Even then, flying from above gave a completely different perspective than being on the ground. Everything looked so much smaller.
Ghost was in the lead and was taking a completely different route than the trail the Omaticaya had taken. According to their data, they had a more efficient route planned out, which would save them two days on their travels. Kiri and Txoum didn't like this idea initially, but when they started walking for over eight hours a day, they came to appreciate the potential time savings.
Many of the animals were wary of Ghost and kept a safe distance from them. Ghost stood out like a sore thumb because of their faded camouflage paint job, as well as the silvery sheen and rust where the paint was lacking and where they had patched themselves up.
Txoum and Kiri followed a short distance behind Ghost, talking amongst themselves. The soft grass swayed beneath their feet, and the sweet scent of wildflowers wafted through the air. The chirping of birds and the distant roars of the indigenous creatures created a harmonious symphony of nature.
"{I heard that when the drought comes every few years and the water stops flowing here, all of these animals migrate towards the 'ay atxkxe,}" Txoum said, referring to a land that was almost mythical to the Na'vi.
"{Wow, the 'ay atxkxe?}" Kiri said, and she tried to imagine the entire valley migrating to the south. "{That's so far away.}"
The trio was crossing a herd of grazing Austrapede, flightless birds that resembled a hybrid between an ostrich and a pink flamingo and stood higher than Direhorses. They caught fish in the pond with their enormous beaks and swallowed them whole.
"{My father was there once,}" Txoum said, watching the birds closely. "{Along the coast there are many clans of sea-Na'vi.}"
"{The Sea Na'vi?}" Kiri said, taking a moment to admire some of the flowers glowing in the grass. Oh, how she wished to document everything here if she had her notepad. "{I've heard stories about them. They live in the water and can even ride sea animals.}"
Ghost continued moving on, with each step making an audible hydraulic groan. It took a lot of power to move over 1,000 pounds of metal, and each step vibrated the ground slightly.
"{Partly true,}" Txoum corrected, and he admired some large birds flying overhead. "{They are born in the water and ride sea animals, but they can't breathe underwater. They're just good at holding their breath.}"
Kiri couldn't help but smile for some reason.
"{Is something funny about that?}" Txoum asked.
Kiri chuckled under her breath. "{I was just thinking of my brothers. Lo'ak was always better at holding his breath, often to the point he'd faint.}"
"{Well, he does like to talk a lot, which is why,}" Txoum said with a small smile. "{I've trained with him quite a bit recently.}"
A delightful, cool breeze brushed tenderly past the pair, offering respite while the relentless sun beamed down with unwavering intensity, leaving no refuge in sight, save for a bamboo forest to their right some distance away.
Kiri rolled her head side-to-side as her bag jingled a bit as she walked over some bumpy ground. "{Yes, he does like to talk,}" she said. "{Tell me about your training sessions.}"
Txoum pondered for a bit. "{Well, your brothers often wish to prove themselves to be better than others, and that often comes at the cost of being overconfident and abrasive to others,}" he said. "{Lo'ak wished to prove himself to be the better hunter to the others, so he challenged us all, and he was second to last. He did not take losing well.}"
Ghost was scanning every direction for potential threats as they continued moving on.
"{Neteyam,}" Txoum continued, starting to grin, "{is the better warrior. But he is an honorable one, like your father.}" He looked at her. "{Whenever he bested me or anyone else, he made sure that we were fine after a spar. Well, when he lost, he would take it a bit better than Lo'ak, I feel.}"
Kiri felt emotion welling up within her after hearing Txoum talk about her brothers. Some mixture of warm fondness, appreciation, and worried anxiety. She stepped on a mound of grass, feeling the cool soil underneath.
"{Yes, my brothers don't take losing well,}" Kiri sighed. "{I just don't understand why they always have to compete for my father's attention, taking unnecessary risks. Before the battle, my father ordered them to stay behind, but they didn't listen and flew off to join my mother.}" She thought about the way they ran off, not heeding her pleas. She couldn't help but feel resentful of their stubborn nature.
Txoum looked at Kiri. "{I understand your frustration, Kiri. Siblings can have a way of seeking validation, especially from someone like your father,}" he explained, "{but remember they both have a strong will to defend the clan.}"
Kiri looked back. "{I know, but I fear that their rivalry and the risks that they take will lead to something terrible happening,}" she said, pausing with hesitation, "{or…has already happened.}" Her eyes widened, realizing that that night was likely the last interaction they would share together.
Txoum placed a gentle hand on her shoulder before she had a chance to assume the worst. "{We must remember that Eywa has a way of guiding us, even in the most challenging situations,}" he said. "{Your brothers are strong and capable warriors. Trust in their abilities, and trust that Eywa will keep them safe.}"
Kiri nodded slowly. "{You're right. I need to have faith in our brothers and in Eywa's guidance,}" she said, taking another deep breath. "{Do you have any siblings?}" she asked curiously.
Kiri felt that Txoum normally wears a gentle expression, but his face managed to soften even more. "{Yes, I have two younger sisters, Amara and Leyna. Amara is the older of the two, and she has a calm and graceful demeanor like yourself. She moves like a gentle stream and has a talent for music,}" he said, pausing briefly. "{Leyna, on the other hand, is a force of nature. She's fiercely determined and never backs down from a challenge. She wishes to train as a hunter when she is old enough.}"
Kiri felt excited, it was like being reminded of Tuk. "{I would love to meet them someday,}" she said before realizing that would be difficult given the circumstances.
Txoum fell silent suddenly and looked away.
"{Are you okay?}" Kiri asked in a panic. "{I'm sorry if I offen-}"
Txoum stopped walking, and she saw his eyes welling up. "{I don't know if I can have the strength to tell my sisters that our father is with Eywa.}"
Kiri realized that she may have to do the same with her family if she can find them safe and sound. She took Txoum's hands with a comforting squeeze. "{I'm sorry, Txoum. I know how this weighs on you. Your father was a hero, and he helped our people escape,}" she said. "{He will be remembered in the songs, and I will be here to talk and help if you need.}"
Txoum wiped his eyes and nodded at Kiri. "{You're a good friend, Kiri,}" he said, resting his hand on her shoulder.
Kiri couldn't help but smile at that gesture.
Ghost noticed Kiri and Txoum had stopped walking and turned around. "Report your reason for stopping," they intoned.
Kiri just about rolled her eyes, but Txoum cleared his throat, not needing a translation. "{We should keep moving,}" He regained his composure before they both continued walking. Despite the interruption, Kiri felt that some weight lifted off her shoulders, and she suspected it was the same for Txoum. Once they caught up to Ghost, the machine turned and took the lead again.
After some more walking around in silence, Kiri looked around at the vibrant foliage. She hadn't seen any Na'vi or any camps around, and she had a hard time believing nobody wanted to live in such a beautiful place. "{Do any Na'vi tribes live here?}" she asked.
"{Yes, and no,}" Txoum said, frowning slightly. "{When the sky people returned, they migrated to the south to avoid the flames.}"
"{Oh,}" Kiri said, sighing again, knowing exactly how that felt.
Ghost suddenly stopped in their tracks, but there was nothing in front of them. They were staring off in the distance into the sky.
Txoum and Kiri stopped and looked at each other. They couldn't see what Ghost was looking at, but they could hear something in the distance, like distant thunder, but there were no clouds in sight. The pair exchanged puzzled glances as the once-calm valley plain seemed to come alive with restless animals. Birds quickly took flight, and small animals scurried away, seeking refuge from an unseen threat. Something was amiss.
"{Do you hear that?"} Txoum asked Kiri, his voice tinged with concern.
Kiri nodded, her brow furrowing, and she looked at Ghost. "What's wrong?" she called out.
Ghost did not respond and instead pivoted to the right and started heading towards their right. Kiri and Txoum didn't have much of a choice but to follow them, and they jogged to catch up.
Before Kiri and Txoum could catch up, there was a loud, thundering cry as one of the Zituaweu roared, and it echoed throughout the valley. It sounded like a warning call. The herd of Zituaweu and many of the other animals suddenly turned around and started stampeding away in the direction they had come from.
One of the large beasts was in the path of Kiri and Txoum, and he immediately grabbed Kiri and pulled them to safety. After that, a glimmer of metal caught Kiri's eye in the sky, and she nudged Txoum, and they both looked wide-eyed with realization. The source of the thunder revealed itself—a trio of approaching helicopters, their blades slicing through the air with a menacing whir. They had to get behind cover while avoiding being run over by stampeding beasts.
There, not far away, was a large boulder.
"{Go go!}" Txoum shouted over the stampede, and he and Kiri both sprinted past Ghost towards it as the ground shook like an earthquake.
Ghost was soon caught up in the middle of the stampede. They sped up their pace, but it was evident they could not run. Despite the ensuing chaos and its slow pace, they managed to avoid the large beasts from running it over twice, as if it foresaw what to do.
"{Can it not run?}" Txoum asked Kiri while they ran, and even he was struggling to keep up with her due to his injury, but the adrenaline helped.
Kiri was feeling concerned as she looked back at Ghost, but her ears were drawn towards the dreadful drone of helicopter rotors filling the air. They had just barely made it behind cover behind the boulder just as the helicopters approached while flying low to the ground.
Ghost was still exposed in the open while the helicopters were getting closer. The helicopters roared above, their powerful blades creating a turbulent gust that disturbed the peace. After what felt like an eternity, Ghost made it behind the boulder. Kiri and Txoum certainly thought they had been spotted and held their breath.
After a tense moment, the helicopters hovered directly over them and picked up the dirt and grass around them while they continued on their path down the valley.
Kiri and Txoum hid behind the boulder the best they could, and after the helicopters passed without incident, they finally breathed, as they thought they had been seen.
"{Are you okay?}" Txoum asked Kiri.
Kiri nodded back while panting heavily. It took her a moment to catch her breath before she could ask Ghost. "What is the RDA doing here?"
Ghost turned and looked at Kiri. "Sector patrol."
The helicopters had by now departed off into the distance and out of their view again, but the distant thumping sound of their rotors could still be heard.
Txoum took a better vantage point on the boulder to check if there was anything around. The area was deserted of megafauna, and the once harmonious chorus of nature fell into a hushed silence. The valley lay eerily quiet.
Kiri noticed this as well. "What are they looking for?" she asked Ghost.
"Hostile targets, which I calculate as having a high probability of including us," Ghost stated.
"Are you sure we weren't seen?" Kiri asked nervously.
"Yes, their radio traffic did not report finding hostile contaminants," Ghost replied.
Kiri had to sit as that sudden burst of energy took its toll on her. "Wait- you can hear their radios?" It was then that she remembered the protruding radio stump from the machine's shoulder.
"If within range and the transmission is unencrypted," Ghost said.
Txoum looked down at both of them. "{We should move to a better spot.}"
Kiri nodded to Txoum, then stood back up. "We need to move to a better spot. Will the patrol come back?" she asked Ghost.
"Yes," Ghost said, "I calculate they will return in thirty two minutes once the sector sweep is complete."
Txoum climbed down from the boulder, wincing and clutching his side in pain.
Kiri looked at Txoum with concern and approached him. "{Are you okay? Ghost says they'll be back soon.}"
"{I'm fine,}" Txoum said, and he straightened up and pointed towards the treeline some distance away. "{We should find some cover there.}"
Kiri nodded and looked at Ghost, gesturing as well to the treeline. "Let's go there."
Ghost looked towards the treeline, "I calculate there is adequate camouflage there."
Kiri probably would have facepalmed in other circumstances, but she instead took a deep breath. "You can't run, can you?"
"Design defect," Ghost replied. "I can run up to 31.3 km/h, but overtaxing of leg servos and joints will cause permanent damage."
"{Let's go,}" Txoum insisted after checked the horizon again for the helicopters.
Kiri nodded, and she gestured for Ghost to follow before the three of them started heading towards the treeline. It was some distance away, and they were exposed as they walked out in the open. The silence of the valley was a bit unnerving.
"{There must be a sky people camp near here,}" Txoum said while checking around, knowing from experience with fighting against them with his father. "{They usually don't travel very far from there.}"
Kiri then looked at Ghost. "Is there a human camp nearby?" she asked.
Ghost then pointed towards the north-west. "12.31 kilometers north-west."
Kiri then thought for a few seconds, as it was strange that Ghost wanted to go this route in particular. "Did you want to go this way so you could raid that camp?" she asked accusingly.
"Negative," Ghost replied, "Camp charlie 3 is threat level alpha six."
Kiri rubbed her face again. "What does that mean in simple terms?"
"There's a high probability of not being able to breach their defenses," Ghost stated.
Kiri just nodded, taking it as it was would be suicidal.
They were getting closer to the treeline of bamboo trees. There, amongst the trees, they could see animals hiding under the brush and checking if the coast was clear. For now, it would be their refuge until it was safe for them to leave, preferably at night.
The sun began its descent behind the horizon, casting a warm golden radiance over the verdant Pandoran landscape. After hours of dodging the RDA helicopter patrols hovering overhead, Kiri, Txoum, and Ghost had yet to encounter the RDA camp. The majority of their moves consisted of scurrying from one tree canopy cover to another in an attempt to avoid the helicopters, and after cautiously making their way across the valley plain, they arrived at the edge of a dense rainforest at the valley's end.
By now, the evening atmosphere had taken over the sunset glow. Feeling assured that they had reached a temporary safe haven, the trio set about finding a place for the night. As they made their way through the jungle foliage, the air was thick with anticipation. The bioluminescent creatures of the night slowly awakened, their vibrant hues illuminating the darkening surroundings.
They cautiously ventured into the jungle, marveling at the diverse array of creatures that came to life. Insects flitted through the air, their gentle glow creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Nearby, a pack of Epawkaw prowled, their eyes reflecting the dim light with an eerie intensity.
As Kiri and Txoum looked around, their curiosity piqued, and they couldn't help but be drawn towards the captivating luminescent plants. The foliage emitted a soft, pulsating glow, casting a magical aura around them. They marveled at the flora, fascinated by the way the plants seemed to communicate through their gentle pulsations.
The group found a secluded clearing where the dense foliage provided some cover from prying eyes. Kiri and Txoum hastily erected a simple shelter using branches and leaves, ensuring they would be shielded from the elements. Exhausted, Kiri and Txoum prepare to settle for the night, their energy waning after a long and treacherous journey.
Despite the threat they posed, Kiri and Txoum recognized that Ghost was a reliable sentry. The demon suit stood vigilant, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. Kiri could hear soft beeps and whirring mechanisms inside, indicating that its sensors are alert for any movement or abnormal activity. Its unnatural rhythmic noises, coupled with its cold, metallic exterior, were juxtaposed against the vibrant life surrounding it. A constant reminder of the ever-present conflict between the Na'vi and the RDA forces.
Sitting around the crackling flames of the campfire, their stomachs rumbling, Kiri and Txoum shared some Pandoran fruits and roasted plantain-like tubers Kiri had collected along the way.
"{We were lucky we weren't spotted earlier,}" Kiri said, her voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and lingering fear before she took a bite of one of the fruits.
Txoum nodded, his amber eyes reflecting the dancing flames of the fire. "{We can't let our guard down. But for now, let's enjoy this break,}" he said before taking a bite out of the tubers he just finished roasting.
Txoum eyed Ghost out of the corner of his eye, still standing watch at the edge of the humble camp. Its sensors continuously scan the surrounding area for any signs of danger with its piercing red eyes. Meanwhile, Kiri saw his gentle face harden, and she looked away, munching at her tuber.
After they finished their meal and settled into their makeshift camp, the night sky transformed into a celestial masterpiece. Two moons glimmered overhead against the backdrop of Polyphemus, casting an ethereal glow on the land below. The gentle sounds of nature enveloped them, creating a sense of calm amidst the chaos that had brought them to this point.
Kiri and Txoum laid on their backs against the soft jungle grass next to the campfire, admiring the stars while listening to the sounds of distant nocturnal creatures.
"{It has been long since I've seen the two eyes of Eywa in the sky,}" Txoum said as he gestured towards the two moons.
Kiri eyed the twin moons. They moved in a pattern that looked like two eyes moving together, but she knew it was actually an illusion. "{You see the one on the right?}" she said. "{It is actually further away, but it is bigger, so it looks the same size.}"
Txoum looked at Kiri. "{And how would you know this?}"
Kiri felt a bit flushed. "{Uhh,}" she swallowed, "{I learned it from my mother. My real mother.}"
"{Your real mother?}" Txoum asked next in confusion.
Kiri held up her hand, showing her five fingers on her cast arm. "{My real mother was a skyperson named Grace,}" she explained, "{Well, when she was one of us. The Na'vi. Our people call it a false body.}"
Txoum nodded. "{Yes, I've seen the sky people who are in the false bodies,}" he said. Sounding rather neutral on the subject. "{I don't understand how it works, but I know the Olo'eyktan's false body became their own as a gift from Eywa after winning against the sky people.}"
"{I wish I had been there,}" Kiri said with a sense of longing. She heard about that story from everyone, especially the sad part. "{My mother died on that same day,}" she said with a deep sigh.
Txoum seemed perplexed by that, as Kiri was younger than he, who was born after the war. "{If she died before you were born, then how were you born?}"
Kiri realized that was a perfectly acceptable question to ask, and she had no answer. She rolled to her side, away from him, embarrassed. "{I don't want to talk about that right now,}" she said. The entire set of circumstances had always sounded like a fantastical story to her, as her mother had been incubating in an Avatar tank for years until she unexpectedly gave birth to her. Not even her science could explain it.
"{My apologies, I didn't mean to offend,}" Txoum said, frowning slightly.
"{No, it's okay,}" Kiri said, sighing again, "{It's just a touchy subject. I'll try and explain another time.}"
Txoum looked Kiri over and nodded once more. "{When you wish to tell me, I will listen,}" he said before covering a yawn.
Kiri caught that contagious yawn after hearing it. "{Stop yawning, you're making me-.}"
Suddenly, a series of distant noises disrupted the tranquil atmosphere.
Txoum sat up, his amber eyes widening with concern. "{Did you hear that?}" he asked, his heart racing.
Kiri sat up and nodded, her ears twitching in the direction of the sound. It sounded like distant vehicle engines and distant shouts. She and Txoum exchanged glances, their instincts telling them that something was amiss.
Ghost was ahead of them, already shifting its position, and turned towards the source of the noise, staring into darkness.
"Hostiles detected."
