35 Chapter 35
Beep!
Harry scanned Grace with his tablet. The new member of the Navi was looking at the world as if for the first time. She had spent many hours driving the Avatar body however something about the transference had unlocked more. More senses. More experiences. Grace felt truly connected to every life, great or small on Pandora and couldn't wait to continue her studies.
"How I'm looking doc?" She asked, only partly sarcastically.
Beep!
The tablet picked up another. Everything about Grace's condition was unknown territory. The remnants of the electrical impulse that carried her consciousness into its new body gave Harry more insight into the wonders of Eywa. However with every new frontier, there was always unknown. Despite linking to his main base, using all the computing power and archived research, there was too much that he couldn't understand. Anomalies that were probably harmless, however Harry was still determined to explore them.
Beep!
"Doc?" Grace questioned again, not liking being ignored.
"Your vitals look good but it's hard to tell. The process seems to have infused your body with the flux that interferes with my scanners. I should be able to remove it however it will take several weeks. That is if we both aren't shot first."
"Always such the optimist."
The pair glanced over to Jake Sully, who was still holding Neytiri's hand as he walked up a large gnarled root to look down on the gathered Navi. Tsu'tey stood by his side, ready to translate the words of Toruk Makto.
"The Sky people have sent us a message. That they can take whatever they want. And no one can stop them." Harry could see the tails of the Navi start to swish. The boiling rage that their mourning had suppressed threatened to break free.
Jake paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. He had been in wars. He knew fighting. He knew that the tribes only chance was to be united against a single enemy. He had to inspire them and give the Omatikaya clan something more valuable than unobtanium.
Hope.
"Well, we will send them a message. You ride out as fast as the wind can carry you. You tell the other clans to come." The tribe members stood up. Their grief was left behind as they listened to Toruk Makto.
"You tell them Toruk Makto calls to them!" The yips and cheers of the Navi people echoed around the Tree of Souls. Such a summoning was an event so rare that even the stories had been lost to time.
"You fly now. With me. My brothers. My sisters. And we will show the Sky people that they can not take whatever they want." Even Harry, an outsider to the Omatikaya clan, could feel his heart-stirring. Jakes's words feed his desire to fight for his people. His clan.
"And that this. This is our land!" At the final words, every Navi was on their feet. Young, old, crippled or able, they held their fists high. That was a leader they would follow.
Pulling Neytiri, Jake Sully mounted the great beast and took off into the glowing sky.
It was time for the Navi to gather their strength.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Tawsemka clan? Things really have changed." Jake leaned on a large tree, the Avatar had returned from summoning the first group of tribes. He now wore the hunter's leather crown on his head, filled with the sharp teeth of animals that the outer tribes had gifted him. A sign of respect for Toruk Makto.
"This world has changed both of us." Harry swivelled his head to see the Great Leonopteryx in the distance. "Toruk Makto."
Jake smiled at his old friend. They had been catching up, telling each other their stories. Their journeys had been different but they both had fallen in love with this world and the Navi.
"Harry, you never liked conflict. You really want to be part of this?" The Navi were gearing up for a war. A war that would decide the dominant species of Pandora. When all was settled, the dead would pile up on either side. War was no place for scientists.
"I'm here to serve the Navi. To protect this land and people."
"How far will go? Are you going to be able to take a life? A human life?"
Harry didn't answer directly. He ran his hand along a purple flower, seeing it light up under his touch. Fang, who had been sleeping by feet, perked up and rubbed his head against Harry's legs. Smiling down at the Thanator, Harry itched the animal under its chin that had quickly grown to his waist height.
"They have gone too far. If we don't stop them here, now. They will run over this world bringing death and ruin." Harry met Jake's eyes. "I will protect my family. My clan. No matter the cost."
Jake grasped Harry's forearm.
Toruk Makto and the Tawsemka's Olo'eyktan embraced each other. Brother in arms. Comrades.
"Then fly with me, brother."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"My brothers and sisters of the Navi clans," Jake Sully began, his voice strong and determined. "We stand here today, united, facing a common enemy: the humans who have invaded our home, who have killed our people, and who seek to destroy all that we hold dear." Jake stood before the Tree of Souls where the Olo'eyktans of all the tribes who had answered his call gathered.
"But we will not stand idly by and watch as they destroy our world. We will not let them succeed in their quest for greed and power. We will fight, and we will win."
"The humans may have superior technology, but we have something they do not: the strength of our bond with Eywa, the spirit of the land, and the power of our connection to each other. We are the true protectors of Pandora, and it is our duty to defend it."
"I call upon all of the Navi clans to gather together and join this fight. Together, we are strong. Together, we can defeat the humans and protect our home."
"I know that this will not be an easy war. It will be long and hard-fought. But I also know that we will prevail. Because we are the Omaticaya, the Tawsemka, the Tawkami, the Anurai, and all other Navi clans. We are one people, one family, united in our love for Pandora and our determination to protect it.
"So, my brothers and sisters, I ask you to join me in this fight. Together, we will defeat the humans, and together, we will win this war. For Eywa, for our people, and for our home."
One of the tribal leaders, a wise and respected elder named Tsyal, looked at Jake with a critical eye. He was known for his scepticism and his reluctance to get involved in the affairs of other clans, and Jake knew that he had his work cut out for him.
Tsyal frowned, his eyes narrowing. "The Anurai are a peaceful people," he said. "We do not seek war or conflict. Why should we get involved in this fight?"
Harry knew that this was a difficult question to answer. He knew that the Anurai were a proud and independent people and that they valued their autonomy above all else. But he also knew that they were a strong and capable clan and that they could be a powerful ally in the fight against the sky people. They needed to convince them.
"The sky people are a threat to us all," Harry said, trying to offer his voice to support his friend. "I know more of the greed of the Sky people than any here. They will not stop until they have taken everything from us. We cannot stand by and let this happen. We must stand together, and fight for our survival."
Tsyal looked at Harry for a long moment, his face inscrutable. Finally, he let out a sigh and nodded his head. "Very well," he said. "We will lend you our strength and our support. But know that this is not a decision we take lightly. The Anurai are a peaceful people, and we do not seek conflict. But we also understand the importance of defending our way of life, and we will stand with you in this fight."
Harry and Jake both felt a surge of relief wash over them as he heard Tsyal's words.
"Thank you, Tsyal," Toruk Makto said, bowing his head in respect. "I know that this was not an easy decision, but I promise you that we will make it worth your while. Together, we will defeat the sky people and protect our land and our way of life."
Tsyal nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Then let us begin," he said. "We have much work to do, and little time to waste."
With the Anurai tribe voicing their ascent, the other tribal leader quickly joined the calls for war. Harry placed his hand on Jakes strong arm.
"Toruk Makto has called and we have answered."
-------------------------------------------------------------
As the days passed and the preparations for war continued, the Na'vi could feel a sense of unity and purpose growing within the tribe. They were all working towards the same goal, and they knew that they were stronger together. Every day more Navi joined the war camp, each spear and bow another weapon that they could use against the tide of humanity.
The last few days had flown by, with Jake organising and planning the war. Harry had tried to offer his help but soon found himself irrelevant. Jake was a military man who not only had a firm grasp on his troops but understood the mindset of Quaritch. Instead of wasting his time, trying to force his partition in matters that were out of his expertise, Harry focused on helping those he could. The infirmary had grown several times in preparation for the inevitable casualties.
The other contribution Harry made was to use the drones to manufacture weapons. The Navi refused to handle metal, it being against the laws of Eywa, however a compromise had been made to enhance their bows and spears. The blades of the spears and arrows rather than sharpened rock, now were ceramic formed to be razor sharp and strong enough to pierce even the toughest of hides. The bows now used carbon fibre to increase the draw weight and give the Navi a chance to penetrate through the protective layers of the ships and suits.
Harry walked through the camp, a large bundle of his enhanced arrows in his hands. The Tree of Souls had been transformed with the activity of life. There were currently several thousand Navi who had answered Toruk Makto's summons to war however Harry knew it couldn't continue. Quaritch was no fool and they had access the more satellites than he had. The growing horde of Navi was a threat that they couldn't let grow.
An attack was coming. The only question was when.
Looking at the small tents and shelters that had been erected throughout the forest, Harry marvelled at the selfless attitude of the Navi. How many nations on Earth would answer a call to war without threats, incentives and self-interest? Not many.
The warriors were training day and night, honing their skills and perfecting their tactics. They practised with their weapons and spears, and they ran through drills and simulations to prepare for the battles that lay ahead.
The women were working just as hard, gathering supplies and helping to tend to the wounded. They brewed potions and salves to heal the injured, and they prepared food and water for the warriors.
The children of the tribe were not left out, either. They practised their own drills and exercises, learning how to defend themselves and their families. They knew that they had a role to play in the coming war, and they were determined to do their part. If the main force lost, they would be the final line of defence.
Spotting Tsyal, Harry gave the burden of the arrows to the tribal leader.
"Eywa will bless our hunters with many kills." The words left Harry's heart confused. He was committed to fighting for the Navi but now he was giving them the means to slay more humans. Would their blood be on his hands? Suppressing the thoughts, Harry knew such speculation would only cast doubt into his mind. The humans who followed Quaritch and partook in the slaughter of innocent Navi had forfeited the right to his compassion.
Further ahead along the mud path, a rotorcraft was surrounded by a group of Navi hunters. Seeing a familiar face, Harry called out for him.
"Ra'sar."
"Brother!" The pair embraced. It was not the circumstances either wanted to be reunited in however there was a comfort in knowing that the other would be with them.
"The gunships aren't invulnerable. If you hit them in the right spot, you can take them down." Trudy tried to explain and gestured to the rotorcraft behind her. Seeing the perplexed faces of the Navi, many of whom did not speak a word of English, Harry stepped forward and translated.
"Don't fear this beast. The main weakness is the rotor system." Trudy motioned to the spinning blades that kept the craft aloft. "Take out the rotor mast and they lose their…" Trudy started to use more scientific language which Harry had no clue how to translate so settled for something simpler.
"Hit here. Boom!"
Seeing the hunters nod Harry decided to add his own insight. "The gunships strong from below." Harry kicked the metal plates under the plane. Using his hands he tried to show them how they should attack to deal the most damage. "Take your Ikran high and dive down to attack. The speed of your drop and your bow will let you pierce their hide and bring it down."
Before they could continue, a voice called out in the distance. "Harri! Harri!" Sukal came running holding the tablet. Shoving the beeping device into his hands Harry examined the prompts.
It was as he feared.
Knowing the humans would be using satellites to scout their positions, he decided to do the same. He had set an automatic alert if the activity at Hells gate picked up.
The sky people were coming.
Looking at the gathered Navi, something about his body language must have tipped them off. They stood in silence waiting for his words.
Harry took a deep breath letting the morning air fill his lungs with its sweet nectar.
"Sound the war drums. We ride to war."
The Navi let out a fierce cry, their voices filled with determination and resolve. The noise of their chant echoed through the forest as Navi and animals howled at the sky. They knew that the war ahead would be difficult, but they were ready to fight and defend their home. They were united in their mission to protect Pandora from the humans.
They would fight.
They would die.
The war starts now.
A/N
Sorry to all those who have been waiting!
Thanks for all the well wishes I got!
I am feeling better now but my absence from work created a lot to catch up on (hence the long delay).
I have started writing again, I'm not sure about my schedule but will try for a min of 2 chapters a week.
For those getting annoyed at my teasing the big fight scene.... next chapter starts the fighting!
