Chapter 622: Encounter
While Maine and Parker were finalizing their clandestine dealings regarding the Tulkun and Amrita, Ryo (the second avatar) at the outpost received fresh directives from his main body.
The orders mandated: while securing resources, systematically assess the military threat tier and potential utility of the Na'vi and the planetary consciousness behind them, "Eywa."
If necessary, live Na'vi specimens or select Pandora fauna could be captured for analytical study.
This directive meant the strategic posture toward the Na'vi would pivot from "passive observation and avoiding hostilities" to proactive "engagement and evaluation"—potentially incorporating more aggressive actions.
Almost simultaneously, perimeter sensors monitoring forest activity picked up the tracks of a Na'vi hunting party.
Comprising roughly ten individuals, they were tracking a herd of rhino-like Direhorses about five kilometers southwest of the outpost. This presented an ideal opportunity to conduct capture and research operations.
After brief deliberation, Ryo (the second avatar) issued an order: "Maine's squad, aside from essential garrison personnel, mobilize immediately. Mission: covertly observe the Na'vi hunting party, evaluate their combat proficiency and tactical synergy."
"If an opportunity arises without blowing cover, attempt to acquire a live Direhorse specimen or weapons and tools used by the Na'vi. Remote command will be maintained by the second avatar. EVA pilots are to remain at base."
The command was transmitted via encrypted channel to Maine at Hell's Gate, as well as to Dorio, Rebecca, and the others at the outpost.
Shortly after, a strike team composed of Dorio, Rebecca, Falco, and Pilar boarded a lightweight, camouflaged scout vehicle, rolling silently out of the outpost and submerging into the bioluminescent forest.
Back at the outpost, Asuka clicked her tongue in mild frustration as she watched the scout vehicle vanish into the tree line.
Shinji watched silently, the lingering unease in his heart growing steadily stronger. He felt that the peaceful days were drawing to a close.
Meanwhile, Rei Ayanami stood at the edge of the outpost perimeter, gazing into the forest. Swaying luminescence was reflected in her crimson eyes; no one could discern what she was truly perceiving.
Deep within the Pandora wilderness, an operation that began with simple observation was quietly getting underway.
Between Hell's Gate and the outpost, the undercurrents surrounding resources, technology, and the secrets of immortality surged with rising turbulence.
Ambush in the Wilderness
Within the dense, glowing jungle, the scout team led by Maine moved silently along their pre-designated reconnaissance route.
Their mission was to observe Na'vi behavioral patterns and pinpoint the likely coordinates of their tribal settlements.
The air hung heavy with the faint, sweet-and-metallic scent emitted by the alien flora, combined with the damp musk of rich soil.
Suddenly, a rapid burst of gunfire, beastly roars, and human shouts echoed from the northeast, shattering the forest silence.
"That's standard RDA kinetic fire," Falco determined instantly, adjusting the orientation of his handheld scanner. "Distance roughly three hundred meters. Multiple bio-signatures detected in high-intensity combat."
Without hesitation, Maine signaled the advance: "Approach and observe. Maintain concealment. Do not intervene unless strictly necessary."
The squad moved like phantoms through thick root clusters and glowing vines, closing in on the skirmish zone.
The tactical situation became clear.
A five-man RDA patrol was surrounded and assaulted by three indigenous Pandora apex predators.
These creatures resembled terrestrial wolves, yet were sleeker, possessed six legs, and featured an exoskeleton gleaming with a dark sheen, their fangs dripping with caustic saliva.
Moving with rapid agility, the Viperwolves utilized tree trunks as cover to launch continuous flanking strikes.
Although the RDA soldiers' assault rifles laid down fierce firepower, their accuracy was severely degraded by the complex terrain. They could only manage a loose defensive circle, firing and retreating. One soldier was already down on the ground, a horrific laceration torn across his leg, groaning in agony.
The squad's situation was critical.
"Do we step in, Boss?" Rebecca asked, already raising her heavy weapon, eager for action.
Maine swept a sharp gaze across the battlefield, quickly reading the surrounding terrain.
"Secure them. Fast and clean. Use non-lethal or low-lethality measures to minimize noise," he ordered, mindful of their surface partnership with the RDA and keen to avoid drawing unwanted attention with prolonged gunfire.
The moment the command dropped, Dorio surged forward like a hunting leopard.
eschewing firearms, she relied on blistering speed and precision hand-to-hand combat. The instant a Viperwolf lunged toward a downed soldier's throat, a heavy side-kick slammed cleanly into its midsection, launching it backward to crash against a tree trunk with a dull thud, temporarily incapacitating it.
Taking advantage of the high ground behind an elevated root network, Rebecca leaned out and fired a precise, low-power plasma burst from her weapon—not to kill, but to sear the foreleg joints of a second Viperwolf, sending it howling and thrashing on the jungle floor, rendered combat-ineffective.
Falco activated a sonic pulse generator and high-frequency strobe emitter, overloading the sensory organs of the final beast and pitching it into momentary disorientation.
In the span of a few heartbeats, the three vicious predators had been neutralized with overwhelming efficiency and disciplined restraint.
The RDA soldiers, caught in lingering panic, stared at these heavily augmented, uniquely equipped allies who had appeared out of nowhere, their faces a mix of shock and immense relief.
The Archer in the Shadows
Just as one of the soldiers stepped forward to offer thanks, an arrow cut through the air with a piercing whistle.
Thunk.
The arrow buried itself deep into a glowing tree trunk right beside the group, the fletching vibrating violently.
Everyone snapped back to high alert, turning toward the source of the shot.
A tall, blue figure stepped out from behind a thick cluster of glowing ferns.
It was a male Na'vi hunter. War paint was smeared across his face, a bone longbow gripped tightly in his hands, golden eyes burning with fury.
The long neural queue behind his head quivered with agitation. He cast a sharp glance at the shaken RDA soldiers before turning his wrathful gaze onto Maine's squad, and onto the two wounded Viperwolves thrashing on the ground.
"Killers! Savage Sky People!" the hunter barked in heavily accented yet distinct English. "You invade our home, bringing only death and pain! The children of the forest were only defending their territory!"
His appearance and shouting put the RDA soldiers back on edge, their rifles snapping up to target him.
Maine frowned slightly, stepping forward to interpose his massive frame between the soldiers and the Na'vi hunter. Even without heavy armor, his towering presence exerted immense pressure.
"We were saving lives," Maine said in a low, level voice, speaking in standard tongue. "These beasts attacked humans."
"Saving lives?" The Na'vi hunter scoffed, pointing at the wounded predators. "With more pain and death? Is this the way of you Sky People? They were merely following the will of Eywa, driving away the intruders who destroy the balance! You have no right to take their lives!"