Chapter 634: Contacting Grace
Ryo's directive was explicit and unambiguous: make contact with Dr. Grace Augustine.
This new operational track was assigned equal, if not higher, priority than the jungle infiltration.
However, unlike tracking Na'vi across the wilderness, approaching a former project director positioned within the RDA apparatus—whose current disposition remained uncertain—demanded far more meticulous planning and a distinct entry vector.
Maine's unit proved pivotal once again.
Leveraging his solidifying professional relationship with Colonel Quaritch and the credibility forged while drilling Hellfire Squad, Maine secured access to non-core personnel movement logs and departmental rosters within the base.
He soon learned that although Dr. Grace's influence had waned considerably alongside the decline of the Avatar Program, she and her small team retained operational authorization to utilize select Avatar link units and an independent research lab.
Furthermore, they frequently traveled to an isolated field outpost situated in a remote river valley—a prototype site designated the "Tree of Souls outpost"—which served as their symbolic staging ground for attempting to re-establish dialogue with the Na'vi.
"Attempting an approach inside Hell's Gate carries excessive operational risk; it would trigger immediate alarms with Quaritch or Selfridge," Maine analyzed before Ryo and Rei Ayanami-kun's detachment inside the Trailblazer. "The optimal window is when they transit to the external research station. Security there is minimal, and the setting is far more informal."
A plan was drafted accordingly:
Maine would monitor the transit schedules of Grace's team and notify Rei-kun's detachment ahead of their next departure.
Rei Ayanami-kun, Asuka, and Shinji-kun would execute the direct approach.
David and Lucy would provide remote telemetry monitoring, communications relays, and field oversight to ensure the operation remained undetected.
The Field Outpost
The opportunity presented itself several cycles later.
Maine transmitted an alert: Dr. Grace and her assistant, Norm, escorted by a light security detail, had departed Hell's Gate in an off-road utility vehicle, bound for the field research station situated in a tranquil river valley.
Rei-kun's detachment deployed immediately. Drawing upon their intimate familiarity with the terrain, they arrived ahead of schedule along the outpost's outer perimeter, concealing themselves within dense boughs of soft, blue-luminescent vines.
They watched the RDA utility vehicle pull to a halt. Grace and Norm disembarked, exchanging brief words with the security team before the escort vehicle turned around and drove back toward base, leaving only the two scientists at the station.
This matched Grace's established profile—she despised having armed security hovering too close to her research sanctuary.
"Targets are in position. Only Dr. Grace and one male assistant are present," Rei Ayanami-kun reported evenly over the encrypted link.
"Execute according to plan. Maintain a non-threatening posture," Ryo's directive came back through the channel.
The three stepped out from the foliage, deliberately pacing their stride to give Grace and Norm sufficient time to register their approach without causing alarm.
"Hey! Who goes there?" Norm spotted them first. Looking tense, he instinctively moved to place himself between Grace and the newcomers.
Grace squinted, scrutinizing the three youths dressed in non-RDA standard field gear.
Their faces were remarkably young—particularly the boy and girl flanking the lead—and the disciplined, focused demeanor in their eyes differed sharply from the typical RDA contractors she dealt with.
"We mean no disruption, Dr. Grace," Rei Ayanami-kun stepped forward, her voice calm and expression placid. "We are the vanguard of the 'Seeker' expedition. We request an opportunity to speak with you."
"Seeker?" Grace repeated the unfamiliar designation, her sharp gaze sweeping across them. "I have never heard of such a project. You don't belong to the RDA."
"We do not," Asuka cut in. She tried to soften her tone, though her innate bluntness still carried an edge. "We are... from another group. We want to understand what happened on this world—and why those blue skins... the Na'vi, harbor such hatred for us."
Shinji-kun gathered his resolve and added: "We... we encountered a Na'vi. She told us... that you once promised coexistence..."
His delivery was halting, yet the sincerity was unmistakable.
A complicated mix of astonishment, nostalgia, and deep fatigue flashed across Grace's face.
Looking at these three youths—particularly Rei's unnatural composure, paired with the uncorrupted curiosity in the eyes of Asuka and Shinji-kun—the tension in her shoulders loosened slightly.
"From another group?" She arched an eyebrow, gesturing for Norm to stand down. "Now that is interesting. Come inside. It is far easier to talk in here than back at base."
She turned, leading the way into the domed research structure.
Scientific Curiosity
The initial contact commenced with unexpected smoothness.
The interior of the station was compact, densely packed with biological specimens, holographic data terminals, and two prominent Avatar link pods resting at the center. The air carried a blend of crushed foliage and antiseptic wash.
Grace set out water for the three before leaning against the edge of a console, evaluating them carefully.
"Alright, kids from the 'Seeker'. You went to considerable lengths to track me down. What do you want to discuss? And you claim you made contact with a Na'vi?" Her voice held the measured skepticism of a veteran researcher, underscored by a faint trace of anticipation.
"Yes," Rei Ayanami-kun nodded. "A woman named Tsu'tey. She spoke of... the school in the past, and the destroyed Hometree. She believes all Sky People are untrustworthy."
"Tsu'tey..." Grace murmured the name, her eyes dimming for a moment. "I remember her... She was quiet in class as a child, learned very quickly. Her child... sigh."
She let out a heavy breath, shaking her head, unwilling to revisit the specifics of the tragedy.
"How did you manage to communicate with her?" Grace pressed, her gaze locking onto Rei. "As far as I know, her English is rudimentary at best. And given the current hostility of the Omaticaya clan, she would never sit down for a peaceful dialogue with any Sky Person."
Rei Ayanami-kun replied evenly: "I did not rely on spoken language. I was able to... perceive her emotions, and project simple thoughts in return. She accepted that method of communication."
Dr. Grace shot straight up, shock and disbelief plastered across her face.
"Thought projection? Biological neural interfacing? Without an Avatar body?" Grace took several rapid steps forward, looking ready to examine Rei on the spot. "That is scientifically impossible! Pandora's neural interfaces are species-specific! A human consciousness cannot establish a stable interface with a Na'vi or the Eywa biological grid without a genetically engineered Avatar acting as a bridge! How did you do it? This... this completely upends established bioneurology! Let me run diagnostics—I must understand the underlying mechanism!"
Her response was that of a researcher stumbling upon an entirely new paradigm, consumed by absolute scientific curiosity.