Chapter 648: Grace's Demand
However, unlike the majority of the clan who were sinking into pure despair, Sutai and the members of her small faction, after overcoming their initial immense shock, forcefully suppressed their churning emotions.
Sutai's gaze quickly locked onto Rei, who was preparing to withdraw with her team. Tearing away from the unconscious grasps of her companions, she took several rapid steps forward, her voice sharp with urgency: "Wait! Where—where are you taking Hometree?"
Her question echoed the fear in the hearts of many surrounding Na'vi—was this mysterious "moving" an act of protection, or simply another form of eternal farewell?
Rei stopped and turned around. Her red eyes calmly met Sutai's anxious and questioning gaze.
She seemed to receive a command, pausing slightly before answering according to Ryo's instructions, projecting a clear, serene thought wave accompanied by distinct Na'vi vocabulary: "Hometree—is intact. We will—safeguard it temporarily."
Her voice remained devoid of inflection, but the message conveyed was critical: "When you—find a new, safe land suitable for it to grow—we will—return it."
This promise was like a sliver of light cast into pitch-black despair.
Return it? The word stunned the surrounding Na'vi who heard it. Even Eytukan and Tsu'tey cast looks of disbelief.
"Return it?" Sutai repeated the word, as if confirming its reality.
"Yes," Rei nodded affirmatively. "Finding new land—is what you need to do—now. When preparations are complete—Hometree—will return to you."
She did not offer a specific timeline, but the vague promise itself was enough to alter the immediate atmosphere of despair.
It transformed what seemed like a total, annihilating blow into a future fraught with uncertainty, but at least holding onto a thread of hope.
This message spread rapidly among the chaotic Na'vi ranks.
Though still filled with doubt and unease, the news that "Hometree is not destroyed and may be returned" acted as a dam, temporarily halting the floodwaters of utter collapse and despair.
Eytukan took a long, hard look at Rei and the retreating Maine squad, then at the menacing, yet equally stunned RDA forces. He made a difficult but necessary decision.
"Retreat—" Eytukan's voice was hoarse and heavy, yet carried unquestionable authority. "Everyone—leave this place. Eywa guides us—to survive, so we may find new roots."
This time, there was no fierce opposition.
The agony of losing Hometree was bone-deep, but that sliver of hope for its "possible return," coupled with the RDA demonstrating terrifying technology far beyond their comprehension, rendered continued fighting utterly pointless.
Bearing deep trauma and a fragile hope, the Na'vi began to support one another, withdrawing silently into the depths of the forest.
On the RDA side, seeing the Na'vi retreating without sparking a violent clash, and recalling the incomprehensible scene that had just unfolded, Colonel Quaritch lost all inclination to order a pursuit.
He, like the soldiers under his command, was staggered by that spatial technology that defied all common sense.
Such power seemed less like science and more akin to miracles or sorcery they could not fathom.
Until he fully grasped the true nature of these "allies," he decided to hold his ground.
Maine observed the orderly Na'vi retreat and the RDA's hesitation. He reported concisely over the comms: "Sir, target secured. Na'vi are withdrawing. No movement from the RDA."
"Maintain observation and return to base," came Ryo's directive.
The Trailblazer's engineering vehicle, escorted by Maine's squad, drove smoothly away from the sector.
Left behind were a massive empty crater, a Na'vi clan whose faith had been battered and future rendered uncertain, and an RDA force deterred by unknown power, temporarily stripped of its will to act.
Inside the mobile base, Ryo looked at the holographic projection of Hometree, perfectly sealed within the dimensional cube.
Not only had he secured a priceless research specimen, but by playing the "promise to return" card, he had planted a seed of division and hope within the Na'vi.
They now had a clear objective—finding a new sanctuary—which would largely divert their immediate thirst for vengeance and lay the foundation for future "cooperation."
Following his precise and unfathomable move, the chessboard of Pandora had assumed an entirely new configuration.
An Unexpected Guest
Maine's squad successfully retrieved Hometree, along with its underlying rock formation, within the dimensional cube replica and returned safely to the outpost perimeter.
This earth-shattering news could not be completely contained, and it soon reached the ears of Dr. Grace Augustine.
When Grace heard the news from Norm and witnessed fragments of the related telemetry with her own eyes, her shock was beyond measure.
Discarding all caution, she rushed to the perimeter of the Trailblazer mobile base, demanding an immediate audience with Rei.
Inside a makeshift reception module, Grace didn't even bother to sit down. She spoke agitatedly to the composed Rei: "You—you actually took Hometree away? Do you have any idea what that means? That's not just a tree! That's the home of the Omaticaya clan, their history, the core of their connection to Eywa, their spiritual totem! You can't just take it!"
Her voice trembled with emotion, her eyes blazing with disapproval and profound anxiety.
"Give it back to them! Right now! This isn't just a moral issue; this will completely enrage all the Na'vi and trigger consequences we cannot control!"
Rei listened quietly to Grace's impassioned plea. Only when Grace paused did she reply, maintaining her usual even tone according to Ryo's instructions: "Dr. Grace, we understand your concerns. It is not our intention to permanently possess Hometree. We have promised the Omaticaya clan that once they secure new, safe land suitable for its growth, we will return it intact."
She paused, then continued: "In the interim, we will ensure Hometree remains in a state of absolute safety and suffers no damage. However, conducting a series of non-destructive research and analysis on it is one of the fundamental objectives of our operation. Its unique structure, suspension mechanics, and deep connection to the planetary bio-consciousness hold immense scientific value."
Hearing the "promise to return," Grace's tense expression eased slightly, but the word "research" immediately reignited her vigilance.
She was all too familiar with the atrocities committed under the guise of research.
"Research? What kind of research?" Grace demanded, her tone laced with deep suspicion. "I must warn you, any destructive act against Hometree is not just destroying a tree; it is destroying the spiritual core of a civilization!"
"We promised non-destructive research," Rei repeated, her tone unwavering. "Primarily external observation, energy field scanning, ecological interaction logging, and the like. We respect its value as cultural heritage."
Grace stared hard at Rei, trying to find any trace of deception on her impassive face, but failed.
She fell silent for a moment, weighing her options rapidly.
She knew that forcing these mysterious "Seekers" to unconditionally return Hometree immediately was practically impossible.
The technology and power they possessed were far beyond the reach of her influence.
Finally, taking a deep breath, she made a decision: "Fine—if you insist on researching it. Then let me join your research team."
Her tone grew firm. "I've been studying Pandora for over a decade. I understand its ecology, Na'vi culture, and the potential mechanics of Eywa better than any of you. My knowledge and experience can provide tremendous assistance to your research and prevent you from inadvertently causing irreversible damage due to ignorance."
On the surface, she was making a perfectly reasonable request based on scientific collaboration, but deep down, her true motive was clear:
She had to personally intervene and oversee the entire research process.
She didn't trust any outsider to truly grasp the significance of Hometree to the Na'vi. She had to remain on-site to ensure these "Seekers" honored their promise and that Hometree suffered no actual harm during the research process, right up until the moment it was safely returned.