The Pathfinder mobile base traveled smoothly through Pandora's lush woodland, its heavy tires crushing the tangled, glowing root systems with a dull, continuous thrum. Inside, the atmosphere was focused and efficient.
Sasha operated the controls as a drone—blessed and enhanced by the Adeptus Mechanicus and originating from Night City technology—ejected silently from a specialized launch bay on the roof. Streamlined in shape and etched with fine Mechanicus runes, its rotors emitted a nearly imperceptible hum. The drone ascended rapidly, piercing through layers of the glowing canopy to transmit high-altitude real-time footage back to the main screens inside the vehicle.
The screen was split into multiple windows, displaying data across different spectrums and sensor modes. The exploration team's field of vision instantly expanded from the confined forest floor to a vast region.
The initial images were breathtaking. The boundless forest, radiating ethereal blue, purple-pink, and green luminescence, looked like a living tapestry. Winding rivers threaded through it like shimmering ribbons, while the distant Hallelujah Mountains hovered amidst the swirling clouds, forming a magnificent and harmonious alien landscape.
However, as the drone performed a scanning flight in a specific direction, a different scene gradually forced its way into view. In a sprawling area, the once-dense forest had been brutally cleared, leaving behind massive stretches of scorched and barren earth.
Gargantuan engineering machines bearing the RDA (Resources Development Administration) logo roared like steel beasts, toppling and pulverizing ancient trees. Thick pipelines snaked across the surface like venomous vines, connecting massive excavation equipment to distant industrial facilities. Even through the sensors, one could "see" a thin haze of kicked-up dust and pollutants, forming a jarring contrast with the surrounding environment.
"Whoa—" Rebecca whistled as she watched the clear environmental destruction on the screen. "These guys sure are 'thorough' in their work."
Asuka furrowed her brows, her lake-blue eyes flashing with undisguised disgust. "How hideous. They ruined such a beautiful forest just like that." Her tone carried a purely emotional dissatisfaction—an instinctive revulsion at the destruction of something beautiful, rather than one based on environmentalism or moral critique. To her, it was as unpleasant as someone mindlessly scribbling over an exquisite painting.
Shinji watched the screen in silence, his eyes complex. He remembered the grief and rage belonging to the Na'vi that Rei had felt during her connection. This scene before them was the very source of that sorrow and anger, causing him to instinctively purse his lips.
Rei remained calm, her gaze sweeping over the destroyed areas as if recording another type of data, no different from when she recorded the beautiful forest.
Osiris's crimson optical lenses locked onto the traces of human activity without a ripple of emotion. Memories from his primary body instantly retrieved the relevant information: Superconducting ore. "Unobtanium," found in abundance within Pandora's crust, was a rare room-temperature superconducting material. Its value was strategic for any civilization pursuing technology and energy. It was the powerful magnetic fields generated by this ore that caused the Hallelujah Mountains to float.
His logic core rapidly performed simulations. Within the framework of the Warhammer 40k universe, the fate of a planet possessing such precious resources but controlled by non-human sapient life was almost predestined. One of the core purposes of the Great Crusade led by the Emperor was to reclaim lost territories and resources for humanity.
Any xenos race obstructing this goal—unless proven to be of high value and willing to submit—faced only total purgation. The countless extinct xenos races in the galaxy were proof of this cold logic. Not to mention, according to his primary body's memories, this planet also housed cetaceans (Tulkun) from which a substance that delayed aging could be extracted.
Almost as he completed these thoughts, a familiar information stream crossed the dimensional barrier, surging directly into his mind. This was not a signal received through hearing or sight, but a connection originating from the depths of his consciousness—the will of his primary body on Necromunda, presenting itself clearly and directly in his mind.
The directive was clear and precise: Evaluate and acquire the strategic resources of this dimension.
Priority Targets: Unobtanium samples, relevant geological data, and confirmation of the existence and extraction technology for "Amrita" (the longevity substance extracted from Tulkun).
Authorized to use all necessary means. Prioritize establishing a cooperation channel with the local human faction (RDA) to achieve goals efficiently.
The main body's will perfectly matched his own deductions. Collaborating with these humans mining the ore was undoubtedly the most efficient and beneficial choice in the current situation. They possessed existing facilities, technology, and an understanding (albeit destructive) of the local environment.
The Na'vi—before their value could be quantified and assessed—were viewed primarily as potential obstacles.
"Record the coordinates of all human activity areas, facility layouts, and defensive power levels," Osiris's voice rang through the vehicle, breaking the brief silence. "Focus scans on mining areas, processing plants, and major transport routes. Analyze their technological level and military deployment."
"Understood." Pilar and Falco immediately executed the orders, maneuvering the drone for more detailed reconnaissance.
Maine looked at Osiris and asked steadily, "What is our course of action moving forward?"
"The priority for contacting the local human faction has been elevated," Osiris replied. "Formulate a contact plan after sufficient intelligence is gathered. Our goal is to acquire resources, not to intervene in local conflicts. Regarding the Na'vi, maintain observation for now and avoid direct hostility, but there is no need to actively seek closeness."
Hearing this, Asuka curled her lip in slight disapproval but said nothing. She simply found the tree-cutting machines eyesores; as for deeper interests and calculations, she didn't care, nor was it her place to decide. Shinji lowered his head slightly, feeling a bit uncomfortable but unable to explain why.
The footage from the drone continued to change, showing more details of RDA facilities: bases surrounded by high walls, Valkyrie shuttles taking off and landing frequently, and AMP suits equipped with heavy weaponry. A cold, powerful force belonging to human industrial civilization was now clearly displayed before the exploration team.
The Pathfinder adjusted its direction, heading toward a location marked as a primary RDA mining outpost. The objectives inside the vehicle were now clear; the nature of the exploration had quietly shifted from pure scientific research to resource assessment and strategic contact.