Inside the main control room of the Pathfinder mobile base, Osiris listened quietly to Maine's detailed report.
Dorio and Falco added technical details and scanning logs, while Rebecca checked her weapons nearby, clearly a bit disgruntled that they hadn't thoroughly "settled" those Viperwolves and the Na'vi hunter.
"—That is the situation," Maine concluded. "The conflict between the RDA and the Na'vi is rooted in resource extraction and environmental destruction; it is no longer reconcilable. Among the Na'vi, there are individuals who understand human language and part of our history. Their social structure is likely built around a faith in the planetary consciousness, 'Eywa,' and their will to resist is absolute. Their individual combat capability is not to be underestimated, but they lack systematic military training and advanced equipment."
Osiris' fingertips tapped rhythmically on the cold surface of the console. As Maine reported, he rapidly integrated, categorized, and analyzed all the information in his mind.
The core directives from the main body remained clear and unshakable: Obtain the Unobtanium and the Requiem Fluid. Every action had to revolve around this core.
In his eyes, the conflict with the Na'vi was not an insurmountable barrier, but an efficiency problem that needed to be properly managed and mitigated.
He calmly dissected the root of the RDA's failure: their methods were too clumsy and inefficient. They relied on a "bulldozer" logic, attempting to use absolute material force to shove aside all obstacles. The result was counterproductive—like striking the surface of water with great force, it only triggered stronger, more widespread ripples of resistance.
Ultimately, they had mired themselves in a costly, low-efficiency counter-insurgency war, which in turn severely dragged down the original purpose of their mining operations. Furthermore, the RDA was not a monolith; the existence of Dr. Grace and her school proved internal divisions that further weakened their overall operational capacity.
What Osiris needed was never a costly total conquest; that would consume unnecessary resources and time. He pursued "acquisition"—precise and efficient.
If handled improperly, the Na'vi resistance would indeed be like persistent mosquitoes—not fatal, but capable of constant harassment and wasteful consumption of time and energy. It had to be solved or neutralized in a smarter way.
"Large-scale military operations do not serve our current interests and could easily trigger uncontrollable chain reactions," Osiris slowly, his tone like a deduction in progress. "The core of the Na'vi resistance lies in their faith, their social structure, and their guerrilla tactics within the forest environment."
His gaze swept across the team members. "We need a more precise, more efficient method. The goal is not to eliminate the Na'vi, but to render them incapable of effective resistance, or to redirect that resistance so they cannot interfere with our resource acquisition."
Dorio looked thoughtful. "A decapitation strike? Targeting their tribal chiefs or spiritual leaders?"
"High risk, uncertain returns," Osiris countered. "The Na'vi social structure may not be highly centralized. Losing one leader might just result in a successor, or worse, intensify their hatred."
Falco suggested, "Using technical superiority as a deterrent? For example, demonstrating destructive power far beyond the RDA to force them into submission?"
"Submission is not cooperation. Potential resistance and sabotage would still exist. Moreover, an excessive display of power might trigger paranoia within the RDA, which is detrimental to our current partnership," Osiris dismissed this as well. He needed to acquire resources quietly, not become a common enemy.
Rebecca grew impatient. "Then what? We can't exactly reason with them, can we? Those blue-skins clearly aren't listening."
A glint of calculation flashed in Osiris' eyes. "Perhaps we can start from within."
He pulled up the previously recorded data regarding the Na'vi's neural link with the planetary biological network, as well as Rei's successful brief connection with the Na'vi Eytukan.
"Their strength and unity stem largely from that 'Eywa' consciousness field and their neural connections with one another," Osiris analyzed. "What if... we find a way to interfere with or even locally block those connections?"
"Like developing a regional jamming device targeting their specific bio-electric signals?" Pilar reacted immediately. "Technically, it's feasible! If we can disrupt their communication and coordination—or even their 'communion' with Eywa—their organizational level and combat effectiveness will plummet."
"Alternatively," Osiris continued, "we exploit the internal divisions that likely exist. According to the RDA soldiers, not all Na'vi resisted firmly from the start. The existence of the 'school' proves there were attempts at communication and cooperation. Though they failed, the cracks might still remain. We identify those individual Na'vi or small groups who are dissatisfied with the status quo or more inclined to work with the 'Sky People,' and then we support or utilize them."
He looked at Maine. "That English-speaking hunter is a lead. His anger stems from betrayal and loss. That kind of emotion can be leveraged."
Maine nodded, understanding Osiris' intent.
Subversion, disintegration, and technological suppression—replacing frontal assault.
"Next steps," Osiris issued the directives. "First, the technical team will prioritize analyzing the Na'vi neural connection signals and begin designing a prototype jamming device. Second, Maine's squad will continue using 'reconnaissance and rescue' of RDA personnel as cover to actively contact the Na'vi, gathering more intel on tribal distributions and internal friction—pay special attention to any signs of a 'cooperation faction.'
Third, the weapon technology exchange with the RDA will proceed as planned, but we can selectively reveal our technical progress in 'handling Na'vi harassment' to test the depth of their cooperation and use it to demand more internal data on Na'vi history and the Avatar project."
The strategy was clear; the guiding philosophy of the entire operation had undergone a fundamental shift.
The exploration team would no longer be content as outside observers; they were to become active participants, intervening in and shaping the power dynamics of Pandora to steer events toward their own goals.
The core of Osiris' planning lay in efficiency and controllability. He would use every tool available: technology surpassing the RDA, intelligence gathered from all parties, and a deep understanding of the nature of different groups—be it the RDA management's greed for profit and force, the Na'vi warriors' rage over their destroyed home, or the internal schisms within their society.
The goal was to dismantle or bypass the primary obstacle—the Na'vi's organized resistance—at the minimum cost of direct conflict, paving the way for the ultimate, unhindered acquisition of Unobtanium and Requiem Fluid.
This meant that beneath the bioluminescent forests of Pandora, what was about to unfold was not the RDA's carpet-bombing style of iron and gunpowder, but a far more complex, precise, and cold-blooded game.
This game would play out simultaneously on the levels of information, neural networks, and the human heart. Its process would be more hidden, but its results, for the Na'vi who relied on Eywa and tribal bonds, might be far more dangerous than an open war.
The exploration team would be like a precision toxin dropped into a pond, spreading silently, changing the balance of the entire ecosystem from within.