The demands were concrete and rigorous, perfectly aligning with project management methodology.
Elendil was not surprised. She meticulously noted down each item: "Understood. I will convey your requirements to the High Farseer immediately. Ulthwé will prepare a complete dossier that satisfies your standards as quickly as possible."
"Furthermore," Osiris shifted the topic, "throughout your ritual preparations and preliminary infiltration phases, the surface situation on Pandora must remain stabilized and must develop in a direction advantageous to our operations. The attitudes of the RDA and the Na'vi are paramount."
"That is precisely what we intend to drive forward next," Elendil agreed, nodding. "According to our prior analyses, the RDA Board of Directors is already inclined to outsource a portion of their security functions. This provides a critical point of entry."
"Exactly," Osiris called up the communication logs with the RDA. "I will formally respond to the intent to 'expand cooperation' that they previously passed through Parker Selfridge's channels. By securing a security outsourcing contract for specific zones, we will introduce a permanent armed force of our own to Planet Pandora. This will simultaneously satisfy a portion of the RDA's demands while providing a legitimate cover and a substantive physical presence for our subsequent operations."
He paused, adding, "The outward appearance of this force requires adjustment to suit the parameters of interacting with non-Mechanicus standard human factions. They will be transmitted here after their retrofitting is finalized at the Death World base."
Elendil expressed her understanding: "A rational arrangement. Outward approachability will assist in reducing unnecessary vigilance and friction. Do you require any assistance from our side regarding personnel transmission or initial deployment?"
"Not at present. Focus entirely on your blueprint preparations. Maintain precise control over the current 'external pressure'—do not relent, but do not excessively stimulate them either," Osiris instructed. "Vance's squad and Poly will remain on Pandora to sustain relations with the Na'vi cooperative faction, particularly Seze'tey, while observing internal movements within the RDA. They are critical intelligence sources and structural anchors."
"Understood," Elendil responded. "In that case, I shall proceed to prepare my report to Ulthwé."
Following Elendil's departure, Osiris transmitted an encrypted directive to the Death World base.
The parameters of the order were explicit: detach fifty battle-tested, highly disciplined soldiers from the standing Skitarii reserve pool of the base. Simultaneously, designate Tech-Priest Calvin-77 as the attached technical and liaison officer for this squad.
The primary emphasis was placed on aesthetic adjustments.
The directive demanded: conduct an aesthetic treatment on all exposed cybernetics of the selected personnel to bring them closer to the style of conventional human technological products. Reduce highly conspicuous iconic elements such as cogs, pistons, skulls, and Mechanicus scripture, utilizing sleeker, more functional casing designs instead. The power armor required similar modification, retaining its defensive properties and foundational functionality while tilting the exterior toward a rugged, utilitarian industrial style, avoiding excessive ornamentation and religious symbolism.
The macro objective was to make the squad resemble an elite security force originating from a technologically advanced but aesthetically distinct "normal" human faction, rather than fanatical warriors of the Adeptus Mechanicus, all without sacrificing a shred of combat performance.
The adjustments for Tech-Priest Calvin-77 were even more meticulous. His original mechanical bionic eye was replaced with a device providing identical visual enhancement effects but possessing an appearance closer to advanced tactical goggles. Data interfaces and cabling were subtly hidden or integrated into the interior of his vestments, and his exposed auxiliary mechadendrites could be retracted into a specialized backpack-style casing when not in use.
The modification work unfolded rapidly within the engineering bays of the Death World base. The selected Skitarii soldiers quietly underwent the refitting, having been hypno-indoctrinated with the necessary directives: they were deploying to a new world to execute long-term security and deterrent missions, and must adhere to new aesthetic protocols and interaction guidelines. Their core of absolute loyalty remained unchanged, but their outward behavioral patterns required adaptation to a new environment.
Simultaneously, Osiris (the second avatar) formally contacted the director of the RDA at Hell's Gate base.
The transmission patched through, and Colonel Quaritch's countenance materialized on the viewscreen. His expression remained rather dark, but it now carried a subtle layer of complex anticipation.
"Dr. Chen," Quaritch's voice was somewhat stiff.
"Colonel Quaritch," Osiris spoke in a placid intonation. "I received the expression of intent regarding the exploration of expanded cooperation possibilities passed along by your Director General, Mr. Selfridge. Following an internal evaluation, I believe that under the current threat matrix, the RDA's security operations across certain high-value, high-risk zones may indeed face challenges regarding cost and efficiency."
Quaritch's brow furrowed slightly, but he did not interrupt.
"Consequently, our side proposes to undertake security outsourcing contracts for specific sectors," Osiris continued. "As a pilot initiative, we can assume responsibility for protecting your primary refinery located in the Southern Flank Canyon, alongside the interconnected core gas pipelines and the designated transport routes leading to that sector. The risk assessment for recent attacks in these zones is categorized as high-tier, and they remain vital to your ongoing operations."
"Outsourcing?" Quaritch chewed on the word. "Dr. Chen, do you mean to say you will station your own personnel directly inside these sectors to handle the defense?"
"Precisely. Our side will deploy a professional security squad to permanently occupy the relevant zones, handling routine patrols, threat detection, rapid response, and fortification maintenance. They will be equipped with detection and counter-measure apparatuses optimized against the current cloaked threat vectors," Osiris explained. "Throughout the duration of the contract, the security liabilities for the relevant sectors will be assumed by our side. Your faction can withdraw a portion of your originally stationed units to reinforce defenses at other nodes or enhance the security of the main base. This will assist in optimizing your overall distribution of security resources."
Quaritch remained silent.
This was precisely what certain individuals on the Board of Directors wished to see—shuffling off an intractable, casualty-heavy "mess" to let professionals handle it, thereby minimizing their own personnel losses and direct financial liabilities. Yet, he instinctively balked at handing over custody of critical RDA facilities to outsiders.
"Your squad—what is its scale? Equipment specifications? How do we guarantee they will not... abuse their authority, or trigger conflicts with the local Na'vi that we would rather avoid?" Quaritch raised his skepticism.
"The pilot squad consists of fifty units, equipped with light vehicles and the necessary defensive apparatuses. They have undergone rigorous rules-of-engagement training; their core objective is facility security, and they will not proactively intervene in other affairs between your faction and the Na'vi. All operations will be coordinated with a liaison officer designated by your side, subject to the necessary oversight," Osiris replied. "Regarding equipment specifics, these can be demonstrated in a subsequent technical conference. However, I can guarantee they possess the capability to counter the currently known deployment patterns of the cloaked threat."
Quaritch knew it would be exceptionally difficult to flatly refuse. The Board had already signaled their inclination toward this path, and the unceasing losses and mounting pressure made it unsustainable for him to persist with a completely autonomous defense.
"...I need to report this to Parker, and to the Board," Quaritch finally stated. "If—if we move forward, the contract terms, liability definitions, fee payments, and oversight mechanisms will all need to be hammered out in detail."
"Naturally. We can first draft a letter of intent and a preliminary contract outline for your review," Osiris expressed his understanding. "I look forward to establishing a mutually beneficial model of cooperation to jointly confront the complex security environment of Pandora."
The transmission terminated. Colonel Quaritch rubbed the bridge of his nose, beginning to draft his report to Parker Selfridge. He knew that, in all probability, this arrangement was going to go through.