Warrior's Choice

Chapter Twelve: The Storm Pt.1

Separation and Preparation

A/N: I don't own Pandora or the Na`vi

The smoking remains of Sampson 117 lay along the on jungle ground with small fires lining the path of their crash site. Joey works his way out of the destroyed ship coughing on the smoke in the air. "Damn Dylan *cough* you are one wild pilot, but *cough* any landing you can walk away from *cough* is a good one."

Dylan grunts while pushing his head against the back of his seat, "Well shit; then I think this one counts *grunts* as half fucked up."

Joey looks backs after climbing out of the tiltrotor. He makes his way to the pilot's door and forces it open. Broken glass shards and some blood are splattered over Dylan. Luckily, he shows no sign of glass or major injury to his head, but when Joey asks, "Ok, Dylan I don't see anything to bad, what's got you hurting?"

"*grunt* Damn Joey *ha* for a medic you sure miss the big shit! *grunt* My lower leg is killing me!" Dylan complains.

Joey looks at Dylan's legs and sees his left leg bleeding with a metal shard imbedded, "Fuck! Dylan this is going to hurt."

The avatar pilot bites his bottom lip, "Can you take it out?"

"Yeah," Joey pauses tearing off the sleeve of his shirt. "I'm going to have to cover it so you won't bleed out. Now the good news is it didn't hit anything vital, yet the bad news I don't know deep this shard is imbedded. If it's really deep; then I don't know if I can take it out without causing severe damage to the muscle."

Dylan tightens his fist, "Just give me a countdown and pull it."

Joey finishes making a makeshift bandage and puts it on Dylan's lap. "Alright get ready," Joey warns grabbing ahold of the shard. Dylan takes deep a breath readying himself. "On three. 1…2…"

Joey rips out the shard. "AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Dylan screams at the top of his lungs. He rocks his head back and forth with tears in his eyes while breathing heavily. "Fuck Joey! I thought you were going on three!"

"I lied," Joey replies while wrapping his calf muscle. "If I had waited to three, you would have been ready and it would cause more blood to flow. In short, surprise equals less blood flow." He finishes tying off the bandage and says, "Lucky, the metal shard wasn't too deep."

"But, you don't have to tell me, walking through the jungle like this is just asking for an infection," Dylan states while grunting to move is leg.

"Bingo! Try and see if you can walk," Joey orders.

Dylan gets both legs clear then tries to walk under his own power. The moment he puts weight on his right leg, Dylan goes falling to the ground, "AHH! FUCK ME! MY OTHER LEG!"

Joey rushes to his side checking on the right leg. He feels up and down the leg then says, "Shit, the whole leg is out of alignment with a broken bone. Fuck Dylan, you don't do anything halfway do you?"

"I'm a Marine, the core never taught us to do things halfway," Dylan jokes.

Joey smirks, "Oo-rah! Our DI's must have been siblings! Ok this is going to hurt like hell, but I got to reset the bone and leg."

Dylan digs his fingers into the ground grabbing up dirt, "DO IT!" Two sicken cracks ring out as Joey realigns the parts in the pilot's leg. "AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Dylan cries out as pain rockets through his body. He falls down on his back in labored breathing with hands full of dirt. Dylan fights with all his might not to pass out while Joey is wrapping his leg with sticks to keep it straighten. "Joey, before we crash, were you able to get readings from the storm?"

"Yeah," Joey replies while finishing up on his leg. He stands up and walks over to the crash site then opens the compartment labeled 'Emergency Kit'. "Before the equipment was fried, it showed the EMP strength around 45,000 volts or a class 4 EMP shoot. Plus, it was the one that struck near us."

"Damn! If that thing hits the colony *grunt*!"

Joey finishes pulling out everything from the emergency cabinet and walks back to Dylan's side, "I know it will zap every single bit of electrical hardware in the colony. Not even EMP shielding around the core areas will be safe." He helps move Dylan to sit up against a tree before going through the kit. "Luckily, the storm should lose strength as it moves away from the water source."

"We are what… *grunt* over five hundred miles away. How much *grunt* strength will this fucker lose before hitting the colony?"

Joey opens the med kit and grabs a syringe vile combo labeled carisoprodol. He says while injecting Dylan, "This will dull the pain but it's going to make you sleepy."

"Fuck Joey! Could you have given me this before you reset my leg?!"

Joey smirks finishing the injection, "Yeah, but I figured it would be best to do it before hand." The field medic sits down still going through the med kit while saying, "To answer your question, I think based on what I saw, the storm should lose about thirty to thirty-five percent strength before it hits still it's going to play hell with the colony's systems."

"Ok, lets unlink and warn them," Dylan says.

Joey shakes his head, "No go."

"Why *grunt*?!" Dylan painfully questions.

Joey checks another syringe while explaining, "If we desync while an EMP burst is in the air, it will fry our neuro patterns. Plus I gave orders to link operators to not break our link even while sleeping."

"What! Are you out of your fucking mine?! Why… Ahhh!" the pilot cries trying to move.

"Dylan, calm down before you cause more bleeding. I gave them those order as a protective measure just in case. Look, we have a bigger issue to deal with right now." Joey shows Dylan the syringe with an annoyed expression, "This is emergency antibiotic shot to prevent infection while in the field."

"Ok so what are you waiting for give me the shot."

"I can't. This shot is expired. Giving it to you will send you into toxic shock!" Joey exclaims with annoyance throwing the syringe back into the med kit.

"Isn't there supposed to be three in the pack."

"All expired."

"What the fuck! Those things…"

"Yup," Joey interjects, "I plan on having words with a couple of nurses when we get back."

Ean and Txep stretch their arms and legs; then they square off with each other. The two warriors smirk at each other while staring the other one down. To everyone else, they just see Ean and Txep standing casually looking at each other and in an instance they rush towards each other. Once they are close enough, they open with a volley of punches, kicks, and tail swipes. Their attacks and blocks are smooth, swift, and blinding. Txep does a couple of backflips putting space between them, but Ean is on her a second after the third flip. The nibble huntress uses her legs to block her brother's punches forcing her for fight while doing a handstand. Tarya is amazed when she realizes that Txep is fighting with her legs. Ean blocks the attacks then falls back just before Txep's foot strikes him in the face. "Woah!" Ean exclaim. "Tsmuke, I don't want my face to smell like your feet."

Txep folds her legs while in a handstand, "I think it would be an improvement. Shall we continue?"

Ean folds his arms with a smile, "Sure, but I think we should fight on an equal level." To those who never seen Ean and Txep fight, they are surprised when Ean jumps on his hands and does a couple of quick knee punches. "Now we're even. Let's go!" Ean pushes up and does an upside down spin kick.

Txep blocks laughing at her brother and quickly counters with another spin kick. Ean uses his tail like a whip grazing Txep's leg, but she counterattacks with her tail hitting Ean's calf muscle. The two continue strike at each other.

Tarya, Tommy, Sarah, and Dustin stand close to each other watching the strange fight unfold when Soey calls out, "Hey, your legs are going to get tired if you just stand there and watch. Come and sit in the shade with us. We can eat a late breakfast. Kìean brought enough food for all of us."

They turn around to the others finding a relaxing spot in the shade under the trees or in the branches. "Soey, do you think this is really the time for this?"

Soey looks back, "Yeah, they haven't started, so we have enough time before things start getting good." She walks over and grabs Tarya's hand then puts a purple fruit into it. "Here, we got this one from the colony. You won't believe how sweet it is."

An hour before Txep and her team set out on their search. Sally sits in her office reading the final damage report from security with an annoyed expression on her face. She tosses the pad into her desk then grabs her coffee and leans back into her chair. "Damn it! This saboteur is annoying as all hell! The damage he causing is crippling our defenses and exposing us to external foes. I knew the RDA was powerful not too long ago, but NEOECO swept them out power. Here I was hoping that the RDA's reach was being bloated by the few who believe the trashed the company was shiting out," Sally says softly to herself. She drinks more of her coffee thinking about the message the saboteur left. 'Death to NEOECO. Death to Pandora. The RDA will rise.' "This doesn't make sense. The RDA I knew where a bunch of fat money whores motived to make nothing but more money, but this message puts a whole new swing on their mode of thinking. In truth, it sounds like we are fighting cult members or brain washed fanatics with a single goal. If we are dealing with an unstable personality, he could… no," she stops herself leaning back forward setting her cup on the desk. Sally picks back up the pad and pulls up the picture of the destroyed systems. "That theory doesn't hold water. He or she is hitting critical systems, but nothing that we can't repair if a deadly situation comes up. Ha! You're good really good, but now I have an in to your thinking."

"Director," the voice of her secretary calls out over the intercom.

"Go ahead."

"Ma'am, Aleena and Mewtxä have returned, and department head Harris reports that she has her briefing ready. Also ma'am, air boss Victor wants to talk with you."

"Understood. Where is Colonel Victor?"

"His is out here with me ma'am."

"Very well send him in here first; then tell Cindy along with all department heads to meet in conference room 7A."

"Yes ma'am. Colonel, you may enter."

Sally stays behind her desk and says once the air boss inside, "Josh, what do you got for me?"

Thirty minutes later, Greg and one of his security guard lieutenants walks with him to the meeting room. "Sir, why is the director holding this meeting in an A classed room?" the female lieutenant inquires.

"My only guess is that she wants to have her guest present for the briefing," Greg replies.

"Sir, the director can't do that! Security protocol 916-A44-321 subsection 5 states 'No unauthorized personal are permitted to attend or be briefed on matters containing security procedures or issues.'"

Greg rolls his eyes, "Lt. Surrs, you don't need to repeat regs or protocol to me. After all, I wrote some of them."

"Then sir, you have to inform the director, she is in violation of colony procedures."

Greg hands her an EVA mask before he puts on his mask. Once she nods that her mask is secure, he activates the atmosphere cycler. While the oxygen is pumped out and the carbon monoxide fill the chamber, Greg exclaims, "Lieutenant you are out of line!"

"I'm sorry sir, but I would be remised in my duty as your advisor if I were not to bring this breach."

The atmosphere cycling finishes allowing them to continue into the open air. "You are correct in bringing this my attention, but let me give you a piece of advice. It's good that you being up things like that to your superiors. It shows that you are aware and follow military regs, yet you have to, sometimes, give your CO room to maneuver in. They might bend the rules some in order to complete the mission, and I can say from personal experience with the director; she will push the envelope in order to complete the mission. Plus she won't do anything that will put the lives under her command in danger." They reach the conference room and before they enter, Greg finishes by saying, "Even though I don't act like it, I have a great deal of trust in the general's leadership. It the science geeks I don't trust. They will do anything even bend over backwards to just please the Na`vi, but let's keep that between you and me."

"Yes sir," she replies walking into the conference room behind Greg. Once they enter the room, they see all the department heads and their second-in-command all sitting the at long oval table arguing with other over a wide range of issues. Greg and his advisor walk to their spots at the table. Lt. Surrs makes note that most of the department heads and their second are in their avatar form. She nears her eyes focusing on some the floating arguments taking place.

"John, what is the time table on getting the mainframe back online? My researchers will not be able to finish their reports before the next transmission to Earth."

"Use your brain Vikki! How the hell do you think we are going to be able to send our transmission or even receive one if the main comlink system is down?!"

"What are you getting at John?!"

"Instead of spitting fire at me, you should be lighting a fire under Tina's ass!"

"Don't you dare try and put the blame on me! The saboteur fucked up all the work we had done! In truth, it's Greg's fault for not placing enough security after it got hit the first time!"

Lt. Surrs watches as her boss fires back at Tina's statement; she gives a secret smile hearing the unruly nature from the leadership of the colony. Suddenly, she feels that someone is watching her. She looks at the other end of the room and sees Jake, Tanhì, and Kxneì staring at her with intense focus. Lt. Surrs quickly changes her facial expression and joins in the argument with others.

Ten minutes later, Sally, in her avatar form, walks in with Aleena and Mewtxä. The couple join the other Na`vi as Sally makes her way to the front of the conference table. The room falls silent before she sits down. "Let's get down to business. First and foremost, if I ever walk into the ops center and see the mess and chaos I saw this morning, I will purge the entire command staff. You people are supposed to be leaders of this colony not a bunch of children yelling and screaming at each other just to get a point across. I expect no I demand and order you all to act in the professional manner that is required for your positions. Is that in any way or fashion unclear?"

"No ma`am!" everyone replies.

"Good. Cindy, what is the story with this storm?"

"Yes ma`am," Cindy starts off then touches the holo-keypad on the table bring up holomap. She points to the red cloud, "Director, according to the reading from the Celestia, the storm stalled last night over this body of warm water. We predict that it has increased in strength by twenty to thirty-five percent from what we initially predicted." The room is in silent shock hearing the power of the storm. Cindy continues with, "If our modules hold steady, then we believe the colony will be hit with the full force of the storm. Now this does bring into focus of our other situation director."

Sally nods and carries on with, "Yes, the fact that Joey and Dylan's tiltrotor hasn't returned can lead to one resounding fact. The ship has either crashed or been destroyed."

Doctor Tanaka comments, "Luckily Dylan and Joey are still alive. I stopped by the link chamber to check on their life signs. According to the link operators, they reported a spike in their heart rate around 0152 hours. If we take that into account, we can assumed that was time that their Sampson crashed."

"Not setting aside the fact that they are safe and alive, Ben if that bird went down; we are looking at bigger problems. Our birds along with the critical areas in the colony are equipped with the same EMP shielding."

Sally is leaning forward with her mouth covered by her interlace fingers, "Josh, I get what you are hinting at. If the storm hits the colony at its current strength, this place will become completely decimated." She leans back in her chair looking at the entire table with her hand still interlace, "With this out in the open I'm going to say it as it is, we are not leaving this room until we come up with a reasonable plan to counteract the effects of the storm along with a plan to stop this saboteur who is running amok. Oh before I forget," she looks at Greg and his advisor, "before you start quoting regulations and protocols, I want Aleena and the other Na'vi here because they might have a way for us to buff up our defenses against EMP storms. Okay, with that out of the way, lets get to it."

Joey grabs the last of the emergency survival equipment out of the destroyed tiltrotor then starts making his way back to Dylan. The injured pilot is tucked away in the lower alcove of a tree with a glow stick lighting the inner area. Once Joey reaches their temporary safe haven, he puts the remaining supplies into the alcove with Dylan then jumps in himself. He gives a relief exhale while leaning against the dirt wall inside. Dalton goes into one of the backpacks and pulls out some emergency rations and tosses one bar to Joey before he starts to eat his own. "You know these things taste just as bad in my avatar form as they do my human form. You think with all of our advancements in technology that could make an emergency ration bar that tastes like actual food instead of cardboard and granola," Dylan jokes before grabbing a canteen of water to wash it down. "So Joey, how's it looking?"

"Not good, the storm is moving a lot faster than we originally anticipated. Even after being stalled for almost 9 to 10 hours."

Dylan finishes his rations bar and drink some water then asks, "What's the plan then?"

Joey finishes his ration bar then reaches into one of the bags to pull out a satellite radio. While working on tuning the frequency, he says, "First off, I am going to see if I can get in contact with somebody. The emergency frequency should be strong enough to reach our satellites in orbit."

"Let's hope that the engineers have been able to repair the satellite uplink so we can make contact with Hope's Path," Dylan says while rubbing the calf of his broken leg.

Twenty minutes pass and Joey is still trying to tune the frequency for Hope's Path, but he is unable to raise the colony, "This is not good. For some reason, I can't seem to raise the colony. Either they are still repairing the main satellite comlink or are emergency signals not strong enough to reach around the EMP storm."

Dylan suggests, "See if you can reach Celestia."

Joey a just as the signal band and some receives a replied signal. "Mayday! Mayday! This is Sampson 117 Alpha! Repeat this is Sampson 117 Alpha! Please reply if receiving."

Joey releases the talk button and listens for a minute to static coming over the line until a voice says, "Sampson 117 Alpha! This is ISV Celestia! Go ahead state your emergency."

The two stranded avatars give a pleased expression hearing response. Joey quickly says, "Roger, our ship has crashed. I repeat our ship has crashed. At last estimation, we were about 500 miles away from our base."

"Understood! What your current status?"

"My pilot has suffered a serious injury to his legs. One leg was pierced was shrapnel from the crashed tiltrotor, and his other leg is broken. Make note Celestia, our antibiotics and sterilization kits are expired and useless. The pilot is at great risk of contracting an infection in the legs."

"Understood, situational status has been noted."

"Celestia requesting immediate evacuation from area."

The line remains quiet for a moment; then the radio officer on the other end replies, "Negative on your request. At the moment, we do not have any available shuttles or craft able to come down and pick you up."

"Dammit," Joey swears then looks at Dylan.

"Okay, there has gotta be something else we can do. Ask if there's any…"

Joey cuts him off by calling over the radio, "Celestia, is there any way you can send a ship after the storm passes?"

"Negative, the area was going to be too highly charged for one of our shuttles to make it down there."

"Great," Dylan comments rubbing his forehead. "Well Joey what do you think? Either one have to live through this infection in this body or delink and hope that my brain doesn't get scrambled while returning it back to my other body."

Joey remains silent for a minute thinking then says into the radio, "Celestia are you reading any other life signs with in our area that we can reach on foot?"

About five minutes pass before the officer replies, "Yes. Our radar shows that a possible Na'vi village is only 20 miles southeast of your location."

Joey pulls out a map of the area and checking the terrain after calculating where they are. He marks the location of where the village is located at. "Celestia I have confirmed the location of the possible village. Please send word to Director Hedsonibous about our situation along with the following. Once the storm has passed we will be heading to this village, most likely we will be taken prisoner or held captive until we have someone who can vouch for us. Please send your daughter or another Na'vi leader to help explain our intentions. Stand by for ground information about the storm."

Sally and the department heads continue the discussion inside the meeting room. Tensions in the conference room have calmed down now that everyone has been able to vent about their frustrations over the saboteur running throughout the colony. Sally is also able to calm nerves about him or her when she tells them about her theory of the mental stability of the bad guy. The next topic that is brought up our countermeasures in order to isolate the damage and hopefully weed out the saboteur. While everyone continues the discussion, a radio officer walks up to Sally and taps her on the shoulder. He hands her a pad then walks off allowing her to read over the document. Once she finishes, she looks back up to everyone staring at her. Sally lays the pad on the table then says, "Joey was able to get contact with Celestia. He has reported that they are both safe, but the medical supplies mainly the sterilization kits are both bad. Rick I want you to pull all the records of who was in charge of inspecting those kits in the Sampsons; then I want to see that person face-to-face before the end of the night. Now here's the bad part, Joey reported that the storm is moving again faster than what we predicted. According to these new numbers, the storm will arrive here within thirty hours, and we have another threat to worry about. Joey reported that multiple herds of sternbeasts and hammerheads are fleeing the storm. He also reported a high count of Hellfire Wasps following along with the stampede."

Aleena comments, "It's kelutral all over again."

Sally continues, "Yep, and looking at more animals than before. We need a plan to handle the situation."

Greg states, "Director, I can mobilize three units and we can set up landmines on the outside perimeter of our colony. We can set the explosives for high-yield detonation and that should be more than enough to drive off any attacking animal. In addition, we have the outside perimeter armed with heavy machine guns and can mow them down if they get too close."

Jessica quickly fires back, "That plan is just straight up barbaric! There is no reason in the world that you should mow down all the animals just because they're following their instincts."

Greg quickly fires back, "I suppose you have a better idea to handling the situation Dr. Okamì."

"It doesn't take much effort to come up with a plan better than just kill them all Col. Webb. Director, we have a method that can drive off any animals without causing unnecessary death or destruction."

Sally taps her thumbs together and says, "We are listening Jessica."

Jessica explains while pulling up a holographic image of a cylinder with an ellipse on top, "The engineering core in my department have been working together to create what we call a Sonic Repulsor. The device works quite simply it emanates out a high pitch sound wave that causes the animals to disperse. The frequency is attuned to any and all animals here on Pandora, and will not leave any lasting defects when exposed to the field. If we set them up in a triangle like form on our outside perimeter, the pulses can cause the stampeding animals to break apart and go around the colony therefore not harming them and protecting the colony."

The security chief quickly rebuts, "Dir. you cannot take this seriously! She is suggesting we put the security of this colony in the hands of an experimental device!"

"It's a lot better than trying to kill them. Director we have done extensive testing on this, and we've also assured that once the system is activated there is a 5% chance that the device will not work."

"That 5% chance of it not working could mean the difference between if this colony stands or fall. My plan has 100% chance guarantee that we will be safe."

"Col. Webb your plan has a 100% chance of being nothing more than an invited slaughter on animals that are doing nothing more than following their instincts to escape a deadly storm. If you have not forgotten, we are guests here on Pandora. It is not our job no right to kill these animals in the method that you're suggesting."

"Correctly if I'm wrong, but didn't Aleena and her friends pull the same method when their home was being attacked."

Before Aleena or her mate can respond, Jessica counters with, "Yes they did use the same type of plan, but they used flashbangs and pitfalls to drive them off."

"Yes, they just used methods that worked for them, and I'm selecting the method that works with for us," Greg finishes.

"No you're not choosing a method that works for us to them if that works for you. I will not stand by and let you just slaughter innocent animals just so you can get your sick rocks off!"

Jessica and Greg continue trading insults at each other until Sally says, "I'll have you guys calm down now." The two department heads look at Sally as she continues with, "Given the situation that we will be facing, I'm hesitant to choose Dr. Okami's plan given the uncertain factors that would be presented and the danger that the colony would be put in. I must take into account of how the Na`vi will view this incident in the future. The choice that we make will have lasting consequences in any form or fashion whether be good or bad. That being said, I want to choose an option that will not harm the fragile relationship we have with the Na`vi. Jessica how many of the devices do you have operational at this moment?"

"As of now, seven."

"That's not very many," Josh comments.

Jessica pulls up another image of the Sonic Repulsor in operation, "The pulse field covers a twenty meter radius."

"How long will it take to get twenty-one units up?" Sally inquires.

"If I put my whole department and get help from the Engineering Core, it should take about twenty hours."

"You have fifteen. On your way," Sally orders making the two department heads get up and leave.

Greg voices, "Director, I must object to this plan! You are putting the safety of this colony at risk in order to please the Na`vi who are not willing to even lift a finger to help us."

"Excuse me!" Aleena exclaims while standing up.

Before Aleena can say anything more, Sally jumps in, "Before we get into this, Tina what's the status on the comlink?"

"I have my entire team working on this, but I can't promise that I will have it working before the storm hits."

"For now focus on keeping the emergency and internal comlink online."

"Yes ma`am, but I would like to ask that we be allowed to continue working on the main comlink."

Sally thinks for a minute then says, "I will give you twelve hours afterwards refocus your efforts on the orders I have given you. As for the rest of you, you have thirteen hours to secure your departments and setup the new security protocols. Other than that, this meeting is adjourned. Aleena would you and everyone else hold up for minute."

Everyone acknowledges Sally's command and gets up to leave. Greg stays in his seat looking at Sally, "Director…"

Sally holds up her hand then says, "Greg, my mind is made up. We are going with Jessica's plan and…"

He cuts her off, "And it's the wrong decision. You cannot default to this plan just because it will upset the Na`vi for us killing a bunch of mindless meat tanks." His words make sour expressions appear on Aleena and the other Na`vi faces. Unhindered, Greg continues, "Director, I will not allow you to put this colony in danger by using some experimental loony plan. I will have my soldiers move the necessary equipment into place and…"

"I hope you are nearly done colonel!" Sally exclaims with a fuming aura coming from her. "Because you are just one step away from having me throw your ass in the brig for mutiny."

"Sally, I was…"

"It is Director, Colonel Webb!"

"Director…"

"Now before you talk yourself into the brig, I'm ordering you to set up security stations around the perimeter fences. Afterwards, you can consider yourself off duty until I call for you," Sally states with a low angry tone.

"Director, please…"

"The only words that I want to hear out of your mouth is 'yes ma`am'."

Greg stands at attention, "Yes ma`am." He turns and walks out of the conference room with his advisor following behind him.

After they are gone, Sally exhales then looks at Aleena and the other Na`vi leaders. "I'm sorry you had to see that. Normally, Greg's advice is very helpful, but…" She shakes her head directing her thoughts, and continues with, "I will worry about that once we have this storm is behind us. Now, we have another problem that is forming. The message that Joey sent says 'Once it's safe, they are going to a possible Na`vi village that is twenty miles away from them.'" She pulls up a holomap with the location of the village highlighted with a red dot. "Do you know if clan lives there?"

Mewtxä looks at map and says, "Yes there is a village there, but we don't know much about them."

Kxneì follows up, "The most we know is that they wear masks when they are away from their village."

"But they mainly stay to their selves," Aleena adds.

"How do you think they will react to their present?" Sally farer questions.

Neytiri answers, "They will mostly be taken prisoner and questioned."

Sally nods her head then says, "Understood. Kxneì, I would like you, Neytiri, and Aleena to head the village after things settle down to bring Joey and Dylan home. Now focusing on the issue at hand, I would like your help in defending the colony."

Jake states, "I hope you're not asking because Greg was being an ass."

Sally shakes her head no, "I just want to shore up my bets just in case. Mewtxä, if you and Txep will us your abilities to protect a North and East of the colony, and if the rest of you don't mind helping along with your children protect the West sector." They look at each other and nod in unison with smiles on their faces. "Excellent. Jake, I would like you to coordinate and lead our forces in the South."

"You got it Sally," Jakes expresses with a thumbs up.

"Thank you Jake," Sally replies. She spots Aleena looking at the holomap still and says, "As you my 'ite, I have special job for you."

Aleena gives a worried look saying, "I have a real bad feeling about this, but ok sa`nu"

Sally smiles at her daughter's reaction then says, "Perfect, now all that is left… *BOOOM*"

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Sebastian questions.

"The storm?" Tanhì suggests.

"Nope," Sally states. "That is or should I say they are the last loose end."

"Sa'nu what would you expect? You sent Txep to find her brother," Aleena says while rolling her eyes.

Mewtxä adds, "She has been jumping at the chance to fight Ean before we even got here."

"Mewtxä would you please go get them?" Aleena requests.

"Yes," the male Na`vi replies with a smile.

Norm calls out, "I'm going with you tsmukan." The two men leave the room, and Norm follows behind Mewtxä as they run in the direction of the blast. "Mewtxä, you heard about the fight that went down with Aleena and Tanhì. Can your children do the same thing?"

"Srane, but they can fight using their powers."

"So you are saying things are about to get wild," Norm adds.

Ean and Txep slide back from each other with a light cloud of dust hovering in the air. Ean brushes the dust off his body with a smile on his face. "Wow, either I'm getting rusty or I was in that bed for long." The male Na`vi finishes dusting himself off; then looks at Txep and says while rotating his left then right shoulder, "Thanks Txep, you helped get that stiffness out my back."

Txep smiles back at Ean while wiping a small dribble of blood from the corner of her mouth, "You're welcome tsmukan. I just wanted to make sure you're all loosen." She watches Ean continue stretching exercises while thinking, ~Damn, he's been laid up in bed over two weeks, and he is just as strong.~ Txep looks at her clench fist an ever growing smile, ~Yes, this what I wanted. Ean and I going at it…~

"Hey tsmuke!" Ean calls out making her look at her brother. Ean smirks, "What's with that big smile on your face?"

"I'm just happy!" she exclaims. "Ean, let's stop with all the kiddie shit and get down to business." Her words draw the attention off everyone else, and draws a puzzled expression from her brother. She quickly follows up with, "Don't give me that 'I don't know' look you know exactly what I'm talking about. I came here to have it out with you, and I plan on getting what I want."

Ean finishes his stretches then says, "Alright tsmuke, how are we doing this?"

"No holds bar! We go at full power!"

Soey gives a surprise whistle hearing Txep's conditions. Ean folds his arms shaking his head then says, "No way sis! I might be moving like normal, but I'm not back to normal. My body can't handle my full power right now, or are you just trying to put me back into the hospital?"

Txep smirks and starts stretching herself, "Yeah, but this time I will be one the responsible. Plus, I want to feel alive, and only way I can do that is by proving I am stronger than you!"

Ean rolls his eyes, "Txep, you will never change. We will use 50% of our full power. Take it or leave it!"

Txep grits her teeth, but quickly exhales before saying, "Fine tsmukan, but know this I plan on winning this fight!" She gets into a low fighting stance, "No matter what!"

Ean lowers his arms and gets into a high fighting stance, "Jeez tsmuke, you really do love me."

Kìean leans back against the tree sitting comfortable in a high branch his sister and a few others. Tarya starts to feel a powerful aura growing in the area from Ean and Txep. She starts to sweat trying the fight her instinct to run, but the young huntress nearly jumps out of her skin when she feels a hand on her shoulder. She quickly twists her head and body around ready to fight, but she sees Lerì standing there with a smile on her face looking at her. A minute later, she looks at her mate completely focused on his sister. Without looking away she asks, "Have they started yet?"

Mì Uk answers, "No, they just finished their warm up. They plan on fighting at half their full power."

Lerì nods looking at Txep seeing a light red aura flowing up from her body; then she turns to looks at Ean with a blue aura emitting from him. Tarya shouts out, "Lerì!"

She looks at her younger sister's trembling body then calls out, "Ean! Txep! Don't overdo it!"

"TSMUKE!"

"Tarya, watch; then I'll answer your questions," Lerì orders. Tarya stalls for a moment then turns to look at Ean and Txep a frightening present coming from them.

Ean says, "Wind style: Flash Step!"

Txep says, "Fire style: Wildfire!"

They say in unison, "Here we go!"

The two warriors charge head long at each other. Ean reaches his sister first and throws a straight punch. Txep easily blocks with her right then punches with her left. Ean catches her heated red glowing fist and pushes it away from him slightly throwing her off balance. Keeping his forward momentum, Ean gets behind Txep, and uses his right hand to swing down with a karate chop. The young huntress quickly ducks avoiding the strike while still moving forward herself. To everyone else, the warriors look as if they just race past each other. In a flash, they are turn around charging one another again. This time when they meet together, Txep unleashes a blinding a barrage of burning punches. Ean easily blocks and dodges her attacks.

"Unbelievable. I can barely read their moves," Karyu comments with a sweat trailing down the side of her face. Her eyes dash back and forth trying to follow Ean and Txep's fierce exchange. She squeezes her fist watching the two siblings jumping around to without breaking away from each other. She mumbles to herself, "Sa'nu trained us to be fierce warriors, but…." Her mind flashes back to the fight between Tanhì and Aleena. "I was able to easily follow them. Damn it, Aleena must have been holding back more than I originally thought. I just can't stand here."

Karyu gets ready to step forward, but Mì Uk steps up next to her and softly says, "Don't! If you get involved, you'll only get sent flying into the air. Just watch and you will learn."

Ean and Txep break away from each other slightly breathing. "Not bad tsmuke. You have gotten stronger. It's a shame that I didn't take you seriously during our last couple of fights."

Txep smirks and replies, "I knew it! You were holding back, but I have to admit I was have to no room to talk. Time to show you what I can really do. Check it out, Wind Style: Flash Step!" The wind gathers around her feet just like Ean. A second later, Txep vanishes then reappears behind her brother. She snickers before throwing a hail of fists at him. Each punch reaches its target, but Txep is surprise to find that she is only punching thin air. She look farther ahead and sees Ean standing with his arms folded and smile on his face. The huntress gets into her fighting stance with a pleased smile, "Well tsmukan, what are you going to do now? My speed is equal to yours, so now I have the advantage." Ean starts laughing making the smile on Txep's face fade away until she growls, "What the fuck is so funny?!"

Ean stops laughing and unfolds his arms, "Sorry tsmuke, I'm not laughing at you. In truth, I am proud that you can use Flash Step, but I'm going to level the playing field." Txep gives a questioning expression, and Ean continues while getting into a similar fighting stance, "Check this out, Fire Style: Wildfire!"

"WHAT!" Txep exclaims watching Ean's hands taking the same red glowing color.

"Wow," Soey comments.

"Agreed, I didn't expect they would be able use each other's abilities," Keìan voices.

"Ready! GO!" Ean exclaims launching himself at full speed. His sister takes off as well. The two Na`vi quickly close in on each other, and when they met up they unleashed a hailed of punches on each other. Their fists hit each other at rapid speeds making small shockwaves with each contact. After a couple of minutes, the contact hits with fire ability starts to heat the air around them.

Taryu feels the heat emitting from the two single focused siblings. She stares at the red glow from their hands to brighten up warp from the heated exchange. She paints a determine look on her face intensely watching her trainer taking on her strongest rival. The heat from their fierce exchange grows hotter making her sweat, but the heated air makes it harder for her to breathe. She inhales and exhales at an increased rate, yet she feels that she can't get control of her breathing. Her vision starts to blur while holding her hand to her chest. She feels her legs begin to buckle. ~No, I won't pass out. I have to…~ She feels the ground start to shift and move.

Seconds before falling, Lerì stands next to her and says, "Slow your breathing. Take deep full breaths in the mouth out the nose. Don't let the heat overwhelm you. Remember, our training focus on your target without tensing up." She looks at her foot taller sister then back at the fighting siblings. She follows Lerì's instructions. Taryu starts to feel better with her vision clearing up. Lerì smiles seeing the improvement in her sister's condition. "Now watch."

They turn their attention back to Ean and Txep. The heat from the hail of fist continues to heat up to the point that each punch contact makes steam rise for the attack. After what seems to be thirty more punches, their fists content one time before they a backflip to part from each other. Both are breathing heavily, but the next clan chief breaths harder. Their hands have a dull orange-red outline aura with a low amount of stream coming of them. Txep smirks seeing Ean's condition; she dashes backwards putting more space between them. Ean dashes forward to keep an equal distance from him. Txep turns around dashes full speed away from her tsmukan. Lerì closely watches the movement of Txep trying to figure out her next move. Txep banks right then left zig-zagging around their fight arena. Ean mimics move for move not letting her get no more than ten feet away.

Txep races towards the tree line, but she back drifts only a couple feet away with a strong gust of wind trailing behind her. Ean watches as Txep races pass him on the left side. Time slows down for a fraction of a second, allowing Ean to see a smile on her face. Time returns back to normal after the siblings pass each other. Ean brakes with his feet digging into the grass while turning around. The male warrior comes to a complete stop with his back to the tree line. Ean looks up, and sees Txep standing on top of cliff edge with her arms crossed. Ean smirks before taking off once more.

~That's it tsmukan come straight at me, ~ Txep thinks watching Ean races towards the cliff. Ean uses his speed to dash up face of the cliff. "That's it just a bit closer… NOW!" Txep exclaims jumping off the edge. The two are on a crash course towards each other while they pull back their fists getting ready to attack. Once they are in range, Ean throws his fist first, yet Txep ducks to Ean's shock and catches him with an uppercut to the jaw. Her attack knocks Ean off the rock wall, and sends him crashing down to the ground.

The others watch as the warrior slams into the ground with a hard smash. Kìean comments with smile, "Wow, Ean won't be getting up fast after that hit." Kìean's words are short lived when they watch Ean's legs shot up then he jumps up brushing of the dirt. He rubs his jaw then splits to his left. He does a couple of stretches before he takes off and gets into another massive exchange of punches with Txep. Another bubble of heat forms from the heated fire punches. "There they go again."

Tommy asks Mì Uk, "How much more can their bodies take under that tape of punishment?"

Mì Uk stretches her arms then gets comfortable under her shaded tree, "Well, normally, they would be going at it for another two to three hours, but with Ean recovering, I give them about another twenty minutes."

Their heads turns back to the match when boom followed by a blast of heated the air comes from their exchange. The blast pushes Ean and Txep away from each other. Ean whines in pain while holding his left side. Txep sees Ean lower waved attention and uses the chance to charge full speed at him. "Time to finish this Ean! You lose!"

Ean sees Txep's charge and tries to evade, but his body fails to response in time. Txep reaches her brother and does low sweep taking Ean's legs from under him. Before his body starts to fall to the ground, Txep uses her other leg to the kick up into Ean's back sending him up into the air. Txep jumps up and delivers another set of punches and kicks. Once done, Txep interlaces her hands and delivers a two handed slam to the solar plexus. Ean's body goes crashing down to glassy ground. Blood comes flying out his mouth. Txep floats in the air for a second then comes flying down with both of fist on fire.

Ean watches her come flying in. He grunts out, "Wind Style…"

"It's too late tsmukan! Fire Style: Super Meteor Smash!" Txep exclaims slamming into Ean's body. The crash creates several cracks in the ground.

Tommy and all the newcomers grasp in shock at the force of the attack. "WE NEED TO HELP HIM!" Dustin shouts getting ready to dash in.

"DON'T!" Lerì shouts out. Everyone looks at the female warrior and sees a smirk on her face.

Taryu complains, "Tsmuke are you serious?! Your mate could be seriously in danger or worst. Don't you care for you about him?!"

Lerì gives her younger sister a crossed look, "My mate is not so weak to be taken out by such a mild attack. Besides, Txep missed."

"What!" everyone voices in unison. Lerì points back at the fighting area, and they are shocked to the see Ean standing just outside the dust cloud.

"What the…?!" Mì Uk voices with shock.

"I've never seen Ean do that before," Kìean comments.

Soey rubs her eyes, "That speed is unreal."

Txep pulls her hands out ground with the same shocked expression. The huntress looks at the ground then her brother standing with swirling wind aura around him and a serious expression on his face. "How… did…you…" Ean remains silent and gets into a fighting stance. Before Txep can shake off the shock, Ean vanishes and she is sent flying up in the air. Still off guard, Ean hits her with a series of punches and kicks. Ean finishes her off by grabbing her arm spinning her around firing her into the ground. Ean lands still not saying a word. Two seconds later, Txep erupts out of the ground with her fire aura moving around her body. She wipes blood from her mouth with smiles; then she starts to laugh before saying, "Ha! Ha! That's the tsmukan I know. I was wondering how long before you started to get serious, but tell me what's with that speed? I never seen you move so fast."

Ean finally cracks a smile then says, "It's called Sonic Speed." Ean's aura fluctuates as he whines again grabbing his left side. He quickly recovers then says, "Shall we continue?"

Txep answers by charging her brother. Ean replies by charging Txep. Before they make contact with each other, Ean jumps up then rockets down. He hits the ground with such clucks of rocks fires up into the air. Txep smiles jumps from rock to rock. She spots Ean, and she punches a rock in his direction. He avoids the attack and counters by sending a slab of earth at her. Txep smirks and goes head on at the rock; she punches the rock destroying it. Txep is surprised by Ean racing towards her. They get into another heated brawl send the remaining rocks away from the battle. One rock comes crashing down at the spectators. Taryu and the other newcomers start to freak while Lerì gets ready to strike the incoming boulder, yet Mewtxä flies in destroying the boulder with one kick.

Kato looks at the adult warrior as he gracefully lands on top of a tree. "Who is that?"

Norm walks up and states, "He is Mewtxä, Ean and Txep's father."

"Wow!" Gracie states looking back at the fight.

Ean and Txep land back on ground, and they swiftly get back into close quarter combat. They display masterly of Na`vi and Earth martial arts with kicks, punches, counters, and evasion. The fray continues as the speed increases to the point that their strikes are like cray blue blurs. Mewtxä jumps down to join everyone else without taking his eyes off his children. Txep continues to scan her brother looking for any openings, and after thirty more strikes, she spots her opening. With blinding accuracy, Txep strikes Ean's left side with a burning fire punch. Ean chokes on his pain, but his is able to keep fighting. Txep increases her focus on attacking the left with every open chance. ~Damn it! Txep is locked onto my weak point! ~ Ean takes another hit to the left side with even more force and heat. Ean feels the burning pain race through his body from his hands, arms, and form his left side. ~Think Ean, you need to turn this around. ~Ean is forced on the defensive as Txep's attack increase. ~I'm running out of energy, and my sight is getting blurry. If we keep this up, Txep will overpower me. I have one chance but damn it's gonna hurt. ~ Ean continues to blocks the attack, but a severe wave of pain makes Ean's stance waiver.

Txep jumps at the opening by shifting to the left then launches a full fire-powered barrage. She gets in twenty quick light punches; she puts all her power and strength into the last punch. Txep's last attack sends Ean siding back twelve feet back. Ean's legs shake trying to support his body, but his legs gives up and he falls to his knees. Ean cradles his left side while gasping in pain. Txep takes a deep breathe then holds up her right hand. She curls her hand into a fist then coated in her flame aura. "LET'S DO THIS!" Txep exclaims taking off full speed. The huntress bares down on Ean like a predator on its wounded prey.

Txep is only five feet away from Ean when Mewtxä shouts, "ENOUGH!" Txep puts on the brakes disengaging from her attack. Ean and Txep look at their father as he says, "The winner of this match is Ean." Txep is shocked by his statement, and before she can voice her complaint Mewtxä says, "Ean stand up and show everyone what's in your left hand."

Everyone even Txep are surprise to see Ean easily stand up with his right hand side over his left side. He hold up his left fist then opens it showing the powerful twisting wind along with the wind aura wrapped around his palm. Txep eyes bug out seeing her tsmukan's hand; she exhales realizing the situation and says, "You win this time ma tsmukan. Thank you for not leaving me."

Ean smiles and walks over to his sister; he pulls her into his embrace, "Sorry Txep, I shouldn't have let myself get caught off guard."

"Don't let it happen again. If anyone is going to take you down it's gonna be me," Txep smiles with tears in her eyes while hugging her older brother.

Mewtxä smiles then says, "We need to head back, Aleena and Sally are waiting for us. Plus we have other tasks to handle."

On the way back to the colony, Karyu calls over to Mì Uk, "Tsmuke, how did Ean win the battle? From my view point, Ean was on the defensive for the majority of the fight."

Mì Uk explains while watching Ean, Lerì, and Txep talk in joke with each other up ahead, "When it comes to battles between element users, the rule that governs who wins and loses is based on where the fight is at the time it is called."

Tommy calls out, "what does that mean? How do you judge a fight by where it is at that moment it's called?"

Soey answers with a happy tone, "Replay the final moments of the battle, and focus on just a moment before Mewtxä called the battle." All the newcomers think about the last moments of the fight; then she continues with, "Now, fast-forward to the point where Mewtxä tells Ean to show what's in his hand. The massive amount of air swirling around in his hand was his Tornado Fist attack. Okay now that you know what's in his hand rewind to the moment before Txep and Ean would have made contact." Soey turn around to face everyone then uses her hands to display what would have happened if the fight continued. "Txep charges at Ean, but his hands are hidden to his side cradling the wound. Txep can't see his hands and the attack that he is prepping. She keeps charging at him; then the second she is in range Ean uses his right arm to parry attack. Now, her whole right side is vulnerable and staggered. All he has to do next is to deliver the final punch with the wind styled attack. Judging by how you guys looked when the rest of us got here, you saw the power that is in one of those attacks. Txep would be sent flying face first into that rock face."

Kìean finishes, "Mewtxä call the fight because he knew it that attack a connected, well I didn't think Aleena wants to have two kids in the healing hut."

Mì Uk has her arms folded with a serious expression on her face still eyeing the others ahead, "The thing that gets me, the technique that Ean used. I mean I have never seen him move that fast before, and not only was he able to update the strength behind his attacks was unreal. Txep and I knew that he was holding back, but…"

Mewtxä says surprising everyone that he had stopped to let them catch up, "I wouldn't worry too much about it. The technique is called Sonic Speed; I've only seen him use it once. Although, I have no clue what he was thinking when he used that technique while injured, but I think Aleena will have words for him when he gets back."

Joey is sound asleep leaning up against the earthen walls. He is woken up when Dylan starts grunting and pain from his leg. The medic and training sits up rubbing his eyes in order to get his senses back to normal. "Dylan what is the matter?"

"My leg is fucking burning and the pain!" Dylan cries out.

Joey rushes over the medical pack and pulls out syringe then gives the shot to Dylan. The Marine pilot's pain quickly fades making his body relax. "Feel any better?" Joey questions. Dylan nods yes, and Joey continues with, "Ok, I need to check your leg, so you might feel a sight pinch." He pulls back the makeshift dressing stained with blobs of blood. Joey looks over wound noticing small black and white blots around the wound. "Shit!"

"Shit!" Dylan repeats. "Shit is not good! Why the need for shit?"

Joey exhales balling up the old dressing and putting it into bio bag. "You caught an infection and without antibiotics it will only get worse."

Dylan starts to sweat while asking, "So do you know what I have? Is it deadly?"

"No it's not deadly, but if we don't get it clean out in time, you could lose your leg," Joey calmly says.

"That's just as bad!" Dylan cries out.

"Calm down! An infection like this only will take four weeks to become harmful, but in your condition I would have to half that amount," Joey replies.

"That doesn't reinsured me."

Joey smirks tearing off some more of his shirt, "Just to hope I don't that run out of t-shirt before we back to Hope's Path. In truth, I would like some… no way."

Joey crawls off deep into the tree looking for something. Dylan questions, "Joey what are you looking for? Shouldn't you be focused on working on my leg!"

"Hold on!" Joey states ruffing around for something. "GOT IT!" He pulls out some leaves and some low glow moss.

"What is that?"

He holds up one of the dark blue leaves, "This is lapis opal or what the Na`vi call eampin rìk." Then he holds up the purple moss, "This is mauve glow or prrwll `om."

Dylan looks at the plants then says, "Joey, I am glad you take your training with Dr. H seriously, but what does this have to do with my leg"

Joey gives a quick exhale then says, "And you need take your training more seriously. Look, the Na`vi use the mauve glow to clean wounds, so it is a natural antibiotic. The lapis opal is given to someone if they are hurt, so if you put two and two together, then I have the supplies needed to hold you in stable condition until we reach the village."

Dylan watches Joey place the glowing moss into the open wound. The burning sting in his leg fades away. Joey hands him a small piece of the leaf ordering him to eat it. "Hell, I need more than this."

"No way!" Joey exclaims as he finishes with the final knot on the new dressing. He moves to the makeshift door and looks outside. "Looks like the worst part of the storm has passed." He turns around and starts to pack everything. "Judging by the fact, the village is twenty miles away, it should take about two hours to get there."

"That's good," Dylan states. "Then that should take about half that time or less for you to get back."

Joey gives him a puzzled look, "Get back? Why would I come back?"

Dylan is shocked at Joey's response, "Bro, I would stick with medicine as your career because you will make one sorry comedian."

"Hey, I can crack a joke just as good as anyone else!"

"So why wouldn't you come back for me? Planning on leaving me here as dead weight?!"

"Because you're coming to," Joey replies packing the last of extra plant life into his backpack.

"What you expect me to just walk to the village?! I don't care what you tell me about those plants you found. There's no way I can walk!"

"Cool your jets man, I am not asking or telling you to walk. I'm going to carry you."

Dylan laughs, "Joey, our avatar forms are strong, but you can't carry all that and me as well."

"Ha! Carrying you and our equipment for twenty miles will be a light day."

"And what do you mean by a light day?"

"Dr. H has been training me in elemental style fighting." Joey checks outside to see the rain from the storm sacking up. "Ok, we should move before the next wave hits. Here just wear the pack and leave the rest to me."

Joey picks Dylan and pulls him out of the tree alcove. "Ouch! Easy man!"

"Relax crybaby," Joey jokes. He easily pulls Dylan onto his back piggyback style while hearings Dylan's complaints. Once the injured avatar is secured, Joey starts to slowly head out. "Just hang on tight and leave the running to me."

Mewtxä and the others start walking into the medical wing. "Admit it Ean, I had you on the ropes during our whole fight," Txep claims.

"I just let you think that you had me backed into a corner," Ean fires back with a smirk.

Txep jumps in front of Ean doing a couple quick practice punches with a smirk while saying, "Fine tsmukan lets go for round two; then I'll show you."

Ean stops in his track shaking his head, "Don't start something that you know you can't finish."

Mewtxä and Norm walk pass the two siblings while listening to them exchange words with each other. Norm steps closer to Mewtxä then asks, "Do they always fight like this?"

Mewtxä only exhales, but Soey answers, "Yes."

Sally's voice rings out ahead of them, "Then they need to learn that fighting has a time and place." Everyone looks at her standing at the entryway to the patient's room wing. She marches over to Ean and Txep with her lab coat flapping the behind her. Without words, the two siblings snap to attention standing next to each other as Sally reaches them. She stops and scans the siblings seeing their bodies covered with dirt, cuts, small blood spots, and bruises all over. Sally shakes heads then orders, "Come on let get you two cleaned up. The rest you please wait in the conference room." Back in Ean's room, Ean finishes washing up with Lerì's help. After they come out of the bathroom, Txep heads in to wash up. Ean whines as he sits on the bed. "I hope you learned a lesson from this."

"What lesson is that?" Ean questions.

Sally continues to look over the medical scans while replying, "Never willingly enter a fight if your body is not up to it."

The door opens as Aleena walks in to sees her son and Lerì sitting on the bed. "Ean it's good to see you, but what were you thinking to sneak out like that?"

Ean looks at his mother with surprise to see her dress in an AVAR medical outfit with lab coat. "Sa`nu what are you wearing?"

Sally quickly answers, "I asked Aleena to help in the med core because we are a little shorthanded. That to the side, answer her question. Why did you sneak out?"

"I needed to stretch my legs, plus I was going stir crazy lying in bed," Ean replies.

Aleena shakes her head while walking up next to Sally, "So any major damage?"

"Well, nothing too bad, but the sight factures in his ribs have reappeared. Luckily, I can just up the dosage on his medication to counteract the damage. Plus he shows signs of muscle fatigue, but that should be expected after the way he jumped back into fighting and using his elemental powers. I will have to…" Sally pauses as the bathroom door opens and Txep walks out drying her hair with a towel. She walks over to the chair in corner and sits down without paying on mind to anyone else, but Sally keeps a close eye on her granddaughter before continuing, "Humm…"

Aleena watches the exchange and asks, "Sa`nu is something wrong with Txep?"

"No, but I will get to her in a minute. As for Ean since he has been up and about, I think putting him through physical therapy would be a waste of time."

"So I'm free to leave?" Ean questions.

Sally fires a death stare at him, "Absolutely not!" She points at him saying, "You're lucky I don't have you strapped to the bed for another two weeks. What made you think that your body was ready for that level of combat?! And Txep, I am disappointed that you didn't consider your brother's condition before you started fighting!"

"Laiösa'nok, I did consider Ean's condition," Txep fires back.

Ean quickly adds, "We agreed to only use fifty percent of our max strength."

Sally exhales then leans back in her chair while putting the pad on the table. A small smile grows on her face and she snicker thinking about the event. "Amazing absolutely amazing! There is no doubt that you are Aleena's offspring."

"What do you mean?" Ean questions.

"Well," Sally starts to giggle, "Txep has Aleena's temper and beauty along with a little bit of mine. While you have her free spirit along with her strength of heart."

"Mom!" Aleena's voices.

"Go ahead."

Ean, Lerì, Txep, and Mewtxä have a confused expression as Aleena steps forward and stands face to face with Ean. Aleena's stoic expression starts to crack, and in the blink of an eye, she embraces her son with tears draining her face. "Thank Eywa! I thought I lost you! My heart ached so much!" She pulls back with her hands still on his shoulders, "Please promise me, that you won't do something that reckless again!"

Ean smiles looking at his teary mother, but he sniffing coming from his right. When his turns to look, he sees his father and sister crying as well. Ean looks ahead pass Aleena to see Sally holding back tears. Finally, he looks at Lerì, and she has a cheerful smile. He looks back at his mother with a smile, "I am sorry. I didn't mean to make everybody worry. I was just trying to protect the elders and the clan as a future olo`eyktan would do."

Aleena nods her approval with a wide smile and tears still draining down her face. The door chime goes off and Sally beckons for the person to come in. Kxneì walks in with Lerì's mother. "Tsahìk," Ean voices.

She smiles looking at Ean, "Oel ngati kameie."

"Oel ngati kameie," Ean replies. "What are you doing here?"

Aleena regains her composer before she stands up then walks over Eyakx. Kxneì walks up to the teenage warrior looking over Ean, "I came here to keep aneye on your well-being."

Aleena rolls her eyes, and Mewtxä slightly shakes his head. Txep speaks out, "Laiösa'nok drop the act! We all know the truth."

"What?" Kxneì questions look at the younger huntress.

Ean states, "Txep and I have known that you are sempu's mother and our laiösa'nok for years."

Kxneì smirks, "I am happy that you are safe and alive. Sally long before he can continue his training?"

Sally looks at Ean's chart again then says, "Well, I was originally going to have in physical rehab for about two weeks, but I don't think that will be necessary."

"Awesome!" Ean exclaims while standing up.

"Sit down ma Ean!" Lerì orders with a stern look. Ean looks at his mate, and she continues, "You nearly died because of you being reckless!"

"Lerì is right tsmukan," Txep adds. "If you don't rest and fully recoup, then I will beat you next time and you won't be able to protect anyone."

"How long do I have to rest before I can flow like the wind?" Ean questions.

Sally answers, "Give your body two more days; then I will permit you to resume your training. In the mean time, you catch up on your studies. From what I learned, you like sneaking out during your lessons."

Ean gives a goofy smile rubbing the back of his head, "Well…"

"He does," Txep tattles with a smirk. "This is the reason why I should be the next olo`eyktan."

"Txep, you have position to fill and Ean has his," Aleena states.

Sally adds, "Kxneì any lessons that he need to catch up on can be done while he is here."

The door opens and Mì `Uk walks in wearing medical scrubs. "Olo'ekytan, do I really have to wear this?"

Sally turns around and replies, "Yes, since you assigned to help Aleena, you are required to wear those clothes."

"Assigned? Why were you assigned you to help assigned to help sa`nu? I didn't know you had healing training," Ean questions.

Txep smirks and starts with, "She doesn't…"

Mì `Uk finishes, "I am here to make sure you don't get involved."

"Not get involved? Get involve with what?"

"You don't need to worry about it Ean. Sa`nu has everything covered, so all you need to be involved in is catching up on your studies," Aleena states. Ean looks down with a worried expression; Aleena sees his changed expression then hears his stomach grumble. "From that sound, I wager that you should eat. Luckily, my sweet daughter here," Aleena pauses patting Lerì on the shoulder, "She saved some food for you, and believe me when I say that you are going to love it."

Ean lifts his head up and looks at Lerì with a smile. "You're wrong sa`nu; I love anything that Lerì does."

Txep rolls her eyes before getting up, "Well, that's all I can take. Sa`nu, I gonna grab some food."

Before Txep walks out, Sally says, "Txep, go with Mewtxä to the meeting room. You will find food there, and let everyone know I'll be there in a few to brief them on their assignments."

Less than two hours into their trek, Joey and Dylan are parked next to a stream. Dylan rests against a tree watching Joey fill the water canteens; he eats on half a leave savoring the sweet mint flavor. Joey comes back with the refilled canteens then hands one off to the sitting pilot. "Drink slowly," Joey orders before flopping on the ground and vigorously downing half of his canteen. Suddenly, he starts coughing with sight choking.

"Joey! Are you ok?!" Dylan questions with fear. Joey holds his hand up signaling that he is ok while holding his head down and blowing his nose. A smile creeps on his face seeing that his friend is in no danger; then he comments, "Take your own advice bro and drink slowly."

Joey is over his coughing fit and replies through a choked voice, "It just went down the wrong pipe that's all. Anyway how's the pain?"

"No major change as of now, so how far would you guess we are from the village?" Dylan questions.

Joey finishes drinking more water then says, "I would say that we are about eight to nine miles away."

"Great another nine miles as carry-on luggage. Could you this time maybe take it easy on rocking and rolling," Dylan complains.

"Really, I'm the one doing all the work, so can't you be at little grateful," Joey fires back. "That to the side, we have more pressing matters to worry about."

"What can be more pressing?"

"We have to be careful and I mean careful when we enter this village's territory. Without a doubt, I think they will detect us in no time," Joey states as he moves over to Dylan to check on his leg. "Damn!"

"Damn…" Dylan questions with a growing sense of anxiety, "What do you mean by damn?! Damn is not good. Why damn?!" Joey works with Dylan's bandage then goes to the supply bag to pull out some more gauzes. He exhales and starts redresses the wound. "Talk to me man, you're freaking me out!"

"Ok," Joey grabs one of the degraded gauzes and shows the partially dried blood cloth to the pilot. "Look here, you see this dried purple spot." Dylan nods yes, and he continues with, "To put it simply, this was what I was trying to avoid, you picked up another infection but this one is a fungi infection. If we can't get it cleared up within two hours, you'll lose your leg."

"Damn."

Joey finishes bandaging the wounded area then says, "Listen, as long as you don't panic, and we don't run into any unnecessary delays. We will get there with plenty of time to spare."

Dylan looks up at the partly cloudy sky then says, "From the looks of things, it seems like the worst has past. Why don't signal HQ to pull the link."

Joey finishes packing up and puts the backpack on Dylan's back. "Forget it Dylan, or have you forgotten that the storm is or might be at this very second on HQ." Joey picks up his pilot then says, "Now with that said, hold on." Joey takes off running at full speed. They race through the dense forest wasting no time to take in the unique flowers and other plant life. Joey keeps running for another ten minutes then suddenly he goes into a slow normal walk.

"Hey what's with hitting the brakes?"

Joey softly says, "Don't talk so loud. Don't panic, but we're being tracked."

"WHAT?!"

"Keep your voice down."

"How are they tracking us?" Joey gives a sideways glance, and he slightly shakes his head then says, "Oh course they are Na`vi. They are the greatest trackers in the world. Wait, how do you know that they are tracking us?" Joey points to his bare feet drawing the question, "What the?"

"This is how I know that we are being tracked. As an earth style fighter, I have learned to the feel the trembles in the ground. Which allows me to know what and who is around me without directly seeing them," Joey explains while still walking forward. "Dylan, they are getting closer. Our goal is to get captured, so when it happens, don't resisted and do everything they tell you. Alright?"

"Ok, I'll fellow your lead, but the last thing I need is an arrow in the ass so be careful," Dylan complains as he notices that Joey is picking up speed. "Um… wait what are doing? I taught our goal was to get caught."

Joey gets up to a mild sprint while saying, "I want to test my skill against them, so this is my best chance. Just hang on." Joey takes off at full speed weaving in and out through the trees.

The four Na`vi following them jump onto tree branches. They use the branches spring forwards faster than Joey can move on the ground. The party leader signals three others to divide up and surround the fleeing officers. Joey quickly catches sight of a pursuer on his left. He does a fast-sharp turn to the left dashing under the hunter. To his surprise, a bola coming straight at him. Before it hits, the scientist shifts the right to avoid the lasso. He doesn't lose any speed and spots another hunter on his tail. Dylan holds on tight as he jumps on a large rock then up to a lower hanging tree branch. The others in the hunting party catches up the tailing member. She shouts something back to the others in Na`vi making two hunters to split off and rush ahead.

Joey smirks seeing them rushing pass them. Dylan warns him that their chasers are planning something. He acknowledges the warning with a quick nod; then he jumps back to the ground still on his original heading. Their ears pick up the sound of a 'whooshing' sound coming up behind. They see three bolas flying towards them, but Joey smirks while spinning on his left heel. He sticks out his right leg allowing two of the three bolas to wrap around it; he uses his tail to catch the final one. "Joey, how much longer are you going to keep this up?" Dylan questions quickly feeling a sharp pain.

"Ok get… what is that sound?" Joey looks to the right and sees three Na`vi riding pa`li heading their way. "Oh shit, things are about to get a little more fun. Just hold on," he commands while tightening his grip on Dylan's legs. He jumps up to another low hanging tree branch.

While Joey jumps to a high branch, Dylan watches the riders pass them below. His eyes widen when he sees them swiftly turn around to get onto their trail. Dylan gets ready to make a comment when he sees their original pursuers have them surrounded. "We are so boned!"

"Playtime is up." Joey spots a clearing ahead. His ears pick up the sound of another wave of bolas coming at them in all directions. "Dylan, remember to duck and round and don't resist. Also this going to hurt." Just as he finishes, Joey's legs are wrapped together by the bola. His feet miss the branch in front and they go into a free-fall towards the clearing. They scream as they go crashing down to the ground. The two men pull in their arms and legs as they hit ground round over and over. Dylan screams out loud feeling wound in his leg tearing back open. The seven warriors surround the now captured men with their bows and hunting knives drawn. Joey holds up his hands while saying in Na`vi, "Rutxe! Rutxe! We mean no harm!" The scientist in training can easily see that they are in no way convince in their innocent. "Rutxe, we just need help. Our ship crashed because of the storm, and my friend needs a healer."

Female Na`vi steps forward with tribal markings and jewelry that signals her to be the leader of the hunting party. Her bow is still in her hand replies with, "Where did you come from?"

It takes a moment for Joey for process and translate what she did while watching the cold calculating eyes of the huntress. After minute Joey replies in a broken native tongue, "Hope's Path. We are from Hope's Path. We are those whom Eywa has allowed to come learn how to save our great mother Gaia."

The party leader examines the two men and sees the blood pooling over his bandage. "We will take you our olo'eyktan. She will decide your fate. The warriors load Dylan onto one of the pa`li they make their way back to the village. Joey walks besides Dylan's pa`li and says in English, "So what level of shit are we in? Good, bad, or is it 'we up shit creek without paddle?"

"You speak a great deal for an injured dreamwalker." They look ahead to see the hunting party leader speaking in English. "Surprised?!"

They both shake their heads yes; then Joey follows up with in, "Wait a second, I was told that you clan hasn't had any contact with humans or avatars. How?"

"Our leader will explain if she feels so," the huntress replies then tells two of the hunters, in her native tongue, to race ahead back. It takes another thirty minutes for the rest of the hunting party to reach the village.

Joey and Dylan receive odd looks and stares from the villagers stands out around wood-built homes. The ground is wet from the rain, and they notice that some of the homes have a small amount of wind and debris damage. Joey closely eyes one the huts watching the family cleaning up around it and figures, "Either I am going nuts or some of these huts look like hut from some African tribes."

Dylan looks at Joey with a confused look then asks, "Joey, what are you talking about?"

"The structure style of some these homes. They look like they come from Earth." The hunting party comes to a stop, and the leader tells the others to wait while they enter one of the biggest buildings around. Joey looks at the building huntress walks into and says, "Dylan look. Does that jungle house look familiar?"

He closely looks at it and says, "What the…?! It's the avatar hut!"

"What the hell is going on here? Aleena said that no avatars have had any contact with this village, but members of the clan know how to speak English, have Earth inspired buildings, and know about avatars. How is that even possible?" Joey questions.

A middle-aged woman with a bright colored choker different around her neck and multicolored beads woven into her hair. She says hearing the tail end of Joey's statement. "That's because, I am from Earth." Joey and Dylan snap their heads in her direction. They are shocked at her human face blue avatar. The two male avatars are at such a loss for words; the woman clan leader continues with, "Allow me to properly introduce myself, I am Sarabi Langyu leader of the Olo me`em; however, you may me by the name Victoria.

Joey's widen as he begins to geek out saying, "Victoria… no the Victoria. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, OM to the fucking G! The Victoria?!"

Joey glee out draws laughful from other tribe members. Dylan calls out, "Joey, do you mine explaining for those who have no clue what you are talking about?"

The young scientist looks at the pilot and says, "Dylan this is Doctor Victoria Sarabi Thanatos, she is known as the mother of all Avatars!"

A/N: Hey everyone I know it's been a long time but it's waiting and sticking with me. Between graduation, paperwork, school work, and work itself, I have been so swamped it's been hard to get anything out. Now, with things beginning to slow down I have more time to get back to writing.

Thanks for reading and please comment, so we know how were doing.

Coming soon: Chapter 13 The Storm Pt.2

You're the Enemy?!