Staring blankly at the ground the battered young woman let the blood dripping down her face paint a trail down her chest and arms, splashing into the growing puddle on the dirt floor, the boisterous laughter that sounded through the room falling on deaf ears.

"If you just tell us we won't have to continue." The gangly man slowly glanced at Marcus, her toned body still.

Giving a shout the man stalked angrily towards Marcus, twisting his hand into her thick honey locks, wrenching her head back, her stunning Cerulean eyes staring into the muddy brown of her captor.

Barking an order the man waited impatiently for the bottle, ripping it from one of the men's hands that stood, crowding around the chair Marcus was cinched to.

"Open up darling." Hissed the man, attempting to pry open her plush lips.

Staring blankly up at the man Marcus clenched her jaw, her answer obvious.

"Bad idea." Seethed the man, splashing a large quantity of the unknown liquid over her face, excruciating pain erupting as it slipped into her narrowed eyes and open cuts.

A bone rattling, ear splitting scream shattered the air of the stuffy room, growing in volume as the man above Marcus dumped more of the chemical upon her already burning face, watching it run into her open mouth.

"Release her." Hissed the man, snapping his fingers impatiently as one of the men sliced through the rope, allowing Marcus to slouch onto the floor, her slender hands clawing at the dirt, digging through the soil easily.

"Give me the code." Barked the man, sending his boot clad foot into her ribs, ignoring the loud, inhuman screams ripping from Marcus's raw, burning throat.

Serving another kick to Marcus's ribs the man stepped back, running a calloused hand over his wrinkling face.

"Americans." He mumbled, racing towards Marcus ready to slam his boot into her face.

Stumbling off course as the flimsily wood door shattered into multiple pieces the man stared amazed at the troops flooding into the room, guns blazing.

Through the ominous screams and hailing bullets the deeper, hollower sound of falling bodies filled the air.

A few last bullets were fired from the military grade guns, an overly thick silence filled the room, the small sobs escaping Marcus seemingly breaking the spell.

"Get a medic!" Shouted one of the multiple men whom had burst into the room, gun lying carelessly in the dirt as he gripped Marcus's shoulders, rolling her onto her back, slamming his jaw shut at the gut-wrenching sight before him.

"Marcus!" Snapped a voice, starting the young woman from her sleep.

"What Trudy?" Complained Marcus, rolling onto her side, a frown pulling at her lips as she tumbled off the bed, landing on the unforgiving surface of the cold cement.

"Come on, Grace wants you to link up." Trudy replied simply, pulling the blind woman to her feet, stuffing a change of clothes into her waiting hands.

"Why in God's name does she want us to link up so early?" Complained Marcus, her once alluring soprano sounding through the room as a coarse alto, the silky foreign accent still plain as day.

"Who knows man?" Trudy mumbled, casting her oak eyes downward as Marcus stripped, multiple scars marring her lean tattooed body. "I'm supposed to take her and a couple others out to get some samples, maybe your goin' with."

"With it being my first link?" Marcus snorted. "I doubt it, but whatever. Let's go see what wonderful words of wisdom the almighty Dr. Grace Augustine has to say."

Wrapping a slightly calloused hand around Marcus's toned bicep Trudy led the way towards the Link room, the maze of Hallways not confusing her in the slightest.

Marcus could hear the unmistakable bitching of Grace Augustine from down the industrialized hallway, frowning as it grew louder upon entering the link room.

"I mean honestly!" Complained the doctor, running a slender hand through her fiery mane. "A single guy who actually took the course, a paralyzed Ex-Marine, and a blind girl! That's just insulting!"

"For your information doctor, I was in the army and could see perfectly fine Seven years ago. The only reason I'm blind is because I refused to tell a group of terrorist's information on your program." Marcus stated blandly, a stony silence echoing through the room. "By the way, I'm sure I know more about Pandora that you're golden boy who actually took the class."

Whipping around Grace stared in amazement at the young woman who'd just spoken perfect Na'vi. Opening and closing her mouth multiple times Grace finally sputtered a sentence.

"You must be Ayasha Marcus."

"Did you figure that out by yourself?" Marcus scoffed. "I prefer Marcus. Where's my link bed."

"Oh, number six, right here." Spluttered a slightly pudgy man, his light chocolate skin breaking into a sweat at the sight of the stunning blind woman. Pulling open the bed closest to Marcus the man stepped out of the way, watching in amazement at the gracefulness that Marcus's lithe body held.

"Thanks." Marcus mumbled, lowering herself onto the Jell-O like substance.

"See you on the other side kid." Snickered Trudy, flicking a lock of frosty hair onto Marcus's mocha skin.

"Get outta here 'fore I kick your ass punk!" Marcus hissed, landing her fist in Trudy's stomach.

Laughing heartily at their childish antics Trudy left the room, the door slipping closed behind her silently.

Breaking from her trance Grace stepped forward leaning against the side of the bed.

"Just relax-" Grace began, staring at Marcus's marred yet beautiful face.

"And let my mind go blank." Marcus interrupted. "I know the drill. I have to wonder though; will I be joining you today?"

Frowning at Marcus, Grace gave a short 'yes', stepping out of the way as Marcus pulled the lid down.

Taking a deep breath Marcus let her eyes slip closed, welcoming the silence. The quiet allowed her mind to blank easily, the ebony of familiarity pierced by a whoosh of neon colors, the brightness lasting only seconds before the nothingness pulsed against her eyes.

'Did it work?'

The thought struck annoyance deep within Marcus like a fire, rage building like a Tsunami.

The anger and annoyance fell flat as two simple words processed.

"She's in."