The Final Minutes
Everybody was just itching to get off the ship.
Powder and Ekko were getting restless, they either spend their time staring out the window for hours or swimming around chasing each other and knocking into things.
They were getting so much closer, Pandora was in eyesight.
“Oh my gods, It’s huge!” Powder gasped as she saw it through the glass.
The planet was humongous, it was so blue and bright that Viktor didn’t know what to make of it.
Just to imagine, the Na’vi that are currently running around down there, being free
The samples he’s going to take, the research he’s going to do.
Gods, he’s excited.
“Okay, let’s go other a few things, we are not going to be alone on Pandora” Grace said loudly, positioning herself so she’s at the front of the growing crowd “I’m not just talking about the Na’vi, the RDA have departments set up there already from weapon machinery to fucking botany studies, We are not to associate with them, we do not talk to them. I report to RDA, you lot report to the Medara crew, those are your leaders, understood?”
Viktor couldn’t help but swallow, he was incredibly nervous, he wanted to talk to as limited people as possible, there would be huge machines and giant guns and the people there would have no mercy.
RDA didn’t care about Pandora, or the Na’vi
“Next, your cabins are going to be split into your group you’ve been assigned” Grace said “You’ll be leading out in groups to do field work along with getting to know the Na’vi, it’s going to take a while, but we will befriend them, if Vanders reports are anything to go by, the Avatar drivers already there have done a good job”
Ah yes, Vander , the other leader of The Avatar Program.
“Okay, let’s go over your cabins so you aren’t wandering the area like lost puppies and end up pissing the Colonel off” She cleared her throat “Sevika, Silco, Gert and Finn, you will be in the west cabin”
Viktor knew what was coming.
“Jayce, Vi, Viktor and Maddie in the south cabin”
He fucking called it.
☆
“Are the Avatars safe? Has my one been fixed?”
“For the last fucking time, Talis, your Avatar is okay, we’ve mended it, haven’t we Viktor… Viktor? ”
“Hm? Oh yes, sorry” Viktor turned back to Grace, he was staring at his Avatars legs again “It’s fixed, you were right, their was too much Na’vi DNA”
Viktor regretted saying Jayce was right the second the words left his mouth, because the other man immediately got a stupid grin on his face and before Viktor had a chance to correct himself, he got hit in the face with his duffel bag.
“Play nice, everyone” Grace said, shoving Vi’s bag in her face next “T- minus 12 minutes until we land”
“Hey, Viktor, can I talk to you for a moment?” Caitlyn was in front of him now, a shy and bashful expression on her face “It’ll only take a second”
“Yes, of course, Miss Caitlyn”
The two floated towards the small, secluded area covered by one of the vending machines, Viktor frowned.
“Well, It’s kind of a two parter, my first question is do you have any extra requirements? Maybe..medication or- or another brace?”
Viktors frown deepened “I can take care of myself, although I appreciate the concern”
“Well, it’s my job” Caitlyn shrugged “But uh- If you wanted to, I don’t know, be closer to the medical bay, in case of emergencies, then I wouldn’t mind switching cabins”
Viktor didn’t know what he was supposed to say.
“I- I’m not sure if you’re trying to piss me off or not”
“ Excuse me?”
“You seriously think that low of me? You assume that I can’t simply walk to the medical bay if something happens? Or is this so you can be in the same bed as Violet?”
“Viktor, I didn’t-“
“Yes you did , Caitlyn, I don’t appreciate being belittled by people younger than myself, I suppose you’ve never had to have an uncomfortable conversation in your life but let me make myself clear” he was nose to nose with the woman now “I don’t want your pity, I don’t care for you that much to switch cabins and I certainly don’t want you tending to me”
“You’re taking this the wrong way!” Caitlyn said loudly “I never meant to belittle you, I was simply asking a bloody question!”
“A stupid question” Viktor hissed “Have you talked to many cripples in your life? Have you ever known the anger of having people make assumptions about you just because of a fucking disability?”
“Of course I haven’t!” Caitlyn snapped “I’m sorry I was trying to help you!”
“Well, don’t try again” Viktor finished, turning away from her and back towards the crowd “See you at dinner, Doctor”
☆
The conversation with Caitlyn didn’t help Viktors mood, he had already been mentally preparing to have to depend on his cane again, he didn’t need some upper-class doctor treating him like some delicate flower.
He clutched onto his duffel bag tighter, his knuckles turning white as he took a deep breath.
Don’t let her get to you, you’re excited. This is going to be a good day.
After Grace handed him back his cane and gave him a pat on the back he moved down to join Vi, Ekko and Powder on the floor.
They were leaning against the doorway that was going to be swung open in a few minutes, when they finally landed on Pandora.
“Vik! How are- are you alright?” Vi asked, frowning and immediately clocking his sour expression.
“I am fine, although Caitlyn might tell you otherwise”
“Wait, what?” Vi asked “what happened between you and Cait”
“It is not your concern” he said quietly “we have bigger things to think about”
“Yeah but-“
“Masks on, everybody!” Grace suddenly bellowed “the air of this place will have you choking within twenty seconds, you’ll be dead in four minutes and I can not afford to loose any of you” She began going down the line and handing out masks.
She reached Viktor, shoving a large and clunky ons into his chest “ Especially you”
He smiled softly as she moved on, handing masks to the other three.
Caitlyn is probably going to apologise to him later, and then he’d be able to relish in being on Pandora.
With his mask finally secured on, the large gates began to open and he saw the cracks in the sky and the large, tall trees of Pandora.
His smile went wider.