Chapter 2
You were running, jumping over logs, climbing over rocks. But every time you got close to your prize you'd hear laughing and they run even further from you. As you sped up, you saw a figure, it was the first time you saw the person who giggled and laughed in your dreams. And damn was she beautiful, putting the gorgeous forest to shame.
You saw her on an edge of a waterfall, as you walked closer she jumped and you woke up in your cyro pod.
It was dark and cramped, you were confused for just a second before remembering where you were.
You felt yourself move as the pod you were in opened. You were unbuckled and you started to float up.
“We here,” you asked, the tiredness escaping your mouth
“Oh yeah, we're here alright,” the nurse said with a hint of energy in him.
He continued “You've been in cryo for 5 years 9 months, and 22 days. You will be hungry and you will be weak” he yelled to the other men and women who had just awoken from cryo like you.
You glided over to your locker and grabbed some of the clothes you stored in there. It was your school sweatshirt and a pair of pants with shoes.
They then corraled you to board the ship that’ll take you to Pandora. You sat next to Jake and noticed he look serious, giggling to yourself as he seemed to be in his marine mode. He often said that ‘once a marine, always a marine’.
*
You sat next to Jake on the air shuttle taking you to Pandora. You were given a safety briefing on the Exo packs and the air on the moon. The mask looked interesting, it covered the whole face while still showing it.
As the shuttle was landing everyone stood up in a single file line, god it reminded you of your JROTC days back in high school. You stayed seated with your brother, you offered to help him but he declined it. You assume he was in full marine mode by now.
“Common special case, I'm not waiting all day for you two” the man stated as you both passed him walking onto the tarmac. The place was littered with army dogs, who would've been fighting for freedom or earth, but here it was for a paycheck.
As the two of you were going forward, an amp almost walk over Jake if he didn't see it first
“Look out hot rod” was all he said. Jake ignored him, but you threw your arms up ‘saying what the hell man’ without saying anything. You continue forward with a sour look on your face, but a giant bulldozer rolls by, with giant arrows in the tiers, stoped both you and Jake in your tracks, having a look of awe on your face you said “Woah, some big arrows huh,” you alerting two security ops. They turn to you and Jake
“Ey man, look at that, meal on wheels and a science puke with it,” one said and the other went “Ah man now that's just wrong,” with a smirk.
You Jake got to where they were, noticing that they were staring at you both.
“What you two limp dicks staring at?” Jake said with some attitude in his voice
Causing the bald one to respond with “looking at you stumpy, and it ain’t so limp right now” He had a disgusting smirk on his face as he eyed. You just rolled your eyes and walked away
You heard one of them do the cat call whistle at you, you turned around and said:
“suck my cock and balls, ya bald fuck” You turned around firing back while doing the suck it a gesture
Turning back around you looked down at Jake to see him shaking his head a rolling away from you into the building.
///
LOCATION- Safety Briefing: Mess Hall
You and Jake were a bit late, the fact it was a huge building and there weren’t places for Jake to wheel through didn't help. But eventually, both of you got there
“You are not in Kansas anymore.” was the first thing that reached your ears
“You are on Pandora, ladies, and gentlemen. Respect that fact every second of every day. If there is a Hell, you might wanna go there for some R&R after a tour on Pandora.” the little joke he made was kinda amusing to you, but you only chucked to yourself as the two of you walked in, opting to sit in the back. You hop on a table to listen to the rest of his speech.
“Out there beyond that fence, every living thing that crawls, flies, or squats in the mud wants to kill you and eat your eyes for jujubes.” he continues, though you think he's being a bit dramatic to scare the new recruits.
“We have an indigenous population of humanoids called the Na'vi. They're fond of arrows dipped in a neurotoxin that will stop your heart in one minute - and they have bones reinforced with naturally occurring carbon fiber. They are very hard to kill. As head of security, it is my job to keep you alive. I will not succeed. Not with all of you.” he said the last part looking in your and Jake's direction, but you think he was looking at Jake the whole time.
You spaced out the entire time after that, you were used to military briefs from all the drills in JROTC plus you knew what to expect from your avatar training. After that, you hopped off the table and the two of you headed out to the labs.
You and Jake were in a tight halfway trying to squeeze through everyone when you heard a small ‘excuse me’ from behind you and then saw a tall man, you recognized him as Norm Spellman. Meeting him at avatar training, though you two were in different squads so you were never that close to him, but he still came over a few times.
“Excuse me your Jake right, Tom's brother. Sorry im Norm Spellman, Man you look exactly like him” He shook Jake's hand then you perked up “Hey wheres my greeting Norm” you joked
He looked embarrassed and went to apologize but you budded in saying “Nah it's cool man”
“you know him?” Jake asked, but he didn't have any heart like he didn't really care. “Hmm yeah me, him, and Tom were in the program together, different squads though,” you said like it didn't matter, you noticed the fall of Norm's face
“I'm sorry to hear about you brother, he was a good man, it came as a big shock to all of us” He tried to offer some condolence but it came out awkward. “Yeah,” Jake said
“hey man it's alright don't worry about it too much, don't mind him either he's a bit of a grouch right now” you tried to comfort Norm, he willed his way through another conversation “So you're taking over his avatar right,” he asked with some excitement trying to bring the mood up, a ‘yep’ was that was heard “umm want to go take a look at them, there in the bio lab”
“Yeah sure let's go check it out, want to see how mines holding up” you mused and started walking to the lab
///
LOCATION- BIO LABS
“Hey welcome to Pandora good to have ya,” a man you assume to be a scientist in charge right now shakes you and Jake's hand greeting you to Pandora.
“Damn, they got big” Jake chuckled “Yeah they matured on the way out” Norm stated and the scientist constituted “Yeah great muscle tone too, it'll take a few hours to get them canted, but you should be able to drive them tomorrow” he then pointed over to the other two avatars saying “there's your guys”
You walked over to the female one and saw your avatar. Her hair was already braided around the queue, but extra hair was still loose, clouding her face. She was just floating around in the amino acids and twitched a few times.
You were just staring at her you didn't notice Jake rolling over to you, with Norm not far behind.
“Wow, looks just like you, but taller…and blue” Jake said “Yeah, wonder if ill still be taller than you” you joked, Jake never liked how you suddenly got to call him short. “Yeah we’ll see, bet ill be taller than you by a foot” he stated with a puffed chest
You punched his arm, then Max stated he'd take you to the link pod bay, and to meet your boss for the next 6 years, Grace Augustine.
*
“WHERES MY GODDAME CIGGURETE” was the first thing you heard. But you were more paying attention to Jake and the Norms convo, it started with a simple question from Jake.
Whose this Grace Augustine, it was a simple question one you knew the answer to but the Norm beat you to it
“Grace Augustine is a legend, she's the head of the avatar program and wrote the book and I mean literally wrote the book on pandora botany,” Norm said as if it was a simple fact of life and Max interjected saying “Yeah its cause she likes plants more than people” he added
“Ahh there she is, cinderella back from the ball I see, Grace I’d like you to meet Norm Spellman and Y/n and Jake Sully”
Grace took a puff from her smoke and addressed you and Norm
“Norm and Y/n heard a lot of good things about you two, hows your Na’vi,” she asked while putting her hands behind her back
Norm shot first saying “May all mother smile upon our first meeting” He finished off with a grin like a just got all As on his report card
“Not bad you sound a little formal” Grace replied in na’vi to which Norm continued with “I studied for five years, there's still some much to learn” She then turned to you expecting a show of your words
“Ahh well, not good at it, still learning” you finished with a shy smile “weak point in learning to speak it hearing good” Grace only nodded and said “it can be rather hard”
Max tried to divert the attention to Jake and introduce him to her, but she only waved him off saying
“Yeah yeah, I know who you are and I don't need you. I need your brother, you know the other brother, who had a Ph.D. and trained for three years on this mission” she said in a tone, both you and Jake didn't like too much
“He's dead, I know that it's a big inconvenience for everyone” Jake spat at her. You felt his annoyance radiate off him. You then threw your hat into the ring and shot off with
“Ma’am I don't exactly like you insulting and deeming my brother, he may not be what you need but he's here to help, any way he can. So lay off a bit will you” You finished off, and you looked around to see Norm's eyes as wide as saucers, and Grace's face, it had a mix of ‘what did you just say’ and ‘hmm impressive’.
“How much lab training have you had” She directed it towards Jake and you knew he was screwed, he practically failed science even with you and tommys help
“I dissected a frog once,” he said with a smug look, and that look combined with the answer blew Grace's lid off
“Ya see, ya see? They're just pissing on us without even giving us the courtesy of calling it rain. I'm going to Selfridge.” with that, she walked off.
Max tried to reason with her “Grace. No, I don't think…” but it was futile as Grace just fought back “No, man, this is such bullshit! Gonna kick his corporate butt. He has no business sticking his nose in MY department.”
And with that, she went off to bridgehead to talk with you mused. Max faced you guys and told you guys to be here at 0800, told Jake to say big words, and walked off.
The three of you just stood there, looking at each other. Jake was in the biggest sour mood, you were peeved, and Norm looked at you two like you were combing into one in front of him.
“Wha-what did you two just do!” he said you and Jake just looked at each other. You were confused about why he was so bewildered.
“What do you mean?” you questioned him with a look of confusion written on your face, Jake looked more annoyed that he was being questioned.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN- WHAT DO YOU MEAN, you just told off Grace Augustine, our boss” “Yeah what about it, she was shit-talking my brother, Sullies don't ride like that” with pride for your brother you put your hand on his shoulder. “I-i guess that makes sense, but please don't do that again! Or at least not in front of me might actually have a heart attack!” he finished holding his heart, you and Jake looked at each other and laughed, he sorta reminded you of tom at that moment.
///
LOCATION- MESS HALL
The three of you went off to your sleeping quarters with the help of another scientist, Then went to eat with the others. You sat next to Jake and were talking to another scientist, you didn't notice that Jake was more or less by himself eating, to wrap up talking about Pandora.
When a woman came up to your table, wearing an airforce uniform, the table got kinda quiet as Grace stopped talking to just looked at her, you looked over at her when she started speaking
“I'm looking for a Jake Sully.” she looked around then Jake spoke up “Down here.” she looked down then grinned and tilted her head in a direction “Come with me, Quaritch
needs ya,” Grace raised her voice at this “now what does he need him for?” she sounded annoyed already “I'm not sure just needs him ma'am-” “are you just gonna stand here? Let's go.” and with that, he was off, the women jogged after him leading him to where he was needed.
‘Wonder what he needs with Jake’ You continued your conversation and ended lunch and retired to your bed to finally get some shut-eye.
///
LOCATION- ROOM
Sleep was difficult, being in a new place, hell on a new planet, meaning sleep was hard to come by. But the sweet embrace of sleep hugged you, and you were out like a light.
*
You were walking in the dense forest, with careful steps. Looking around for a way out of the forest. It was nightfall now, and you could feel the fear in your body with each step as it rose. You heard something in the brush you stared at for a minute before feeling okay that nothing would jump out at you.
That's when you heard it, a giggle. But it didn't sound happy or joyful, no, it sounded sinister and evil. But you couldn't see where it was coming from, which only made your fear worsen.
When a sudden rustle in the bushes made you spin to it. Not seeing anything, you turn back, but you heard it again, the giggles, right behind you. You took off, faster than you ever ran before.
But with your luck, your foot got caught on a root and you were sent flying to the floor. You turn on your back to see what awaits you. You see nothing then the laughter starts again. This time, it surrounded the forest, suffocating your ears. Then you heard it pounce on you, you closed your eyes- and you sat up in your bed, sweating drips down your forehead.
Then your alarm goes off signally to you that it's 6:30 now, meaning you have half hour to eat breakfast and get ready.
///
LOCATION- LINK POD BAY
“So how much link time have you logged,” Grace asked you guys as she walked you to the pods. “Umm about 520 hours” he answered before you, “I logged in about 250 hours” yours wasn't much but it was something compared to Jake “that's good, Norm you in there, Y/n your here, and your here,” she pointed to Jakes pod and did some operating things “so how many hours did you log” “zip” you could just feel the annoyance from the next pod over
You lay down in your pod, the inside was made from this squishy silicon-type material that dip from the pressure that was on it.
The scientist that was assisting you to put the cage down and ask if you were ready, oh you were more than ready, you put your thumbs up and they put the lid down after instructing you to keep your mind blank. Then it was dark, you closed your eyes, relaxing then you saw white
You opened your eyes to see a doctor in your face, “Hey Y/n, how are you feeling?” it was bright as the doc was flashing light in your eyes testing your pupil's dilation. “Your eyes seem good, can you hear me well?” she asked as you felt your ear swivel around “Oh yeah loud and clear doc”
She had you sit up, you look over to Norm and Jake, it look like Jake just woke up. “If you can just perform some movement that is really nice, just wriggle your toes or fingers”
you saw Jake standing up, so decided to try it too.
“Oh no Y/n, you need to sit down please–” “No it's fine I got this, promise” you try to reason with her “No we need you to sit down, you're going a little too fast right now”
When you stood up you almost fell on the poor woman. But you regained your balance, you were close to a wall and you felt your tail hit it “Yo Jake, look at it, I feel like a cat!”
Jake looked in your direction then he felt his tail and looked at it. You and Jake were causing panic for the med techs, they called for you two to be sedated, and you walked forward to Jake and ripped off your IV and other medical stuff.
You landed on him and looked at Max through the window, he yelled saying “guys, listen to me; you are not used to your avatar bodies, you need to return to your beds, this is dangerous-” “This feels great,” “Jake, Y/n-” “c’mon guys, their gonna put you out” they both tried and failed to get you two to your beds
Jake walked away with the biggest grin on his face, you stayed put, just watching him move around the med bay, his tail knocked into some things, then he was gone, he just left the bay.
You saw this and followed after him, same with Norm. when you all got out there Jake was on a court, you ran to him while Norm was still with the med people. You caught up to him
“Hey wait up” You had a playful smile on your face as you caught up to your older brother, Norm not long behind
You two clumsily passed a bunch of people, accidentally bumping into people. Then he started to build momentum, so you built momentum. He noticed and went faster, you chased him and eventually you started to race each other, the fishline unknown to you both
You passed other avatars training on obstacle courses, then you almost ran into an amp suit, you two gave half-hearted apologies, as you ran into a field of fruits.
He stopped suddenly, you almost crashed into him. You caught your breath while looking around, it was…green and full of life, as opposed to earth and base, which was gray and dull. You dug your feet into the dirt, you can't even remember the last time you did that!
“Hey, Sullies!” you both looked over to see… Grace! You both uddered a quiet ‘damn’ and ‘shit’ under your breaths as you saw grace in her avatar for the first time
“Grace?” Jake was the first to speak to her “Who do you think numbnuts?” Grace looked over and threw some fruit at you guys, “Think fast.”
“Motor control looking good” she stated
You caught it and looked at Jake to see if he’d eat, he looked at you and took a bite to make sure it was safe for you. He bit into it and groned from how good it was, and from that, you took your first bite, then another, and another, it was sweet and made you want to keep eating it. Grace giggled at you two, it was like seeing two toddlers tiring something new instead of two adults.
*
After you got your avatar situated and properly looked at which the doctors were not happy with you three.
You sat in your bed, you and Jake looking at your queues, they had white tendrils and were squirming around looking for something to connect to, from what you could remember, it could connect to the environment
“Kinda freaking huh,” Jake said to you, “Yeah reminds me of testicles or so-” you were interrupted with “Don't play with that, you'll go blind” It scared Jake but you just laughed as you knew it was practically harmless. You put it away as you laid down to ‘sleep’. The forest was alive as you could hear so many animals in the forest, but you closed your eyes and opened them in the link pod.
///
LOCATION- ROOM
You retired to your room after a long and rough day. You cleaned yourself up, changed into comfy clothes, and laid in your bed.
When you closed your eyes and fell asleep you were met with black and then woke up, looks like you didn't have a dream last night.
But now you had an even longer day ahead of you. You, Norm, Jake, and Grace were going out to collect samples out into the forest.