ATEYO TeSYAKSYUK: TSULFATU

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

360)~ The rain continued to pummel the would-be warriors until AFTER they had
finished practicing their rescue maneuvers. Tai complained about the perversity
of "Mother Nature" and then realized that EWYA had only answered Tai's desire to
practice under OPTIMAL conditions for their rescue mission. "Txoa livu, Ma Nawma
Sa'nok!" thought Tai as she laughed at her own perversity, at not being grateful
for that which she asked!
Jake Sully was pleased with their joint efforts but it was time that he fed
his people. "Sweylu ayoeng ka kä kilvan, yer'in." It is best that we cross the
river soon. "Ayoeng zene taron sre tìpähem awngäl tok 'awmit." We must hunt
before our arrival at camp.
It was amazing how many people had fit beneath the shelter of the triage area.
Those in eana aytokx were not concerned about getting wet. But Kofi was made to
stand up to allow for more bodies to crowd underneath. Liri'el made the point
that, with Eywa's help. there would be far less injuries and wounded. Their
primry concern would be to get the conscripts hydrated, oxygenated, fed and
calmed down. The ayhumon med techs reiterated how important it would be to
carry twigs of the oxygen producing plant in the emergency medical kits. Jake
promised that the conversation would be continued later. But hunting was
becoming a prime consideration. The group broke into hunting teams and then
soon, Kofi was bundled onto the medical chopper with Liri'el and the ayhumon.
The stream they had crossed was where Ateyo and Pxepxi had shot a fwampop
weeks earlier. This was the place JakeSully had in mind. It was doubtful that
the beasts would be standing in the open, what wih the heavy rains. The plan
was to fly to the ridge above them, hike among the trees, kill as many of the
creatures as were needed, say the words of thanks for the sacrifice and send for
the nets. They could field dress them and carry the carcasses to camp for the
meal.
As Pxepxi and Ateyo climbed down the slope, they could see Pìwopx Srewyu
covering his head and Atanvi's entire body with his wing. Pxepxi was pleased to
see that Zina and Twiti were hunting on her team. Quietly. the teams descended
the slope. Among the trees below, they could see a large herd of fwampop. With
hand signals, they determined which creatures would be given as meat, and which
were to be untouched. Coming from above and behind, each fwampop was dispatched
quickly and quietly. Each, a clean kill, who had fallen dead before the pain
could be registered in it's miniscule brain.
Each clan claimed four beasts to feed their people. The pounding rain made it
easy to field dress and wash out the carcasses. The entrails would be a feast
for marauding aynantang. The ayikran were summoned, nìfwifwi, by means of
whistling. The ikrans were given first choice of eating their fill of entrails.
Soon the entire taronpongu was winging its way back to Spuwina 'Awm with meat
slung beneath many of the ayikran.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

361)~ The ylltxep, communal fire for  Spuwina 'Awm burned brightly.  Many who had remained at camp had gathered ayfkxen and were skewering them as sis-ka-vovs.  Ka'alani  had filled the baskets with seylu, and was remembering a time when shrimp had taken the place of crispy grubs.  Along with Ka'alani was Patricia Fenwick, Director of Operations at Blue Heart Gate, along with her assistant, Deborah Webb, and some other Avatars, who had remained loyal to the Na'vi and had stayed, rather than be exiled.
   The others arrived, tired and wet, though excited and talkative.  The cooking fires for each clan were set radially from the ylltxep, simply in order to cook for so many at once.  Aytaronyu were grateful for the sis-ka-vovs, as they began to prepare the meat over the coals.  Each clan ate together, but as people became satiated, groups began to form and migrate. JakeSully asked the ayeyktan to once again form a council  to discuss their joint exercise and the upcoming battle plans.   But first he invited Patricia Fenwick to introduced the two unfamiliar Avatars to the group of Ayeyktan.  But it seemed that it was unecessary to do so for the sake of Max and Norm.  Patricia was saying, 
   "I would like you to meet Aud, our  anthropologist, " but as she gesticulated to the person, Norm and Max nearly tackled Aud.
   "Aud! Aud! It's a about time you surfaced!" shouted Max as he gave the person a hug, which  person looked decidedly uncomfortable receiving. "And Lieutenant Narate? Narate Shepard?  This is our Navy IT specialist, (our communications expert), and xenobiologist." Max gave the two enthusiastic embraces.  Behind himself, Max could hear a voice saying,
 "Odd?" Taifa'anae' was puzzled to meet a person NAMED Odd, though there was nothing odd in the Samoan culture about those being neither or both genders. He simply was surprised to hear a such a name.
  "Close enough.  Aud. Ze refers to ones self in Neuter Gender terms.  I've been wanting to introduce per to Ateyo since I met each of you!" Max searched quickly and found Ateyo tucked close to Tai.  Ateyo stepped forward with her hand extended in the fashion of ayhumon.
  "NÌprrte' smon, Ma Autx!  Nice to know you, Ma Autx. Oe lu Ateyo te Syaksyuk!  Oe lu hì'i nìeEvi, slä kea 'evi!   I am small like a child,  but I'm not a child."  The word-play was lost on Ateyo, being unfamiliar with the name Audrey, and the English word ODD. There was no D sound in the Na'vi language, at any rate. "Oeri syaw Ateyo, slä oe ke lu tsmukan!  Slä rä'ä syaw oeri tsmuke.  Oe lu TSMUK!"  I am called Ateyo but I am not a brother.  But don't call me sister.  I am SIBLING!"  instinctively, Ateyo saw the need to express this for Aud's benefit.
   "I am pleased to meet you, as well,"  spoke Aud in flawless Na'vi.  "I've heard a lot about you!"  In person's enthusiasm, ze switched back and forth between Ìnglìsì sì Na'vi.  "The cultural acceptance of gender blurring is what makes this society so appealing to me.  It is very similar to the gender blurring observed by Margaret Mead of the Samoans, back in the twentieth century."
   Jake intervened at that point.  "Ma Aud sì Ma Narate.  Mengaru oel zamunge awngeyä meylan fte Samoa!  Major Tai Tae Ao sì Sargent Taifa'ana'e.  Aud and Narate, to you two I bring my two friends from Samoa.  These are the two that I've told you about that broke away when Trudy did.  Major Tai is now the eyktan of the Hidden Rebel base that I mentioned.
  Aud observed that the Samoan genes must have combined easily with the Na'vi traits.  These two Samoan/Na'vi were exceptionally well muscled and broad shouldered, both Male and Female.  Their pigmentation was also expressed in darker tones of blue and purple than the Na'vi of the Omatikaya clan.  Absently, Aud wondered whether that was a trait of the Na'vi DNA or the Samoan DNA. "Smon nìprrte'.  Oel pxengati kameie!"   Aud included Ateyo in her address, but she looked at  Taifa'.  "Slä menga ke lu muntxatan, kefyak?  You two aren't a mated couple, isn't that right?"  Aud motioned to Taifa' with a nod of her head.
  "Eyawr!" Correct!  Ateyo grabbed Tai's tail in mock possessiveness.  "Peyä kxetse lu oer!"  Her tail is mine!"  Her remark had the desired effect of loosening up the crowd.  But Tai was looking forward to meeting this communications expert.  She had plans that Narate  could probably help with.
   "Oe lu Tai Tae Ao, Eyktan te Tsenge LeWan. Leader of Hidden Place.  Slä syaw Tai. But call me Tai. Oel Mengati kameie! I SEE you two.  Srak mengaru munsna?" Yes/no, you are a Couple?  Aud and Narate exchanged a glance and burst out laughing.
   "Kehe! Moe lu meylan lok, ni'aw!"  No we two are close friends, only.
   "Where have you been hiding?  How come we haven't met before?" Tai was curious.
   "I've seen you two before, when your group got their new Avatars.  You've probably seen  us in human tokx and simply didn't realize it.  We work mostly Behind The Scenes in the Link Rooms."
   "Do you know Kirby and Melvin, then?"  Tai was trying to establish a platform for discussing electronics.
   "Why, yes.  Kirby the Reserved One, and Melvin with the Girlie Magazines.  I've worked with them both.  How do you think Kirby built so many mobile  scanners for your last Reconn?  Did he take all the credit?"  Narate had her hands on her hips and one arched eyebrow.
   "Kehe!  He mentioned that he had help, but to tell you the truth, I was pretty focused. He might have even mentioned your name, but when I have a mission, pleasantries are set aside.  But now that I have made your acquaintance, I need your expertise. 
   Ateyo observed that Tai had escorted Narate away by a few feet, to plan warrior things, no doubt.  She turned to Aud.  "Nga läpivawk nì’it nì’ul ko"  Tell me a bit more about yourself.   
   Many conversations were occuring at once.  JakeSully was losing control of the planning session, and realized that he wanted to know what Tai and Narate were cooking up.  "Ma Tai!  I am pleased that you and Narate are hitting it off so well.  But please, let us know what you are up to!  You can't have all the fun!"  He invited the ayektan to seat themselves so that they could share their ideas. 

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

 362)~ Once they were seated, Tai began the introductions. "Ma Narate si Ma Aud have been at Blue Heart since the days of the insurrection led by Max."  Max was beaming.  He had seated himself near Narate and Aud, and Tai and Ateyo.  Aud observed the ease at which this unusual couple was accepted  among all the clans.  Ze had yet to realize that the Red Painted Na'vi was seated among the ayeyktan. But at any rate, Tai was speaking with given authority, so it was best that ze listen.  "I have been discussing with Narate the various capabilites of the radios and communication devises.  She has been working with Kìrvi to create hands-free walkie-talkies.
  "What means Häntxs Pfri, Ma Tai?"  Ateyo was unclear of the concept of FREE.  She had learned the concept of FREE as a verb, as in FREE the captives.  The Na'vi for NOT BUSY or FREE was TÌKIN.  Ateyo and many of the Na'vi also had been confused by this.  Aud was struck that most of the conversation occured in Na'vi, but the words that were untranslated actually took a lot of explanation.  Voice-activated; was another such word.  The ayeyktan were pleased that they would be able to communicate with each other over long distances without pausing to drop their aim.  
   Major Tai was explaining that the ISV in geo-synch would be able to quickly identify the location of any AMP suit by means of the heat signatures.  Narate was pleased to find that the ayeyktan could all recollect the holographic map, the wonderful land image of light.  She and Kirby had worked on restoring those components tirelessly.  In fact, she had spent much of her time on Pandora in that control room.  She had visited the Omatikaya, of course, but longed to be physically engaged with this mission.  She wondered if she would see any action. She hated being the Bridesmaid, but never the Bride.    
   JakeSully gave Tai the Nod, encouraging her to continue.  "Oeyä Meuianga aytaronyu sì aysamsiyu; I am honored to be here.  Narate and I have been talking about the tools we use to speak across long distances.  These same kinds of tools, allow us to see when there is no light.  Awngä Kapteyn Sh'ralta will be able to see the enemy from our distant Star Ship."  At this point, Ateyo prattled on to verify her experience with the  Look-Far on the Star Ship.
   "I know that most here remember the damage and death caused by the Lefngapa Aytutan, at the Battle for the Well of Souls.  The place where we will rescue people from the RDA vrrtep, has six.   Because they are not many, they will not use them to attack in the manner they did then.  They will hide them, and use them to defend.  But with our StarShip, they cannot hide from us.  With  ISV Talk-Fars, the StarShip can tell us.  And with our Talk-Fars, we can tell each other  where they are and sneak up on them."
  Tai reached down and placed her hand on Narate's shoulder.  "Ma oeyä tsmuke Narate lu tsamsiyu.  Nìteng, po ngolop fayPivlltxe aysäo.  My sister Narate is a warrior, She  also has created these Speaking Tools.  Tìefumi oey, tsweylu fwa po 'ì'awn fìtseng awngahu.  In my feelings, it would be best if she remained  here with us.  In this manner, she will know best how to create the tools that will best fit our needs."   Tai looked at Jake for approval.  Jake asked ayeyktan if they agreed and a chorus of MLLTE was heard.
   "One of the first things we need to do, is to make certain that the Talk-Fars that the RDA vrrtep use do not work.  Remember that last time we spoke we talked of crushing the Floating Rocks to make Pixie Dust?  This will make them unable to use their Look-Fars and their Talk-Fars.  Ateyo has volunteered to fly up to a Lefngapa Tutan, and drop this dust on it.  But she cannot do this alone.  We will need a total of twelve ayswayonyu txan tìtsewnga', very brave flyers, to volunteer to attack these; some with dust, and some with Ayu Pxusor , exploding things.  If we can Break the Lefngapa Aytutan, then we will take away the strongest weapon that they can use against us."
   "With the Metal Men broken, we can use our Ayhunsip to shoot smoke grenades inside the the Cave.  Everyone who was at the Omatikaya Kelutral remembers the Gas Rounds.  This is not the same.  It is only smoke so that they can not see.  Even if they wear their masks, they will not be able to see.  Ma oeyä Tetx TxeMariah, plltxe, SAN: These men are not warriors.  They will happily surrender." SÌK. It will be up to the Pa'li Riders to scoop them up and bring them to safety.
   "Ma  meuianga Eyktan Rolkxu of the Pa'li Clan has been practicing with the ayevi and the ayhumon to bring back the captives.  Do you have anything that we should all know?"  Tai invited Rolkxu to stand while she seated herself.
   "For your service to the people, I thank you, Ma Tai," said Rolkxu as he stood.  "I would like to see this Land-Image of Light once again, mì Tseng Eanä Txe'lan ."  He gestured Oel Ngati Kameie to Narate once again. "My riders have been practicing to ride down muddy slopes in the darkness.  It will help them to plan well if they know where the cliffs are!  With these AyPxllte aLìm, Talk-Fars, My riders will be able to ride down from different places all at the same time.   We can rescue these ayhumon all at once and leave immediately."
   Patricia Fenwick stood up and suggested that all the ayeyktan come to study the atxkxerel atan, the land-image of light  after the morning meal. OE MLLTE was the enthusiastic  response.  Eyktan Rolkxu slapped Tai on the shoulder, as a gesture of familiarity.  Tai grinned and motioned for Aud and Narate to join her.  Slapping Narate on the shoulder, she said, "I just love it when a plan comes together."

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

363)~ Meanwhile Aud was delighted to meet her counterpart in Blue Skin.  She was eager to learn more about Na'vi customs of a clan other than the Omatikaya.  Ateyo brought her over  to her little soaia, and introduced Aud to Taifa' and Ka'alani, as her AyCUZ.  Who in turn clarified that they were both Avatars of Pacific Island extraction, who all refered to each other as  Cuz, or Cousin.  Ateyo hurriedly went through the introductions. Both she and Taifai needed to to talk with the raiding party.
  "Ulte fìevenge lu oeyä 'Ite.  Kaltxì sivi, ma Pxepxi!"  And this girl is my daughter!  Say Hello Pxepxi!"  Pxepxi jumped to her feet and extended her hand, in the manner which she had seen, and exclaimed, "Oe lu Pxepxi Ateyo'ite, ulte fìeveng lu oeyä muntxatan, Kofi, Taifa'anae'itan! I am Pxepxi Ateyo'sDaughter, and this boy is my husband Kofi, son of Taifa'ane'e!"
   Aud was taken completely off guard.  Either her Na'vi was wrong, or this youngster just introduced her husband!  Apparently it was not surprising for children to become mated early.  She realized that some cultures have arranged marriages to control familial lines.  She was wondering how to approach the subject delicately.  Nor could she ask Ateyo, because abruptly,
  Taifa' and Ateyo excused themselves  and returned to the council.  Ka'alani saw the consternation on Aud's, face and invited Aud to sit with her."
   "Aloha sì Kaltxì!" laughed Ka'alani as she placed a wreath of sparkling flowers around Aud's neck.  "I was once a civilian employee of the RDA, working in the Control Room, monitioring perimeter fences on video.  But I'm not sure I caught your name?"
   "I'm Aud."
    Ka'alani's laughter sparkled like the flower lei. "Oel ngati kameie.  Kehe, kxawm hìyik, slä kea Odd!" No!  Perhaps strange/unusual/funny, but not Odd!"
   Oddly enough, Aud felt entirely comfortable with this Hawaiian/Na'vi Avatar.  She searched her memory banks for her face.
   "I was named Audrey by my parents, but that sounds to Femmie for me.  I don't fit into either catagory too easily, and there doesn't seem to be a third option!"
   "Really? New Zealand developed a third category back in the 21st. century.   It's almost an envious status, the best of both worlds.  I find it a refreshing outlook!"
   "I sometimes add a third category to applications, you know; Male, Female, Other"  Ka'alani's response was amusement, and that sparkling laughter.  Nor  did she shelter her children from the encounter.  In fact, she added to the topic.
   "Male, Female, BOTH!"
   "Or Male, Female, NEITHER!" responded Aud, with a pleasantly surprised grin.
   "Male, Female, UNDECIDED!"
   "Male, Female, It's COMPLICATED!"  Aud was laughing.  Ze hadn't felt this completely at ease with Strangers in such a long time.  Ze continued.  I prefer the pronoun ZE because it is genderless.  But from what I understand of Na'vi, the word PO can be used to denote either gender, though POE can be used to denote only female gender."
   Although Pxepxi did not understand the words she caught the gist of the conversation.  "Krra tuteo pxawm Ateyoru,  fo plltxe SAN: "Ateyo, lu Tsmuke? fu lu Tsmukan?" SÌK.  When people ask of Ateyo, You being Sister or Brother? Ma Sa'nu plltxe san: "TSMUK!" sìk. Ulte po hangham!  My Momma saying TSMUK and laughing.   Slä oe lu eve, sì Kofi lu eveng ulte moe layu muntxate siayi. But I am girl and Kofi is boy and we two will be mated." 
      "Aren't those too kind of young?" asked Autx of Ka'alani in a sidelong gesture.  Aud was curious about the mating practices of the Na'vi.  Pxepxi provided her own version of reality.
   "Oe luke feyntu set, slä krra oe pähem, oe layu alaksi! I not being ripe adult now, but when I arrive, I will be ready!"
    Ka'alani explained that some marriages were pre-arranged, especially for ayeyktan si aysahìk, yet most choose their own mates, mutually.   "Fortunately, these two have been inseparable since the time of the Battle for HomeTree."  Aud wondered if the two were orphans of that Great Battle.  They must have been barely walking!  And now they were planning to be mated!  She wanted to ask many questions, but Pxepxi was prattling on about her plans to go to another moon with Kofi and meet the other aytuteo who lived there.  Aud wanted to get back on topic.
   "Krra layu alaksi, Ma Pxepxi?" When will you be ready?
  "Aylahe aysmuke lu alaksì mì mevol ayzìsìt, slä oe ke new pey hay lisrezisìt!"  Other girls are ready in sixteen years, but I don't want to wait that long.
   Aud and Ka'alani exchanged amused grins.  Aud asked Kofi, "Pe fpil nga?"  What do you think?  The boy grinned and ducked his head.
    "Moe yawne fìtsap!  We love each other!  What ever she decides is fine with me!"   Aud would have like to explore this subject more, but their conversation was interrupted by the ayeyktan breaking from their meeting.
   "It is decided!" announced Tai.  "After the morning meal, we will study the Holographic Map and make our final Battle Plans."

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

364) The rest of the day was filled with more practice. And bandage making, and repairing of nets, and ikranä saddles.  The weather cooperated by providing more rain.  Lighting licked the darkening sky.  Aud and Narate joined in as assistants, jumping ne kllte, to the ground, from either pa'li or ikran to assist the humans to climb onto or into which ever transportation happened to appear.  It was discovered that the Avatars made excellent assistants because they could speak Ìnglìsì sì Na'vi.  Even Ka'alani was willing to try rescuing humans.  In the pouring rain, it was missed by Pxe'pxi, that Kofi was snatched onto the back of a pa'li by Laura Tanner.  The Avatar was only doing her part.  She noticed, however, that there was considerable air space between her own back and her passenger.  No amount of coaxing could bring him closer.
    Unfortunately, he was delivered to Ka'alani, who just so happened to be waiting at the exchange point.  He was nearly in a panic as he slithered into his mother's arms.  "Kea pllte Pxepxiru fwa ngal tse'a oel merakto hu tsatuteti!  Rutxe!"  Don't tell Pxepxi that you saw me riding with that woman! PLEASE."
  Laura wordlessly commanded her pa'li to  circle around so that she could speak to Ka'alani.  She spoke in English, "Did I do something wrong? This boy is acting like he is afraid of me!"
   "Kehe!  You are a very beautiful woman and this one has a very jealous little girlfriend!"  Kofi had no idea what was being said, but he knew they were talking about him.  In his defense, he told them, "Oel mamakto hufoeti, slä oel mamaktango!  I rode with her but I didn't like it!"
   By the end of the practice, lightning was ripping over head from cloud to cloud.  Jake shouted a command and everyone was alerted nìfwefwi, by whistling.
  "Frapo ne mìfa! Lerok yrrap apxa!"  Everybody inside! A big storm is approaching!
  Soon the sheltering Utral was crowded with bodies, and any pa'li that snuck in, as well.  It was not as large as other aykelutral, but extra skins had been rigged up as raintarps.   Many soggy women got up and danced a story of Eywa creating the stars by shaking out her wet hair.  The younger ones especially, got very creative about the manner in which the stars were created!  Everyone was laughing, even if they were complaining.
    Those who had not participated in the practice session had been busy preparing many variations on the theme of leftovers.  Txianna had created a Cajun style peppery rub, which Kxeyo had applied vigorously to fwampop and yerik alike.  Aysahik from each clan had created their own versions of ay-sis-ka-vov.  Pxepxi and Kofi and even Tanìs had found a rotted stump with seylu within it and various spxam growing on and around it.
  The meal occured earlier in the evening than was usual.  But the time was filled with story telling and music.  Pxepxi pulled out her ikrantsyìp 'uvan'u, toy ikran, and made it dance while Ka'alani played a Hawaiian  song about planting and harvesting taro.  Then she was invited to dance a hula, the only one that Taifa' could play on the ì'en, stringed instrument,  that Tompa 'Ivong had created for her from a shell of some sea creature. 
  Aud was fascinated that the Na'vi were fearlessly incorporating song and dance from other cultures into their own.  Part of her anthropolical mind disliked that the Na'vi culture was no longer "pure".  The other part of her mind was grateful for such a flexible and diverse cultural group. She was happy beyond her wildest imaginings.  Not only was she accepted as an Avatar among Na'vi, but gender roles and identity seemed to be a non-issue. 
There was a song about the turning of the moons around Alpha Centauri, their Tsawke. sun.  Everyone was disappointed to realize that it was far too crowded and cramped to do something called the Fire Knife Dance.   But the children succeeded in persuading their parents to let them ride on their shoulders as they sang and danced to Ikran Flyer.  Her friend Ateyo was hoarse from singing all her songs and poetry.
   A harsh thin voice sang out: "Tìng mikyun, Ma Frapo. Tìng Mikyun Ma eylan."    Nìwotx aysahik joined in. Each took a turn singing verses and all the people joined the chourus,  Soon she too was singing:
 Ram txepä a mìtampay.   Ram txepä a mìtampay.
   Aud realized that she was privy to the very deepest history of the Na'vi.  She even realized that she actually recognized the chorus of the Way from the times she had been at the Tree of Voices.  She now realized that the Na'vi were no different than before.  She realized that she had, in fact, created a wall around herself from which to view this other culture. A professional Distance, she told herself.  It took meeting Ateyo in order that she recognize that she, Aud, actually fit in.  She wondered how she could have missed this opportunity all the years she had been on Pandora.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

365)~ The rain continued to pour steadily.  Much of it was dispersed away from the sheltering canopy of the sprawling utral that established the basis of the Spuwina 'Awm, the Old Camp near Toktor Grace's old school house.  The raindrops that made it past the canopy were drumming on the skins that were stretched just overhead among the branches.  The ayektan and aysahik of all clans were gathered here, and other Na'vi were camped under similar trees throughout the rainforest nearby.  Aud and Narate were sharing txonä wutso, a night meal, with Tai and her family.
"Permission to speak freely, Major?" Commander Shepard was frowning at her teylu, before she looked up to address Tai Tae Ao.
   "Sure, Commander. You are at home here," invited Tai with a grin. "And call me Tai."
   "Well, Tai.  I know that you appreciate my communications and electronics skills, but I don't want to spend this mission inside a control room!  Frankly, I want to part of this maneuver. On the field."
   "OK.  Do you think Kirby and Melvin can handle the communications alone?"
   "I am confident in their abilities.  Nor will they be alone.  The Communications Officer from the ISV is planning to leave his junior officer on the surface, with us, and Patricia Fenwick will be in the Control Tower, as well." Narate Shepard had given this some thought, and continued.  "I was telling Aud about this recurrent dream that I have.  Even at the Well of Souls I hear the phrase, "Sword of Eywa".  I'm not sure exactly what that might mean, but I feel that I am meant for more than  sitting it out in a Comm Room."
  "Ma Narate," said Ateyo after she had swallowed her food.  "What is Sword?"
   "It's a flat bladed weapon, but that's just it.  Aud says that the Na'vi don't use anything like swords as weapons."
  Aud added to the conversation; "Nor is there any sense that Eywa needs a defender, so to speak, because Ze is a deity.  I simply want to caution you against misinterpreting the Na'viyä cultural and spiritual beliefs, and superimposing your beliefs and needs upon theirs."
   "But what means Sword?" insisted Ateyo.
   "Ngima tstal . Long knife. Nì Nifo'Oti," explained Taifa'. Sort of like our Samoan Nifo'oti. "But Sword of Eywa sounds like a medieval sort of designation, doesn't it?  What does this mean to you? Vengence? Retribution?"  Narate met his gaze, and unblinkingly replied.
   "No.  Not directly.  I think of it more as Protector or Defender.  Maybe not of Eywa herself, but Defender of her collective expression: the Na'vi, the forest, all creatures, the wholeness of Pandora.  I am willing to fight to protect this place for the Na'vi and for us, like I never could do for Earth.  And I am trained as a military officer.  I want to be part of this Rescue Maneuver because I want to oppose tyranny and greed, and whatever else motivates those RDA Vrrtep that have those conscripts under their thumbs.  Ted DeMaria has told ALL about them.  I want to be certain that no vestige of that kind of arrogance remains here to taint this place.  I might not be swinging a sword, but I want the satisfaction of being part of the force that defends our Home from these Vrrtep."
   Narate Shepard had risen to her feet with her fists clenched.  Tai recognized the Avenging attitude and did not take a personal threat.  With a motion of her hand, she signaled Taifa, and her Flight Squadron, at ease, for she had noticed their defenses rising.
   "Tam,tam, Ma Narate!  Jake has already told me that he has every confidence in your abilities as a warrior. As does Max.  They have spoken with you more often than I have, because their olo' is closer, and because they all recognize a kindred spirit. Ayoengal ngati Kame! We ALL SEE you! Tam Tam!"  With a slight twitch of her head, she invited Narate to be seated once again, and continued; "I understand that you served as a Naval Officer in a heavy insertion team, eyawr?"
   "Eyawr! Correct!" she responded, wondering if Tai has already researched her records.
   "We just so happen to have several excellent long range sniper rifles.  How is your Marksmanship and would you have any qualms about dropping a human with a head shot?"
   "If he was truly BAD, I would not hesitate, nor have I in the past.  I have made a kill shot with only partial visibility because my target was holding a hostage as cover."
   "Well thank you for volunteering.  The only other persons that I know of, who are capable of that type of marksmanship are myself and my cousin Taifa, and we will BOTH be otherwise occupied.  Come with us to the holographic map tomorrow morning and I will show you exactly where I want you to be."
   "Aye Aye, Major!" said Narate with a grin of fierce determination.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

366)~ The link chamber made a whooshing sound as Tai came out at Hidden Base.  As the magnetrons whirred down, she could sense the other chambers opening as well.  Soon the Avatars were trooping toward the Ready Room.  They sighed as they each selected their freeze-dried meals and prepped them in the microwaves.  Some opted for protein shakes but all were sitting at the ready, tense but not anxious.  Tai seated herself in front of her Lima Beans and Ham, and chatted with her squadron before addressing them. 
   "Hey Cuz," said Taifa' , "How well do you know this Narate person? You didn't hesitate to appoint her as sniper."
   "Don't worry, Cuz.  You don't get to be in the kind of units she was in, unless you have 'Sniper' in your skill set.  She will do fine," assured Tai.
   "Major, how much of this have you pre-planned and how much will be ad-lib? worried Captain Janet Henderson.
   "You have been participating in the planning sessions, and the practice maneuvers.  And as you know, the plans will remain fluid until we reach the battlefield and the first bullet flies.  The most important thing we can do is get rid of the AMP suits as quickly as possible.  Those things have the rocket power that could inflict the most damage.  I doubt that we will be able to waltz up and bring out prisoners unscathed, but Tedd deMaria says that the conscripts will gladly surrender at the first opportunity." said Tai, thoughtfully rubbing her chin.
     "Major, can you have the choppers rigged with  loud speakers with a surrender notice?" wondered Lieutenant Bruce Wade.  Tai looked at the three chief mechanics who confirmed it with a nod. 
   "It depends on what equipment is available at the Gate, but we can jury-rig something tomorrow." assured Brandenburg.
   "What kind of resistance, if any, do you anticipate us meeting?" asked Captain Daniels.
   "I would suspect that the valleys that lead toward the RDA Base will be booby trapped.  Pungee sticks, pit traps, and the like.   If we can disable the Communication Tower perhaps we can avoid tripping any remotely controlled detonation devices.  We will have stormy weather on our side."
   "And ikrans instead of choppers!" said Taifa.
   "Most of us.  I know I would rather be on an ikran. I'd like to use the choppers for Evac, rather than gunships.  So after the Amp suits have been disabled, we can lob smoke grenades into the mouth of the cave. If there is a perimeter defense or a rapid fire weapon covering the opening, we will have to take those out too.  Ikrans and weather will provide the element of surprise, because we can attack them from above."
   "I have a major concern!" said Melvin.  "If you guys take fire and your Avatar takes a hit, I will be here alone to deal with your human selves.  According to Jake's logs from eight years ago, Norm was wounded or killed on the battlefield.  What if your Avatar gets killed?  Will I be dealing with your corpses?"
   "That is a possibility.  Even though remote. It's war you know."  stated Tai flatly.  As Melvin gulped and calmed himself, Tai continued. "Anytime you have an Avatar operating in the field, you run that risk.  We could be trampled by a Sturmbeest, or fall off a cliff."
   "What if that crazy colonel tries to blow up the place, like deMaria warned us?" asked Janet.
   "I have no intention of having ANY of our people going in there.  Our biggest threat will be if he can lay supressive fire."
   "That would be more of a threat to his conscripts than to us.  He could fire on them as they left." said Daniels.
   "That would be likely.  And he would fire on us as we tried to recover them.  But he might be shooting blindly.  It will be dark and stormy," interjected Lt. Bruce Wade. 
   "I'm just glad I've got Avatar eyes to see in the dark!" exclaimed Taifa'.  "But SHEESH, that lightning makes you blind for a whole minute until your pupils recover!"
   "Nah! You're exaggerating!  But I'm going to stuff cotton balls in my big blue ears!" joked Henderson.
  "Hey! Our head pieces will probably have noise cancellers." blurted out Rivoirre. Because if I were at  Blue Heart, I'd be be rigging headsets from old helmet comms."
   "Thanks for volunteering! I'll make sure you are at the disposal of the Electronics/Comm team tomorrow morning.  And speaking of morning, let's hit the sack if are there are no further questions.  We will be up a zero dark thirty to do some last minute strategic planning at the big hologram.  Any questions?"
   Apparently there were none, because everyone rose from their seats and tossed their trash into the compacter unit.  Tai stood with her hands on her hips, shaking her head. "Um yeah. Dismissed."

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

367)~ Ateyo awakened when she heard the sizzling of the ylltxep.  The communal fire was being inundated by water.  As a matter of fact, the entire Spuwina 'Awm was alive with the intrusion of rivulets of water.  Sparkling and shimmering, they crept into the firepit and began to douse the flames.  Hot rocks screamed as they split open. 
   The entire encampment was awakened by water running over or under them where they slept. Ateyo was not going to sit by idly while the fire was doused.   She left Tai in her sleep-leaf and jumped into the fire pit,  waist deep in steaming, ashy water.  She ducked down to her ears-depth and pulled forth the still smouldering largest log.  She hadn't thought what to do with it next, but found it being pulled from her hands, and laid at the edge of the firepit.     
   Mo'at, Liri'el and Alexsi human form,  had come running up and pulled the log to safety.  Together, they held skins and blankets over the smouldering ember, fanning it and feeding it the tinder that nearly everyone kept tied to their waist.  A cheer went up when the first tiny flame curled forth from their efforts.
   "Ma Ateyo! Your quick thinking and actions have honored our ylltxep! For this, we are grateful!"  Several hands reached into the pit to help Ateyo climb out.
   "Not so fast!" she joked.  This is the warmest I've been all night!"  But she was hauled out despite her protests.  By the time that Ateyo had be wiped clean, Alexsi and Liri'el had rekindled the smouldering log, which was now burning at the Omatikaya firepit.  "Aungia!" remarked Neytiri.  "A sign.  Our fire burns brightly even though it had almost been quenched!"
   The aysahik looked at each other meaningfully, and though everyone was wet, and muddy and tired, the burning fire filled them with hope.  Meykir and her daughter, Meykir'ite pulled Ateyo tightly into a hug and gave her kisses on her head. And then had to spit  ashes from  their lips!  Laughing they proclaimed, "Ateyo alu zongyu ylltxepä!" Ateyo defender of the communal fire.
   Their silly moment was interrupted by a call of a conch horn, or a voice, or many, echoing through the soggy forest.  And someone had climbed above and was answering the calls with a booming punctuation of the, oloyä au, clan's drum.  Aud observed that the aysahik were all near the ylltxep but all were facing east, towards, where  the morning sun would normally have risen.  Aud was somewhat surprised to see that Ateyo had remained among the aysahik.  Those whom she was acquainted with were no where as silly as Ateyo.  Perhaps they were merely grateful for her help.  Aud understood the deep symbolism of the fire.  Ze quieted hir brain to listen to the fervent words being said.  It became clear that this was a time of intense focus.  There was a concern for safety.  She raised her arms in prayerful attitude, but peeked out of the corner of her eye.  It fascinated her to see familiar faces transformed with hope and serenity.  Mo'at's voice seemed to penetrate a mist.  Aud was pleased with hirself to sense that at some level ze too, had slipped into a trance-state, though also being observer.
   "After we have all refreshed ourselves and eaten we will walk to the nearby Tree of Voices while the ayeyktan go to the Blue Heart Gate, as we have done before."  assured Mo'at.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

368)~  Steam rose from the tarmac as the sun began to dissolve the puddles.  Bare, blue feet splashed through them quickly, as Tai and Taifa' doubled timed it.  The ayeyktan had all opted to ride inside a lefngapa ikran to span the distance from the the perimeter to the control room of Blue Heart Gate. Tai and Taifa' caught up with Eyktan Ikeru and Jake, walking at the front of the pack.
   "Glad you could make it Major." said Jake.  "You too Sargent."
   Tai responded with, "It takes a bit more time to shut down a flex-wing than to hop off an ikran,  But we made it anyway!"
  Eyktan Ikxeru leaned forward to talk past Jake, "Oeri 'efu lenomum ne nume ni'ul ngeyä tìhawliteri."  I feel curious to learn more about your plan, Ma Tai."
   "Not much has changed.  Oe tìkangkem sami tìhawl ahìno.  I worked on the details of the plan.  We will know more when we get to the atkxerel atan.  Light map."
   They had all reached the doorway by then.  Patricia Fenwick and Colonel Schroeder were there to greet them, along with her assistant, Deborah Webb, all three in Blue Skin. 
  "Kaltxì ma oeyä eylan! Hello my friends!  Awnga fpolìl kxawm lu fkivan awew, We thought you might feel cold, tafral awnga sleyku hawnven sì ayare, peng, ayngaru.  Therefore, we have provided foot protection and ponchos, for all of you. "  Her Na'vi was awkward, but she demonstrated by displaying her shower clogs and Avatar-sized bath towel.  Deborah Webb had trundled out a trolley filled with bath sheets and shower clogs, and proceeded to distribute these items.
   "Rubba' Slippa',"  Taifa' joyfuly exclaimed. Rubber slipppers, a phrase he had picked up from Ka'alani's Hawaiian pigeon-English. 
   When all the ayeyktan were suitably attired, Patricia apologized for the coldness.  "Awnga zene sleyku awew fpì lefngapa ayeltu ne tìkangkem anìltsan.  Txoä livu." We must keep it this cold for the metal brains to work well.  Forgiveness."
   "Kea tìkin!" It's no matter.
  "Awngaru tslam." We understand.
   "For your think-good for-the sake-of-we. We give thanks to you."  Eyktan Ikxeru was extremely proud of the sentence he had put together.  But he followed it with the phrase that touched her heart; "Oel ngati Kameie."
   The ayektan crowded around the map.  Kirby and Narate exchanged pleasantries, having had worked together in the past.  The hologram was already fired up and poised with a view  over  the RDA Outpost.  Tai looked around with concern because she had not seen the "Hinge Pin" for the operation.  She had hoped that the aysahik hadn't insisted she stay with them.  But out in the corrider was sound of running feet slapping the cold tiles.  Breathlessly, Ateyo came abruptly through the door, which Deborah held open.
  "Oeru txoa livu!" To me is forgiveness! I telling aysayhik SAN oe zene , I must being here now! set!  Atanvi is wait outside!"
  Tai reached out her arm and drew her small warrior into the fold of her outstretched towel.
   "Tam, Tam, ma oeyä tsamsiyu alor!"
   "I would like to know who are the warriors who will be attacking the lefngapa aytiranyu, metal walkers, with my Ateyo."  They each stepped forward and gathered near Ateyo.  But this was accompanied by murmuring among the others.  From the words she could overhear, Tai guessed at the subject matter.
   "Pfor'atsu te Olo'Vawma Ora, has volunteered to take four of his warriors  and bring down the communications antennae. lefngapa utral aplltxe, the metal tree which talks.  I will show those four men how to do this quickly.  Fìfya'o, kawnga eyktan kea plltxe hu lefngapa aytutan, in this way the evil leader cannot talk to the metal men.  "But we will know where the metal men are exactly. Narate? Kirby?"
    Kirby was pleased to allow someone with seniority to do the talking.  Narate was confident of her electronic communication skills, but not her Na'vi communications.  None the less, she pressed on.  "This image feed is forty minutes old.  As you can see, there are four AMP suits, tsìng lefngapa aytutan, in these emplacements;"  Narate pointed out the four positions, aykllsteng,  indicated by a floating red circle.  There was a short coversation among Jake, Norm and the ayeyktan regarding the nature of the red circle.  They wondered if they would encounter a red circular atanvi, light beam.  When the translation got back to Narate, she conferred briefly with Major Tai.  Suddenly, the circle changed from red to black. The ayeyktan gasped in surprise. 
   "Ma Ateyo and her attackers are gold colored cheverons, here, here, here and here."   Tai was able to move each golden wing across the "contours"of the map. 
 "I will place my four lefngapa ayikran here in these four canyons, to make an attack on their front door."  Narate provided four red chevrons, which Tai moved into place. 
   "Tewti, Cuz!  Red like air artillery!" blurted Taifa'.
Suddenly Jake remembered the military symbolism.  "The Yellow is cavalry, then.  Ma Eyktan Rolkxu, where will you place your fa'liyä aymaktoyu?"
   The rest of the day was spent moving markers upon the holgraphic map.  Yellow circles for Cavalry units, yellow chevons for flying units, blue circles for foot soldiers and Na'vi commando units.  The ayeyktan were amazed at the clarity and detail of the terrain.   By the end of the day, the Avatars became familiar with words such as kllsteng- position, and  tìtsunslu- possibility, as they mapped out strategies, and anticipated reaction and outcomes.
    "Ma Major Tai?" said Narate.  "Where will you place me?"   
  Tai and Narate explored the terrain on a slope 150 yards from the mouth of the cave complex,  and found a number of large boulders that were strewn before it.  Tai used a red hourglass symbol to denote the sniper position. 
   "I used to be in the 7th Infantry Division.  If I wasn't impressed by some of the units you served with , I wouldn't consider using this symbol.  Can you make a shot from this distance?"
   "No problem, Major!  Gloria and I used to practice in a gully near the southern perimeter fence at 500 yard shots all the time."
   "Gloria?"
   "Long story.  Some other time."  Narate gave Tai a knowing glance, before returning to the task at hand. The red hour glass became a blue hourglass, an an assertion of her identity.  "Na'vi Blue," she exclaimed, smiling at her play on the phrase, Navy Blue.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

369)~  Eyktan Rolkxu rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he peered at the hlogram map.  "Ma Jake.  Fìsop layu pxay trr ne ka atxkxe. Ulte, Ma Tai. This journey will be many days over this land.  Sweylu fwa oeyä maktoyu yer'in sngä'i. It best that my riders begin soon.  Fitsengìri fkan 'ur sìltsan alu 'awm si.  As for this place, looks good for which make camp."  He  pushed his rook graphic into a small plain that was hidden from the line of sight of the RDA outpost.  Everyone concurred.  Tai noticed that his English had improved remarkably.  Jake then mentioned:
   "Eight years ago , we were able to acquire some communication devices.  Do you think we could have something to keep in touch with each other while positioning ourselves?"  He asked of Kirby and Narate. 
   Narate got the Nod from Kirby and switched into a quasi salesman speech. "We just so happen to have our new and improved, hands-free, voice activated, noise cancelling personal communications device!  Kirby and I whipped together three sets for demonstration purposes.  We have it tuned to a frequency that is difficult to infiltrate, and is easy to use, even on the noisiest of battlefields. Or thunderstorms."
   "Outstanding!" said Jake as he accepted the device into his hands.  One was given to Tai and one was given to Eyktan Rolkxu.  Most of the ayeyktan had used a similar device during the Battle for the Well of Souls.   "You don't have to raise your voice to be heard.  You could speak under your voice and you would be heard by the others miles away."
  "Outstanding!" exclaimed Jake in a whisper. Rolkxu's head popped up though he had positioned himself across the room. 
   "AND, we can relay messages from the ISV through one of us, here,  at the this Comm Center. And being that the ISV is in GeoSynch, they can continually feed information to us with only  two second delay in transmission."
   So ha'! Great! " said Major Tai.  "I'll have my Communications Specialist here tomorrow to help you monitor the situation.  And maybe Tedd DeMaria could be stationed in the Comm Room here and work with Kirby.  I've got OTHER plans for you, Narate!"
   The only human in the room walked toward Tai and said, "Ma Tai, I am deeply honored that you would trust me to this extent.  I won't let you down!"
  "Nìlun! Ma Tedd.   You have the Mo'at Stamp of Approval.  Eywa says she trusts you.  That's good enough for me."
   "Ted lu tutan a siltsan.  Ted being Good Man!  But what means ISV, ma Narate?"  Ateyo remembered hearing that word before but couldn't remember what it meant.
   "Starship! um, it means 'U' alu sop kip aysanhì.  Thing which travels among the stars."  She knew she was mangling the grammar, but believed she was understandable.
   "Zerok srak, ma oeyä muntxate?  Nìm alim? Kapteyn S'ralta?"  Tai urged her mate to remember the Look -Far and Captain Sh'ralta.
   "Srane! They watching us, set? " Ateyo was pleased to be the first Na'vi to see Eywa'eveng from the sky.
   "Kxawm, Slä ayfo nari sangi kxanga sawtutan mì fìtseng.   Perhaps, but they are watching the Bad SkyPeople in this place." Which she indicated as the RDA Outpost on the hologram.
    Eyktan Rolkxu was wearing his comm set, and though he distinctly disliked  the Ear Worm, he was amazed at how clear Jake's voice had become.  He spoke softly.  "To me is three of these Talk/Listen things, I could talk to meykyu, two also-leaders. Soon we go."
    Tai and Jake grinned at him across the room but Tai addressed Narate.  "I'd like all the ayeyktan to have one of these.  And I would like to give these three to Eyktan Rolkxu who will be Leaving out soon." 
    "We can have a little workshop going all night. Maybe Ted can help us. And your Comm guy, too.  He can help assemble these.  And we can test them and be Battle Ready."
    Jake confirmed from all the ayeyktan that they would return tomorrow at midday.  He asked if there were any questions, and then he asked if anyone was hungry.  Soon Tai's Samson, and Schroeder's Samson were filled with hungry Avatars and ayeyktan, proceeding in low flight past the perimeter fence, with Atanvi in close pursuit.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

370)~ "Nìn, Ma Sa'nu! Kofil si oel tspamang yerikit fpì soaia oeyä!" Look, Momma! Kofi and I killed a kerik for the sake of our family!" 
   "Kosman!  Srak lamu zamunge mengasäp?" Wonderful! Yes/No,  you two brought it yourselves?"
   "Kehe!"  laughed Pxepxi!  "Oeyä Twiti sì Zina srung sami. Ulte oeyä Alekxsi, sì  Weyt, sì oeyä Aud!"  The child happily identified the members of the hunting party.  It pleased Aud that ze be included, especially to be known as MY Aud, by the child.  Ze had been trying to coax the child into calling her Ot, because the soft T sounded like a D.  Odd insted of Ah-ood.  But the child persisted.
   "They both thanked the beast for its sacrifice."  Zina was more talkative than usual.  "Then we field dressed it and quartered it. And carried it to the ayikran with their woven capturing tools.  I'm going to have to thank Opxan for showing us how to use the woven-capturing-tools in this manner."  Aud surmissed that Zina was referring to the nets and noticed that among the Na'vi, knowledge of different skills sets was being traded.
   "Oeyä Zinal kar oeti taron fte utral!  My Zina taught me to hunt from  trees!"  boasted Pxepxi.  From the explanation Zina gave, she and another group had driven the herd of yerik through the forest into a cross-fire zone.  Clearly, from the looks of admiration, Zina had become Pxepxi's new hero and role model. But she also wanted to impress the new visitor.
   "Nìn, Ma Aud!  Ma Tovil ngamop fìplatxìrit hu fayoang!"  It took while for Aud to recognize the word; fì -this, platxìr -platter, with the suffix -it -because it was the thing being created by Tovi;  a cross-cultural word, no doubt.  The boy Kofi was holding the platter while Tai and Taifa' sliced thin pieces of roasted yerik onto it.  The smell was tantalizing.  But Aud was fascinated by the pottery.  Ze had learned that some of the Na'vi were potters.  Even Mo'at had a few handbuilt cups. 
  "Who is this Tovi?  I would like to meet this person."
    Ateyo had to stop Pxepxi from dashing off to snatch Tovi, "Let's wait to get Tovi until AFTER we have eaten!" she suggested quietly.
   "Ma Ot, I will introduce you to the members of Olo'Vawma 'Ora, Dark Lake Clan.  They make things from clay. And they capture fish in woven things."
   "And you can fly under an ikran inside NET!"  Pxepxi had been talking about it all day long and liked the word which Aud had taught her.  Aud was very curious about the pottery, though, and hoped that ze could see some earlier examples of Na'vi pottery before the introduction of sawtute techniques.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

 371)~   But another conversation was occuring in the circle and  ze turned hir attention to the voices.  The Avatar named Twiti and her muntxate, Zina were discussing the roles they might each play in the upcoming battle/rescue plan.  She vaguely recognized Kristy Castillo, Tweety.  She remembered seeing that silly cartoon tattoed on the woman's arm.  She was speaking earnestly and somewhat impatiently.
   "Oeyä Zina, nga lu txura tsamsiyu. Oel tsunke nivong gna nemfa wem, slä oel new kivempe oeyä hapxì!"  My Zina, you are a strong warrior, but I could not follow you into battle, but I want to do my part."  Aud had noticed the tension in this couple all day.  Zina was overly protective, yet Twiti needed to be more independent.  Ze hadn't noticed these conflicts too often among the Na'vi. It was strange to observe it.  Ze wondered how long a relationship like that could last.
   "Ma Zina." The Eyktan Ikxeru intervened on Twiti's behalf.  "Ngay furia taluna sweylu fwa mllte poe mivakto Ateyohu." For this reason it is best that you agree, that she may ride with Ateyo."
   "Slä, fula txan lehrrap! Ulte poe lu lu mìpa maktoyu." But it is very dangerous! And she is a new flyer."
   "Ma Zina"  said Tai to the younger warrior woman.  "It brings fear to my heart that Ateyo might be hurt.  But it is her right as Na'vi to do her part.  It is Twiti's right, AS A NA'VI, to do her part as well.  Sometimes, the greater courage comes in allowing our Beloved Ones to take risks.  We share this fear in common.  But it is necessary to allow her the right."
   The younger warrior woman was surpressing her helpless rage.  She did not want to admit that she was afraid of losing One as loving and courageous as Twiti.  But she also recognized that she was possibly, just possibly, a bit too smothering.
   Ateyo leaned across her tsmuke, Kristi, and touched Zina upon her knee.
   "Srak, zerok fwa plltxe ayhententeri?  Remember what I told you about fan lizards, ma Zina?"  The woman lost her look of defiance and misery, and almost brightened up.
  " Srane, Ma 'Teyo.  Nga plltxe, SAN 'Txo ngal fyep kentenit nìhawng nìsyep,  ngal sru' teykerkup."  SÌK."  QUOTE: If you hold a fan lizard too tightly, you will crush it and it will die." UNQUOTE.
   "Eyawr.  Correct. Ulte Pelahe ?" And what else?"
   "SAN, 'Slä txo ngal fyep kentenit nìsyo ulte 'eykefu kxuke, ngane tayätxaw.' SÌK.
 QUOTE: But if you hold a fan lizard lightly and make it feel safe, it will always return to you: UNQUOTE.
   Ateyo finishd the lesson, which apparently, they had been rehearsing together:
   "Zet ngeyä yawnetuyä txe'lanit fìfya nìteng, ulte poe tayätaw frakrr." Treat your Beloved's Heart in likewise manner, and she will always return.
  To which Pxepxi replied triumphantly,
   "Ulte srung sivi txo ngal nìhewne 'ampi peyä ngängtsyìpit nìteng!" And it helps if you rub her belly, too!"
   This caused laughter among all and Zina gave Twiti a gentle hug.  Ateyo gave Pxepxi, the Evil Eye, wondering how much of their private converations the child had overheard.  Ateyo displayed her wooden spoon and Pxepxi fell silent, properly admonished. 
   "Don't scold the child," Twiti gently chided Ateyo.  "She speaks words of wisdom, nìAteyo!"   
   "I'm just scared of losing you, oeyä Yawnetu." murmured Zina. "Slä oe tslolam. But I understand.  I won't try to prevent you from fighting for our people. And for the humon people, as well."  They shared a brief kiss, and at that moment, Twiti had more hope in her heart for the relationship she ever had with this tough warrior woman.
   On the other side of the encampment, Eyktan Rolku was reminding his riders to get a good night's sleep.  Aud noticed, with relief, that he did not sleep with a bone through his nose.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

372)~It was amazing how many people could sleep sitting up crowded around the fires.  Well, some were sleeping.  Some were awake, and constantly shuffling hot rocks from the fire to the edges, first for the ayhoakte, old ones,  and to the ayevi, the kids, and then for the ayuniltìrantokx.  Forked branches of "green" wood were used for this tricky maneuver. And these had to be replaced frequently because of the burn rate. Firewood had to be dried first before it could be added to the fire.  No one wanted to smother the flames and cause smoke by adding fresh, damp wood.    The rain varied in intensity, but never quiet stopped.  Aysahik and few other women were tending one fire and chatting. 
   "Ma Ateyo."  said Liri'el cautiously.  "Are you aware that Pxepxi introduces Kofi to everyone as her muntxatan?"
  "Ììììì, sran.  I heard her say that to Aud.  It doesn't surprise me.  They have been close to each other since infancy.  And especially after the Omatikayaä Kelutral skama'a." was destroyed.
   "Tse. Poe 'amefu fmokx krra poel tse'a Kofit nari seiyi Lora Txanìrrit!" Well, she felt jealous when she saw Kofi looking pleasurably at Laura Tanner," noted Liri'el.
   "Keftko, pxey tute 'olefu fmokx poeru eltu seiyi fte feyä aymuntxatan!"  Unfortunately, many women are jealous of  the attention she gets from their husbands," observed Ateyo.
   "Frakrr tutanìl nayìn nìno fkxilet alor to lora 'ali'ät."  observed Liri'el drolly.  "Always a man will look more thoroughly at a beautiful bib necklace than a beautiful choker."  The Na'vi women who were listening chuckled mirthlessly.
   "Fe! Kea oeru!" Ugly! Not to me!" exclaimed Zina.  "She has to strap them down to keep from knocking herself out! They are impractical that big!"
  Liri'el continued, "When I told Pxepxi that even Norm looks at her, she was shocked. So I told her what I told Norm.  "Ngal tsun nìn txä nga new, SLÄ, rä'ä ampi!"  You can look all you want to, BUT don't touch!  This got a chuckle from all.
   "Tse oeru nìprrte fwa nìwotx ayuniltìrantokxru aymasatit," observed Koakte Hllvrra. I am pleased that the DreamWalkers all wear (armored) chest protectors.  They stick out even when they are not breast feeding or experiencing mowan!"
   "Well we shouldn't be angry at the Avatars for being deformed.  It wasn't their choice." cautioned Neytiri.
   "Oeyä tsmuke Twiti plltxe fwa mì Rrta, My sister Tweety says that on Earth, women with large breasts are treated favorably, but many men assumed they were inviting mowan to themselves, and would take without also being chosen."  She stopped to allow her listeners to gasp in disbelief.  "Apparently, many of the men on Earth were willing to ignore these attacks. And allowed such practices to occur."
   "It's no wonder that so many people wanted to leave Earth and come to Eywa'eveng!  It sounds like a horrible place!" exclaimed Tsahik Meykir.
  "I hope the male Avatars don't bring such practices here!" added Zina,
   "Kehe!"  Ayoengä ayuniltìranyu ke tivung tsa'u lu." Our DreamWalkers wouldn't allow that to occur. Liri'el interjected.  "My Norm was disgusted about the way some men behaved toward women."
   "Ma Weyt, nìteng!" agreed Alekxsi.  "He says everyone he knows wanted to come to Eywa'eveng because this is how Earth should have been. They dearly want to keep it unspoiled."
    "Well, if Rrtayä men only took mates because of the size of their breasts, none of them would want to come here!"
   "But you must admit, even Kofi is distracted by Lora Txanìr," insisted Liri'el worriedly.
   "You are worrying about nothing," soothed Ateyo. "I've talked to them both.  Kofi loves and admires Pxepxi and was VERY apologetic for hurting her.  That they will be a mated couple is no surprise.  Slä mefo lu evi ni'aw.  Mi poe kea solalew fyen! But those two are only children.  She is not yet reached maturity."
   "Au, Slä ha' mevil sleyku evi aylaheti!"  Ah, but from such children come other children!" Tsahik Meykir was laughing at Ateyo's discomfort.
   "But when the time comes, they will be ready.  It seems that Eywa smiles upon them. And when she comes to be with child, she will be surrounded by loving sisters",  added Meykir's daughter.
   Ateyo frowned at the fire.  "I will rely upon your mastery of such things, my sisters.  Because what would I know?  I was raised by aysyaksyuk!"  They all fell to hugging her.  It was only half true.  Meykir raised her as her own, but she was clearly out of her element.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

373)~ Tai awakened to, "TÌNg SÄPOM!*TÌNg SÄPOM*TÌNg SÄPOM*" and her sweet Ateyo hovering over her lips.  As usual Ateyo had slipped into the sleep leaf beside her.  It was straining at its moorings with the weight of the extra body, child-sized though it be.  The huge green leaf that covered them was like an extra awning against the stray raindrops. And it provided a modicum of privacy.  "It might be more grammatically correct, ma oeyä Yawnetu, but I like the sound of the Cuckoo Clock!" 
   "What is kxukxu kxlok, Ma Tai?" Tai didn't answer immediately, how could she answer about devices that Measured Time, to a Na'vi?  Ateyo studied the whistful expression that came across Tai's face.  There was a pleasant memory behind her eyes, but she answered,
" 'Ipuya yayo mì Rrta a lu tamìng pam: kookoo" Silly bird on Earth which made a sound, Kookoo!" and she did her best imitation.  This both puzzled and pleased Ateyo.
   "It will be nice when we can cuddle as long as we want, but today will we be very busy."  whispered Tai to her muntxate alor.  They curled out of the sleep leaf and dropped ne kllte, to the ground, which was damp.  Luckily it wasn't muddy.  That would be a rotten way to start the day.
   The hot washing cloth felt good against her skin.  "IRAYO! sì Rewon lefpom, ma Pxepxi, sì ma Kofi, sì ma Tanìs!"  The kids are playing house again, she thought.  Hona!
   "Kea tìkin!" replied Pxepxi with a wide grin. Likewise she handed a washcloth to Ateyo, while Kofi and Tanìs attended their parents.  People were gathering by their respective fires. drinking the hot cinnamon-like tea and getting something to eat.  Pxepxi, Kofi and Tanìs were busy assembling food wraps.  Twiti playfully shoved her way between them and requested 'yerik burritos' for herself and for Zina.  Pxepxi was happily arranging a collection on her famous platter, and invited the two to join their soaia.
    Captain Henderson managed to eat her yerik burrito even though little Tanìs was being impatient.  "Sa'nu, do you have to go away?"  She had overheard the conversation that the ayfeyntu were having.  "Srane, ma 'ite.  Sì ngeyä Tovrey'itan.   Slä kea nulkrr."  But not for a long time.  The couple exchanged glances. The thought had occured to them simultaneously how traumatic it could be for  the Little One to see her newly adoptive parents go off to battle.
   "Aymakoyu te olo'fali  miyakto yer'ìn ne Tseng Eana Txe'len, ma 'Ite..." explained Tovrey'itan.  The riders of the fa'li clan will be leaving soon to Blue Heart Place.  Ayngeyä evi layu sngum," their children will be worried.  "Kxawm, nga kaya ne peyä 'awm ulte 'uvan sì?" Perhaps you can go to their camp and play with them?  This satisfied the three evi because it gave them something important to do.
   "When will the rest of us be leaving out, ma Tai?  I'm getting antsy with all the waiting," complained Janet. 
   "Yeah, me too." echoed the of the Pilots of Hidden Base. "What's the game plan?"
   "After we eat, the ayeyktan will meet the fa'li riders at the Blue Heart Gate.  Ma Narate has rigged up radio collars for all the ayeyktan and battle captains.  Rolku will tell us when they have arrived at the place they have chosen.  They should be there my nightfall.  Once they establish camp, we will fly out there and bivouac for as long as necessary.  Aysamsiyu will probably fly out tomorrow."
   "What is bivouac, Ma Tai?"  Pxepxi asked.  It was important for her to understand, if she were going to be comforting other children.
    " Wemponguyä 'Awm." War party camp.
   "Layu wem sawtutewä?" Will you fight against Sky People, asked Little Tanìs.
   "If we sneak up on them, we will not need to fight, but we need to rescue the good ayhumon who are captured there."  Tai had not foreseen the necessity of describing the maneuver to a child.  Stated so simply, it seemed like an effortless task.  Or so the illusion would seem.  Their conversation was interupted by the sounds of the fa'li aymaktoyu breaking camp and mounting up.  Eyktan Rolkxu trotted up looking fierce with his bone through his nose.  He placed his pa'li between the camp of Zongtseng Alor and Omatikaya.  He saluted Tai and Jake Sully, and said simply.
  "Awnga ka set." We go now.
   "We will meet you there soon." replied Jake.  To the people he said, we will return by mid day.  To the ayeyktan he said, "Makto ko!"  As a group, they stood and collected their kisses from spouses.  And ascended the branches of the now familiar kelutral of Spuwina 'Awm.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

374)~ Aud had not ever been on such a long miserable flight.  Everyone was flying low to avoid detection.  It seemed to be an overly cautious attitude.  Who would want to search them out on a day like this?  She glanced over at Narate, and at Ateyo.   They both seemed weary.  Her back ached, her txìm ached.  And she was cold.  They were flying over a swampy region and the raindrops only served to stir up the muddy decay beneath them.  Ahead were the strong backs of Neytiri and Jake, and Tai, and her cousin, Taifa'.  She strained to hear any word from the advance party.  She never thought that she could FLY too much, but she was really getting tired. 
   She then heard "Min nìfta ftär" in her ear with such clarity, it seemed that Jake was on her shoulder. Her ikran banked to the left, following the lead ayikran almost simultaneously.  A rumble of thunder began to fill the horizon.  Large raindrops stung her skin.  They began to climb to higher ground. Shrubs became scattered trees and trees became forest.  There were some words she did not understand, but saw JakeSully and Tai gesturing Oel Ngati Kameie, to three ikran flyers that appproached.  "Finally, she thought, "I'll be able to climb off this ikran."  Happily she saw Jake and Tai make a gesture for a single file formation.  Their escorts lead the way through the rain forest.  It was as dizzying as the first time she flew through a forest, but she had more confidence now.
   Suddenly, they were landing among the branches of a colossal utral.  Bivuoac?!  She was picturing rows of tents in muddy fields.  She dismounted and rubbed down her ikran and found a treat for him in her belt pouch.  She wondered once again, why no one had noticed that she had tagged along with Narate.  She could have traveled here by chopper with the medical team, but she had simply been swept up in the excitement.
   "Au! Oer 'efu ngeyn! Oh my being tired!" exclaimed Ateyo,as she rubbed her own aching back.  Soon, they were climbing down to within the shelter of the utral.  They were greeted by the aroma of roasted tsngam, meat of some kind.  JakeSully was being greeted by the Eyktan of the Fa'li clan, Rolkxu  was gesturing expansively.
   "Ayoeng rolun fi'utral kosmana alu awm seiyi."  We found this excellent tree to camp under. His voice sounded clearly in her ear though he was not standing nearby.  She decided to leave her earbud in place.  Aud listened as once again, Jake laid out the sequence of events in the Mission.  At one point he described  Ateyo's role in disabling the AMP suits, saying;
 "Akrr a ayutral zerup, aysyaksyuk terul." When the trees fall, the prolemurs will run.* She translated to herself and looked up in time to see the shocked expression on Ateyo's face. 
   "Relax Ma Oeyä Yawnetu!  He doesn't mean YOU!"  Tai was comforting her little mate and had her enfolded in her arms. 
   Jake Sully was nearly laughing as he sought to assure her that he had not insulted her.  "What I mean, Ma Ateyo, is that if we take down the big guys,  the little guys will run.  Ngaytxoä, Ke zoplo. I'm sorry, no insult!  Nga lu Syaksyuk atstew."  You are a brave Prolemur!  Aud was wondering why JakeSully had not retracted his statement likening hir new friend to a somewhat simian creature.  He might as well have called her a Monkey, or a Chimpanzee.  Aud began to wonder why hir friend's name WAS te Syaksyuk, instead of a clan name. 
   But Ateyo was mollified and joyfully accepted the apology.  Aud wondered when ze should ask for the REST of the story.  After they had eaten, and before they had settled in their ayrik ahahaw, sleep-leaves, she asked Ateyo.  "Ma 'eylan, pelun lolu syaw, Ateyo te Syaksyuk?"  My friend, Why are you called Ateyo of the Prolemurs.  What is your family name? 
   Ateyo explained that she had been orphaned as a toddler through some terrible circumstances, and a family of aysyaksyuk brought her food at the Well of Souls and raised her as their own.  Ikxeru's mother had then found her and brought her home and raised her. Ikxeru was indeed her cousin. His mother and her mother were sisters, and she could rightfully take that family name, but she had chosen te Syaksyuk to honor her prolemur family.
   Ateyo spoke into the twinkling darkness enfolded in Tai's arms.  She knew she was rushing through some very complicated facts.  As she felt Tai move from sleep into unconsciousnes, she wondered how much of her story Aud had heard.  She was exhausted from the long flight.  She fell sleep to the sound of the rain outside of the enormous Utral.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                                                                         
* Learn Na'vi.org  Na'vi Proverbs Thread« Reply #41 on: March 09, 2012, 06:32:46 am »

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

375)~ "Fìutral sweylu txana txo a lahe mì Txe'lan Aean Steng. Pey ke za'u mì'fa!" This Tree is much better than the one at Blue Heart Place.  The water does not come inside!"  Liri'el was pleased to be out of the rain.  She and Mendllzong and T'redgoot,neither the Na'vi nor Mendelson could say Threadgoode, had considered that it would make a good place to establish a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.  And/Or a staging unit for Refugees from the RDA Base.  It was roughly a twenty minute flight to the RDA Base, or a three hour ikran ride.  Close enough for safe medevac operations, yet far away enough not to be spotted.  There would have to be a forward staging unit for the medevac teams of nets and ayikran.  And a surgical suite of sorts, before the wounded could be transported to the medical facilities at Blue Heart Gate. Liri'el was addressing a team of Na'vi and Avatars. Luckily, she had been working with many of them since the time of the Fall of the Omatikaya Kelutral.
   Aud, being an anthropologist, had agreed to work with the refuges, to inform them of the turn of events, feed them, and get them calmed down.  The job was well suited to an Avatar, even though most of the Na'vi of the new Omatikaya clan also spoke some Inglìsì.
  Tai and JakeSully beckoned to Narate Shepard.  "Commander Shepard, you can use the radio in our Samson to decipher the incoming message from Blue Heart.  They will want to uplink with the ISV so that we can see the enemy.
   "Aye, Major! At your service." Narate leapped to her feet and joined Tai and Jake as they walked through the downpour to the Samson.  Tai threw open the cargo door and all three climbed in   She immediately sat in the pilot's seat.  Rain drummed on the water-proof, cover.  As she reached for the Master Switches, she motioned for Narate to join her up forward in the co-pilot's seat.  JakeSully crowded close behind to watch and listen as Tai powered up the aircraft's VHF radios, and switched on the encryption boxes. 
   When the aircraft had landed earlier, the aircraft's co-axial cables had been disconnected from the radios to the aircraft's external antennas.  The co-axials had then been connected to portable directional dish antennas, pointed towards the ISV in it's orbit.  Tai keyed the mike and said, "Looking Glass.  This is Strike Eagle.  Do you copy? Over."  Fifteen seconds later, came the reply,  "Strike Eagle this is Looking Glass.  We have you five by five. Over."
    "Looking Glass, is there anything we need to know concerning movement of hostiles and weather? Over."
   "Strike Eagle. We have good news.  The AMP suits have remained in their semi-permanent positions.  There have been no personnel movements. And there is a major storm system that will pass over your location in nine hours.  It is moving toward their Base at 30 mph and will arrive at their base one hour and ten miutes after it passes over your location.  It will have a duration of maximum intensity of two and a half hours.  This seems exactly what you were waiting for. Over."
  Tai looked at JakeSully and they gave each other  thumbs up, and Narate asked, "Then we are a GO?"
   "JakeSully grinned and stated simply, "We are a GO."
   Tai picked up the mike and keyed it again. "Looking Glass.  Be advised.  We strike with the storm.  We will have someone monitoring this frequency in the Samson. Please notify them when the maximum intensity of the storm, passes over head our location.  We will follow close behind the area of maximum intensity, accelerating to catch it just before our arrival at the objective.  How copy? Over."
   "We have your intentions. And will comply. Good luck. Good hunting."
   "Tally Ho. Strike Eagle out." was Major Tai's response. She turned and patted Narate on her shoulder.  "This is where you earn HALF your BIG BUCKS!" I will send somebody up with warm food and drink.  There are blankets in the rear storage bins. Help yourself.  The person that I am sending up is my Communications Officer.  He will watch the radios in shifts with you, so that you both can sleep.  Remember.  I want you slept up, because to earn your OTHER HALF of the BIG BUCKS, you will be coming on the raid with us."
   "Oh don't worry, Major.  I won't let you down.  If I can sleep. I will sleep."  They exchanged snappy salutes, just to emphasize the earnestness of their words.  She watched as Tai and JakeSully disappeared into the wall of water that separated the landing field from the canopy of the utral.  She could barely discern the glow of the ylltxep within the massive interior of the Tree.  She sighed and immedately searched out   blanket and began to towel dry her hair.  It was then that she realized that the Samson had been configured as a Medevac chopper with banks of Na'vi sized cots stacked three high on either side.
   She studied the tiny writing on the communications panel with her pen light.  It was best to be familiar with it.  After fifteen minutes,  an Avatar ducked his head into the Samson, saying, "I have some food and hot drink for you.  And will be monitoring the radios with you.  I am Louis Rivoir, the Rebel group's communication's officer."  Narate was charmed by his accent and his exceeding politeness.  It was surprising to have him extend a leaf platter of roasted yerik and hear him say, "It is not Chateau Briand, but I would be pleased if you share this with me."
  "Niprrte!" was her blushing response.
   Within the Utral, all were anxious to learn of the communications with the ISV.  Tai was given the floor by JakeSully, confident in her abilities.  She described the storm front and their need to be ready to move move-out just as the storm passed them by.  Tai was assured by the ayeyktan that their ayikran were undaunted by the strong winds and rain.  Likewise, Rolkxu gleefully explained that his faliyä aymaktoyu had been practising in the rain for weeks and were ready to ride out immediately to establish the forward operation.  Many offered their rations to them for the long arduos trip.  JakeSully called up Ateyo and Lamu'ite, of the Eastern Sea Clan, saying, "Menga lu ayoengä mesahik.  Tsivun stxenutìng aylì'u fìaymaktoyurì set? You two are our tsahiks.  Could you offer words for the riders now?"
   Ateyo and Lamu'ite walked among the riders and their fa'li, laying their hands upon their hearts or their heads, saying, "Eywal  ngati  sliveyku txur sì tìtsew alu fìsop.  May Eywa give you strength and bravery for this journey."  Rolkxu and Lora Txanìr chose a trail which remained under the cover of branches and the fa'li aymaktoyu rode off in a double column beneath the hugh boughs.  The two tsahik then sent out their blessings to the others who remained.
   "Try to get some shut eye folks.  It's going to be an early start to a full day."  Jake told the assembled samsiyu.
   Tai looked at him grimly. "What a time for me to have to link out.  I wish I was in Eana tokx, ni'aw. Blue body only."
   Jake grinned at her and smacked her on the arm.  "Don't worry, Tai.  We know where you are.  When the storm front is overheard, I'll have Narate get on the horn for Hidden Base and tell you to get your aytxìm out here on the double!"
  "In that case, I am going to get horizontal and go into Alpha immediately."

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

376)~ The howling wind announced the gust front of the oncoming storm. But that wasn't the only thing disturbing the sleep of the aysamsiyu beneath the tree.  There were few warriors so battle hardened that the upcoming mission didn't cause anxiousness.  Although many had fought eight years ago at the Well of Souls, the memories of the destructive power of the Lefngapa Sutan, the Metal Men, were disturbing.
    Ateyo had extricated herself from beneath the arm of her unconscious lover.  The screaming thunder only served to punctuate her dreams with the sounds of gunfire and destruction.  She fed a dry stick into the embers and wondered how her kids were faring, back at the Spuwina 'Awm.  She knew she had to rest and lay herself down again next to the prone form of her muntxate.  This place needed more sleep-leafs!  For once she was jealous of Tai's unconscious form.  How wonderful it would be to turn off her brain.  Eltu avrrìn. Restless brain.
   The advantage to sleeping under the huge, hollow kelutral, is that the wind barely penetrated the interior. Not so, the Sampson helicopter.  Narate was successful at sleeping during her entire first sleep break.  Which surprised her, because the chopper was constantly being buffeted by gusts, and it seemed that someone was continuously trying to shake her awake.  She almost did not respond when Louis Rivoir shook her to awaken her.
  "Radio traffic was non existent during my watch, but the lightning dancing over the treetops will keep your attention.  Good night, Commander."  He crossed his arms and was promptly asleep.
  "Louis! Wake up! What are we going to do at "SHIFT change?"   I mean, shouldn't we be laying down? and who will watch the radios while our blue bodies are inert?"
   "I was thinking  of that!  I'll pop over to Hidden Base, and tell them that I need to relieve you in three hours, no excuses.  After my shift out of link, I will come back to relieve you. THEN, you go into Alpha and tell your people, THREE HOURS ONLY. Then do your business and return.  But we should both be on duty when that storm arrives."
   "True.  You will see the Major at Hidden Base, and the rest of your pilots.  This will be timed just right.  After my current watch, I'll be out of link for three hours and You will be on watch." 
  "I'll go into link immediately then. Once I go Alpha, they'll snatch my txìm!"  As Louis got up to find a cot, he clasped Commander Shepard on the shoulder, in a friendly gesture.  And then Narate was left alone with her thoughts once again.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

377)~  Throughout the moon called Pandora, Avatar drivers were regaining consciousness within their links.
   "G'day! Mates!"  Melvin said gleefully as he helped the Avatar drivers emerge from their link chambers.  He was literally trembling with excitement and could not contain himself.                                                   
    "We just had a helluva storm come past here, Major Tai. It's a MONSTER  and it's headed your way!  A few times I lost the telemetry from all of you. The aux power came on, but all of the Read-Out panels got fried.  I don't have enough equipment to repair them all, but none of the other circuitry was harmed."
   "Do these things still work?" asked Ka'alani in amazement.
   "Oh, don't worry.  Return flight is guaranteed!" grinned the ex-Flight Attendant.  "I just won't be able to read your vitals while you are in Avatar form."
   "Our vitals?!  What about our Alpha waves?  We are going into battle in the morning.  We need fluidity." said Tai with some alarm.
   "Major, you worry too much.  Even though I cannot get a read-out of specific alpha waves, Toby has these rigged so that an alarm goes off the instant anyone reaches Alpha."
   "An idiot light rather than a gauge!"  remarked Daniels, wryly.  He was referring to dashboard lights on the seemingly ancient automobile.
   "Another question for you, Melvin" asked the woman with the tattoo of Tweety Bird on her arm. "We intend to ride into battle right behind this storm front. How will the storm affect our Avatars?"
   "Well, if you act as a lightning rod, you might suffer for it.  But it won't damage this equipment by backfiring, if that's what you are asking.  If you get injured on the battle field, your human tokx will experience pain.  We know that Norm, for instance, recovered his Human Tokx and rejoined the battle after being seriously, but not fatally injured.  And we know that JakeSully was almost dead, but his Avatar was revived by Eywa."
   "And then we have Mendelson," said Dr. Threadgoode.  "I understand that his human body had a massive coronary but Eywa decided to immediately transfer his tirea into his Uniltìrantokx."
   "So we'll either be twice as dead or have twice the survival chance, by having two bodies."  Twiti heard the words come out from her own lips.  She didn't mean to sound so light-hearted about death.  It didn't seem that anyone took offense.  These were all warriors.  But Melvin was now speaking with Major Tai.
   "I've been sleeping as much as possible this week Major.  I want to be alert while our people go into battle.  But I need to Jerry-Rig some personal handheld devices as temporary read-out screens for everyone's vitals."  Melvin was thinking out loud while he helped Rivoir out of his link capsule.
   "Ooh lala! Have I met an attractive Avatartrix tonight!  However, though we are both in Blue Tokx, we must take turns sleeping and Watching in three hour shifts!"
   "Well. Louis.  We need an update on the speed of that storm.  That will tell us how many three hour shifts you can spare.  And thanks for thinking of this solution. Honestly, I hadn't thought it out that far," admitted Tai.
   "Never fear! You have trained me well to think on my feet." 
    Hi protein drinks were injested, and quick exercise sessions were performed.  Soon everyone was snoring in their sacks.

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

378) At the very same moment that Tai regained consciousness, a bolt of lightning screamed through the sky and found it mark in the highest point of their surrounds: the very tree under which they all slept.  Everyone leapt to their feet as the sound of a high branch made an ear splitting crack and came tumbling down.  Impulsively, Neytiri grabbed for Jake, and everyone from the Omatikaya Kelutral experienced flashback memories from the Day of Destruction of their HomeTree.  Everyone was in motion at once, scrambling to their feet and grabbing for each other.   And as the ayikran settled back into their branches, everyone seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.  Tai could picture Atanvi up above, huddled beneath the wing of Pìwopx Srewyu, just as Ateyo was huddled under her arm.  
   "TSE! TSAT LAMU AWNgEYÄ AUNgÌA FA TxEN!" Well that was our signal to get up! Tai would have said something about alarm clocks but this event could hardly compare to the cuckoo clock she had mentioned previously.  She was glad that everyone had packed their kits last night, because the intention was to ride out immediately, eating as they chased the storm.  She conferred with Jake, briefly,  but he agreed.  They should ride out immediately.  There was no sense in waiting around with these reminders of the Destruction of their own HomeTree.
   Tai and Jake splashed over to the chopper squadron.  They flung themselves into the cargo door which had been slid open for them.
  "We heard you coming!" said Narate, as she helped the slippery Blue bodies climb aboard.  "When I heard that branch come down, I figured you would come here.  I've been on Watch, Rivoir came-to just as the excitement started."
   "Tse! If that branch had fallen any closer, it would have been on my head!  I think I jumped out of my skin!"  Rivoir patted himself down to illustrate, to his mind, at least, that he was still intact.
   "Narate! Could you patch us through to  the ISV?  I need a heads-up on this storm track."
   "Aye-aye, Major!   I've got a text read out as well as voice feed."  Switches were snapped to full power from stand-by.  
   "Looking Glass, Strike Eagle. OVER."
   "Strike Eagle, Looking Glass. Go ahead."
   "Looking Glass, Strike Eagle.  When should we sky-up? Over."
   "Strike Eagle, Looking Glass. You want to STAY OUT of the intense lightning.  It looks like ten minutes.  We will advise. OVER."
   "Looking Glass, Strike Eagle.  We are on active monitoring. OVER."
The wind still shook the Samson, and the thunder was deafening, but talking was done in a normal voice.  Jake Sully said,
  "That gives us enough time to secure the camp and follow the Fa'li.  We can fly under the canopy as well.  We will signal your Rebel Pilots to meet us, but you might have to give us a three hour lead. I talked with Rolkxu last night.  He said the ride took them three hours, but they left us a clear trail."
   Ateyo came trotting up with one of her burden baskets strapped to her forehead, and a hollow segment of bamboo filled with  something hot and stimulating to drink.  She had, in fact, made an improvised cooking implement, and had taught her trick to the other Avatars.  
  "Srak, 'efu väng? Oel zamunge näk asom näer." You are thirsty? I bought you something hot to drink.  They passed around the large vessel and she handed each person a food wrap and a piece of fruit, explaining, "Lu ngäzìk na run seylu mìtantompa."  It's hard to find grubs in a rainstorm. "Ngaytxoa." Sorry.  But Tai was laughing.  I thought you were quoting a Na'vi proverb for us!"
  "In between bites she told Jake, "The fa'li riders went to a lot of trouble to leave us a trail. Nga lu eyawr, You are correct, we should head out.  I'll have my unit fly nap of earth, uh, Pandora.  You know what I mean!"
   "Ma Tai!  You be flying in lefngapa ikran fu mì Pìwopx Srewyu?  
"Nìlun, mì  ikran! I already told my mechanic, Peter Barilla, to fly oeyä lefngapa ikran.  But you need to assemble your attack team."
"Awngaru alaksi! Slä we needing Pìkxsi Txust!" Ateyo moved to back of the chopper and hauled the net which was filled with various packets and sea shells stuffed with the powdered Unobtainium, euphemistically called Pixie Dust.  Of course, as she hauled the bundle, the various components started to repel each other.  She left the larger rocks in the lefngapa ikran, as planned. To mask it's signal.
   "Ma Yawnetu, zamunge ngeyä wempongu nekllte afìtseng. My Beloved, bring your war party to the ground here.  It will be easier to load while on the ground." She turned to Narate and Rivoir, "We will return within ten minutes."
   They raced back to the Utral, passing Liri'el and the medical team.  They called out "NEFA!  NEFA!  UPWARDS! UPWARDS!" Soon everyone was climbing up the treetops.  The were almost comical to see.  Everyone was dressed in rain capes made of huge Warbonnet Plants and had tied inverted baskets to their heads as rain visors.  But as they mounted their ayikran, atanzaw, forked lightning lashed across the sky not far from where they perched.  "Set Tswayon KO!" shouted Tai. Now we fly!  She and Ateyo lead the plummeting descent and the choppers were soon ringed by excited ayikran.
   Each rider had a burden basket or small net attached to their backs, making them appear to be a grotesque hunchbacks.  The packing was accomplished awkwardly but presently, they were ready.  "Let's fly single file through the trail.  If the winds are not a problem, I will tell you to fly closer.  But leave each other lots of space, at first."  JakeSully spoke to Ateyo's wempongu. warparty.  "You will attack the Lefngapa Aytutan right after Kxetsaw blows up the Comm Tower.  So wait for that."
  "Oeru oeyä mikun ngawng ulte oel ngati stawm, fiv pxy fiv!"  I have my ear worm and I hear you Five by Five."  Ateyo gave Jake an enthusiastic thumbs up.
   Jake Sully nodded at Tai and said loudly, "MAKTO KO!"

[Ateyo Te Syaksyuk]

379)~  JakeSully tried not to shout, but it was difficult to hear himself above the rain and thunder.  "Rolku said there was an clearing a short distance from here.  Follow me! Yawo!"  Launching from the ground was certainly a lot more difficult than launching from a height.  The  storm did not help matters any.  Ateyo noticed that  Aud's ikran  was shaking it's head and complaining a lot.  She experienced a momentary flash of disbelief from Atanvi, as if he, too, were questioning the necessity of flying through a storm.  She urged him to follow  Pìwopx Srewyu and Atanzaw.  She pivoted around and grinned at Aud, whose blue, "Peacock" had decided to cooperate.  She was surprised to see Narate flank up near Aud on her yellow-green.  Narate was carrying a sawtute lefngapa weapon across her shoulder.  It made Ateyo shudder to think of the damage and death caused by the lefngapa gravel.   Jake, Tai, and Taifa' each had similar weapons.                                     
   Twiti was on her Bronco and Zina was riding beside her grimly.  Ateyo turned briefly on Atanvi to see that Alexsi and her Wade were behind also.  She saw a thumbs up before she turned.  Which was good timing, because Neytiri's voice said in her ear, "I see the clearing ahead."
   "Tally the clearing. 150 meters to the starboard side.  Single file!" said Tai.  And at that exact moment lightning arced across the sky and divided into a fork, flanking the clearing to the left and the right.  Tai was silhouetted against the flash as she indicated Single File with her arms overhead.  Many of the ayikran pulled up short and lost a wingbeat or two, momentarily blinded by the flash.
  "Fìatanzawìri oe Irayo seiyi, Ma Eywa!" laughed Tai.  For this forked lightning, I thank you Eywa!  "Single file!  Eywa has shown us our path!"  The ayikran happily queued up, anxious to fly under cover of the tree canopy.  Ateyo was following Taifa', whose wet hair was standing on end, electrified by the static.  She had to laugh at the giant fuzzy cloud which enveloped his head.  It was such a relief not to have the rain pounding on her head. Atanvi concurred and sent a wave of pleasure in her direction.  The trail was wide and clearly marked.  Where the trail split, Peng Hrrap had been arranged.  The bulbous pink bladder lanterns made excellent traffic cones.   The syuratan, bioluminescence of the jungle created a colorful corridor in which to fly.  Lightning would flash and cause weird shadows to be cast around them, but the rain was much diverted because of the dense growth above them.  The path which they followed became a sparkling rivulet, which cut a path around and between roots.
   Eventually the rivulet disappeared and it seemed that the path was raising its way upwards along a ridgeline.  At this point, Jake spoke to Rolkxu and determined that they were close to the new encampment.  His scouts had found a new HomeTree where they all could reconnoiter before advancing.  "Nari si, Ma Jake!" said Neytiri's voice in everyone's ear. "Oel tse'a memaktoyul mìmefa'li!"  I see two scouts on two fa'li.  They had ridden out to guide-in the travellers.  Each had grabbed sparkling leaves and were shaking them overhead to guide the flyers.  "Nefä! Nefä!" Upwards!  The ayikran did not wish to expose themselves to lightning strikes.  They all opted to land on lower branches.   Atanvi crept under Pìwopx Srewyu's outstretched wing as Ateyo searched out a treat from her burden basket.  Within the shelter of his wing, Ateyo considered the warmth and coziness of sleeping under his wing, as well.  Until she caught a whiff of his breath!  There would be other times for resting.  This was not one of them!
   She followed Tai down to the base of the Utral.  All the eyktan were conferring once again.  Eyktan Rolkxu and the fa'li aymaktoyu had already departed and were getting into position.  The others were told to rest briefly.  Jake and Tai  approached Kxetzaw, the son-in-law of Eytan Ikxeru.  They conferred with him on his hand held electonic map.  They reviewed once more his route towards the antenna. "Are you confident that you remember how to use this?"  Kxetsaw described to them the procedure in every detail.
    "Don't land in a Tree.  Ne klltxe, nì'aw.  To the ground only. And remember to wait for our signal before you detonate."
   "Protect your ears, ma Oeyä 'Itan."
   Kxetsaw pulled out his ear protectors from his burden basket and  put them on.  Tai made certain that his Vox equipment was still functional.  "Eywa ngahu Ma Tsmukan!"  She told him.  He nodded grimly and gestured from his forehead, Oel Ngati Kameie.  And started up the Utral for his ikran, and his mission.
   "Ma Ateyo. Gather your wempongu.  Have you got your maps?" Her team each produced their handheld ayatxkxerel atanvi, light maps, and checked their gear and  reviewed their separate plans of attack.   "Wait for Kxetsaw to say that he has destroyed the Metal Talking Tree.  Stay low. Be safe."  Tai was not going to allow herself to get emotional at this point.  She trusted their plan.  She trusted Ateyo's ability.  She trusted Eywa.  But she knew that anything could go wrong to endanger her Yawnetu.  She gave Ateyo a strong embrace.  "Eywa ngahu, Ma Oeyä Hona Tsamsiyu!"  She noticed Zina giving Twiti a strong embrace as well.  She could see the tension in Zina's throat.  In that instant, she felt closer to the reserved warrior woman than she had ever felt before.  The watched as Ateyo's wempongo climbed upward.
   "Ulte set.  Pekem?" And now What do we do? asked Zina.
   "The hardest thing.  Now we wait. But only until Ketzaw gets to the Metal Talking Tree. Za'u. Come."
   The rest of the aysamsiyu climbed the Utral and calmed their ikrans.  Pìwopx Srewyu had never seen Atanvi leave his side.  He was as nervous about this as she was about Ateyo.  "Tam tam, Mawey livu ngeyä txe'lan, oeyä 'eylan."  As she petted him and linked with him, she realized that calming him also had the benefit of calming her.  Thunder rumbled and grew, the sound being funneled, as it were, through the narrow canyon.  Within a few minutes, each person with a head set head the voice of Kxetsaw, "Set oel tse'a Lefngapa Utralit." Now I can see the Metal Tree.
   "Yawo!"  Brightly colored wings filled the gloomy sky as the aysamsiyu launched from the treetop.  The rain stung the skin of each tsamsiyu, but they flew on, knowing that Eywa's storm was providing them with a bit of safety.  They flew along the ridge line, but out of vision of any eyes that might be gazing in their direction.  They flew until they reached a small clearing, edged with fa'li and their aymaktoyu.  Jake, Ikxeru and Tai, landed their pxeikran below the ridge and walked up to where Rolkxu was keeping watch.