NIRI TE 'S FANFIC "LAST FLIGHT OUT "

Started by Niri Te, January 10, 2013, 08:37:46 PM

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Niri Te

 CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
   Wendy walked onto the Flight Deck and positioned herself between the two pilot's seats, letting both Dan and John know that the Shift changes were a Done Deal.  John was the first to speak, saying, "That's WONDERFUL!  But I don't expect you to cut me any slack up here."
   "Oh I won't," Wendy replied, "There are people back there whose lives DEPEND on you doing your job right.  One of them will be ME sleeping soundly in our bed, knowing that you will keep us all safe."
   As Wendy was speaking, and looking at John, Dan, who was ut of Wendy's peripheral vision, looked at John and mouthed, "OUR bed?" getting John's momentary eye contact.
   Wendy responded to that action with, "Yes Dan, I said OUR bed. If John's feelings are as true as his words it WILL be our bed by the time that we can go to six hour solo shifts of piloting."
   Dan defended his childish actions with, "I didn't mean ANY disrespect by that Wendy, I was just shocked by he timing of you realizing the probable future of your fledgling relationship, and you total honesty with yourself in acknowledging it, and mentioning aloud."
   "Apology accepted Dan, I myself didn't realize that I was saying it until I heard it come out of my lips."
   Dan looked at his watch and noticed that it was time to switch shifts.  Wendy noticed him and said,
"  Yeah, it's time for me to take command of Old Dog, so you guys go relax, and then get some sleep."
   Dan and John got up, and Dan immediately made his way toward the stern of the ship, while John moved to the First Officer's seat and asked Wendy, "Mind if I stay for a little while?"
   "Of COURSE you can stay.  Just don't lose too much sleep.  There will be time enough for undivided attention when we talk in the very near future," gently admonished Wendy.
   "Oh, I wouldn't do anything foolish like that.  I need to be at the top of my game when I'm in front of my teacher."
   Wendy smiled, opened her mouth to speak, and was interrupted by the proximity alarm of the Collision Avoidance Radar.
   "I have the Doppler, " said John as he swung the Head's-Up Display, down from its overhead stowage.
   "I'm showing fifteen hundred miles out, and a very reflective but small Image Return," said Wendy.
   "Plot is coming in now," replied John, "It's 100 feet by 20 feet and has the return signature of metal.  Could we be closing on Space Junk this far out?"
   "Could be jetsom from an old RDA ship on it's way to or from Pandora," said Wendy as Sharon came running in.
   "I heard the remote alarm speakers go off," said Sharon. "What do we have?"
   "What we HAVE," said Wendy, is the PERFECT opportunity ofr a little quiz for you two.  Take thee Number One seat," said Wendy.
   "This is moving WITH us, or we would have already hit it," said Sharon, as she strapped in.  "Something's not right, here," said Sharon, as she flipped a switch for the recorded Brace for Emergency Maneuvers message, while getting her first HI-RES radar images. 
   "Closing in at 3,000 miles an hour.  Now the object shows as larger, four hundred and fifty feet.  Range showing at 1500 miles, still holding same closure rate," informed John. 
   "I have it.  Going to False Color," said Sharon, "I have course plot. Will open the separation in ten miles," as William ran in, still dressing himself.
   "Remember that asteroid that was dislodged from its solar orbit, and picked up a very comet-like trajectory, twenty years ago?" asked Sharon.  "The one that the geniuses at Space Command CRASHED the probe that they were SUPPOSED to soft land upon?  I'll bet this is THAT asteroid on its way back out of the system.  I want Far Away from ANYTHING that it might dislodge from the belt.  I'm going to 100 miles Z-axis separation,"  Sharon said.
   With that, Sharon used the NAV computers to nudge the nose of the ship two degrees greater AOA (angle of attack) and programming the pitch change for a three second duration, pressing the execute button.
   "I'm on the down-looking radar, nothing seems to be disturbed by the asteroid. Yet," said William.
   Sharon said, "I'm looking at the enhanced returns, and the asteroid with the crashed probe is what we are now over taking.  By the way, my plots now show, that at the outer edge of the Belt, that asteroid is going to do some MAJOR urban renewal."
   "Twenty-three minutes to Over-Take," announced William.
   "I'm ready," said Sharon, "Is that thing having an effect on its closest objects with its wake?"
   "Nothing that the radar can pick up, but at that distance, with the background clutter, anything smaller than ten feet across, we wouldn't know was moving until it was about twenty miles closer to us than the mail body," replied William period.
   "That's close enough for us!" answered John who up to now, was doing his job ruing the forward scans, and not talking.
   "Twelve minutes to overtake," said William.
   "Great!" said Sharon, "The closer we get to Over-Take the less chance that something in that thing's wake can cause F.O.D. to our ship."
   The attention to detail on the three screens and adrenaline levels of the flight crew, grew as every minute ticked down until William announced, "We have just Over-Taken the asteroid."
   "THAT was fun," said Sharon, to which John answered, "And a bit more adrenaline producing than the simulator runs, too!"
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

 
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
   A week later, Sharon and Dan were getting some breakfast in the mess hall after their shift.  And once their trays were loaded with goodies, he sat with the guys, and Sharon collapsed in the chair next to Pamela, at what had come to be known as 'The Girl's Table'.
   "Are you OK, Babe?" was Pamela's concerned question, as she slid her arm around Sharon's shoulders.
   "OK  I've live, but I would sure live a lot happier if I could get you to work out some of the kinks in my upper shoulders and neck," said Sharon.
   "NOOOO problem, you can come to my room, where I have several different oils, and lotions, as well as a heating pad, and I'll fix you right up," promised Pamela.
   "I'll take you up on that as soon as I finish my breakfast," said Sharon.  "The hunger pangs are as bad as my back pain."
   "It was a short walk to Pamela's quarters and once there, she opened the door to her room half-way, and said, "Welcome to my humble abode, this month's featured naturopathic clinic in Better Shacks and Hovels magazine."
   Sharon walked in as Pamela opened the door widely, and doffed her imaginary hat with a flourish.  Her head was on the swivel, eyes drinking-in the expressive touches in the room.  Not that they had much to decorate with in the sterile environment of the quarters - but things were arranged with a sense of fluidity and grace.  Pamela crossed to a night stand and flipped a switch for an infuser - and the room began to fill with the scent of a pine forest.
   "Have a seat, Sharon.  I'll make us some tea."
   Sharon smiled a little nervously and sat in the chair at a small desk.  As Pamela busied herself with tea, Sharon had a chance to study the many drawings that were taped and tacked to the 'cork board' wall. "You really are quite the artist."
  "Why , thank you!  Earl Grey or Chamomile?"
   "Hm? Oh! Earl Grey, please."  Sharon noticed a recurring theme among the sketches.  "You're not obsessed or anything, are you?" she chided. "Most of these drawings are of Yours Truly!"
   Pamela only laughed self-consciously.
   "OH WOW!" exclaimed Sharon.  She was viewing a portrait of herself as a Na'vi.
   "Go ahead, open that sketch book over there." Pamela indicated a sketch book on the opposite side of the bed.  Sharon had to sprawl across the bed to rech said sketch book.  She note that it was a much nicer mattress, and larger than her own.
   "I didn't realize that you brought me up here to see your ETCHINGS," laughed Sharon, referencing an arcane and lecherous stratagem of old.
   "Welcome to my parlour sad the Spider to the Fly." grinned Pamela, "Come on. Your tea's ready."
   Pamela carefully sat on the bed  with her mug, near Sharon.
   "Kick your shoes off. Get comfy."  They sat closely and opened the sketch pad.
   "You do these from memory! 'Cause I never see you with a sketch pad."  Sharon looked at a series of poses, usually of herself concentrating over a console of instruments.  "How long have you been sketching me?  This is incredible!"
   "Since the second day I met you!  You have intriguing features.  And your eyes have such intensity!  This is only my latest sketchbook."
    Sharon was becoming increasingly impressed.  The illustrations, though only in black and white, began to resemble a Na'vi, page by page. "Wouldn't it be wild to become an Avatar and put on a different body?"  Sharon was viewing a drawing of herself as Na'vi pulling a bow-and-arrow. "Tskow swizaw!"  she exclaimed triumphantly.  "And you have quite an imagination, how would you know how muscular my shoulders are?"
   "Just guessing.  But speaking of shoulders, you came here for a rub down. Assume the position!"
   Sharon guffawed out right, and immediately leaned across the desk with her arms before her in the surrender position.
   "Surrender Dorothy!" exclaimed Pamela.  They both laughed at the two-hundred year old line from the movie called, The Wizard of Oz.  Pamela had projected it four nights ago after dinner.
   "I thought I smelled poppies!"  muttered Sharon drowsily, referring to the Witch's ruse to drug Dorothy into submission.
   "oooh  awwwww YOW!"
  "Hm, seems like you are carrying the weight of the universe on your shoulders.  You know, this really works better with oil on the skin.  If you want to, unzip the top part of your flight suit..."
  Sharon was enjoying the effect on her muscles, so she willingly unzipped and peeled her arms out of her sleeves.  "Why be modest?!  It's only us girls, kefyak?"
   "Srane!  Peel off the rest of that thing if you want to experience a full body rub.  But I'm warning you!  It's an extra fifty bucks!"
   "Done! Do me!" sputtered Sharon as she tossed her uniform over the back of her chair.  She grinned at her near nakedness in the mirror.  What had gotten into her?  She couldn't remember a time in her life that she had been this spontaneous.
   "The only thing that I want you to do, is follow the flow of energy as I direct the pain out of your body." Sharon's face was slack-jawed on the towel that Pamela had provided.  With difficulty, she focused on hearing what Pamela was saying.
   "...and I now that you are tough as all-get-out, but I encourage you to vocalize.  If you haven't noticed, these walls are well insulated, so let it out."
   Sharon had NOT noticed, as a matter of fact, and wondered why Pamela had mentioned.  "OOOF" came passed her lips, as Pamela's strong fingers coaxed a knot out of her muscles.  Her eyes had popped open and she was staring as a palm-sized figurine on Pamela's desk.  "Nice Venus of Willendorf.  Did you make it?"
   "Srane, Earth Goddess. Before... long before..." Pamela did not want to reintroduce the destruction of Planet Earth.  She didn't have to dwell on that negativity, because Sharon was muttering something into the towel.
   "I envy every piece of clay your hands ever touched."
Pamela worked her way down Sharon's spine, exclaiming, "Girl! Your back is a MESS!  Lay down on the bed with your head at the foot of it."  Sharon complied obediently and lay face down at the foot of the bed.
  "Go ahead.   Have your way with me!"  She was immediately surprised at the two naked legs very near her face.  "You're NAKED!"
   "Kehe!  I'm wearing my undies. You don't want me to get my uniform oily, do you?"
   Sharon was giggling. GIGGLING!  "Couldn't have THAT!"
   Pamela leaned forward and placed the heels of her hands on the backs of Sharon's shoulders.  " 'Etnaw. Shoulder." she instructed, and massaged both shoulders.  She placed the heels of her hands along Sharon's strong spine.  "Txal. Back. of body," she continued.  Pamela worked her way down Sharon's spine, elicting a few grunts as the oxylic acid that had built up between the vertabrae 'popped'.
   " 'Llngo, Hips," announced Pamela as she pressed left and right in slow-rolling movements.  Sharon was groaning in profound relief.
   "Txìm!" exclaimed Pamela as she slapped the cheek of Sharon's ass.  Sharon was too relaxed to do anything but giggle.  WHERE, did this Giggling come from? "I'm going to help you roll-over onto your back.  Let me help, don't you DARE stress your muscles.  Now I'm moving to the foot of the bed."
   Sharon must have been drifting off to sleep when she felt Pamela's hands grasping her around the ankles.  She could hear Pamela saying, "I don't know the word for ankle in Na'vi, but this should feel good."  Firmly and gently, Pamela leaned back her weight, extending Sharon's spine in the process.
   "AAAAHHHH!  I can't begin to tell you how good that feels!"
   "Well, I must be doing Something Right!" murmured Pamela.  "But you haven't felt NUTHIN' yet!  Now I'm going to do your MeVenu. Feet!"  Sharon could hear the the slick sound of the cream as Pamela slathered it on, caressing and massaging.
   "OHHHO. AW. All those years in combat boots and you never once offered me a foot massage in the fox holes!" muttered Sharon.
   "We were kinda busy. But only say the word, and I will join you in all the fox holes of life."
   "Yes! Yes! Where do I sign?  I would sign ANYTHING, but my body has gone LIMP!" This was all spoken 'soto voce' as Sharon was having difficulty remaining awake.
   Pamela was at a loss for words.  Sharon was murmuring the words she longed to hear, but would she remember what she said 'in-the-morning?'  Quietly , she covered the sleeping warrior with a sheet, and crawled in beside her.
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

 
CHAPTER THIRTY
   Sharon was slowly regaining consciousness, but she still felt as if she floating on a cloud.  Except that there was a naked Pamela lying contentedly next to her with both their legs entwined. This would have been Great, except that Sharon had to empty her bladder.  Slowly, ever so carefully, she separated herself from Pamela's embrace and then eased herself to the edge of the bed and sat up, feet on the floor.  Immediately, she felt Pamela's arms around her.
   "Oh no you don't! We're not DONE here.  Lay down!  I want to talk to you!" 
   "If you don't let me go to the latrine, we are BOTH going to be going the backstroke in this bed, Ma Yawnetu!" cautioned Sharon, pleased with herself for remembering the word for Beloved.
   "Well by all means!  Make all haste to remedy your dilemma, My Sweet!" agreed Pamela.
   In due course, Pamela came back to their bed, slid under the covers that Pamela held open for her and immediately placed her right forearm on Pamela's ribcage beneath her breasts, her right thigh covering Pamela's thigh's.  "Did you think I was crazy enough to try to escape this wonderful web you have woven?"  Indeed, Pamela's eyes revealed that very fear.  Sharon drew her close and whispered into  her right ear. "Now what was it that you wished to talk to me about, My Darling?"
   "I believe it had something to do with Life's Foxholes, Ma Oeyä Yawnetu," murmured Pamela.
   "Well, it meant it then," Sharon quickly felt Pamela's body tense-up, "And  mean it still. I mean look at all we have been through already.  It is said that your perfect Mate will become your Best Friend."  She peered intently into Pamela's eyes. "In this case, my best friend wishes to become my mate.  My Beloved Mate! It would make me ecstatically happy if you chose me as your muntxate, Your spouse, right?"
  Pamela swallowed hard and nodded in agreement.  For a fleeting second, she had considered offering an lesson in pronunciation; that first T was expressed explosively.  But she dismissed the notion just as quickly.  "Srak, Oeyä muntxate livu?"
   Sharon leaned on her elbow and toyed with a strand of Pamela's thick, dark hair.  "SRAK means that you are asking me a Yes/No question. OEYÄ means my or mine, MUNTxATE means spouse or mate.  But what does LIVU mean?"
   "I'm trying to ask you if you want to marry me."
   "Nìlun! Of Course! I thought you were going to ask me something hard like naming body parts, because, I think you need to teach me those a few more times!"
   Sharon pulled Pamela even closer, but Pamela ducked her head into Sharon's shoulder.  Suddenly, Sharon sensed dampness upon her skin.
   "Pamela, you're crying.  In all the years I've known you, I've never seen you cry!"
   Pamela spoke through her tears, "In all the years I've known you, I've never had the courage to ask you.  I didn't want to risk repulsing you. I figured I could settle for being NEXT to you, rather than CLOSE to you.  I didn't want you to hate me.  I couldn't live with that."  All the bottled up fears came to the surface.  Sharon just held her.  "I could never hate you, my Sweet Friend.  But I have to admit, I never asked You either, because I was certain that you would consider ME a freak.  We have held each other AT BAY for YEARS, because we feared rejection!"
   Sharon wasn't sure whether Pamela was laughing or sobbing, but she brought up Pamela's chin with the crook of her finger.  Then, caught a teardrop with her thumb. "How do you say this thing? Teardrop."
   "Tsngaw - pay - vi. TsNgAW,  which is to cry.  PAY, which is water, and VI which indicates a little bit, in this case a drop.  Pamela then laughed at herself. As a teacher, she had found a way to focus her attention on something other than her fears.  Her laughter had unintended consequences, though, which Sharon immediately noticed.
   "How CUTE! A snot bubble!  Even your snot is pretty!"  Pamela lost it.  "Oh My Dear, I don't even have a hanky to offer. No POCKETS!"  Pamela was laughing and wiped her face on the sheet.
   "This is going into the sanitation device soon, anyway."
   "Now. Set. What do you call this?"  Sharon delivered a lingering sensual kiss.  A few moments later, Pamela came up for air.
   "SäPom. A kiss! Unless you mean the verb to kiss, then it is just PM."
   "We talk too much! Let's practice.  Tìng Pom!"
   Pamela might have pointed out that those were both verbs, and therefore did not constitute a proper sentence.  But she was seriously distracted.  Eventually, Sharon caught her breath, and enjoyed the emotions of both excitement and contentment. "Srane.  By the way, YES! I want to continue this life together with you through the stars and galaxies and time and space.  I am prepared to risk everything to be with you.  I will, and I have, taken a bullet for you."
   They searched each others eyes, as lovers often do, confirming the depth of each others souls.  Quietly, Pamela whispered, "Oel ngati Kameie.  I SEE you, joyfully, fully."
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

 

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
   "Honey- Binny, I'm HUUUUUNGRY.  Can we shower-up, and get something to eat?" asked Sharon.
   "Of course, Babe, let me shower first.  You will find a tin of crackers and liver spread in the top cabinet, just to the right of the latrine door," and with that, Pamela disappeared through the door to the shower.
   Two things that had not changed in several hundred years, were the military 'dog tags', and the 'P-38', small folding can opener that almost all military personnel carried threaded onto the chain that held their 'dog tags'.
   Sharon flipped open the hooked blade of the 'P-38', and before she had traded places with Pamela in the shower, she had her half of the crackers and liver paste eaten, and Pamela's half laid out in a circle, with the liver spread out onto each cracker.  Once they were showered and dressed, the two of them walked into the mess hall together,  grabbed some breakfast, and sat down with the rest of the 'Undersea Renegades,' who by this time, were having their mid-morning 'coffee-call'.
   "Well, if it isn't the First Couple of this Inter-Stellar Tramp Steamer," toasted Chip with his coffee mug, with the other men at the table following his lead.
   "Thank you, thank you, one and all. Yes, it is true, Eywa has indeed smiled on our relationship," responded Sharon as she seated Pamela with all the Pomp, and Ceremony that she could muster.
   Once they were seated, Steve asked, "So I here that John and Wendy have hit it off really well.  Do you think that Eywa will shine down on them as well?"
   "I guess the best way to find out about THAT is to ask Eywa." shot back Sharon with a smile. 
   "I guess these recent turns of events have you guys date-less 'til we hit Pandora, huh?!" mentioned Pamela.
   "Yeah it looks like we might as well join the Priesthood for six or seven years 'til we get there," said Jim.
   "Naaah.With THIS motley crew you guys will probably pull alongside the first interstellar Love Boat that we come across, board it, and abscond all the good-looking women." said Pamela.
   "Just OUR luck, it would be a Klingon hunting party," said Chip.
   "Well that would be GREAT! I've heard that guys like you, LIKE it a little rough in the bedroom. Don't you?" chided Sharon.
   "Earthling energetic sex is no where NEAR a Klingon woman's definition of Rowdy Sex," said Steve.
   Dan walked up to the table looked at Sharon and Pamela and said, "I have some great news.  You and John, impressed Wendy SO MUCH, not just with your daily skills and work ethic, but the way that you two handled that asteroid affair last week, we are going to go to six-hour solo shifts starting today."
   John is nearing the end of his shift, and I am going to relieve him.  You will relieve ME at what would have been the start of your normal duty shift, and six hours later, Wendy will relieve YOU."
   "COOL!" exclaimed Sharon, "I wondered if we had managed to prove ourselves under pressure." 
   "Well, your Sleep and Off Time will improve, but it will probably cut into your study time a little," said Dan.  The guys at the table reassured him, "Oh don't worry, Dan," said Jim, "She now has a live-in Na'vi tutor!"
   Dan looked at the couple, and without missing a beat, shook both their hands, and congratulated each of them.
   "Thank you, Dan! Irayo Seiyi! I'm sure I can count on you to dance at my wedding," bubbled Pamela.
   "WEDDING!?" said Chip with a shout. "You two are dead serious!"
    "No Chip," said Sharon with a straight face, "Not dead!  DEFINITELY Not dead!"
   Dan looked at his watch and said, "Well I have to relieve John in ten minutes, so I'd best be on my way."  With that, he grabbed his pre-cooked meal out of the microwave, and headed Forward.
   "So who are you going to get to marry you guys?"  said Jim.
   "Wendy is Captain of this ship, and as such, she can do it," said Pamela.
   "What if John and Wendy decide to tie the knot?" said Steve.
   "Wendy can't perform her own ceremony, can she?" Jim asked.
   "Dan and I also have our Astronauts' Certification, and we both command a ship, so either one of us can perform the ceremony," said Sharon.  She continued with, "If Wendy did not want to, or would just rather that my friend John be honored, he has the same credentials and can perform the ceremony for Pamela and I."
    Sharon walked over to the learning center, and got the Memory Stick that she was working with, and a set of headphones.  She then unzipped the left breast pocket of her Flight Suit and pulled out her touch screen, and inserted the Memory Device into her Touch Screen.
   Chip announced, "Looks like we ought to follow her lead, and get to work."  In ten minutes they were all seated in the Learning Center just as John walked in, got his learning materials and joined the rest of the research team.
   "Hi John.  We are reviewing the lesson on the use of the word FKAN.
Pamela had brought out her trusty projector/touch pad and the following lesson was projected on the wall:
As for the <THING>, the <LOOK/SOUND/SMELL/TASTE/TEXTURE> "is-perceived(-as)" <ADJ. RELEVANT TO THE SENSE>
As for the drink, the taste________ fkan sweet.
As for the air, the smell _________fkan nasty to me.
As for that thing, the texture_________ fkan smooth.
As for the animal, the sound __________fkan like a palulukan.
As for the plant, the appearance __________fkan very tall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'UR      ZIR      PAM      FAHEW      SUR
FKAN if you remember, indicates  'is perceived as'.  Here is the structure of the sentences we will be constructing today, and these words down here,
"These are the five senses.  Who remembers  what they mean?"  Pamela pointed to the five words below the five sentences."
   "FAHEW" is easy, said Chip.  I remember it like, 'PEE YOO! That stinks.'  So it would go into the second sentence."
   "ZIR" is feel, tactally, not emotionally. So number three relates to texture.  It fits there." remarked Sharon.  She had plenty of tactal awareness to draw from these past nine hours!  She was smiling to herself when she heard someone say
   "PAM meaning sound, not the person.  This might be stupid but I remember it like BAM.  It works for me!" Explained Chip.
   "O.K., Mr. Smarty pants, do you have a hint for 'UR?" challenged Pamela.
   "As a matter of fact I do, but I don't know how useful it will be to you all.  UR is an Ancient Babalonian city and all the statues have these big goggle-eyes.  So I remember that it means AP PEER ANCE."
"And SUR?"
"SUR?  I haven't figured a mnemonic for SUR. It means South in Spanish, but I haven't figured out how to remember that except for thinking of 'Tasty Tacos Sur of the Border.' "
   "Hoo boy!  That's worse than the goggle-eyed statues of 'UR, but I can't think of anything that will help me remember TASTE!" said Sharon. She was thinking of the sweet kisses but didn't know how to attach the word SUR to that sensation.
   "OK, so we have matched up some words that relate to the five senses.  Now let's pair off and create five sentences  for each category.  Don't forget to add the topical ÌRI to the end of the noun. And use your A's at the beginning of the adjectives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sänumvi le Na'vÌri oe Neytiri te Tskaha Mo'atite,  Irayo Seiyi
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

  

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
  Sharon patted Dan on the shoulder as she walked between the two pilot's seats.  "Have a nice day at the office?"  Her attempt at lightening up the change of command had its desired effect; a big, wide grin on Dan's face.
  "Well, all has been quiet up here, are you set for the night shift?" he asked.
  "Yeah.  I'm fine.  Pamela will be up here in a couple of minutes with some dinner for me.  She will sit with me for about half an hour and then go to bed. I'll be fine up here.  You go get yourself some sleep."
  "I intend on JUST THAT," he said.
  "Sleep tight, I'm on the JOB," chuckled Sharon.
  "You have my EVERY confidence," returned Dan over his shoulder as he started down the companion way.  A few minutes later, Pamela walked onto the Flight Deck, and set a food tray on the Glare Shield, on top of the Instrument Panel.
  "Mind if I sit a while?"
  "Not at all, Ma Oeyä Yawnetu.  You can stay here as long as you wish, just don't deprive yourself of sleep."
  Pamela chatted with her mate for a little over an hour, and then took the emptied dishes and tray back to the mess hall, on her way to bed.
  Sharon was too much the dyed-in-the-wool "pride and professionalism", old school military officer to sit and day-dream about Pamela while on duty.  She busied herself with running diagnostic checks on different sub-systems, cross-checking the three different radars against each other, and so forth.  She was making the sixth and final radar cross-check of her shift, when Wendy walked on, saying, "The years just WON'T take the spit-shine, and starched creases, out of you military pilots, will they?"
  "Well Wendy, it is part of our make-up, part of what we are proud to be."  Sharon noted, "We are the kind of people to where you can place your life and safety in our hands, and know that your faith i us, will not be betrayed."
  "Oh, I know," agreed Wendy, " just don't think that I could take it to the extremes,  that you people do, without even thinking about it. "You people are awesome, this civilian pilot just wants you to know that."
  "Well I am humbled by your complete faith in my determination to protect everyone on this ship, Wendy," replied Sharon.
   Five minutes later, Sharon slipped into the room, stripped off her Flight Suit, and crawled alongside the sleeping body of her mate.  As she placed her arm over Pamela's waist, her sleeping mate mumbled,"I'm glad you are back."
  Sharon assured her, "Well I am very glad to be here, in our bed together.  Pamela started firing on all cylinders, rolled over facing Sharon and said, "Did you have a rough night at the office, dear?"  
  "Hey!  I used that line on Dan, when I took over his shift!"
  Pamela faked a pout, "You called him DEAR??"
  "Kehe! Slä oe syaw nga Yawnetu!  Tìng pom!"
  Pamela gave a quick kiss but was giggling too hard for romantic purposes.  "You are supposed to say,'Tìng säpom, or, Oel ngati pom! and THAT's basic."
  "Too many words! And my way is CUTER!"  After a good amount of kissing, Pamela asked if Sharon wanted her back adjusted.
  "Back adjusted, front adjusted...Adjust Away, ma Yawntu!"
  Pamela joyfully worked her magic but she stopped when Sharon started muttering mìNa'vi.
  "Mesyokxìri ngeyä zir fkan atxur." (As for your two hands, they feel strong.)
  "Oh! Tse nga lu eyawr.  You are correct!."
  Sharon was grinning into her pillow.  "Irayo ma hona yawnetu!"
  "What else did you practice yesterday?" asked Pamela.
  "Seyìri. no! Meseyìri ngeyä zir fkan ahewne. As for your lip. No! two lips they feel soft."
  "Nga lu txantsana numeyu!" exclaimed Pamela, you are a very good learner."  she continued as she massaged Sharon's gluteous maximus.  She offered her own observation. "Tximìri ngeyä zir fkan afaoi."
"Faoi?"  asked Sharon with a turn of her head.
 "Smooth, except for this old scar here and here, mìllengo ngeyä, on your hip.  Looks like it was clean through!  Old war wound?" she asked.
  "Yeah. Just a flesh wound," said Sharon dismissively.
  "Well that was a lot of FLESH!" gasped Pamela. "That left quite a long wound channel.  Let me kiss your BOO BOO!"
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

   A  familiar aroma greeted Sharon's senses upon awakening.  "Did you find a way to brew coffee in here, Shatzi?" Once she actually opened her eyes, she noticed that Pamela had gone to the mess hall, and had brought back the two largest cups that she could find, filled with coffee. "Rewon lefpom ma hona yawnetu alor, ngaru lu fpom srak?" said Sharon in an effort to show her Beloved that she was really paying attention to her lessons.
   "Srane Oe lu nìltsan, oeyä muntxate," was Pamela's sweet reply.
   The two of them were just finishing up when there was a light tapping on the door, and "Transport Jim" asked if he could come in for a moment.  Pamela said that was fine, so he popped his head in, and said, "After we enjoy some of Wendy's cooking this morning, would you two like to accompany me to the "lower forty farm", in the the cargo bay?"
   "Sure," replied Sharon, "I'd love to see your hydroponics set up.  By the way, when is breakfast going to be ready?" she asked.
   "By the time we get there, Wendy should be ready to dole it out," replied Jim.
   "Well then Time's A-Wastin'!" said Pamela, in her best Mammy Yoakum voice.
   The three of them walked into breakfast together, in rapt conversation about how the hydroponic system worked.  They ceased only when Wendy asked them, "Do you you want scrambled eggs and country gravy, or corned beef hash on toast?"  The two newly weds both opted for the hash, while Jim asked if he could have the eggs. 
   Over the meal, Sharon brought up an interesting point; the only remaining ISV had left parking-orbit two weeks before the Old Dog sneacked out, and she wondered if once the Old Dog cleared the Asteroid Belt, they could try to raise the ISV on the radio before it entered the Oort Cloud.  Wendy said that she and Transport Jim would try to raise them.  She also said that they were privy to information that they thought that we should know.  Wendy raised her voice and said,
   "Could I have everyone's attention?  You are going to want to hear this.  You all know that the ISV left parking-orbit two weeks before you all escaped Earth.  They were parked five-hundred yards from Old Dog.  We helped them load-out the ship, and they knew that we would be following, as soon as you guys could leave Earth undetected."
   Wendy went on to say that there were  total of twenty-four people on that ISV made up of medical personnel, technicians and the ship's Flight Crew.  They knew that part of the Cargo Manifest of the ship was fuel, part was food, and a LOT of medical supplies.  She said there was also a complete surgical suite, forty link chambers, and forty gestation tanks.  Wendy then looked solemnly at everyone in the room and said;
   "Everyone pay attention to what I am about to say.  The entire DNA bank of everyone who was NOT judged responsible for the travesty against the Na'vi people, or Eywa'eveng, is on that ship.  The medical personnel on the ship know all of the Reseachers that are on THIS ship.  They HAVE your DNA, as well as, the DNA of the Na'vi donors.  As soon as the ISV clears the other side of the Oort Cloud, they will combine the DNAs.  This is because our ship is slower and will arrive about a year later."
   This last point hit the Undersea Renegades like a freight train.  Everyone froze, and sat in stunned silence for the implications of Wendy's statement to sink-in.
   "That's right," Wendy said.  "All of our DNA samples, and ALL of the Na'vi DNA samples are on that ship.  They know who the Undersea Researchers are, and every single person on this ship will have an Avatar waiting for them when we arrive."
   The Researchers still sat in stunned silence for several minutes.  Each in their own time, returned to normal, with Chip being the first to speak.
   "Please pardon us if we walk around in shell shock for an hour or so.  We all thought that we would arrive on Pandora and each would have to prove our worth to the People, to even be allowed to stay.  If we stayed, we figured that we would then have to beg for DNA from different members of whichever olo' decided to adopt each of us.  Only then could the Avatar forming process begin. And only IF the equipment was still on Pandora and still usable. That being the case, we all knew, that some of us would not live long enough to be blessed with our Avatars."
   Steve then offered his thought.  "It is now a safe bet that each of us, barring accident or injury, WILL experience a body that is indicative of our true hearts.
   Sharon was the next to speak.  "I think that NOW we will EACH have the impetus to knuckle-down, all the harder to learn, and put into practice,  the language, and the ways of each of our families."
   Pamela, ever the worry-wart,  swallowed hard, took a large drink of water, and said, "Now I want to know who my half-sister is?  How did they get the Na'vi DNA anyway? Was it invasive?  Just because we have Avatar bodies, we can't assume they will accept us.  Maybe they will treat us as half-breeds and isolate us into our own tribe, away from true Na'vi.  How will we know what clan we belong to?  This is both scary and exciting!"
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
   "It has been quite a day, my adorable Pamela,"  said Sharon, as they closed the door to their room behind them.
   "And how would you say that nìNa'vi, Ma Muntxate?" asked Pamela.
   "Eltur tìten sami, oeyä hona Yawnetu?" replied Sharon, HOPING that it was correct.
   "You are referring to awngeyä fmawn asìltsan, srak?"
    Sharon held up her hand in the the "halt" position as she puzzled out the phrase.  "Srane, oengä sìltsana fmawn! Our good news! Ayoengru layu ayuniltìrantokx, we will be DreamWalkerBodies. Moe layu metokx aean!" We two will be Blue Bodies."
   Pamela smiled worriedly and dropped eye contact.
   "Aw, come on, Pamela!" Sharon invited Pamela into an embrace.  "Everyone else is jumping up and down with excitement.  Why are you so worried?"
   Pamela was behaving so distantly, so distractedly, that she stepped out of the sheltering embrace.
   "It's just that I'm afraid of our reception.  The last time humans showed up on Pandora, they killed hundreds, and destroyed the Omatikaya Hometree after raping and plundering the land..."   Pamela had to stop speaking because Sharon's finger was upon her lips.  Sharon interrupted.
   "And now they have Jake Sully.  We don't know what will have happened these ten years since the Battle for the Well of Souls.  But my guess is that Jake Sully made one HELL of a good impression on the Na'vi."
   "Well, maybe..." Pamela was searching for answers in Sharon's eyes.  "Maybe we should learn to BEG for mercy and asylum mìNa'vi?  Maybe Jake will put in a good word for us.  I just don't want to be viewed as an intruder in their world."
   "We WON'T be, My Love," soothed Sharon, as Pamela allowed herself to be embraced again.  "Look, My Love, the Battle for the Well of Souls was ten years ago.  Four years ago, the ISV carrying the RDA people that were thrown off Pandora, was intercepted as they entered the inner solar system.  The war criminals were sent to life imprisonment on Io, minig water ice for Earth.  Those who did NOT play such an active part in the attempted genocide, or did so under PROVABLE duress, were placed in a prison on our Moon.  Those who had nothing to do with the atrocities on Pandora, were placed in the colony on our Moon, more for THEIR protection from the rioting lynch mobs on Earth, than anything else."
   Pamela was visibly calmer now, but Sharon continued.  "What we DO know for sure, is that Jake, Norm, Max, Trudy, and eighty others, highly distinguished themselves defending the Na'vi and Eywa'eveng.  This we know from people who came back from there.  The Na'vi are an HONRABLE people.  The ISV that was enroute to Pandora has been in the Alpha Centuri system for almost three years, and no doubt, is in orbit above Pandora with it's crews integrated with the Na'vi.  We have the radios on our Flight Deck tuned to the frequencies for both the ISV's and Blue Heart Gate, and have had them on ALWAYS.  After the Grea Na'vi Victory, when the PROOF of the attempted genocide was sent to Earth, WHO was in the video transmission?  It was Jake, Norm, and Max, with  bunch of other Avatars and humans working alongside the Na'vi, clearing the damage from the Battle. 
   "Rutxe, ngari livu txe'lan mawey, Ma Yawnetu, and remember what you SAW on those videos.  Jake and the Na'vi looked REAL friendly.  So did all the Na'vi and the other decent Earthlings.  Besides, you SAW the two or three minutes of footage of what used to be called Hell's Gate, where some humans we don't know said that its name had been changed to Blue Heart Gate.  They are KEEPING that place up and running, for humanitarian work.  And the Avatars and Humans are the ones keeping it running.  Does that sound like we won't be welcomed?  When they KAME our Blue Hearts, ayoengeyä aena ayte'lan?  They will, I know it in my bones.  They will."
   Pamela looked up at Sharon and smiled. "I had forgotten about the videos from Pandora. Irayo ... why don't we get some coffee, then you can take a shower, while I get a clean flight suit for you?"  Sharon thought that was a great idea, so they headed to the mess hall, and coffee,  together.
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

 
CHAPTER THIRTY - FIVE
   Sharon walked onto the Flight Deck and exchanged pleasantries with Dan.  But instead of leaving and heading for the mess hall, he asked her, "Is your Sweetheart alright?"  Sharon assured him that she was, that she had forgotten the visual details of the incriminating video that the Humans ans Ayuniltìrantokx had sent back to Earth from Pandora.
   Dan responded, "Yeah! If you pay attention to the visual cues in that clip, you will see more and more proof of the Na'vi peoples' trust of humans that truly have Blue Hearts, every time that you what it.  You have to see it ten or twelve times because every time that you pay attention to the crowd in the background, you pick up something that you missed before."
  "Yes, that is probably true IF there were any copies of the video that survived the last ten years," mused Pamela.
   Sharon and Dan turned around, and Pamela stood in the doorway, tray of coffee and goodies in hand.
   "I heard what you guys were talking about, and I didn't want to interrupt, but WHERE would we find ANY of the old footage that was sent to Earth by the people at Blue Heart Gate?" she wondered.
   Dan opened the left upper arm zipper of his flight suit, and said, "How about right here?! This isn't just the edited for time, version that you guys saw on the news.  THIS is the full length, unedited, TWO HOUR feed that we got from them."
   "OHH MAN!  When can the Undersea Renegades watch THIS?" queried Pamela.
   "How about tomorrow night, during Wendy's or my shift?  That way, both Sharon and John can watch it at the same time as all the other renegades."
   "That sounds like an excellent plan!" said Sharon, "I think that it will raise the emotional states, and desires, of ALL of us to become even better Ayuniltìrantokx than we were studying to be earlier."
   "I believe so," affirmed Dan, "We all got a serious shot in the emotional arm when we saw this.  It gave us the emotional strength to come up with, and stick to, our plan to get to Pandora."
   "Well, I'm sure glad that you guys decided to stick around and let us join your escape flight," said Pamela.
   "Once William filled us in on just how True Blue you guys were, we weren't going to leave you if you could make it up to where we were parked," Dan said.  He continued with, "When we found out that TWO of you were part of the Astronaut Corps., and that Sharon here, had completely retrofitted the StarShooter, we just COULDN'T leave you guys behind, if you could get off-world without getting caught."
   "Well, I guess our little plan of having all the Earth's techtonic plates let go within six hours of each other, gave us the PERFECT diversion," said Sharon, trying to keep a straight face, while slapping Dan on the shoulder.
   "Oh, I'm leaving before I need hip-waders to stay in here!  See you tomorrow," said Dan with a smile.
   "Boy, you lead him right into THAT one, oeyä yawnetu!" said Pamela, "Would you like your dinner?"
  "Only if you share some with me, oeyä muntxate," replied Sharon.
   "Well, you see that there is two of everything," replied Pamela in mock astonishment. "So what did you think"?"
   Sharon leaned sideways, kissed her bride on the cheek, and suggested, "Come! Let's dine among the stars together!"
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

 
CHAPTER THIRTY - SIX
   "That was GREAT, Honey, I don't know how you make military rations taste so good."
"Well. oeyä muntxate, what you taste is NOT a secret ingredient, but you can ONLY get it from MY cooking," said Pamela, "It is my love for you, and You CAN  taste it!"
   "That is very true.  You make two packages of military field rations taste like a gourmet meal at a five star restaurant because of your love." stated Sharon, "But without my love for you, I would not be able to discern the flavors of it."
   Pamela smiled, and stroked Sharon's right forearm, saying, "You say such sweet things to me!"
   "It is the only way that I know how to BE with you," Sharon replied. "I have a question for my Na'vi tutor," she continued, "I would like to learn to say, " 'It is my wish, or my hope, or my desire...' If I could learn that phrase, I could combine it with many other things, to convey a concept."
   "Ah YES! That is true, Tsanìngay!  I think the rule for wishing is to add <iv> into the verb."
   "In the first position?" asked Sharon.
   "Eyawr! Correct!  That's why we say, Hivahaw sìltsan.  It is a WISH that the person to whom the statement is directed toward, has a good sleep."
   "Irayo nitxan oeyä Karyu, ngal oeru srung si, nìtxan."
   "Nìprrte, oeyä hona numeyu!." answered Pamela.
   Ten minutes later, Pamela told Sharon that she was going to go to bed soon, but that she would bring Sharon something to drink from the mess hall before turning in.  "I'll wake up when you slip under covers. I always want another kiss."
   Sharon requested some Earl Grey Tea and was rewarded with a steaming mug, and enough tea and warm water for two more mugs that were later warmed up in the small microwave at the rear bulkhead of the Flight Deck.
   It took the full measure of Sharon's military training and discipline to keep her mind fully focused on her duties, and off thinking about stepping upon Pandoran soil fo the first time.  With her strength of will, and military training, her mission at hand prevailed.
   Towards the end of Sharon's shift, Wendy walked on deck, and informed her that the video would be shown three hours after Sharon's duty shift ended, in oder to allow John to see it in its entirety, before relieving her.   Sharon assured Wendy that she would be there before the video was started, and make sure that John relieved her on time.
   Sharon entered the room, stripped, showered, and snuggled next to Pamela.  Two hours later, Pamela stirred in the bed, awaking Sharon, who had only allowed herself to sleep lightly, so as to not miss the showing of the video.
   "I'm sorry, Honey.  I didn't mean to wake you." said Pamela.
   "No apology required, my love," replied Sharon.  "We needed to get up now anyway.  They are going to show the video in one hour, so I showered before crawling next to you."
   "Weel, then!  I had better get my txìm showered," Pamela said, while vaulting over the still prostrate Sharon, for the shower.
   It wasn't ten minutes and a freshly showered Pamela walked out of the shower room, clothed, and toweling her hair. Ten minutes later, they walked into 'the Hall', as everyone had started calling the Mess Hall.  Once there, they grabbed some snacks and coffee, sat down together, awaiting the raw version of the video that inspired world wide riots.  And the inabstencia trials of the RDA while they were still inbound from Pandora.
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

 
CHAPTER THIRTY - SEVEN
   Dan walking into The Hall, and everyone applauded.  He held up a hand in a symbol of modesty, and by waving it to the ground for the assembled people to stop.
   "Grab something to munch on Dan," said Steve, "This is a full length feature film."
   "Oh, I'll have a little something, but save your appetites for later.  We have a special treat waiting for us all," he responded.
   Chip came back with, "Oh they have been hiding the T-bones for one last hoorah meal before we all become vegetarians!"
    "NOPE!" shot back Transport Jim.  "We will NOT run out of proteins, and I'm not talking legumes, either!"
   "O.K. People!
It's obvious that the transport crew does NOT want us to know what the special treat IS just yet.  And we are eating into MY free time after the video, and before I have to relieve Wendy at the helm.  Let's just pipe down, and Watch This," said Sharon, reverting to Captain West, Air Force Flight Officer.
   Dan turned on the 100 inch wall screen and the image of Jake, Norm, Neytiri, Mo'at, and many unrecognized Na'vi that surrounded and were behind them, came into view.
   They stood in front of the Bunk House that served as the first Pandoran environment sleeping quarters for the new Avatars, by the produce garden, and just inside the facility fence.
   Jake was the first to speak, and read not from notes, but spoke from the heart.
   "Two days ago, the Na'vi People, and this very moon that we call our home, were in a fierce battle for our very existence.  Made against us, by a madman, intent on the genocide of the Na'vi people, and the utter destruction of Eywa'eveng, itself.  All of this at the direction of the RDA in the name of money and even greater power for a multinational conglomerate that all but murdered THEIR OWN MOTHER to satisfy their unquenchable greed.  his struggle for our very right  to exist, seemed dire indeed, half way through the Battle to protect the Well of Souls, until Eywa showed the animal kingdom of our home, what the mercenaries of the RDA intended to do to all of us, should they win the struggle.  She showed them the thousands of meuianga aysamsiyu that had already sacrificed their lives to protect our home, and way of life.  When the animals of our home saw these things, they volunteered to help us. And Eywa directed them on how to turn against the Evil Ones while aiding those of us putting our lives on the line, for THEM and THEIR home.  They did not harm any who were fighting against the Evil Ones, whether they were Na'vi, Avatar, or even Human.  Eywa showed them the Blue Hearted Ones."
   Jake continued with, "By the grace and intervention of Eywa, this which is pure, just, and respectful of all things prevailed.  The MadMan was killed at the hands of a Na'vi he meant to murder and many of his minion met their death.  The remainder of those that fought on the side of greed and evil, or simple stood-by out of disinterest or fear, were sent back to your dying world this morning.  Please note that not all that are on your returning vessel are Evil.  We do not have the resources to hold court here.  What we HAVE done, is under a separate transmission that will follow this one.  We will send you the names, RDA Numbers and Scans, and current photos of all those aboard that made war against a pristine world, and innocent people.  The others, in our opinion, should not be punished."
   The scene then switched to the main control room, which it's heavily damaged exterior wall, and Max, who along with several other humans, fought against the RDA by destroying the communications, and downs-links for all orbital targeting data, as well as their Earthling-Friendly AIR.  Max Patel walked into the frame, along with twelve other humans, and gave the account of their attacks on the ones in the control room still loyal to the RDA after Max destroyed thiry feet of steel, lexan, and concrete, with an AMP suit which he had commandeered.  The camera panned around the wrecked room showing four Ewya loyal humans getting one of the Comm consoles back on-line, being helped by five young Na'vi who were moving large pieces of concrete out of the way.  Some time later the scene shifted to the roof of the main building where the antennas were being re-aimed.
   The last scenes were shot in late afternoon and showed the Na'vi the Avatars, and Blue-Hearted Humans eating and playing together, not far from the Olo'Omatikaya Kelutral, which now lay shattered on the ground, still smoking from the RDA's thermite tipped rockets.  The video closed with Neytiri saying,
   "We are a People at Peace.  Living in harmony with each other, the animals, and Eywa'eveng.  When you first came, and did NOT show us your murderous ways, we wished to live in peace with you.  We wanted to teach you our ways, and to share with you our home.  But then you brought down your great machines that ripped and tore at Eywa'eveng, and for WHAT, some ROCKS?
   "We tried to show you this was very bad only, and you shoved us away, bringing down even BIGGER machines, that tore into our Home even more.  This hurt Eywa very much.  So we took our weapons and tried to stop your machines, without hurting you Humans.  But you started shooting at us from your Lefngapa Ayikran, your Kunsìps.  When we were only children, you killed my sister in the school Right in Front of Me.  She died in Dr. Augustine's arms.  Then you killed many of us when you destroyed and burned our Kelutral and you tried to kill us ALL with your machines of death.  And this was all done, for some ROCKS?"
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
   Everyone sat in stunned silence for several minutes, even the two members of the Transport Crew, who had seen the video transmission before.  The part of the video that had the greatest effect on everyone, was also the part that damned the worst of the RDA to the Ice Mining Prison of Io: the gun camera film of the attack force on the Kelutral of the Olo' Omatikaya, who were incapable of putting up any real resistance at all.  The video clips were accompanied by the jovial conversation of the RDA flight crews, as they were killing people that had only arrows and spears, with machine guns and air to ground rockets.
   The dichotomy of the still smoking ruins of the Olo'Omatikaya Kelutral, right behind the communal meal, where this particular clan of Na'vi was remembering their victory over the RDA vrrtep, and honoring the bravery of the fallen, with the Avatar and Humans that possessed Blue Hearts and WELCOMING them as if they were family, spoke greatly to many hearts.
   After several minutes Dan asked, "Does any one here have questions or comments on what they have just seen?"
   When still nothing was said, for what seemed like a long time, Sharon said, "As a warrior who has seen several combat tours in Nicaragua, Honduras, and Venezuela, I find ir somewhat disgusting, and HIGHLY dis-honorable to hear some of the radio chatter that was going on during the attack.  What made this repugnant to me, was the asymmetry of weapons involved.  This was more like an extermination than a battle.
   "In viewing and listening to the videos, and after having read excerpts a decade ago from some of the testimonies that were given  by some of the RDA,   I have come to the firm conclusion that Quaritch's hatred of the Na'vi was no different than Hitler's hatred of the Jews.  I, for one, am glad hat we was put to death.  I only wish that it had not been done in battle.  He did not deserve to die a warrior's death."
   With that said, Sharon's words turned to the praise of the Na'vi people. "When I, as a warrior, am driven to such contempt for the murderous horde that descended upon the Olo'Omatikaya that day,  from the relative isolation of transcripts and that video, and then see the way that the Na'vi treated the Avatars and Humans, I am dumbfounded.  This was scant two days after experiencing those very atrocities.  I am in thankful awe, of their ability to judge individual people on their individual actions."
  With that said, Sharon sat down, waiting for the next person to speak.  Dan saw the opportunity to add something and said, "That almost inconceivable quality to forgive and forget, is what gave us, on this ship, the desire to go to Pandora and the courage to do what we did.  We were willing to risk our lives to get other Blue Hearts away, from seeming judgment fallen upon the Earth, and we have been immediately rewarded for it, by having you people added to our company on this voyage."
  When no one else rose to speak,  Pamela got up.  "Thank you for sharing that footage, Ma Dan.  I sort of wish you had shown us earlier, this has certainly been encouraging.  I was horrified at the cockpit conversations as the RDA gunships tore apart the Na'vi warriors.  What made it even worse, was that they could be so glib about killing many unarmed women and children as well.
   "I loved the closing scene where the Na'vi, the Avatars, and Humans were all talking, eating, and spiritually healing together.  What strikes me is that many of the Na'vi were wounded and killed in this battle. The mass burials, nor the wounded were exploited for sympathy, even though such scenes would have most certainly increased the severity of the punishments of the guilty. The Na'vi still maintained their compassion for the fallen and the dignity of the grieving.  What will stay with me until the day I leave this realm, however, is that through all this pain and turmoil, the Na'vi could still recognize those with Blue Hearts."
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

   
CHAPTER THIRTY -NINE
  Half way through the video, Transport Jim had slipped down to one of the cargo holds that contained freezers and grabbed  twenty pounds of frozen shrimp.   He took it to the "Hall", in four large rectangular baking dishes.  He quietly entered the far end of the Hall, that housed the kitchen, and placed the shrimp in a large electric convection oven.  Once all the shrimp were loaded, he turned on both the oven, and the exhaust fan that ducted the aroma of the roasting shrimp into the only empty cargo hold on the Transport.  Jim then eased himself to the back of the the area where everyone was watching the video, and no one was the wiser, as he was only gone for ten minutes.  Once the conversation following the video had died down, he walked to the front of the room, and announced, "Before we started showing our copy of the transmission from Pandora, I told you folks that we were going to have a steady source of good tasting animal protein on this ship. And I wasn't fibbing.  The only thing IS, that no one knows a great engineer as well as another engineer.  Sharon, could you please aid me in designing and setting up the protein farm?"
   "Of course I would, I would find it an interesting challenge," answered Sharon.  With that out of the way, Jim asked, "Dan, could you help Sharon and I bring the Protein to the dining area of The Hall?"
   Dan happily joined the other two and everyone took that as their cue to ease over to the other end of the Hall from the kitchen, from where they were sitting, in the center of The Hall.  Several minutes after the travelers had seated themselves, Dan, Jim, and Sharon, brought in steaming trays of broiled shrimp.  The response was as predicted.  To say that they were overjoyed would be an understatement. 
   Before anyone could dig in, Dan reminded everyone in Carnival Hawker style, that the supply of Nì'Rrta Teylu would continue partly because of Sharon's help.  This bit of showmanship brought an equally over-the-top enthusiastic round of applause, to which Sharon said, "It's nothing Folks.  No need to applaud.  Just throw money."
   Once they had all sat down, Steve said, "I thought that they grew these critters on huge farms in ponds?"
   "They used to.  But on the Moon colony, and on this ship, we will grow them the same way that plants are grown hydroponically," replied Sharon.  After popping some shrimp in her mouth, she continued, "We can ALSO get them to do double-duty, by being one of the stages in a closed loop water reclamation system.  Let's EAT, I have ten minutes before I have to go to the bridge and relieve Wendy."
   During the meal, there was hopeful discussion about how accepting the Na'vi were once they were sure that someone possessed a Blue Heart.  Sharon brought up a pertinent topic, when she spoke of NOT offending the Na'vi people.  "I don't care if our Avatars are ready three months before we get there and are waiting for us.  We should show up having NOT even tried them out on the ISV, until EACH of us has been approved by our respective Tsahik.  If one of us sneaks a "test-drive", and tries to lie about it, I am quite sure that both the aysahik AND Eywa will know about it.  It will look VERY bad for US as a group, if the the first thing that comes out of our mouths, is a lie."
   Between bites of shrimp, it was agreed by all, that the presumptuousness of inhabiting an Avatar before being given explicit permission by a Na'vi of appropriate authority, would NOT be attempted by anyone, no matter how long it took to get that blessing.
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

  CHAPTER FORTY
   Sharon walked onto the Flight Deck of the Old Dog carrying a large bowl filled with freshly broiled shrimp for Wendy, walked between the two pilot's chairs, and said, "Compliments of Chef Dan, for the Duty Captain of this vessel," as she handed the bowl to Wendy.
   "Wow! This smells fantastic!" she said.   "But for some reason, I am dead on my ass today.  I wanted to speak with you on what you saw, and what you thought about it, as well as give my reaction immediately after I saw it for the first time.  In addition, I would like to tell you about how I felt after the three of us had seen it, about twice a year since the first time."  Wendy rubbed her eyes and continued, "I will DO that, but it will have to be AFTER I get some sleep.  I will discuss this either after you are relieved or after you wake up from sleep tomorrow."
   "No problem, Wendy," replied Sharon, "I definitely DO want to hear your thoughts on it, and  what you think the reaction of the Na'vi to another batch of humans on their home world would possibly be.  There are also several variables that might act as Wild Cards in the deck, and we ought to discuss and come to appropriate alternate plans should they be required.  You are tired, eat your dinner, get some sleep, and we all can discuss this when we are all refreshed."
   Wendy seemed to agree with that, but still appeared to be struggling with something on her mind, and perhaps, her very spirit.
   "O.K., something is Really bothering you at your very core, so give me the really short version so that you can even GET to sleep," counseled Sharon.  "Come on, Wendy, Fess-Up!"
   Wendy almost bore a look of personal shame on her face. "Please tell me that I am not the only one to be ashamed to be a Tsawtute, right now," Wendy mumbled. shaking her head.  "It is hard to forget the sights and sounds of that video, and the abject cruelty of the sawtute against the Na'vi, makes me almost HATE my species.  I feel almost as if I am a DIFFERENT species, the way so many of them act so hatefully, so cruelly. Those, those ..."  Wendy groped for a word that wasn't a profanity, turned to Sharon, palms up, uable to adequately voice her dispair and rage at what the Na'vi people had suffered. "Will the Na'vi people even WANT us?"
   Pamela walked in, having heard what Wendy said, handed Sharon half a bowl of shrimp, turned to Wendy and said, "All we can hope for, Ma Wendy, is that Jake Sully made a good impression on them.  The Na'vi know that at least one Uniltìrantokx has a good spirit.  Maybe he can convince them to give the rest of us a chance to prove ourselves."
   Sharon put her free arm around Pamela and continued the thought.  "Wendy, we are NOT BEHAVING like members of the same species as THOSE humans, even though we look the  same.  The fact that even though we MAY look the same, we have never acted like these vrrtep.  This is the precise reason that we are WHERE we are, safely leaving the judgment that the Human Race brought down on itself."
   Wendy looked better but Sharon wanted to address the last thing that she said.  "You wonder if the Na'vi would even want us, well, I believe that they would, and here is why:  It wasn't just Jake, It was Norm, Max, Trudy, and twenty or so techs that took over the control room, completely blinding the attacking force.  And how many  humans did we see at the end of the video? I'm guessing somewhere around a hundred, and we have no idea how many of the "Na'vi" were actually uniltìrantokx.  Oh, make no mistake, the Na'vi WILL check EACH of us out, to see if we have eana te'lan. Eywa will tell the aysahik which of us shares the tirea of the Na'vi. And I believe that is ALL of us. We WILL be WELCOMED as the children of those whose DNA  that ayoengä ayuniltìtantokx carry.
   "But you look beyond tired.  You need to go to bed, oeyä tsmuke."  With that Wendy handed the now-empty bowl to Sharon, relinquished the Number One Seat, and left the Flight Deck to Sharon and Pamela.
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
   "Well, oeyä yawnetu, the palulukan lu mìso, set moe tsun lawk teri u'o tse'a."
"Whoa! Ma Sharon! Slow down.  Na'vi doesn't have articles, so you can ditch the word THE. Slä, peli'u MÌSO?" But what word its MÌSO?"
  Sharon gloated and said, "I looked it up!  It means AWAY."
   Pamela replied, "Srane! Set moe tsun lawk rusìkxa ayrelteri.  Rusìksa;"  out came the touch screen. She wrote: R<US>ÌKX + A
"RÌKx means to shift position - to move, <US> is an infix that turns MOVE into an adjective, MOVING, which describes what THIS noun DOES.
AY + REL = pictures
RUSÌKxA AYREL means MOVING PICTURES
   "And by the way,"said Pamela moving close into Sharon's arms, "that was very clever about the cat being away - I'm not sure about TERI U'O but what you have said is close enough, that I understand your meaning. One which we hope the Na'vi would also understand.  This brings us to the MOVING PICTURES ..."
   Sharon had a look on her face that appeared to be more confused than hurt.  "O.K., you just changed most of what I said, and I can't find the word TERI.  I like that poor little word. And I wasn't sure if I should use U'O (something) or TSA'U (that thing).  Did I do it wrong by NOT saying MOVING PICTURES?  Couldn't I just have said it like I did,  WHAT WE JUST SAW, or do I have to be that precise about something that I am describing?"
   "Well, I was not clear of your meaning because I think you said, LAWK TERI U'O TSE'A, which means, 'discuss about something see'.  I was just trying to clarify WHAT it was that we would be talking ABOUT."
   "TERI means ABOUT, but you got rid of it!"  This time Sharon actually looked wounded.
   "Kehe, it's an adposition like HU. You an use it like a separate word, in front of your noun, or attach it to the back of the word.  See? Here it is, AYREL +TERI. about pictures.
   "Pictures about... other stuff? No!" Sharon answered herself. "About pictures, Teri is stuck to the word pictures. Kefyak?"
   "Lu ewayr! And we already use an adposition when we say 'Eywa Ngahu', get it?"
   Sharon replied, "Eywa WITH you. I get it. Now.  Do you have that lesson on your touch screen?"
   "Nìlun!" replied Pamela.  Sharon reached into the left breast pocket of her flight suit and produced her own touch screen.  They held them up, face-to-face, in order to exchange data.
   "TÌNg POM!", they said when their devices touched.  And then finished the lesson with their own kiss.
   "Now that we got the lesson out of the way, let's discuss what was brought up, and was implied, in the video," said Sharon. "I think everyone on this vessel is as far removed from what those War Criminals did as noon is from midnight.  The thing that is bothering both Wendy and Transport Jim, is their fear of the Na'vi not accepting, or in an extreme case of pessimism, even allowing us to stay?  In my heart, seeing the Na'vi interacting with humans and Avatars, the way they did, PROVES that once they see that we view the ecology as they do, treat the other fauna with the same compassionate respect that they do, and HATE the way that the sawtute vrrtep, they should have no problem with us.  If we really work at learning their language and customs, and live what we learn, I think we are home free."
   Sharon studied Pamela's face for a moment, and said, "A penny for your thoughts, oeyä muntxate?"
   "Just a penny? Pamela replied with a grin.  "Listen, it is very encouraging to have seen them all eating and chatting together.  But we cannot take anything for granted.  I would like to think that the Na'vi would be gracious hosts.  But after eight year, guests and fish begin to stink.  What would we do if they said, 'Nice to meet you, but go away?' "
   Sharon responded, "Well, then we would do as they asked, and go away from Pandora.  If they had kicked the other Blue-Hearted Humans out, the first thing that we would do, is to transmit on all commonly used frequencies of the spacecraft, and see if we could find where they went TO.  I would also diplomatically ask, if we could remove the weapons of war from the Blue Heart Gate Compound.  We would then take as much as we could use and could lift up to the transport.  I would then thank them for their kindness, and we would break orbit, and check out all of the other moons, to see it they could support either our human, or avatar bodies.  Personally, I believe that if we did not bring up WHERE we were going, we could thrive on the next moon over.  And if we NEVER made ANY attempt at ANY sort of contact with the Na'vi, it wouldn't bother them a bit.
   "BUT I do not view that as having to happen,  yet if it did, it is one of several alternate destination plans that ANY military commander worth their commission would have already worked out."
   Upon hearing just ONE of the plans for alternate endings of the voyage, that her wife was constantly planning and amending as required, Pamela's concerns abated.  She then hugged her muntxate for the better part of an hour, before going off to bed.
   "Wake me when you get in the room, my love," asked Pamela as she left the Flight Deck.
   "Tsat oe panu, oeyä hona yawnetu alor," assured Sharon. That I promise
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te


CHAPTER FORTY -TWO
  "Hey Sharon, you ready to call it a night?" asked Dan, as he walked on the Flight Deck.
  "Yeah! I am.  Pamela and I discussed the video a little bit with Wendy, but in greater detail with each other after Wendy to bed," said Sharon, getting out of the Command Pilot seat, for Dan.  Sharon patted Dan on the shoulder, saying, "Don't work too hard!" and she headed aft towards the Hall for two cups of coffee, and what ever Goodies were available, and then to the rooms, that she and Pamela had turned into "their home", or MOEYÄ KELKU, as Pamela instructed.
  Sharon slipped into their home, stripped off her flight suit, quietly went to the shower.  Once cleaned off and toweled dry, she leaned over the bed, and kissed Pamela on the ear.
  "Rewon lefpom  ma oeyä hona yawnetu alor.  Srak 'efu nga 'ohakx fu väng,"  Sharon asked her precious mate.
  Pamela looked up at Sharon and replied, "Srane ma oeyä meuianga tsamiyu , oe 'efu väng sì ohakx."
  "Oel ngati zamamunge 'uo ftu tsengeyä 'emusu, oeyä yawnetu," said Sharon, hoping that she had said it right.
  "Very clever, 'From Cooking Place!'  you deserve säpom, a Kiss!" Pamela closed her eyes and puckered up.
  Sharon put a piece of sweet bread between her teeth, stuck her lips out enough for Pamela to feel Sharon's lips first, and when Pamela sensed something OTHER than Sharon's tongue between her teeth, and it was covered in cinnamon!  Being a Quick Study Pamela bit off her half of the offered sweet bread, and said,
 "Tsat lamu kalin!"
  "Oe lu kalin kop!" whispered Sharon, as she kissed Pamela's neck.  What was on the bedside table would have to wait til later.
  An hour later, they both showered, put on clean clothes, and went to the hall for food and fellowship.  While picking out some dehydrated scrambled eggs and flat bread, to go with their coffee, Transport Jim walked up to them when they were out of ear shot of all others, and asked if he could have a talk with the two of them on the Flight Deck in private, after Sharon relieved Wendy later.  They both said, "Of course!"   He thanked them and went off to one of the cargo holds.
  While they were eating breakfast, Wendy asked if she could sit with them, and Sharon pointed with her palm up to an empty chair at the table.  Wendy sat down at the table, and after a moment said, "I thought about what you said last night, and it makes a lot of sense.  All of thse things are plainly evident in the video, and my brain has no problem believing them one-hundred percent.  What worries me, is even though my brain tells me that the Na'vi will accept us, WHY does my heart still hold on to a fear that we will have to perform your alternate plan, Sharon?"
  Sharon looked at Wendy and said, "I can give you a million logical reasons why the Na'vi will accept us when they meet us, but the heart does NOT work on logic.  Pamela is the QUOTE, "Tsahik," UNQUOTE of our little group, so I will let HER calm your heart."
  "Don't let this Old Warrior fool you, Ma Wendy," said Pamela as she indicated Sharon by pointing her thumb.  "Beneath that zippered Flight Suit, beats a heart of gold, or EAN!  When I was troubled and worried, Sharon comforted my brain.  Eventually, your heart will agree.  Especially if your brain keeps talking sense to it.  But you have your choice, Ma Tsmuke, you can choose to worry, or you can chose to hope.  Tìefumì oeyä, the way I feel, you should hope for the best and prepare for the worst,  but Sharon has some good options for us."  At this point, Pamela had already been stroking Wendy's arm soothingly.  Now she gently lay her hand over her breast bone.
  "Mawey 'efu txe'lanit, Ma Wendy.  Feel calm in your heart."  Pamela had risen and was standing behind Wendy.  Wendy sighed, placed her hand over Pamela's hand, and inclined her chin towards Pamela.  She received a kiss upon her brow.
  "Faylutatìri oe irayo seiyi ngaru.  For these words I thank you," said Wendy.  "I had never realized that I could choose NOT to worry.  I daresay this will take some practice on my part.  It seems to be my responsibility..."
  "Coming up with alternatives will be your responsibility, but the rest is in Eywa's hands.  Only She has the solutions.  Hope is a very powerful tool.  Choose HOPE.  Focus on your heartbeat, your blue heartbeat, and practice HOPE."
  Wendy thanked the both of them and trotted off to the Work Out Room, in much better spirits.
  Sharon looked at Pamela and said, "Tse, ma oeyä txanslusama tsahik, kem si ngaru sänumeyä faylì'u fpi ngeyä tsamsiyu?"
  Pamela glanced at Sharon and said, "Txanslusama faylì'u oeru fpi Ma Hona Tsamsiyu Alor; these wise words I have for my Adorable Warrior. "Krra oel ngati pom, oel may' ngeyä tireat."  Sharon puzzled this out aloud.
  "KRRA means WHEN.  OEL NGATI means I DO TO YOU. POM means KISS."  So the first phrase is, 'When I kiss you'...srak?  OEL means I, the do-er, what was the second word?"
  Pamela leaned close with her dreamy eyes, and said, "MAY'  can mean either Test or Taste."
  "Ngeyä tireat, YOUR Spirit!  ROLUN! I Got It!" said Sharon, almost shouting for joy.  "I kiss you. I test your spirit!  Well then...Do I Pass?"
  "Kehe! May' means Taste. TASTE your spirit!" laughed Pamela realizing she was being teased.  Sharon pulled her into an embrace, but it was hard to kiss while giggling.
  "OH! ROLUN! TASTE!" exclaimed Sharon.  "It must be the cinnamon!"  
  Just as Sharon was thinking to embrace Pamela, the sound of applause reminded them that were in a Public Place, and the SCALAWAGS that made up the rest of the "Undersea Renegades" were living up (or in this case DOWN) to their reputation.
  Pamela and Sharon decided to force the others to find their entertainment elsewhere, as they both went to the gym to workout.
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

 
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
   "How are you doing Wendy?" asked Sharon on her way through the entrance of the Flight Deck.
   "Oh... I'm doing better than before we shared our little talks over these last two days." replied Wendy.
   "Well, THAT's GOOD!" said Pamela, on her way through the entryway toting three cups of Earl Grey, and some "gorditas" that she had made.
   "Here, Wendy, try one of THESE before your retire," offered Pamela as she handed Wendy a cinnamon-dusted dessert gordita.  Wendy thanked her, bit into it, and exclaimed, "HEAVEN!" as she walked to her quarters.
   Sharon climbed into the number one seat, and accepted a gordita in her left hand and a cup of Earl Grey in her right.  Transport Jim Everest walked onto the Flight Deck, carrying a photo album, and motioned to Pamela that the co-pilot's seat was hers to sit in.
   "It would be easier for me if I slid the upper panel maintenance step out of the bulkhead that supports the lower panel in front of you and sit on it, facing the two of you, between your seats," Jim said.
   Sharon read his fear which he was trying to disguise as non-threatening seating. She surmised that he was terrified that someone would ove- hear what Jim wished to keep as a secret between the three of them.
   "Please! Make yourself comfortable, Jim, and sit any way that you wish.  Sitting this way WOULD make it easier to share photos with us both," soothed Sharon.  Pamela offered the third cup of Earl Grey that she had brought forward to Jim, which he accepted gratefully.  He took a sip, calmed hinself, and began:
   "I think that you know that I truly fear being rejected by the Na'vi when we arrive on Pandora.  I believe that I have good reasons for my fears.  Wendy, Dan, and William, were members of the same crew, the very ISV that was going to take you and your StarShooter to Pandora, two trips after what turned out to be the Battle for the Well of Souls."  He seemed to rush his speech.  "I was THERE when JakeSully and Norm Spellman arrived.  I ran the maintenance section for all medical, links, and power generation equipment on what was called Hell's Gate." Jim stopped for a moment to compose himself, and took another sip of tea.
   "When Max Patel took that AMP suit that was modified to work the mines, and demolished the control room, I dove under a console and FROZE.  I was never a hero, but there was once, before Quaritch destroyed those Trees of Voices, when I talked him out of killing Selfridge. Selfridge was trying to prevent him from manufacturing the very acts of outraged vengence of the Na'vi, that would give him the excuse to murder every Na'vi on Pandora." He paused as his eyes searched through his memories.
   Sharon spoke.  "I have heard from others that Quaritch didn't care how many non-combatants died during any particular raid, but I ever thought that even HE had Hitler's genocidal actions as a preferred Modus Operandi."
   "He was a MAD MAN," said Jim, "And I was terrified of him, except for one time. He had put a pistol to Selfridge's head, and threatened to kill him, when they were both in the hanger.  I was able to talk him down."
   "Well, then tell the Na'vi what you did.  Is there ANYONE who can back you up?" asked Sharon.
   "There were three people who saw me talk Quaritch down, but they will do me no good at all," said Jim.
   "Why not, Jim?" asked Pamela, "Are they scared?"
   "They are DEAD," said Jim.  "One was Trudy Chacon, and the other two were part of a group of rebel pilots that no one saw after the Battle for the Well of Souls.  So we think they shared Trudy's fate."
   "Who were they? Do you know who the were?" asked Sharon.
   "I could not pronounce either of their names.  They were both HUGE Samoans that always were in each other's hip-pockets.  A man and a woman.  That's all I know," concluded Jim.
   Pamela leaned forward and touched Jim lightly on his knee, very briefly.  "Ah, Jim, I know this is tough, but think of this:  Trudy Chacon and those Samoans had strong Blue Hearts.  I'll bet that  the Na'vi respected that.  I'll bet that the Na'vi can speak with them, through their Trees of Voices, that I have read about.  You believe that, don't you?  That the Na'vi are all connected by thoughts to those Trees. When we get to Pandora, we will talk to the Na'vi.  They will SEE your Blue Heart.  Maybe we can talk to Jake Sully!?"  She looked expectantly at her muntxate. "Sharon? What do you think?"
   "I believe that I will be able to get some messages to Jake, Norm, and some of the highly placed Na'vi.  Anyone who knows the Na'vi, has known that they CAN speak to those who are With Eywa after they 'died'.   Jake, himself, documented this pheomenon in that video, so there will be NO problem checking out your story.  Get some rest, my friend, and that will calm your spirit."
   Jim smiled weakly, and admitted, "I think you may be right, Skipper.  Thank you both."  He shook both their hands, and went to his room.
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

  CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
   "Damn!  Have you two been together for Sharon's entire shift?"  Dan asked, when he saw Pamela sitting in the Number Two seat.
   "Yeah,Pamela got me a couple cups of coffee an hour or so ago, and I taught her how I cross check the three radars," answered Sharon.
   "Well the two of you ought to go to bed and get some sleep now.  So for your own good, Get Off My Flight Deck!"
   Sharon and Pamela both smiled at Dan, turned toward the companion way, and headed for the Hall.  When they walked in, Transport Jim asked Sharon if she could look to come engineering drawings of the water flow system for the Shrimp Farm.   
     Pamela asked, "Can I look too?"
    And Jim said, "Sure! The more the merrier."  Sharon and Pamela grabbed some breakfast, and Jim lead them back to the largest table in the Hall.  Jim and Sharon unrolled the drawings, scanned and discussed the design over breakfast.  Aside from three small redundancy issues, the system looked great.
   "So when can Sharon and I help you build our Shrimp Farm, Jim?" asked Pamela.
   "I would like to begin construction in two days," said Jim, "It will take three days until we open the flow valves, and turn on the pumps.  Thirty days later, we start harvesting shrimp."
   "Well you can count on the two of us to be instrumental in helping," said Sharon.
   Once Pamela and Sharon closed the door of their Kelku, behind themselves, Sharon asked Pamela if she would shower first.  Sharon REALLY wanted to soak her lower back for an extra few minutes in the hot shower water after washing.  She didn't want to make Pamela wait for her shower.
   "Sure, I'll go first." said Pamela, "that way, I will have time to get a few things ready for you, when you come out of the shower. I can realign your spine, and deep massage your back muscles.  While Pamela was in the shower, Sharon set up some of her Medicinal Tea (Japanese Green Tea).  She had brought this tea, a box of one hundred tea bags, from her room at the undersea lab.  Because of the tea's scarcity, she ONLY used it for it's medicinal properties when needed.  She took two tea bags from the box and placed one in each of two mugs. She then opened a bottle of pine essence, placing one drop on each of two fingers, dabbing each of their pillows.  She then put the teapot in the microwave, closed the door but did not turn the machine ON.  Just as Pamela was entering the room. Sharon called up Beethoven's Eroica on the room's sound system, and went to take her shower.
   They exchanged a quick kiss at the threshold of the shower room.  As the sound of the rushing water accompanied the First Movement, Pamela ascertained the situation:  pine scented pillows, Japanese green tea, heroic music... DEFINITELY Sharon, DEFINITELY deep tissue massage.  Decisions.  What kind of massage oil?  Nothing flowery tonight. Something woody and spicy.  She laughed to remember her Grandfather's favorite aftershave colognes. Old Spice and English Leather.  She choose to blend her own custom scent from the various tiny bottles of essential oils, which she had guarded.  Ode de Sharon!  She wondered if she could make these last for six years, and wondered also what kind of fragrances she would find on Pandora?
   The taps shut off, the orchestra came to crescendo, and the shower room door flung open.  Sharon emerged amidst a cloud of steam, gesticulating a triumphal salute, she entered the room with mock Napoleonic grandeur. Pamela pretended NOT to be impressed.
   "Assume the position, Bonaparte!  Did you know that Beethoven scratched out the dedication SO violently, that he tore the paper?  He was extremely disappointed that Napoleon had crowned himself Emperor.  Not skipping a beat, Sharon said,
   "Well, my dear Josephine, I was going to make you my Empress, but I see you would scorn that gesture.  It would suffice that you slather me with oil and adoration,"
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

 
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
   The last three days had gone by in a blur.  Transport Jim had opened up to Sharon and Pamela, and even showed them his Photo Album.  It was a 9x12inch thin screen computer of a design that started out in the early 21st century, as Gorilla Glass.  From it's inception, it quickly progressed into full-blown hundred terabyte computers within five years for the military.  Within ten years they were affordable enough for every-day citizens.  Jim got his from his father, in 2130 who got it as a gift when he went to college for a double major in Astrophysics and Aerospace Engineering in 2085.  Jim's Dad got it from Jim's grandfather who bought it new to take to Mars with him in 2045 where he stayed until 2055.  Jim's dad was born in 2065 and received the computer when he went off to college from his very proud Dad who had retired at the age of 65.
   By the time Jim's father had retired in 2130, he saw that his only son was going to live in the Stars.  He spent a king's ransom getting the computer completely updated and rebuilt, as it was now a family heirloom that would be going to space for the third time.  Needless to say, Jim cared for this computer as if it were a religious relic.
   "Well Jim I have the return flow shunt valve adjusted to its sending unit," announced Sharon from underneath the Harvest Pond.  "I believe that we are ready to fire this thing up."  Jim looked a Pamela, fifty feet away, standing at the Master Control Panel, and said, DO IT!"
   Pamela turned on the power to the flow board walked three steps to the right and turned on the pumps.  They were immediately rewarded by a fully functioning system.   Jim said, "Well Pamela, after lunch we should have our only Marine Biologist start the revival process and we can get this show on the road this afternoon."
   The three of them walked into the Hall, and Jim placed his index finger and thumb into his mouth and whistled loudly.  All noise ceased as quickly as if Jim had pressed a MUTE button.
"Thank you for your attention, Mates!  It is my distinct pleasure to announce that 90 days from today, we will be eating our first meal of shrimp that were raised on THIS VESSEL!"   Thunderous  applause and cheers erupted immediately.  With that, Jim, Pamela, and Sharon, grabbed something to eat and drink, and proceeded to a table.  Once there, people pulled out chairs for them, in an exaggerated show of mock servitude.
    "All of this for a simple announcement?" puzzled Sharon, "What happens when we actually HARVEST the first crop?" she wondered aloud.
   "We will PEEL the shrimp for you!" said Chip.
   Later, just before Sharon needed to relieve Wendy, she asked Pamela for some help with something that was bothering  her with her Na'vi Studies.
   "Oeyä Yawnetu, I must sound a little funny to some of the crew here when it comes to the beginnings and endings of words.  I get confused as to when to drop the Xs off the Ps, Ts, and Ks.  This is probably very simple for any five year old Na'vi, but judging from some of the expressions of some of the crew, I get it wrong a LOT!  Could you help me out here?"
   "Nìlun! Of course! But Transport Jim is the only one who might have raised his eyebrows.  Let me check my notes ..."  Pamela pulled out her touch screen.  "Here it is, it's called LENITION.  These are the letters we need to worry about:
Kx  changes to K
Tx   changes to T
Px  changes to  P
K changes to  H
T/Ts changes to S
P changes to F
'  changes to nothing, it vanishes.
The exception is the word 'U. thing.  It must always be ayu, things,  because U cannot stand alone. AND, the apostrophy remains in front of the pseudo-vowels LL and RR.

   "Here is the list, I'll slide it onto your tablet,  If a word starts with these letters, that letter changes if the word is pluralized.  Tsamsiyu become AYSAMSIYU, or plain Samsiyu."
   "Oh! Rolun! I've GOT it!" responded Sharon. "Tsahik becomes AYSAHIK or just SAHIK?"
  "Nga lu eyawr! You are correct!  So now pluralize Teylu,"  quizzed Pamela.
   "Ayseylu? SEYLU! Grubs!" said Sharon triumphantly.
   Pamela made a suggestion; "Look in the dictionary for all the nouns we use a lot like, Tanhi, Stars, Or PO, he.  It's not AYPO, it's AYFO or plain, FO.  After you get comfortable with plurals then we will start memorizing adpositions.  While we are on the Flight Deck, we can make a list of nouns that we use a lot."
   "Thanks, Sweetie, I mean,  Irayo Nìtxan, oeyä yawnetu.  We will do that during my duty shift."
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
   It had been two weeks since the crew had been giddy over the start of the shrimp farm.  Now the entire crew of the ship was A-BUZZ again.  Ten days ago, the flight crews started 'round the clock radar sweeps, and there had been no returns but one.  The ship as of today, had clear sailing out to the orbit of Uranus and the long range scans, would remain ON until the ship was orbiting Pandora. All the critical Flight Crew would be standing their stations, as the nuclear fusion drive, was brought from 35% to 75% on Sharon's shift.  The Old Dog was fixing to go "SERIOUS FAST" for something that was still within the solar system. 
   Right now, everyone except Dan was off-duty, hanging-out in the Hall, waiting for Sharon to relieve Dan in 45 minutes. 
   "Honey, would you like something to drink before you go on Duty?" asked Pamela.
   "If you could be so kind, I would really like a cup of Earl Grey Tea," replied Sharon, and Pamela went about making one for herself, and one for her wife.
   "Well," said Sharon, "Now we will get a good idea just how well the Old Dog's fusion drive works.  That will only leave the Near Light Speed drives as the only possible Joker remaining in the deck.  I personally believe that the fusion drive will work fine, when we bring her to 75%."
    "Tonight will tell the tale," agreed Wendy.  "This will tell us a lot.  We should get a message from ISV Eana Txe'lan Ikranä during your shift, Sharon.  Dan sent them a message when he came on duty, asking their location.  I think the single radar return beyond the orbit of Uranus is their ship."
   "If they saw or hard about anything that went on with the Earth, they may have been wondering if any of us marine biologists are still alive!  I sure hope they didn't do anything to our developing Avatars," said Sharon.
   Fifteen minutes later, they were all on the Flight Deck for the powering-up, when the radio came to life. 
   "Old Dog. this is AeanTxe'lan  Ikranä. Old Dog. this is Aean Txe'lan Ikranä.  We received your message.  We are throttling back for you to join us.  Congratulations to the marine biologists for making it out of that Hell Hole.  That was quite some bit of flying, Captain West.  We will be awaiting your next transmission. Aean Txe'lan Ikranä on active monitoring."
   Wendy picked up a headset, and motioned Sharon to do the same.  " Aean Txe'lan Ikranä .  This is Wendy Harrington on the Old Dog.  I have Captain West on the Flight Deck with me.  The entire planned crew is here and safe.  We will be going to 75% power momentarily, and will transmit to you when we achieve that.  Old Dog, on active monitoring."
   "Let's get this show on the road!" commanded Wendy, as she replaced Dan in the command pilot's seat.  Sharon grabbed the First Officer's seat with Dan, Jim, and William, taking their places as well. 
   "Fuel compartment temperature is nominal", reported Jim.
   "Radar field clear.  The ISV trace is On Screen." reported Dan.
   "I have plotted course correction for ISV intercept. Course laid into computers," announced William. 
   "Throttle us up, Dan," said Wendy as she and Sharon pulled down their displays.
   Jim read off the power numbers, while Dan kept the two pilots appraised of the Old Dog's velocity changes. 
   Twenty-Three minutes later, the Old Dog was hurling itself through the outer solar system at 513,268 miles an hour.  All engine parameters were nominal.  Sharon keyed the headset and said,
   "ISV Aean Txe'lan Ikranä.  This is Captain West on the Old Dog.  We are inbound for a pre-Oort Cloud insertion intercept with your vessel.  Our current velocity is 513, 268 miles an hour.  Old Dog on active monitoring."
   Wendy turned to everyone and said, "Everyone but the Flight Crew can do what you want, but you can stay here if you want, also.  If you are waiting for their response, they will not even receive our message for over three hours."
   Pamela walked up to Sharon's left side and asked, "Can I get you anything, Honey?" 
   "A couple cups of coffee would be wonderful, Sweetheart, " was Sharon's response.
   Pamela told the Duty Crew that because they had to remain on station for the next couple of hours, "The Undersea Renegades, would consider it an Honor if we could bring you folks something to snack on or drink."
   The Duty Crew thanked them all and one by one, made their requests.
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi

Niri Te

 
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
   Sharon was sitting in the Command Pilot's seat with Pamela sitting in the First Officer's seat, each with  mug of coffee and a couple pieces of flat bread, as Wendy walked onto the Flight Deck.
   "I see that your Sweetheart fixed you up some breakfast to knock down the hunger pangs, as you wait for the return messages.  That's a good thing.  That is what John is doing for me, right now," Wendy said as she relieved Sharon from the duties of Command Pilot.  Sharon sat in the First Officer's seat, plugging in her headset t hear the incoming message without interference.  John walked onto the Flight Deck with breakfast for both his Muntxate and himself.  He handed Wendy her breakfast, and she savored the powdered eggs as if they had been laid by a hen only an hour earlier.  She was enjoying her third bite when the radio came to life.
   "Old Dog, this is Eana Txe'lan Ikranä.  We received your last two transmissions, and are adjusting our speed to aid your rondesvous with our vessel.  Please inform the Marine Researchers that their Avatars are all doing just fine.  We will be sending digital videos in a message that will follow this one by ten minutes.  We are adjusting our speed so that you will have a three-hundred-thousand mile-an-hour closure rate in six hours.  We need to know your food situation, and how much hydrogen fuel you have left aboard.  This thing is coasting even with everything that we could grab from the Moon Colony without getting boarded and inspected.  This ship left carrying full fuel, and only 25% loaded.  If you guys run into any problems at all, with that ship, we will bring you HOME to Pandora.  Also know, that we can bring your ship with us.  This is the second ship built and as such, has a functioning docking station for one of the mining transports.  We can dock at any speed that you feel comfortable with.  We will transmit the Avatar videos in ten minutes"
   The instant that the transmission ended, Wendy told Sharon, "You have the ship," unbuckled herself and went racing down the Companion Way to wake up Jim.  Sharon looked in the mirror, and did a head count.  The only person not on the Flight Deck, had been Transport Jim, who was likely still sleeping from his shift.
   "Well, THIS is an interesting turn of events," said Sharon.  "They are aboard the oldest still commissioned vessel in the fleet, so YES, we COULD dock with her.  THAT means that those of you who are not Flight Critical could do the trip in cryo, IF you wanted to keep your youthful, Greek God-like physiques!"
   The moment the transmission ended, Pamela had gone to the Hall.  She actually beat Wendy and Jim, back by a good three minutes, carrying a tray of coffee and the military cookies that were packed with any field ration kit, for a unit that was company sized or larger.
   Wendy and John walked on deck several minutes before the message was scheduled to arrive, and helped themselves to a mug of coffee and a couple of cookies each.  Jim announced that he had the main view screen hooked into the digital translators and that he would be recording the entire transmission, both audio and video when it arrived.  Wendy and Sharon pulled down their heads-up displays which now became view screens.  Sharon asked Jim, "Do you have the figures that they asked for?"
   "Right here in my grubby little paws!" he replied.
   "Old Dog, this is Eana Txe'lan Ikranä.  Here are some videos of the Docking Station taken by our Ship's Engineer.  These were taken on her last Space Walk before we hurriedly had to leave to avoid being boarded, by the Gendarmes from the Moon Colony.  It seems that in the middle of the night, ALL of the security cameras and alarms went dead in the High Security section of the Moon Colony.  We are figuring it was from a solar flare.  Anyway, once the sun came out, the Powers that Be found that the ENTIRE Na'vi and Human DNA banks disappeared without a trace.  They sent out a shuttle with  boarding party, but we left the moment we were loaded, in the middle of THEIR night.  Sorry we left two weeks before you guys, but we JUST made it out of there!  This not only got us the DNA that we needed for everyone's Avatars but it also insured that the RDA Neanderthals were NOT going to be able to make any Avatars themselves.  We understand that there are four fully qualified Astronaut Pilots on your ship.  That's good, then you guys aren't nodding off while trying to fly that thing.
   "O.K., here we are in the Gestation Room.  Everyone gets to look at the Bear Skin Rug images of themselves!  Due to the rapid rate of maturation of the Avatars in their growth medium, all of our individual Avatars appear to be about a month or two post birth.  Hope you folks enjoy the videos of your future selves!"
   With that, each Avatar was identified and about five minutes of video was shot of it from all angles before moving to the next one.  About an hour later, everyone had seen themselves, and Jim fed the ISV crew the information that the asked for.  Once that was accomplished, the Off-Duty Crew let the Flight Deck to Wendy and John.
Tokx alu tawtute, Tirea Le Na'vi