Chapter Text
The Western Front had fallen into a hard-earned silence.
Not peace.
Not YET peace.
Tamtey stood at the cliff’s edge, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the distant haze where the RDA facility once stood.
The air still smelled of ash.
For the past three days she had flown three patrol routes, cleared two outposts, and led a strike team through the southern ridge.
And still… it wasn’t over.
Many things had happened, Teylan's betrayal due to Mercer's manipulation, Ri'nela's appointment as the Sarentu's Tsahik, So'lek's revenge against the Mangkwan for his Clan, Alma's death, Nor's betrayal and return, Rasi's inclusion to the Sarentu Clan. So many things, so many memories and stories to tell once the five of them can finally continue the way of the Sarentu.
And most of all, her unanimous appointment as the Sarentu Clan's Olo'eyktan 5 months ago. She still had lingering doubts with everyone's decision to appoint her, but she made sure to meet their expectations and complete every mission as best she could.
Her reminiscence was abruptly cut short.
A communication signal from Priya.
"Hey Priya! What'd you got for me?" Tamtey asked with a casual tone that she only reserved for this almost lame jokester.
"Hey Tamtey! Knock! Knock!" Priya followed up with her usual routine of joking, which should mean no further instructions for today.
"Who's there Priya?" Tamtey exhaled with the usual mirthless anticipation.
The reply came, not from Priya.
"Summons from the Resistance, Tamtey. Return to base at once." a solid rock voice answered, which almost caused her to fall off her Ikran, Syawrey.
"So'lek?! You're back in base? What happened to the three facilities to the northeast? Is everything alright? How's Teylan?" Tamtey bombarded the hardened warrior with questions, after all, So'lek, two other warriors and Teylan left the base to attack three RDA facilities situated to the northeast of their base almost half a month ago with almost no contact for less traces.
"We are all fine, only minor injuries. The facilities are all taken care of, but that briefing can wait for later, you must return at once. The other members are also on their way back as well." So'lek answered.
"Roger that, I'll fly straight under forest covers, just in case I need to lose some tails." Tamtey answered and immediately urged her Syawrey to fly lower when they reached the tall trees of the forest.
It was daybreak when Tamtey finally reached the base.
Once Tamtey landed near the front gate and calmed her Ikran she was greeted by a smiling Teylan.
"Tamtey!" Teylan called excitement visible on his face and voice. "You won't believe the adventures my Ada and I have experienced for the past days! The northeast part of the Western front was absolutely full of unique flora and fauna that I could not stop myself from collecting samples! So'lek ended up scolding me more than twice" Teylan chuckled while they walked towards the command center.
"You should send me some images if you took any and let me see those samples you collected later as well!" Tamtey answered while subtly observing Teylan's body for any injuries.
"I am fine, sister. So'lek, Har'nu, and Marwani took care of all the fighting ... and killing." Teylan said after catching Tamtey's eyes. "You know me, I could never fire arrows from long distances or even rifles without falling from the recoil. Of course, I handled the disabling and shut down of the facility security which helped cripple the RDA's fire power afterwards." he added while scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
"I am happy for your achievement and contributions Teylan." Tamtey said and hugged her younger brother.
'It is for the better that at least one of us is not bathed in blood, enemies or not.' Tamtey thought.
They arrived at the command center not any later.
So'lek, the other Clans' strongest warriors, Rasi, and human Resistance members circled and grouped together in front of the hologram map.
She also noticed Nor in one corner with his arms crossed. He uncrossed his arms when he saw her and greeted with only the silent Na'vi gesture which she returned.
The tension in the air and hushed discussions buried the light hum of the hologram.
"Since all of us are now here we shall start the debriefing." So'lek announced.
Har'nu stepped forward "The three RDA facilities to the northeast have officially been destroyed, we requested the help of small clans residing near each facility to monitor it and to give us a signal through the communicator if there are signs of Sky People activity of salvaging or re-operating the facilities."
"We also encountered three small groups of Sky People mercenaries on the way back from the mission and have taken care of them. They are confirmed to be poachers, all of their equipment are mainly for hunting and capturing Eywa's creatures. The confiscated equipment has been handed to the Technology department to see if they can make some useful things from them." Marwani added.
Tamtey reported her own mission results and findings. "The southwest facilities have all been taken care of, I made sure that the small facilities can no longer be re-operated from the foundation. The larger ones I've cut all possible wirings and also bombed all the generators and the main mining equipment are no longer salvageable." she paused and observed some nods of approval, "I also recovered and salvaged some weapons, rifles, ammos, some spears and arrowtips from some Mangkwans that allied with the RDA. I also destroyed all the AMP suits I could find and salvaged their weapons." This part gathered some slight disapproving eyes from Na'vi warriors, after all those weapons were made from metal, something Eywa forbade, but they knew the importance of having and using these weapons so no one vocalized any disagreement.
"We have freed the captured Na'vi clan from the RDA facility to the southwest. Mild injuries, five fatal injuries, and... 2 of our brothers have returned to Eywa's embrace. They protected the children from five AMP suits." Rasi reported.
A heavy silence settled into the room.
"Who were the casualties?" Priya asked, stopping her tears from falling.
"Sa'nur and Eddie." Rasi answered.
Tamtey’s ears lowered slightly.
Sa'nur was a veteran warrior from the Zeswa Clan, a father to an apprentice warrior and to an excellent weaver, his wife was killed by the RDA while they were protecting the Zakru and children a year ago.
Eddie was an RDA defector that joined them 3 years ago, his children were held captive and wife killed by Harding when they found out that Eddie was spying for Alma. It took Tamtey, Nor, So'lek, and three other warriors to infiltrate and rescue the family, fortunately without casualties.
"They will find peace with Eywa." Tamtey said, breaking the silence. "Have their families been notified? And their bodies?"
"We brought their bodies back with us and have also notified the families when we returned three hours earlier. The funeral will be held tonight." Rasi answered.
Another moment of silence took place, for prayers and grievances.
"The other reason for this meeting is a message that came from the Eastern front, from Norm Spellman, leader of the Avatar defectors and scientist defectors." Priya said, bringing everyone's attention to the hologram and playing the message for all to hear.
The summary of Norm's message or request was this.
The Eastern Front was struggling.
They needed warriors.
Experienced ones in dealing with the RDA.
Tamtey’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What of Jake Sully?” So'lek asked, his voice low but edged.
There was a pause.
Then the answer came.
Jake Sully had left.
Not fallen.
Not captured.
HE Left.
Taken his family… and abandoned the Omatikaya Clan in the middle of a war.
Something cold settled in Tamtey’s chest.
He left.
Tamtey’s jaw tightened.
…Toruk Makto.
And yet, he still abandoned his Clan.
"An Olo'eyktan does not walk away when his people still bleed. What was he thinking?!" Nor spoke with a more angry and annoyed tone than his usual.
However, this was something Tamtey and the others had also thought of.
If his children were at risk, then they should have been protected, kept within the camp, guarded by warriors, banned from leaving the Hidden Camp.
Not this.
Not leaving the clan weakened and vulnerable.
Tamtey exhaled slowly, forcing the anger and confusion down into something usable.
Judgment could wait.
Lives could not.
The decision was made quickly.
Tamtey, as Olo’eyktan of the Sarentu Clan, would lead.
Ri’nela, their Tsahik, would go with her to help with the healing and focus on learning more of what the Omatikaya knew of the Sarentu Clan.
And Nor. Tamtey thought this was an opportunity to help her brother to reconnect with Eywa, Pandora and his Sarentu ways. Not to mention that Nor was one of their strongest warriors.
And Har'nu would also come with them, she is a member of the Zeswa Clan but she did not have any direct or close family members left in the Clan.
So'lek and Rasi would stay to lead the Resistance and continue their operations, pushing back the bigger missions until their return.
The others helped In packing for their travel and for the funeral. They would leave at day break after attending the ritual and taking a short rest.
After the meeting concluded Tamtey went to So'lek to discuss the change in patrol duties and area of responsibility.
Tamtey had taken the Southwest as her area and main responsibility.
Nor was assigned to a group responsible for the southeast.
Har'nu was assigned to patroling around the base when not on long distance missions with the other area leaders.
Rasi went to talk to Ri'nela with regards to handing over some of her duties as Tsahik, temporarily while she was away.
After finishing her discussion with So'lek, Nor and Teylan approached Tamtey together.
"Tamtey, Teylan wants to come with us." Nor said still looking tired from his patrol duty.
"I think I can contribute many things in this mission. Bridghead is in the Eastern Front, only I have as much knowledge in technology that can help." Teylan said enthusiastically.
"Teylan, we are not going to war directly with Bridghead, just derail the train and cripple some traveling soldiers or mercenaries beyond their base." Tamtey said.
"But I need to contribute, sister. I know I can contribute more to this mission." Teylan pleaded, "you have Ri'nela, as healer, Nor and Har'nu as main warriors, and you as the leader, but you do not have someone with the knowledge of the East." Teylan added.
"We can get the Omatikaya to guide us once we are there. And we chose this group since they requested for experienced warriors." Tamtey said with a sigh, only later realizing that her words might have hurt her little brother. "Not to mention Ada might not be ready for a long flight, she is fresh from giving birth." She added to soften the blow.
"She gave birth 7 months ago sister, we also just came from a long flight mission without much complications." Teylan defended, seeing the loophole to Tamtey reasoning.
"I know I'm still far from being a warrior, Tamtey, but that does not mean I should be allowed to contribute less, I am Sarentu, just like you, Ri'nela and Nor." Teylan said, and before Tamtey could answer he added, "and I am also the best navigator we have. You will be crossing plains, forests and oceans, Tamtey. You need me."
This took Tamtey and Nor by surprise, their little brother, the youngest of their clan, had so much fire in him.
"Did the recent mission light a fire in your heart Teylan? You're so manly all of a sudden." Nor joked and played with Teylan's head or cap.
The three could only laugh at Nor's joke.
"If you get So'lek's approval, then you can come with us. I'm sure Rasi will understand our need to reconnect with Eywa and the other clans as Sarentu. This mission is just a means to an end." Tamtey said as final which earned Teylan's cheerful run towards the direction where Sol'ek left.
Nor and Tamtey went to find Ri'nela soon after that.
Tomorrow, they would leave the Western Front behind.
The war was not over. It had only moved.
And this time, Tamtey would see for herself what kind of hell, Bridghead, the den of Sky People is truly like.