Neteyam

Present

"It's a track." Norm lifted a screen image of the scans they took. The image split apart to show all the many layers of the track so they could see even the small parts of the track. It was as if a small glowing version of the track was floating in the air right at that moment.

"It goes between these two bases." "For what? A cart?" Jake looked sternly at the picture. There was a fire pit in the middle of the space that lit up his face. Worry lines and and scars highlighted in the light. "From the size we're guessing it's a train. Probably to transport resources like weapons, food, supplies." Viryn sat behind her Olo'eyktan, the Tsahik close by also watching the screen. Mo'at's face was hard even with Tuk at her feet. The adults in the room knew the dangers of the Sky people and that fear was not easily forgotten even after all the years that had passed.

"These machines are, revolutionary. In efficiency I don't know if it can be beat. They work at night with speed we've never seen at such a scale and then recharge from the UV during the day so they don't need to have operators to do maintenance everyday." Norm pulled up another image that showed both of the machine Viryn and Neteyam had come across. "What do you suggest we do?" Neytiri spoke up before Norm continued. "They've drilled the track deep into the ground, we won't be able to pull them out, at least pull enough out to make a dent."

"So we just let them cut through the forest to build their train?" Jake and Neytiri looked at each other, a nervous energy emulated from the pair that darkened the meeting. "If we attack they will come back with more." Jake clenched his jaw but relaxed himself  to remain in the moment. The bags under his eyes age already were an indicator of stress. "When do you think it will be finished?" The Olo'eyktan rubbed his face. "I can't say for sure, we don't know when they started this project but from the estimations from just one night of work and the distance, I'd say we've got around a week." Viryn breathed heavily through her nose. The smell of the direhorse's blood lingered on her knife as it sat in the sheath strapped around her torso. Its shaking breaths shuddered in her ears. Imagining the miles and miles where others were left to suffer every breath until they no longer could.

"We must resist. They can not be left to do as they please." Neytiri's eyes went to Tuk who innocently was playing with Kiri. She was so young, her words had just become understandable so she was oblivious to the worry her future and the future of her siblings had on their parents. The Sully family were grim at the news, all thinking of what to do. "You said supplies and weapons would be in these trains?" Neteyam asked.

"It's only a guess but it's the most likely answer." Norm shrugged in his avatar. "Wouldn't cutting off their supply of whatever they need be a good idea?" Viryn perked up. The silence that met his question made Neteyam shrink back a little. His eyes went to her looking for support. "They can set down tracks but it would be useless if they can't send anything down." Viryn would give such support and moved closer to the centre of the group.
The warmth of the fire now touching her skin. Jake looked back to Viryn, her eyes set just at his ear. "I agree with Neteyam, cutting off their supply seems the best course of action in short of taking out the tracks." The leader nodded his heavy head. Jake was a good leader, strong for his family and the people. But this wore him down like nothing she had ever seen before. "I will bring this up to the council."

He waved the meeting to be dismissed. Neteyam moved to her and lowered his head to be by her ear. "Ask Merq'ena how prepared the newer ikran riders are for a fight." Viryn finches at the idea. "We've been at peace for a long time Neteyam, surely you don't expect them to be ready with such little notice."

The two were now whispering to each other, barely a foot between them. "We need to prepare, who knows what's coming? First this track then what next?" Neteyam's panic was clear as he looked to her with such desperation. She placed a hand on his heart to calm the sudden urgency she could hear in his hushed tones. "Stay focused on this one thing." His heart beat hammered under her palm. "We can't look to the future until we have dealt with the present. Ok?" Neteyam swallowed but nodded his head. Viryn stood up and grabbed her bow. Her nervousness clear in the way her tail was swinging constantly.