Reborn - Pandora's Box (Book 2) AU

-.-Along For the Ride-.-

"I'm scared for them."

Jake and Neytiri were arguing over what their next move should be, the kids eavesdropping.  All except for Gracie, who had lost both her mother and her brother today. 

Neteyam had broken away from his own group of siblings to be there for her. "I know," he agreed. "But Auntie Nix and Spider are two of the strongest people I know. For what we know, they are together, they'll make it through."

The adults' argument eventually ceased and Jake came to find Gracie.

She knew what was happening even before he opened his mouth to speak.  "You're leaving."

"Yes, we are. It is the only way to protect the Clan.  And you should come with us."

"No."

"It's dangerous if you stay here-"

"I'm not leaving! What if they come back and find us all gone? You let them take Spider, and Mum went after them - it's your fault they're gone.   You go if you want, but I'm staying right here."

-.-.-.-.-.-

Far away in the RDA base of Bridgehead City, Nix and Spider were separated for the night, but woken early. It appeared that Quaritch was keen on having them close by. 

The General was addressing the squad of Recombinants. "Colonel, as discussed, it is believed that you and your team will be perceived as Indigenous and therefore give us an advantage-"

"You've got to be kidding me," Nix cried.  "You're really that stupid? Yeah, the weapons and military gear really screams 'locals'."

After that the General kicked her out. Quaritch found her later, offering a tablet. 

"What's this?"

"I thought it might help explain what's going on." He pressed the tablet into her hands and pressed the screen. A clip popped up, a man in uniform sitting before the camera.

Miles. The first time she was 'seeing' him in fifteen years. 

"In case you haven't figured it out yet you're Colonel Miles Quaritch, only younger, taller, bluer, and not nearly as good lookin'. In two hours I fly a mission against the Na'vi stronghold. The powers that be thought it would be prudent that I do this backup just in case and that means that if you are watching it, I did get my ticket punched." He blinked at the screen for a moment before turning to speak to someone out of frame.  "Hey Parker, just what the hell am I supposed to say now?"

"Just remind him how it works." Parker Selfridge, former Head of the RDA, came into frame. Nix had always loved watching Grace tear him down. 

"Who?"

"Here-" Parker shifted the camera and held up a little box. "So see this? This is all your memories and personality."

"Right-"

"We're gonna send this back to Earth where you're growing in a lab as we speak-"

"Okay, right, right, I got it-"

"We're gonna imprint you with it-"

"Hey, hey, hey! Am I doing this or are you doing it?"

"Hurry it up." Parker patted Miles on the shoulder and left the frame once more. 

"Anyway, the idea is to get the minds of the saltiest on-world operators, like Corporal Wainfleet over there, and your humble narrator, into Recombinant bodies. You're a recomb now, Colonel. Loaded with my memoires and my charm. What you won't remember is my death, because it hasn't happened yet - and it ain't gonna. Well, whatever happens, if you're any clone of mine you'll be looking for some payback, and Jake Sully would be the top of that list. Remember kid, a Marine can't be defeated. Oh, you can kill us, but we'll just regroup in hell. Semper fi." He reached out and ended the video, he disappearing and the screen going dark.