Osiris's instructions were clear and precise: make contact with Dr. Grace Augustine.
This new line of action was given equal, if not higher, priority to the forest infiltration. However, unlike searching for the Na'vi in the wild, contacting a former project director who resided inside the RDA base and whose attitude remained uncertain required a more meticulous plan and a different point of entry.
Maine's squad once again played a pivotal role. With their increasingly solid working relationship with Colonel Quaritch and the credibility built during the training of the Hellfire Squad, Maine was able to access non-core personnel movements and departmental information within the base. He quickly learned that although Dr. Grace's Avatar program had far less influence than before, she and her small team still retained access to certain Avatar link units and an independent laboratory. Furthermore, they frequently traveled to a remote research outpost outside the base, referred to as the "Tree of Souls" prototype, which served as a symbolic site for their attempts to re-establish contact with the Na'vi.
"Attempting contact inside the base by force carries too high a risk; it would easily alert Quaritch or even Parker," Maine analyzed within the Pathfinder, addressing Osiris and Rei Ayanami's team. "The best opportunity is when they travel to the external research outpost. The guards there are relatively sparse, and the environment is far more... informal."
The plan was formulated immediately. Maine would monitor the movements of Grace's team and notify Rei's group in advance during their next excursion. Rei Ayanami, Asuka, and Shinji Ikari would handle the contact, while David and Lucy provided remote communication support and technical monitoring to ensure the operation remained covert.
The opportunity arose a few days later. Maine transmitted information that Dr. Grace and her assistant, Norm, escorted by a small security detail, had left Hell's Gate in an off-road vehicle, heading toward the research outpost located in a relatively peaceful river valley.
Rei's group departed immediately. Utilizing their familiarity with the terrain, they arrived ahead of schedule at the perimeter of the outpost, concealing themselves within a dense forest of vines emitting soft blue bioluminescence. They watched the RDA off-road vehicle halt. Grace and Norm dismounted, and after a brief exchange with the security detail, the escort vehicle turned around and headed back, leaving only the two of them at the outpost. This was consistent with Grace's typical style; she disliked security personnel encroaching too closely upon her "sacred ground."
"Target in position. Only Dr. Grace and one male assistant are present," Rei reported calmly via the encrypted channel.
"Proceed as planned. Maintain a non-threatening posture," Osiris's instruction came from the other side of the channel.
The three stepped out from their concealment, deliberately slowing their pace to give Grace and Norm ample time to notice them, rather than startling them.
"Hey! Who are you?" Norm was the first to spot them, appearing tense as he instinctively stepped in front of Grace.
Grace narrowed her eyes, studying these three youths dressed in attire distinct from the standard RDA uniforms. Their faces were extraordinarily young—especially those of the teenage boy and girl—and the quality of their gaze was entirely unlike that of the RDA personnel she was accustomed to.
"We mean no intrusion, Dr. Grace," Rei stepped forward, her voice calm and expressionless. "We are from the Pathfinder vanguard. We hope to speak with you."
"Pathfinder?" Grace repeated the unfamiliar name, her sharp gaze sweeping over them. "I've never heard of that program. You aren't with the RDA."
"We aren't," Asuka chimed in. She tried to make her tone sound less confrontational, but her innate bluntness still gave her words a sharp edge. "We are... from the other side. We want to understand what's happening here, and why those blue monkeys—the Na'vi—hate us so much."
Shinji Ikari gathered his courage to add: "We—we encountered a Na'vi. She said... said you once promised coexistence—"
His words stumbled slightly, but his intent was clear.
A complex mix of emotions crossed Grace's face—surprise, reminiscence, and profound weariness. Looking at these three youths—particularly Rei's extraordinary composure, and the unpolluted sense of inquiry in Asuka and Shinji's eyes—she relaxed her guard slightly.
"The other side?" She raised an eyebrow slightly, gesturing for Norm to ease up. "Well, that's interesting. Come on in. It's easier to talk in here than back at the base." She turned and led the way toward the domed outpost building.
The first contact began with unexpected smoothness. The interior of the research station was compact, filled with various biological samples, data screens, and, most prominently, two Avatar link units in the center. The air smelled of a mixture of vegetation and disinfectant.
Grace offered the three some water, then leaned against the console, scrutinizing them.
"All right, you kids from the 'Pathfinder' vanguard. You went to a lot of trouble to track me down. What do you want to talk about? And you said you've made contact with the Na'vi?" Her tone carried a scientist's caution, laced with a faint, imperceptible anticipation.
"Yes," Rei nodded. "A woman named Sutai. She mentioned... the school from the past, and the destroyed Hometree. She believes all Sky People are untrustworthy."
"Sutai..." Grace repeated the name quietly, her eyes dimming. "I remember her. She was very quiet in school when she was little, learned quickly. Her child... sigh."
She sighed and shook her head, seemingly unwilling to elaborate on the specific tragedy.
"How did you communicate with her?" Grace pressed, her gaze locked intently onto Rei. "As far as I know, she doesn't speak fluent English. And with the Omaticaya clan's current attitude, she wouldn't peacefully hold a long conversation with any Sky Person."
Rei replied calmly, "I did not use language. I can... feel her emotions and transmit simple thoughts. She accepted this form of communication."
Dr. Grace abruptly stood up straight, her face a mask of shock and disbelief.
"Thought communication? Biological neural connection? Without an Avatar body? That's impossible! Pandora's neural interface is species-specific. Human consciousness cannot directly establish a stable connection with the Na'vi or the Eywa network unless bridged by a genetically engineered Avatar!" She stepped forward excitedly, looking as though she wanted to grab Rei to inspect her. "How did you do it? This... this completely upends existing bio-neurological theories! Let me study you. I have to know the mechanism behind this!"
Her reaction was that of an explorer discovering a new continent, filled with wild, scientific curiosity.