"So, do you understand now?" Dr. Grace looked at the three of them, each displaying different emotions. Her voice carried the exhaustion of having lived through too much, yet it still retained a flicker of persistent determination that had not been entirely extinguished. "Under the RDA's current predatory model, so-called 'coexistence' is nothing but a shattered illusion. Unless their fundamental goal changes, or a force emerges that can rival them and is willing to take a different approach."
Her gaze swept meaningfully over Rei and the others as she spoke.
"What about the Avatar program?" Rei asked at the right moment, redirecting the conversation to another focus Osiris cared about. "Do you believe this technology itself can still serve as a bridge for communication?"
At the mention of the Avatars, a slight spark returned to Grace's eyes; this was her life's work.
"Theoretically, it remains the most effective tool for humanity to understand the Na'vi and Pandora." Dr. Grace's voice carried the academic passion unique to a scholar. She walked over to the two link pods, which looked like sleeping giants, and gazed at them with complex emotions.
"Through the connection, you can truly feel the breathing of the forest, comprehend the complexity and subtlety of the Eywa network, and experience the culture and emotions of the Na'vi. It is not merely remote-controlling a body; it is a transformation of consciousness, a form of empathy that crosses species boundaries." Her fingers lightly brushed the cold surface of one of the link pods, her movements carrying a trace of deeply buried tenderness.
But quickly, her tone was overshadowed by the grim reality.
"However, the project's resources have been severely cut now, and the primary research direction has been twisted by Quaritch's people. They lean more and more toward military reconnaissance and terrain surveying." She sighed, turning her gaze to the other link pod. Though equally intact, it exuded a silence that spoke of long-term disuse.
"Furthermore, without a suitable driver and without the trust of the Na'vi, an Avatar is ultimately nothing more than an expensive empty shell. It cannot truly integrate into their society." She paused, her voice dropping slightly, filled with clear regret. "We even lost a precious driver—Tom Sully, who died in an accident back on Earth. His meticulously grown Avatar body is still in cryo-storage, with no one capable of taking over and piloting it."
Her gaze lingered on the idle link pod for a moment before she shook her head.
"A well-trained driver is harder to come by than the Avatar itself. Losing him was not only a loss for the project, but it also meant we lost one less potential bridge between us and the Na'vi. Now, the RDA higher-ups only view this as a failed investment, an expensive asset that cannot be put to use." Her words revealed both grief for the loss of life and a profound sense of helplessness regarding the project's future.
She looked at Rei once more, her curiosity mixed with a desperate reluctance. "By contrast, your ability to directly perceive and even interact without an Avatar... it is simply a miracle. If you were willing to cooperate with research, we might find a whole new path—"
"This is non-negotiable," Rei's refusal was swift and absolute, leaving no room for negotiation.
Grace sighed, knowing she could not force the issue. Instead, she asked, "Then, what is your purpose—this 'Seeker' vanguard of yours, this 'other side' you speak of? If it is not just for resources, what do you want from Pandora? And how do you plan to respond to the current situation?"
This question went straight to the core.
Following the response strategy previously approved by Osiris, Rei gave a vague but guiding answer: "We seek knowledge and understanding, including unique biological forms, the phenomena of consciousness connection, and the formation mechanism of the superconducting ore. We also believe that continuous conflict benefits no one. We hope to find a more efficient interaction model that reduces unnecessary destruction and resistance."
This answer carefully avoided mentioning sensitive targets like the Amrita, emphasizing "knowledge" and "efficiency" instead. It happened to partially align with the values of scientists like Grace, while subtly distinguishing their path from the RDA's brute-force methods.
Grace nodded thoughtfully.
"Reducing resistance... easier said than done. The Omaticaya clan, especially under the leadership of the current chief, Eytukan, and the warriors who witnessed the destruction of Hometree, harbor a deep hostility toward any Sky People. Unless... you can do something concrete, something directly relevant to them that is completely different from the RDA, perhaps you can carve a crack in the ice." She paused, then added, "For example, intervening in some of the RDA's more destructive plans, or helping resolve a crisis they cannot handle themselves that isn't directly caused by humans. But all of this requires deep intelligence and precise action."
She went on to share some details about the current internal atmosphere of the Na'vi clan. Although she could no longer directly access their core leadership, she knew through marginal observations and remote Avatar reconnaissance that the clan was not a monolith. While the younger generation was angry, some of them felt lost about the future, though it was difficult for them to speak out in the current environment.
The exchange continued for quite some time.
Rei's team obtained a vast amount of valuable historical background, analyses of the current state of Na'vi society, and information regarding the scientific principles and limitations of Avatar technology. Meanwhile, Grace learned of the existence of an external force that might hold a different stance and possessed unique communication abilities. This cast a stone of uncertainty into the desperate pond of her heart.
After leaving the research station, the group quickly returned to the outpost.
Osiris listened intently to the comprehensive report, paying close attention to the historical details Grace had recounted and her analysis of the current situation.
"Dr. Grace confirmed the root cause of the shattered trust and pointed out the difficulty of rebuilding it," Rei summarized, stating the facts in her flat tone. "She believes concrete actions different from the RDA's are required to change the status quo. She expressed a strong desire to study my communication abilities, but she was refused."
Asuka was still visibly upset, her arms crossed tightly. "If you ask me, we should give those destructive RDA jerks a taste of their own medicine! They are the root of the problem!"
Shinji gently offered his own perspective: "If... if we can do something that truly helps the Na'vi, just like Dr. Grace said, is it possible that—"
Osiris listened quietly, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the smooth console surface, producing faint, patterned sounds. His expression was calm, his focus apparently on the data screens, but his mind was running at high speed, cross-referencing and integrating every detail of Grace's narrative with his existing intelligence.
Grace's account was like the final crucial puzzle piece, clearly outlining the entirety of the conflict between the RDA and the Na'vi. It also verified many of his previous deductions: the RDA's predatory nature and their history of betrayal were the root causes of the current deadlock. This made any superficial communication through empty words, without the backing of real strength and substantial action, pale and useless—and potentially counterproductive.