However, unlike the majority of the tribe who had plunged into despair, Sutai and the members of her small faction suppressed their surging emotions after the initial shock.
Sutai's gaze quickly locked onto Rei Ayanami, who was preparing to evacuate with the team. She broke free from the unconscious pulling of her companions, rushed forward a few steps, and raised her voice sharply: "Wait! You... where are you taking Hometree?"
Her question expressed the fear held by many surrounding Na'vi regarding whether this mysterious "removal" was protection or eternal separation.
Rei Ayanami stopped, turned around, and her red eyes calmly met Sutai's anxious gaze.
She paused briefly, as if receiving an instruction. Then, following Osiris's directive, she answered through conscious fluctuations and clear Na'vi vocabulary: "Hometree... is intact. We will... keep it temporarily."
Her voice lacked inflection, but it delivered a crucial piece of information: "When you... find new, safe land suitable for its growth... we will... return it."
This promise provided a different prospect in the midst of their despair.
Return? The surrounding Na'vi froze upon hearing this word. Eytukan and Tsu'tey cast stares of disbelief.
"Return?" Sutai repeated the word.
"Yes." Rei nodded affirmatively. "Finding new land... is what you need to do... now. When preparations are complete... Hometree... will return to your side."
She did not provide a specific timeline. This vague promise altered the atmosphere, changing a seemingly complete destruction into an uncertain future containing hope.
This information spread rapidly among the chaotic Na'vi.
Despite remaining doubts and unease, the news that Hometree was not destroyed and could be returned halted their total collapse.
Eytukan looked deeply at Rei Ayanami and the evacuating Mann squad. He then looked at the watchful but equally shocked RDA forces. He made a difficult decision.
"Retreat..." Eytukan's voice was hoarse and heavy, carrying unquestionable authority. "Everyone... leave this place. Eywa guides us... we must survive to find new roots."
This time, there was no fierce opposition. The pain of losing Hometree remained, but the hope of its return and the display of incomprehensible technology rendered continued fighting pointless.
The Na'vi supported each other and retreated silently into the depths of the forest.
On the RDA side, Colonel Quaritch watched the Na'vi retreat without a fierce conflict. Recalling the incomprehensible scene from moments ago, he abandoned the thought of ordering a pursuit.
He and his soldiers were shocked by the space technology that exceeded common sense. This power resembled a miracle or witchcraft beyond their understanding.
He decided to hold his forces back until he thoroughly understood the background of these "allies."
Watching the orderly evacuation of the Na'vi and the hesitation of the RDA forces, Mann gave a concise report over the comms: "My Lord, the target is secured. The Na'vi are evacuating, and the RDA forces are temporarily inactive."
"Maintain surveillance and return to base," Osiris's directive came through.
The Pioneer's engineering vehicle drove smoothly out of the area under the escort of Mann's squad.
Left behind was a massive empty crater, a group of retreating Na'vi, and an RDA force deterred by unknown power.
Inside the mobile base, Osiris looked at the holographic projection of Hometree perfectly sealed within the dimensional cube.
He had acquired an invaluable research specimen and planted a seed of division and hope in the hearts of the Na'vi through his "promise of return."
They now had a clear goal to find a new habitat. This diverted their immediate anger and established a foundation for future "cooperation."
The chessboard of Pandora displayed a completely new layout following his precise move.
Mann's squad successfully contained Hometree and its underlying rock mass within the dimensional cube replica and returned safely to the outpost area.
This shocking news could not be completely suppressed and quickly reached Dr. Grace Augustine's ears.
When Grace heard the news from Norm and saw the relevant data fragments herself, extreme shock covered her face.
She rushed desperately to the perimeter of the Pioneer mobile base and demanded to see Rei Ayanami immediately.
Inside the temporarily arranged reception cabin, Grace spoke to the calm Rei before even sitting down: "You... you really took Hometree away?"
"Do you know what that means? It is not just a tree! It is the home of the Omaticaya clan, their history, the core of their connection to Eywa, their spiritual totem! You cannot just take it away!"
Her voice trembled with agitation, and her eyes showed strong disagreement and anxiety.
"Give it back to them! Immediately! This is not just a moral issue; this will enrage all the Na'vi and trigger consequences beyond our control!"
Rei Ayanami listened quietly to Grace's agitated statement. When Grace paused, Rei answered in her usual steady tone, following Osiris's instructions: "Dr. Augustine, we understand your concerns."
"We do not intend to possess Hometree permanently. We promised the Omaticaya clan that when they find new, safe land suitable for Hometree's growth, we will return it intact."
She paused and continued, "In the meantime, we will ensure that Hometree remains in an absolutely safe state without sustaining any damage. However, conducting a series of non-destructive research and analysis is one of the fundamental purposes of our operation. Its unique structure, levitation mechanism, and deep connection with the planet's ecological consciousness possess extremely high scientific value."
Grace's tense expression eased slightly upon hearing the promise of return, but she grew vigilant at the word "research."
She knew very well what could happen under the guise of research.
"Research? What kind of research?" Grace pressed, her tone deeply suspicious. "I must remind you that any destructive act against Hometree is not just destroying a tree; it is destroying the spiritual core of a civilization!"
"We promised non-destructive research," Rei repeated without wavering. "Primarily external observation, energy field scanning, and ecological interaction recording. We respect its value as a cultural heritage."
Grace stared closely at Rei, trying to find any trace of disguise on her expressionless face, but she failed.
She remained silent for a moment, weighing her options. She knew it was nearly impossible to force these mysterious "Seekers of Knowledge" to return Hometree unconditionally immediately. The technology and power they displayed far exceeded her sphere of influence.
Finally, she took a deep breath and made a decision: "Alright... Since you insist on researching it. Then, let me join your research team."
Her tone became firm. "I have studied Pandora for over a decade. I know much more than you do about the ecology here, Na'vi culture, and the possible operations of Eywa. My knowledge and experience can provide tremendous help to your research and prevent you from accidentally causing irreversible damage out of ignorance."
She put forward a request based on scientific cooperation, intending to intervene personally and supervise the entire research process.
She did not believe any outsider could truly understand Hometree's significance to the Na'vi. She needed to remain on-site to ensure these "Seekers of Knowledge" kept their promise and that Hometree suffered no substantial harm during the research process until its safe return.