#neteym

THE NEXT MORNING ROLLED AROUND AFTER A RESTLESS NIGHT. Nix managed to get a quick shower in before hitting the hay, but her slumber was full of nightmares. She dreamt of the RDA taking over. They wiped out the Na'vi clans, the wildlife, the forest — everything had been colonized. But the one part of her nightmare that sent her jolting awake... they had killed Neteyam.

She had barely known him a week, but the idea of her mother eliminating the Omatikaya, including the Sullys, drove a bolt of fear through her like lightning. She was shaking when she woke, her eyes puffy like she'd been crying.

The first thing she did when she got out of bed was throw cold water on her face in the bathroom. She reminded herself that today was a new day, and Neteyam was still alive. She was supposed to meet with him later. She couldn't let him down.

When she brushed her teeth and changed, she left her room only to be greeted by a blue post-it note on her door. Apparently it was from her mother, ordering her to head down to the bio-lab.

Although Nix was quite hungry from skipping dinner last night, she chose to postpone breakfast to see what the general wanted.

Upon entering the laboratory in the Ops Center, Nix saw it was bustling with scientists, all working in different sections as if preparing for something grand.

Over by the holographic computers stood a familiar face. Thalia Parvin, a doe-eyed ecology scientist who happened to love Pandora just as much as Nix.

"Lia!" Nix called out with a wide smile. She maneuvered around the labcoats and their equipment to reach the older woman.

"Hey, Nix, did you get your mom's note?" Thalia paused her work to acknowledge her.

"I did," she nodded. "You wouldn't happen to know what it's about, would you?"

"I do, actually..." A mischievous look overtook Thalia's face. "Here, I'll show you. Follow me."

A puzzled Nix trailed the copper-haired scientist through the laboratory, skirting the giant microscopes and the plethora of freeze dryers before arriving at an open squared arch. they strode through the arch and down a spiraling hallway that led into another section of the bio-lab.

Nix realized she had never been inside this area before. Blue light reflected off her wide eyes, her chin dropped ever so slightly, stunned by the sight before her.

Three large amino tanks filled with blue suspension fluid took residence in the center of the room, but that isn't what startled her. It was the bodies floating within the tanks — Na'vi bodies, only they weren't real Na'vi. They were avatars.

"Wh—" Bamboozled, Nix pivoted her attention back to Thalia. "What is this? What—" she cut herself off when the avatar body on the far left jerked and twisted.

"You can get closer," Thalia encouraged with a kind smile.

Nix hesitated for a moment, glancing between the tank and the scientist. It didn't take much before her feet began to carry her over. The blue liquid gleamed across her body in reflective waves as she stood beside the glass tank. She felt her chest constrict, losing a little air, as she stared into the face of what looked to be a female avatar. Her features were so familiar almost like she was...

"Is that..." Nix pressed a hand to the glass and turned her head to look at Thalia again. "Is this me?"

Thalia slowly nodded, unable to tell what Nix was thinking or feeling. "Yes. It was made from your DNA."

A frown formed as Nix recalled the day before departing Earth. Her mother had told her that all passengers were required to give samples of their DNA before entering cryo, though she was never given a reason as to why.

Could this possibly be it? To create more avatars? But for what? That was a scientist's program. How is this going to help the RDA?

"We've been given the green light to reopen the AVTR Program," a voice said, as though they had read her thoughts.

Nix whirled, immediately recognizing that it was her mother. She wore her typical military uniform, hands clasped behind her back as she strode over to her daughter.

"But how?" Nix asked. "The program must cost more than it's worth. I thought the goal was to save money."

"Prices have drastically lowered in the past two decades. Government officials have agreed to fund the creation of our avatars," Ardmore explained. "It was originally to broker peace between us and the natives, get them to trust us. This time, we not only renew the program for SciOps but for military personnel as well."

"But I am not a scientist nor a gunman," Nix expressed, uncomprehending. She glimpsed the lifeless avatar body that bore her face. "Why have you created one for me?"

"We hope for ordinary people to receive their own avatars in a few decades from now—perhaps even in a few years," Thalia answered with a certain ardor.

Ardmore gave a prompt nod, showing her agreement. Then she began strolling the room while analyzing the three amino tanks. "I know how much you love Pandora, and I thought why not go above and beyond for your birthday."

Nix stared, unblinking, as she finally registered that this was the gift her mother was referring to last week.

"I know it isn't exactly your birthday yet," Ardmore continued. It was actually five days from now. "But this avatar will allow you to breathe Pandoran air, eat Pandora food, and travel to hostile environments without endangering your real body."

The corner of Nix's lips curled as she recognized that tone — her mother's subtle jab at her sneaking out yesterday and putting herself in danger.

"I don't know what to say," she voiced quietly, looking down. She couldn't help but think about her father, wondering what he would've done in her position.

"How about 'thank you'?" Ardmore suggested lightheartedly. A genuine smile stretched her lips.

Nix stalled as she met her mother's gaze again. She didn't know why she felt so conflicted, but she did. She felt guilty for having this kind of money spent on herself when it could have been put to something else, something that actually needed it. However, at the same time, she felt excitement flutter inside her stomach. For so long she wished to experience this world like the natives did, and now she could. But at what price?

Regardless of her whirling emotions, she didn't want to upset her mother by seeming ungrateful.

"Thank you, mom," she uttered. "This really means a lot."

Ardmore chuckled at her seemingly humble reaction. "How about you take it for a test run today," she offered.

Nix couldn't help it as her eyes lit up. "Really?"

Ardmore glanced at Thalia. "How long will it take to get the avatars out of there?"

"Decanting takes a couple of hours," she informed. "Nix should be able to link with it by noon."

"Great." Ardmore smiled as her sharp, blue gaze circled back to her daughter. "That'll give us plenty of time to eat breakfast and discuss this with Castillo. I'll want him out there with you just as a precaution."

Little dimples formed on Nix's cheeks as she grinned. She'd never felt so eager about something in her entire life. She almost forgot she was supposed to be sneaking out today... almost.

☽◯☾

"Who do the other two belong to?"

Just like Thalia had said, it only took a couple of hours to get the avatars out of their tanks. They were placed on top of long twin beds with wires connected to their arms and white gowns covering their bodies.

Nix was staring through a large glass window into the small room where the doctors were setting everything up for the tests to make sure the bodies were functioning properly.

"That one in the middle is mine," Thalia answered while pointing. "The one on the right is Dr. Baird's—one of the marine biologists. We're hoping to use them for a marine research excursion soon, one that goes far beyond Bridgehead."

"Wow." Nix was still in awe, unable to take her eyes off the avatars. She never thought she would be able to do something like this, and now it was happening all so fast. "This doesn't feel real."

"Oh, it's real alright," Thalia said while turning away from the window. "Come on. Let's get you ready for linkup."

The ecology scientist clambered down the metal steps inside the laboratory with Nix following close behind. They entered a large roundabout inside the room that contained about six link-units, all open and ready for use.

"This one's yours." Thalia patted the one closest to them.

Nix came up behind her, examining the bed. There was green padding inside, squishy like memory foam.

"Go on. Hop in," Thalia urged as she started tapping away on the translucent screen beside the unit.

Nix stared at the bed, anxious butterflies arising in her chest. Cautiously, she moved to sit on the edge, getting a feel for it before sliding her legs on top. She inhaled a calming breath as she slowly lowered herself onto her back with her arms glued to her sides.

"All right, this might overwhelm your sensors at first," Thalia told her while closing the metal gate over her torso. "Just relax, keep your head down, and the connection should go smoothly."

Nix nodded without saying a word as Thalia reached for the lid. She gave Nix a reassuring smile before closing the unit.

Darkness enveloped Nix, save the small lights on the metal gate around her. She felt the unit move backward a bit, stopping with a slight jerk. Her eyes automatically fluttered shut as she waited for the connection.

At first, there was only darkness. She felt nothing. Though a small gasp escaped her when her brain suddenly felt like it had been supercharged. There were bright purple and yellow lights like a veiny tunnel system and then—

Darkness again.

She was still conscious, and it seemed like nothing happened at first. She felt like she was inside her own body.

Slowly peeling her eyes open, she was about to ask Thalia what happened when the blinding white lights above her caused her to wince. Her vision was completely blurred. She tried moving her head and blinking to clear it up, and that's when she saw a doctor staring into her soul. Doctor Evans.

"Nix, can you hear me?" he asked.

She flinched as two sharp snaps sounded beside each of her ears. "Yeah," she murmured groggily. "I can hear you."

"How're you feeling? Nothing hurts? No dizziness or nausea?" Evans questioned as she tried to sit up.

"No," she replied mindlessly. "None."

When she lifted her arms, her eyebrows instantly skyrocketed toward her hairline. The vibrant blue pattern of her skin scared her half to death. She went to check her legs next, the flesh being the same color blue with even darker stripes. She wiggled the appendages, absolutely speechless.

"Distal motor control seems to be good," Evans observed. "Any numbness?"

"No, I can feel everything," Nix breathed out, awestruck.

When she moved her legs off the bed, the floor felt cold beneath her feet and her limbs felt strong albeit a bit wobbly. She tried to stand when Doctor Evans quickly stopped her.

"Hold your horses." He placed his tiny hand on her much larger shoulder. "I've got a few more sensory reflex tests for you, and then you can head out there and have some fun, all right?"

Nix stared at the large window in front of her. A faint image of her reflection was staring right back. Yet, it didn't feel like her. The gleaming yellow eyes, the wider cat-like nose, her pointy ears which reacted to the smallest sounds. She even caught sight of her long tail swaying uncontrollably behind her.

However, upon further inspection, she saw how similar the avatar body was to hers — wispy bangs, her bow-shaped lips. When she forced a grin to inspect her sharp canines, little dimples formed in both cheeks.

This was really her — this was just as much her body as her human one.

"Okay." She nodded as an unfathomable feeling of liberation struck her. "My horses are being held."

She wanted to get these tests over with. She was ready to frolic the forest and explore nature in her new body. To experience Pandora in the way it was always meant to be experienced.