Chapter 630: Dual Expansion
Inside the main control room of the Trailblazer mobile base, the atmosphere remained focused and orderly.
Ryo stood before the main display, his expression resolute yet measured. His steady gaze swept across every operative present before finally resting on Maine, who had just finished his debriefing, giving a slight nod to indicate he should proceed.
Maine's report was methodically organized, emphasizing military analysis and operational progress. He laid out the working relationship established with Colonel Quaritch, dissected the core friction between the RDA and the Na'vi, and pinpointed the rigidity and inefficiency of current RDA doctrine.
"In summary," Maine concluded, his voice low and firm, "military cooperation with the RDA is viable, but their current capabilities cannot effectively suppress Na'vi resistance. We may require subtler stratagems, or alternatively, forge them into a sufficiently durable shield to draw and absorb the brunt of the frontal pressure on our behalf."
Next came the report from Rei Ayanami-kun's detachment.
In her characteristically concise and detached manner, Rei recounted what they observed deep within the rainforest. She described the grandeur of Hometree, the tight defensive perimeter of the Na'vi clan, and highlighted the encounter with the Na'vi mother, Tsu'tey.
She articulated her experience communicating through consciousness fluctuations and described Tsu'tey's conflicted emotions: hatred toward the RDA, deep sorrow over losing her child, and a faint yet genuine curiosity and loosening of hostility toward these "different" Sky People.
"Though she warned us to leave," Rei added, her red eyes meeting Ryo's with professional calm, "her emotional fluctuations indicate her stance is not entirely unyielding. A possibility exists to establish an informal communication conduit through her personal grief."
When it was Shinji-kun's turn, he drew a deep breath and glanced instinctively toward Ryo, drawing confidence from his composed posture.
He worked to keep his tone clear and objective: "That Na'vi mother, Tsu'tey... was deeply grieving and on high alert. However, I believe she is not entirely unreachable. If we demonstrate through concrete actions that we are distinct from the RDA... perhaps we can find an opening for real dialogue."
His words carried an earnest desire to understand others.
Asuka stood to the side with her arms crossed. Her eyes darted toward Ryo before shifting away, chiming in with an air of nonchalance that barely masked her concern: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. That Tsu'tey had a point—if the other Na'vi spot us, we're in serious trouble. Taken as a whole, they aren't friendly in the slightest."
Beneath her abrasive attitude lay genuine concern for the squad's operational safety.
Tactical Synthesis and Mandates
Ryo listened in silence, his attention fixed on each speaker.
When Maine brought up tactical nuances, he gave an approving nod. Shinji-kun had spoken with initial hesitation, but upon meeting Ryo's steady gaze, his voice grew grounded. Though Asuka kept her arms crossed, her stance subtly relaxed.
To Ryo, his mind operated like a high-performance tactical processor, piecing together and evaluating the intelligence fragments from both operational lines:
The RDA's military apparatus was a blunt instrument requiring refinement.
Na'vi resistance was an operational friction point to be eroded or bypassed.
Rei's unique interface capability and Tsu'tey's grief presented unexpected, high-value strategic vectors.
After a brief pause, Ryo raised his head. His gaze swept across the core personnel as he issued directives in a firm, decisive tone:
"Maine, your liaison with Colonel Quaritch is our highest-priority direct engagement vector. He requires faster early warning systems and a sharper blade; we will provide both. Utilize the mobile base's fabrication capacity alongside local raw materials provided by the RDA to prioritize manufacturing the core sensor modules and long-range comms repeaters they desperately need. Fabricate a sufficient run of optimized plasma rifles and power cells—superior to their crude copies—to outfit an elite strike element."
He paused briefly before continuing:
"Furthermore, accept their invitation for joint tactical training. Systematically impart doctrines for countering Na'vi guerrilla tactics and hostile Pandora fauna to their operators. Our objective is to forge this RDA mobile force—equipped and trained by us—into the most lethal strike unit around Hell's Gate in the shortest possible timeframe, drawing and bleeding off the Na'vi's military focus."
"Understood," Maine nodded, his gaze sharp. He recognized that this was not merely aiding the RDA, but carving out a safer operational environment for the expedition team while redirecting RDA firepower toward their own strategic ends.
Ryo then turned his attention to Rei's detachment:
"Rei Ayanami, your ability to interface with the Na'vi consciousness field and the success of this contact validate a viable bypass around open combat. Your detachment's operational priority is elevated. Using Tsu'tey as an initial anchor, draft a sustained contact protocol. The objective is not immediate trust, but establishing a reliable intelligence pipeline to dissect Na'vi social hierarchy, internal friction, and the mechanics of the 'Eywa' consciousness field."
His gaze shifted to Asuka and Shinji-kun:
"This assignment carries significant operational hazard, requiring strict discipline and rapid adaptation. Asuka, your combat instincts and environmental adaptability provide security. Shinji-kun, your observational attention and empathy may unlock unexpected avenues during engagement. Remember, you operate as a unit; Rei Ayanami's decisions carry supreme authority in the field."
"Understood," Rei replied evenly.
Asuka clicked her tongue, offering no protest: "Understood." While slightly vexed at taking orders from Rei, she recognized the critical nature of the operation and her role within it.
Shinji-kun inhaled deeply and gave a firm nod: "I will do my best."
"David, Lucy," Ryo addressed the two recruits, "you have proven your worth during this initial foray. Continue assisting Rei's detachment with technical support, telemetry logging, and field logistics. Lucy, pay particular attention to intercepting RDA traffic for any mention of the Na'vi or the Avatar Program."
"Understood, Magos," David answered respectfully, taking the responsibility seriously.
Lucy gave a slight nod: "I will maintain the stability of all comms and data uplinks."
With clear directives established, both operational tracks were assigned definitive objectives and dedicated logistical support.
Ryo's strategic design was explicit: openly, sharpen the RDA into a lethal weapon to clash head-on with the Na'vi and absorb the operational pressure; covertly, utilize Rei's team to infiltrate and harvest intelligence, probing for vulnerabilities within Eywa and tribal society to secure Pandora's core strategic assets.