The Na'vi leader spoke again, releasing a sequence of complex, musical syllables. He gestured toward the exploration team's equipment, then toward the sky, and finally toward the depths of the forest.
"He is inquiring about our origins and purpose," Osiris (the second avatar) inferred based on the body language and context. "He is also likely warning us that this forest is their home, protected by 'Eywa'."
Though Maine could not understand the language, his wealth of experience allowed him to grasp the general meaning. He pointed to himself and his team, then to the sky, making a "falling" gesture to indicate they came from the stars. Then he shook his head and spread his hands again to show they harbored no ill intent.
The Na'vi leader tilted his head, seemingly deep in thought. Behind him, a younger Na'vi appeared impatient, letting out a low growl and slightly raising his bow. The leader immediately turned back, stopping him with a stern gaze and a rapid, reprimanding string of words.
"There is internal friction," Osiris analyzed. "The elders or those of higher status lean toward observation and communication, while the younger ones are more aggressive."
At that moment, from the rear of the camp, Rei Ayanami, who had been quietly recording the "whispers of the forest," suddenly stood up. Her movement drew the attention of the Na'vi, and several arrows were instantly aimed at her.
"Rei! Don't move!" Shinji hissed nervously.
But Rei acted as if she hadn't heard him. Her red eyes stared at the Na'vi leader. She slowly raised one hand, her fingertips gently touching her temple. Then, she turned her palm toward the Na'vi and slowly opened it. This gesture was not any known form of communication; it was an instinctive posture of attempting to establish a connection, based on her own perception of the biological consciousness field.
The Na'vi leader froze. His golden eyes locked onto Rei, seemingly sensing something extraordinary. He could feel that this slender creature with the strange hair and eye color emitted a faint fluctuation that resonated subtly with the forest and "Eywa." It was vastly different from the other intruders who carried the scent of metal and alien energy.
He hesitated for a moment, then performed an action that surprised every member of the exploration team. He signaled his companions to lower their weapons and walked slowly toward Rei alone. His steps were steady, and the neural queue behind his head drifted slightly, as if actively releasing a signal.
Maine and Dorio watched tensely, fingers hovering near their weapon triggers. Osiris issued an order: "Everyone, stay still. Observe."
The Na'vi leader stopped about five meters from Rei. He studied her carefully, then slowly raised his neural queue. The tip of the braid, which looked like a living thing, glowed with a soft biological luminescence and extended toward Rei. He was inviting her to make a connection.
Everyone held their breath. Direct biological neural connection was filled with unknown risks. No one knew what would happen—whether it would be an exchange of information or the erosion of consciousness.
Rei looked at the glowing neural queue approaching her, her face remaining expressionless. She merely tilted her head slightly, sensing the clearer consciousness fluctuations coming from the other. Those fluctuations carried curiosity, testing, and a hint of... sadness?
Osiris quickly assessed the risk. Rei's mental state was stable, and she was sensitive to consciousness fields. This connection could provide invaluable first-hand data about the planet and Na'vi society. The risk was manageable.
"Pilot Rei Ayanami," his voice reached her through the encrypted channel. "You may decide for yourself whether to accept the connection. Mission priority: collect information. If you feel any discomfort or threat, terminate immediately."
Rei was silent for a moment. Then, under the gaze of everyone present, she slowly raised her hand and reached toward the glowing neural queue.
There was no physical contact. The moment Rei's fingertips were about to touch the queue, the luminous tip wrapped itself around her wrist as if possessed of life. A soft, electric-like light flashed at the point of contact.
Rei's body shuddered slightly. Her red eyes instantly lost focus, as if her consciousness had been pulled away. A flood of chaotic information surged into her mind—lush forests, soaring Ikrans, frolicking Viperwolves, tribal campfires, and the sacred Tree of Souls.
Then came the images of massive, roaring machines pushing down ancient trees, fire consuming homes, and kin falling in explosions. Intense sadness, rage, love for the home, hatred for the invaders, and a devout faith in "Eywa"—these memories and emotions that did not belong to her surged like a tide.
She saw the Na'vi leader—his name was Eytukan, the leader of the Omaticaya clan. She felt his responsibility to the tribe, his pain for lost loved ones, and his firm belief in maintaining the balance of the forest.
The connection lasted less than ten seconds. Eytukan was the first to break it, his eyes filled with shock and confusion. He had never successfully established such a clear connection with a non-Na'vi, especially one with such a different appearance. In the consciousness of this small creature, he felt an indescribable purity and emptiness, as well as a deeply buried sadness quite unlike that of the cold invaders in his memory.
Rei staggered, her face turning pale. Shinji instinctively wanted to step forward to support her, but she steadied herself. She blinked, her red eyes refocusing on Eytukan with a very subtle change in her gaze.
"He... is Eytukan," Rei said into the communication channel in her usual flat tone. "They... lost a part of their home. Because of the machines of the 'Sky People'." She pointed to the wreckage across the stream. "Those... were earlier 'Sky People'."
Though the information was fragmented, it was significant. It confirmed the existence and intelligence of the Na'vi, revealed a history of conflict between them and the humans (Sky People) who arrived earlier, and showed the central role of "Eywa" in their culture and faith.
Eytukan gave Rei a deep look, scanned the exploration team once more, emitted a few short syllables, and gestured to his companions. The Na'vi squad began to retreat slowly, melting into the dense forest until they vanished.
The first contact ended unexpectedly. There was no conflict, but critical information had been gained. The successful connection between Rei and the Na'vi opened a new door for subsequent exploration, while also raising a new question—what long-term impact would such a connection have on the pilot herself?