Osiris appeared to have fully anticipated the resistance from both sides. Without any rush, he calmly brought up a new data graph.
"This is our long-term tracking and analytical model of the Predators' operational trajectories." He pointed to the lines on the display that continuously extended, intersected, and ultimately converged toward the polar region of Pandora. "Based on the timing, location, methodology, and energy residue of a vast number of raids, we have established a predictive model.
The data indicates that their activities are not entirely random; rather, they follow a clear logic and a phased set of objectives. Currently, their strikes are focused on degrading the viable personnel of both your factions and eroding your economic foundations. According to our model's projections, their objectives in the next phase will likely shift toward nodes of higher strategic value."
He magnified several highly highlighted sectors. "For the Na'vi, it could be the Sanctuary itself, or the Hometrees of several other large clans. For the RDA, it could be Hell's Gate Base's primary reactor, the orbital launch facility, or the central refining and storage hub for unobtainium."
These words caused the expressions of both Seze and Quaritch to turn solemn.
"Our model also demonstrates," Osiris continued, "that behind these raids lies a unified command core. The decentralized hunting packs behave like tendrils, but there is only one brain. As long as this command core exists, severing any number of tendrils will fail to terminate the threat. To locate and destroy this core, we require a reconnaissance network spanning vast regions of the planet, an assault force capable of penetrating their potential strongholds, and fire support capable of delivering decisive lethality at critical moments."
He looked toward the representatives of both factions. "Relying on any single party will fail to satisfy all these conditions concurrently. The Na'vi are intimately familiar with the jungle, possess unique sensory advantages derived from the network of Eywa, and excel at small-scale mobility and terrain utilization, yet they lack effective means to counter high-tech cloaked units and heavy firepower. The RDA possesses formidable firepower and technical reconnaissance capabilities, alongside heavily fortified base defenses, yet your adaptability to the jungle environment is insufficient, and your massive assets and energy signatures act like lighthouses in the eyes of an enemy proficient in cloaking. As for us, 'The Seeker', while we possess a certain tier of counter-cloaking technology and special operations capabilities, our manpower is limited, and our understanding and penetration of Pandora's overall landscape are far inferior to both of your factions."
Osiris pressed both hands flat against the table surface, leaning forward slightly, his steady gaze sweeping over Seze and Quaritch. "Confronted by a threat that cannot be managed individually, the logic of survival overrides legacy divisions. My proposal is direct: our three factions will establish a temporary alliance restricted solely to countering the Predators. The objective is singular—locate them, strike them, until the threat is eradicated."
He paused slightly, ensuring that both sides were following his train of thought.
"The operational framework of this alliance is not complex," Osiris continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "First is the mutual exchange of intelligence. Any party that detects signs of Predator activity—whether tracking on the ground, anomalies in the air, or combat engagements—must immediately share it with the other two factions. My team will be responsible for integrating all data, analyzing their behavioral patterns, and issuing early warnings. This will allow us to avoid being picked apart individually again."
"Second is defensive complementarity." He looked toward Seze. "The familiarity of Na'vi warriors with the jungle is unmatched; your early warnings and ground reconnaissance are vital." Shifting his gaze to Quaritch, he added, "The RDA's aerial assets and long-range monitoring technology can cover wide-area zones and altitudes that are difficult for the Na'vi to reach. In critical sectors mutually agreed upon by both sides, we need to combine these advantages to form a multi-dimensional surveillance network. The explicit sectors and methodologies can be delineated through negotiation."
"Finally, and most importantly," Osiris's voice carried a fraction more weight, "is the formation of a joint force capable of rapid deployment and effective strikes. The Predators possess high mobility and excel at concealment and ambushes; conventional patrol defenses can only react passively. We require an elite element that, guided by intelligence, can proactively hunt their packs and, when the timing ripens in the future, assault their stronghold."
He softened his tone slightly. "This element requires highly efficient command and specialized countermeasures. In this regard, 'The Seeker' possesses some experience and technological reserves. Therefore, I propose that our faction spearhead the formation and command of this joint response squad. The squad members will be drawn from the elites of all three factions, but during operations, they must temporarily set aside other stances and submit to a unified tactical objective. To ensure transparency, you may dispatch representatives to join the command framework and oversee operations."
Osiris leaned back, allowing space for both sides to deliberate. "This is not intended to establish a permanent institution, nor does it intend to intervene in your other affairs. This is merely a tactical coordination targeted at a shared existential threat. During this period, my team will shoulder the responsibilities of the intelligence hub and primary technical support, which is also the baseline foundation of our participation in this coordination."
The meeting room fell into silence.
The Na'vi representatives conversed in low tones; Tsu'tey's face was ash-white, but he was held down by the elder beside him. On the RDA front, Quaritch and the special assistant rapidly exchanged glances.
Seze lifted her head, looking straight at Osiris. "Dr. Osiris, if this alliance is formed and you lead the joint force, what explicitly will you provide? Can we obtain those devices that disrupt cloaking?"
Meeting her gaze, Osiris's response was candid and clear: "We will provide combat-verified counter-cloaking detection support and assume responsibility for critical sensor tracking and suppression during joint operations. Regarding the explicit technical details, due to security parameters, we cannot fully disclose them. However, we can allocate more disruption arrays to the alliance's high-priority defensive sectors and ensure they operate effectively during joint deployments. Furthermore, all results of intelligence analysis and operational recommendations will be shared with alliance members."
The commitments he offered were pragmatic and bounded, explicitly delineating the frontier of his own technology while demonstrating sincerity in collaboration.
Ultimately, after intense internal calculations, Seze, representing the Omaticaya clan, and Colonel Quaritch, after securing temporary authorization from Parker Selfridge, expressed their agreement in principle one after the other. A memorandum briefly outlining the aforementioned three points of collaborative intent was signed, although the phrasing was cautious and left a vast amount of detail to be settled in subsequent negotiations.
A fragile yet single-minded temporary alliance, driven by Osiris and compelled by the pressure of reality, began to take its initial shape.
After the tripartite representatives departed, Osiris stood alone in the camp, his gaze reaching far into the distance. The framework of the alliance had been constructed; though rudimentary, it was entirely sufficient to serve as a starting point. Next, it was necessary to allow reality to rapidly flesh out this framework and, during the process, progressively solidify command dominance.
The well-timed activity of the "Predators" would serve as the ultimate catalyst to drive it all forward.