After sealing off the Life Lab, Duanmu Huai immediately began working. He ordered several researchers who were not part of the Avatar Program to investigate the local situation.
Fortunately, despite that menopausal heretic hag, there were still a few scientists here doing actual work.
"So the flora and fauna of this planet all possess a unique signal-transmission system?"
After reading the research notes, Duanmu Huai asked. The researcher beside him nodded vigorously.
"Y-yes. According to Professor Grace's earlier explorations, the braid behind the Na'vi's heads has neural-link abilities. They use it to connect their consciousness to the bodies of the animals on this planet, and control them…"
"A network this vast must have a central node."
Duanmu Huai tapped the table.
"So, what else have you learned? About these aliens?"
"Not much. The Na'vi haven't interacted with us very closely…"
"That's because you arrogant fools don't want to learn their knowledge or their traditions!"
Hearing this, the restrained Professor Grace shouted again. However, Duanmu Huai ignored her completely.
"Tell me what you do know."
"Yes, sir. Uh… these Na'vi seem to worship a deity called Eywa. They believe it's omniscient and the creator of all life…"
"Hm…"
Duanmu Huai listened, pondered for a moment, and then nodded.
"Alright. I know what to do."
"Really? What are you planning?"
Hearing this, Parker became visibly excited.
"God bless you. You have no idea how annoying these damned blue freaks are. We tried giving them schooling, roads, even medical care. But they don't need any of it—they'd rather play with mud. I can't communicate with these damned savages at all!"
"Because they're not ignorant primitives."
Duanmu Huai glanced at him coldly.
"You try to judge aliens using human logic, of course you fail. And from what we know, these aliens might not even be the true masters of this planet. So I intend to speak with the planet's real master directly."
"The… real master?"
Everyone looked at one another, baffled. Duanmu Huai only snorted.
"Eywa."
"Ridiculous!"
Grace erupted again.
"You have no idea what you're talking about!"
"Oh, I know perfectly well."
Duanmu Huai stared at her.
"Abnormal signal conduction between plants. The Na'vi's neural links and consciousness transfer. The neural interfaces in the animals of this planet. All of it indicates that this world may contain a planetary-scale consciousness network that links every living mind. If that network is controlled by a central self-aware consciousness, then it's not surprising the aliens revere it as a god."
"...…"
Grace's face instantly turned pale. She stared at him as though she'd seen a ghost.
"Who… who are you? You're not some stupid soldier."
"Seems you sensed this as well—but chose not to report it."
Seeing her expression, a glint of icy killing intent flashed in Duanmu Huai's eyes. Parker stared at her, shocked.
"God almighty—Grace! Something that important and you didn't tell me?!"
"I only suspected it! I had no evidence!"
"That's irrelevant. I'll find the evidence myself."
Duanmu Huai stood, cutting off their argument.
"Prepare to move."
The black aircraft lifted off again. Fully armed Astral Marines followed Duanmu Huai toward the depths of the jungle.
"What exactly do you plan to do?"
Grace, who had been brought along under guard, glared at him. Inside, she was deeply shaken. She had thought these terrifying men were just mercenaries who only knew killing. But Duanmu Huai had analyzed the planet's nature from a few files and deduced conclusions even she had struggled to accept.
Even Grace herself had been shocked when she arrived at the same conclusion. That was why she hadn't reported it—she needed more proof.
"It's simple. I'm going to give those aliens the first lesson you idiots never taught them."
"…First lesson?"
"Exactly."
Duanmu Huai gave her a cold smile.
"You know what happens when two unfamiliar beasts meet in the wild?"
"..."
"They display their power to intimidate and force the other to back down. But unfortunately, you people forgot humanity's primal instincts the moment you arrived."
"That kind of barbaric behavior accomplishes nothing…"
"Fear is what brings submission. Civilization does not mean weakness. And that—" Duanmu Huai's eyes narrowed, "—is what I'm going to teach them."
He snorted. From the moment he read Dardaniel's report, he had been displeased. He understood Dardaniel was a businessman—merchants avoid trouble. So his orders were to approach the Na'vi gently, communicate, negotiate, and sway them with利益.
Of course, assuming the other party were human.
If they were human, such methods might work. Primitive tribes lacking medicine or resistance to disease could be helped—because both sides were human. Same biology, same ailments, same ways to communicate.
But the Na'vi were not human. They were aliens.
Trying to reason with them was like lecturing a cow.
Would you take your cattle out for steak? Date your family duck?
On Pandora's low gravity, toxic-air environment, humans couldn't survive outdoors without masks, while the Na'vi moved with ease. What humans called poison was harmless to them. Different biology altogether—what were you going to negotiate with?
These idiots probably thought freedom and democracy were universal cosmic values.
All it did was make the Na'vi think humans were weak and easy to bully. If it were Duanmu Huai, he would've blasted them on day one—show them humanity's power to reshape the world, and they'd never dare open their mouths again.
In short, Dardaniel's stupidity caused all this.
When dealing with unknown beings, never forget—olive branches and weapons must both be present.
Those who bring only olive branches get eaten.
Soon, the gunship squadron flew over the forest and landed in a clearing. Duanmu Huai and the Astral Marines stepped off and looked around.
He had to admit Pandora was beautiful. If not for the terrible air, he might've brought the girls here to sightsee—actually no, they probably wouldn't want to come anyway.
He refocused, narrowed his eyes, then suddenly stomped the ground.
"Hmph—!"
With his cold grunt, an invisible wave of pressure exploded outward. The surrounding plants shivered violently, as though sensing a terrifying aura filled with death and destruction. Some even recoiled. Grace stared in shock—she had never seen the flora react like this.
Duanmu Huai ignored her. He stretched his hand to the empty air and clenched.
In the next instant, a blue-skinned Na'vi screamed as she was yanked out of the trees and dropped into his grasp.
"Neytiri!!"
Grace screamed the moment she recognized her. Duanmu Huai glanced at her.
"You know her?"
"Yes! She was my student. I taught her English! Let her go! If you harm her, the Omaticaya will—"
"Whssssh!"
Before she finished, multiple arrows shot from the trees, striking Duanmu Huai.
They didn't even scratch his armor.
The Astral Marines immediately raised their bolters and opened fire toward the source.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!"
Thunderous explosions tore through the forest. Birds fled, trees splintered, and the surroundings were blown into chaos.
"Stop! Stop shooting!!"
Grace screamed with her hands over her ears, but the Marines ignored her until Duanmu Huai lifted a hand.
He stared at the Na'vi whose throat he still held, then asked:
"She's from the tribe we're looking for?"
"Yes! She's important—if you hurt her, the Omaticaya will go mad! They'll never forgive you!"
"I won't forgive them either."
Duanmu Huai replied calmly. He lifted the Na'vi higher. Her eyes bulged with terror. Clearly she had never witnessed such power.
"Listen well, alien. This is the Inquisition's final ultimatum."
Duanmu Huai stated each word clearly.
"Your tribe's territory is now under Inquisition jurisdiction. I order you to evacuate before tomorrow morning. If you comply, we will let you go and even offer some compensation. If you refuse…"
He forcibly turned her head.
A moment later—
A beam of light fell from the sky and obliterated a distant mountain.
The entire ridge split apart and collapsed under the impact. Even Grace was stunned speechless.
"That is your fate. You and the god you worship will be annihilated."
"Y-you…"
Hearing her god mentioned, the Na'vi trembled and spoke:
"Y-you cannot harm Eywa… she is the creator of all life, the great—"
Before she finished, Duanmu Huai squeezed her jaw shut.
"Perhaps earlier fools gave you the wrong impression, alien. But our power exceeds anything you can imagine. Even your so-called god is nothing more than prey to us. Believe it or don't—it makes no difference. Remember: if your tribe remains in place after sunrise tomorrow, it will be taken as refusal."
His voice dropped to a chilling whisper.
"We will attack. Your kin will fall in pools of blood, bodies torn apart. Everything you cherish will burn under the Inquisition's wrath. Do you understand?"
"..."
The Na'vi stared at him, then nodded faintly.
Duanmu Huai released her.
"Begone, alien. The Inquisition's mercy has limits."
She fell to the ground, shot him one last look, then fled into the jungle.
Duanmu Huai turned back to the craft.
"Alright. Let's return."
On the way back, Grace said nothing. She only stared at him, as if trying to pierce through his terrifying armor to see what kind of being he truly was.
"Who are you? This power isn't something the Company has."
"That's none of your concern."
Duanmu Huai didn't even glance at her. If she didn't understand the Na'vi, he wouldn't have bothered bringing her at all.
He had done everything necessary.
Now it depended on the Na'vi.
(End of Chapter)