"Why!?" It wasn't just Tsu'tey; the other Na'vi were also somewhat confused. The moment for a decisive counterattack had finally arrived, so why retreat? Why waste such a golden opportunity?
"Even with this information, our tribe alone can't defeat the Sky People in one fell swoop," Eytukan explained, displaying the foresight of a leader. Indeed, with the newly acquired data, they could launch a counterattack and inflict some losses on the Sky People, but it would ultimately be a mere skirmish.
This valuable intelligence deserved to be used for a greater purpose: uniting the other tribes to decisively defeat the Sky People and completely drive them out of Pandora. After explaining his rationale to the rest of his people, Eytukan looked at his wife, Mo'at. "Hold the ceremony to disperse the beast tide. We will need their strength during the next general offensive." With that, Eytukan mounted his Banshee and soared into the sky once more.
"Leave this vehicle, but move all the equipment and instruments," Eytukan instructed, remaining very cautious to prevent the truck from containing any hidden devices that might expose the Home Tree's location to the Sky People. The other Na'vi immediately complied. Isaac, along with his two companions, also had no objections. For now, they needed to act discreetly; provoking the Na'vi's displeasure would likely jeopardize the entire mission. A few minutes later, after transferring various heavy equipment onto some giant beasts, the Na'vi began their retreat. The Banshees also lowered their altitude, disappearing into the dense rainforest, doing their best to conceal any traces of their movements.
Outside Hell's Gate Base, the previously endless and seemingly inexhaustible beast tide suddenly began to retreat. Wesker, commanding from the control tower, observed this and knew that Isaac and his team had likely succeeded in infiltrating the Na'vi. The initial phase of the plan had been a success.
"Consolidate the position and clear out the bodies," Wesker ordered concisely. After giving the brief command, he opened communications and contacted the four members of Death Squad, who had been on standby within Hell's Gate Base. "Isaac's Squad has successfully infiltrated. You may begin your mission."
"Death Squad, copy," HUNK, the captain of Death Squad, acknowledged from the other end of the communication. After hanging up, HUNK looked at his three teammates: Krauser, Leon, and Ada Wong. "Let's begin." The four, who had been preparing for several months, immediately donned their gear, boarded an aircraft, and flew out of Hell's Gate Base.
Looking down, the area outside the base was engulfed in thick smoke and bore the clear ravages of war. "This is truly—" Leon, who had not experienced the Raccoon City incident and was still very green, looked at the scene below and could only manage two words: "Cruel." Even after only a brief engagement, the PDF Soldiers, the Tyrant legions, and various aircraft had unleashed a barrage that slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Pandora's beasts. Their bodies were already piled high like mountains. In truth, the other three had not seen such a large-scale scene either, but their specialized work experience made their ability to cope far stronger than Leon's.
"This is a racial war. It's either you die or I die," Krauser stated, toying with his combat knife. "Only with enough power can one protect oneself in such a situation." Over the past few months, Krauser had trained his Psionics the most diligently, and his Psionic intensity was now second only to the highly talented HUNK.
"Focus on the mission," HUNK, acting as captain, reminded them. HUNK still wore his iconic gas mask; even the three members of his squad, who had spent months with him, had never seen his true face.
The aircraft flew over the burning battleground below and, guided by the signal indicator, quickly located the recently abandoned truck. "It seems these natives aren't fools, at least," Krauser mused. The few of them knew that Isaac and his team would certainly not abandon the vehicle and retreat voluntarily; this could only have been the Na'vi's idea.
"Here, footprints," HUNK, who had been carefully observing the surroundings, suddenly spoke. The other three gathered around. On the ground was a massive footprint, most of its traces already faded.
"It's a Hammerhead Thunderbeast," they immediately recognized the owner of the footprint—a massive creature large enough to overturn an AMP humanoid exoskeleton. The footprint had been deliberately covered by the Na'vi, and most of its traces had been erased. Moreover, due to the complex environment of the rainforest and the trampling of other wild beasts, it was difficult to discern the exact direction of the print. However, the four of them didn't seem particularly concerned.
The Na'vi had always believed they had concealed their tracks well and had not exposed the Home Tree's location. But in reality, after all these months, various reconnaissance squads composed of PDF Soldiers had already determined the approximate location of the Home Tree. After all, even on Pandora, plants that could grow as large as the Home Tree were still extremely rare.
"Chase them." After confirming there was no other information worth noting in the vicinity, the four boarded their aircraft and flew towards the Home Tree's direction. According to the script, they needed to show themselves to the Na'vi. This demonstration would allow Isaac and his two companions to perform well in front of the Na'vi, helping them integrate better into the community.
"This is Death Squad. Confirming Na'vi have abandoned the vehicle and retreated with Isaac's Squad. Requesting more aircraft for a carpet search," HUNK sent a message to Wesker, the Commander of this operation.
"Request approved. Twenty AT-99 Scorpion Gunships will be dispatched to assist you," Wesker replied. Since the approximate location of the Home Tree had already been determined, not many aircraft were needed to find the retreating Na'vi. In Hell's Gate Base, twenty AT-99 Scorpion Gunships started their engines and flew directly to the pre-determined location. As expected, after a period of searching, a Scorpion Gunship discovered the Na'vi retreating in an orderly fashion through the dense rainforest.
"Na'vi group found in Zone 6. Exact number unknown. Isaac's Squad not yet found." But not long after, another Scorpion Gunship searching in a different area also discovered a group of Na'vi. Under the cautious command of Clan Leader Eytukan, the Na'vi had divided into several groups for their retreat, aiming to confuse any potential pursuers.
"Na'vi and Isaac's Squad found in Zone 4. Do we engage?"
"Maintain distance, continue tracking, and be wary of airborne beast groups," HUNK, who had temporary command over these twenty Scorpion Gunships, immediately gave the order. Immediately, the aircraft carrying Death Squad flew at an extremely high speed towards Zone 4. "Other gunships that have found Na'vi are to conduct long-range harassment attacks. Lethal weapons are authorized."