Chapter 704: Further Pressure
After the framework of the temporary alliance was established, Ryo did not allow the Predator threat to simply fade away into silence.
On the contrary, he instructed the two Eldar warriors to adjust their operational patterns: the frequency of attacks decreased, but the targets became more provocative, constantly hovering on the edges of the zones of mutual concern delineated by the alliance.
The alliance's first practical combat test arrived swiftly.
Approximately forty kilometers east of the Land of Chants, in a canyon zone included on the tripartite joint surveillance list, a Na'vi patrol squad reported discovering suspicious thermal traces.
Almost simultaneously, RDA orbital satellites detected faint energy dissipation in the same area, possessing a resonant frequency similar to Predator cloaking devices.
Intelligence instantly converged on the Trailblazer through the newly established encrypted channels. Ryo's algorithmic team rapidly flagged it as a high-probability contact event.
Following the alliance's emergency protocols, the nearest unit—a rapid response squad led by Maine, comprising a mixed formation of three Astartes scouts and five elite Omaticaya hunters—was immediately authorized to investigate.
On the RDA side, an armed drone was ordered to launch, providing real-time overhead surveillance and backup firepower.
The response squad arrived at the signal zone within twenty minutes. Operating the psychically tuned auspex, Pilar quickly locked onto the anomalous energy focal point beneath a rock wall in the canyon.
"Confirmed cloaking field activity traces, medium intensity. Targets might still be lingering nearby," Pilar stated in a low voice.
Maine swiftly deployed their formation. The Astartes scouts fanned out, activating the multi-spectral scanners of their armor; the Na'vi hunters, relying on their instinctual familiarity with the terrain, silently occupied the high ground and flanks.
The RDA drone circled above, transmitting thermal and optical feeds synchronously.
Just as the encirclement was about to close, the air in the shadow of the rock wall distorted violently. Two blurry figures suddenly materialized, seemingly preparing to relocate. Their silhouettes highly resembled Predator warriors, and the energy weapons on their shoulders glowed faintly.
"Targets spotted!" Maine growled through the comm channel. "Weapons free! Focus on driving them back!"
The Astartes scouts bolters roared first, the swapped-in non-lethal concussion rounds detonating around the targets, creating intense shockwaves and sensory disruption.
The Na'vi hunters arrows shot precisely toward predetermined containment angles, forcing the enemy to move.
Following the rules of engagement, the RDA drone fired two marker-tracking munitions that exploded near the targets, leaving behind lingering trails of fluorescent powder.
Faced with a sudden and coordinated strike, the two Predators clearly appeared caught off guard.
They attempted to counterattack, but the suppressive fire from the Astartes and the predictive containment from the Na'vi hunters made it impossible for them to aim effectively.
One plasma beam grazed an Astartes shoulder pauldron, while another was blocked by the rock wall.
Under continuous pressure, they did not linger. Rapidly engaging their high-speed mobility, they utilized the complex terrain to retreat backwards. Their figures quickly dissolved back into the environmental background noise, leaving only faint residual energy fluctuations and fluorescent markers pointing out their direction of retreat.
The response squad pursued cautiously for a distance before halting the operation upon confirming the targets had broken contact.
"Targets repelled. No casualties reported," Maine relayed. "Minor energy residue and non-human footprints left at the scene, matching previous Predator profiles. Judged to be a foiled reconnaissance or infiltration attempt."
The news was transmitted back to the three command nodes.
For the Omaticaya clan, this was the first time their own forces had engaged the invisible enemy without suffering casualties, instead succeeding in forcing them back.
The descriptions brought back by the participating hunters emphasized the crucial role of the early warnings and anti-stealth technology provided by their Sky Allies, as well as the sense of control over the situation provided by the RDA's aerial perspective.
For the RDA, the clear footage and successful marker tracking transmitted by the drone verified the value of the alliance's intelligence sharing and coordinated response.
Colonel Quaritch noted that under the framework of joint operations, his own forces were effectively supplemented and amplified.
This small-scale, zero-casualty victory, though yielding limited results, perfectly demonstrated the initial efficacy of the temporary alliance.
It provided desperately needed positive feedback, alleviating internal doubts, and in particular, drastically reducing the pressure on Sutai as she pushed forward with the cooperative route.
Ryo opportunely commended the participating units while pointing out the new trend exposed by this incident.
"The enemy has not given up. They are merely testing the strength of our joint defense and probing for weak links. This setback might prompt them to take more aggressive, destructive actions to test the limits of our response and the solidity of our alliance."
His judgment soon came true in a different manner.
Several nights later, alarms simultaneously jolted both the Land of Chants and Hell's Gate.
At the Land of Chants, the sensory vines on the periphery of Hometree's canopy transmitted intense intrusion alerts. Almost simultaneously, the motion sensor arrays provided by the Seekers deployed on the clan's perimeter were triggered.
The Na'vi warriors on night watch reported seeing high-speed, blurry shadows and the fleeting trails of plasma beams.
The attackers seemed to attempt to approach the main branches of Hometree but swiftly fled after triggering multiple alarms and being blanketed by a rain of arrows from the guards, leaving behind only a few traces of lightly scorched bark.
At Hell's Gate, the intrusion was much more technological.
A concealed backup communication relay station on the base's perimeter was sabotaged. It wasn't dismantled by brute force, but through precise, targeted component removal and wire cutting—the handiwork of professionals.
Surrounding vibration sensors and low-light cameras captured extremely brief optical distortion phenomena.
The base's internal network also detected an unsuccessful data probe attempting to infiltrate the outer firewall. Its code signature bore vague similarities to the information fragments from the Predator scout ship that the RDA had previously analyzed.
The two incidents occurred almost simultaneously, and both took place on the perimeter of relatively heavily guarded core areas. This transmitted a clear and dangerous signal: the Predators had the capability, and were currently attempting, to conduct close-range reconnaissance and even sabotage probes against the most vital symbols and facilities of both factions.
The pressure spiked.
This time, both the Omaticaya council of elders and the RDA command echelon felt a threat far exceeding the previous wilderness ambushes.
Hometree was the spiritual and survival core of the Na'vi; it could not be compromised.
Hell's Gate base was the RDA's lifeline on Pandora; its security was an absolute priority.
Under Ryo's coordination, an emergency tripartite high-level communication meeting was swiftly convened.
"Their objectives have escalated," Ryo presented the preliminary analysis reports of both incidents during the meeting. "This is not random harassment, but a selective display of force and capability testing. They are telling us they can touch our most critical locations. Next time, it might not be just a probe."
Colonel Quaritch's face was livid. "The sensor network around the base perimeter must be upgraded. The coverage area must be expanded, and response times shortened. But I need more effective detection methods specifically for this kind of cloaked infiltration."
Sutai's voice carried deep anxiety. "We need more eyes around Hometree, not just our warriors. Eywa's warnings need more specific guidance."