Months later, inside Hell's Gate Base on Pandora, Isaac, Jill, Carlos, and Tyrell stood contemplating the Avatar bodies soaking in the cultivation tanks before them. These bodies were a unique blend, cultivated from a mixture of their human genes and Na'vi genes.
Due to this genetic fusion, the Avatars possessed characteristics of both species. For instance, like humans, each hand and foot had five fingers/toes, whereas the natural Na'vi only had four. However, they also had the distinct blue skin and a tail, just like the Na'vi. From the perspective of the Na'vi, they likely viewed Avatars much as humans viewed various pseudo-human monsters, giving them an uncanny valley effect. It was no wonder the Na'vi generally harbored ill will towards Avatars.
"Embryonic development originally takes five years," an RDA scientist explained to the four, "but with our forced maturation, preliminary psychic linking can now be performed." He continued, "Because of this, linking with these premature bodies will be more difficult, and some unknown side effects may occur during the process. We will immediately disconnect if any abnormalities arise."
After spending some time preparing for the link, all four lay down on the linking beds. Then, following instructions, they slowly cleared their minds of distractions. "The linking quality index is steadily rising; everything is normal so far," a researcher monitoring the various indices in real-time reported. "95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%! Index reached, linking switch activated!"
As the words fell, the four individuals lying on the linking beds felt their thoughts instantly pulled by an invisible force, as if passing through a long tunnel. Immediately after, all four Avatar bodies opened their eyes.
Mental transfer was an entirely novel experience. Isaac and the other three felt they had completely lost all perception of their original bodies. Instead, they inherited all the sensory capabilities of the Avatar bodies. It was as if they had entirely transformed into Avatars. With the help of other RDA researchers, the four underwent initial adaptation, slowly climbing out of the cultivation tanks and shakily standing upright.
"Incredible, your adaptation speed is very fast," a researcher exclaimed in surprise. Because the four already possessed Psionics and were accustomed to multitasking and manipulating objects with their minds, they were able to adapt to the unfamiliar Avatar bodies at an exceptionally rapid pace.
"What a robust body," Isaac said, looking down at his blue palm, then clenching his fist forcefully. He could clearly feel the powerful strength contained within this new form.
"I can't use Psionics anymore. What about you?" Jill said in a deep voice from the side.
"Me too," Carlos and Tyrell both tried to use Psionics but ultimately failed. Isaac was in the same situation. This was not good news. Although the Avatar bodies possessed excellent physical qualities, surviving in the perilous Pandora rainforest without their Psionic abilities would still be very difficult.
"I will re-apply to the Captain to use the telekinesis crystal and see if we can awaken the ability in this body," Isaac said, not panicking. After a series of checks confirmed that all indices were normal, Isaac and the others—or rather, the Avatars—pushed open the door and entered the huge training ground that had been prepared for them. Various training facilities were set up within the venue. For the next period, Isaac and the others would need to use these facilities to further enhance their control over the Avatar bodies and extend the linking time.
"Is this the Avatar? Is the linking complete?" The four members of the Reaper Squad, who had been waiting in the training ground for a long time, looked at Isaac and the others with keen interest.
After receiving an affirmative answer, HUNK and the others, without reservation, approached to carefully observe the four Avatar bodies. After all, they would soon be acting as opponents, so it was prudent to understand them beforehand.
"Let's start training. Time is pressing; conflicts between us and the Na'vi are happening daily," Isaac, the squad leader, said, glancing outside Hell's Gate Base. After several months of development, a large area outside Hell's Gate Base had been leveled by PDF Soldiers, and various defensive structures had sprung up. On the periphery of the cleared area, countless corpses of Pandora beasts had accumulated.
During these past few months, large-scale beast tides had occasionally attacked the base. However, due to the widespread distribution of the T-Virus, the nearby Pandora beasts were almost extinct. Eywa's frequency of gathering beast tides had become increasingly slower. Nevertheless, the Na'vi's harassment had been incessant. PDF Soldiers and scientific researchers dispatched by Wesker were frequently ambushed by the Na'vi in the rainforest. Even with Tyrants as escorts, these Na'vi could still inflict some damage under the cover of the complex surrounding environment. Although the casualties were small each time, and the counterattacks by PDF Soldiers and Tyrants occasionally killed some Na'vi, over time, considerable hatred had accumulated between the PDF Soldiers and the Na'vi.
"Now is the best time to execute the infiltration plan." Withdrawing his gaze, Isaac immediately began training without delay.
Several hours later, the link disconnected, and Isaac and the others' minds returned to their original bodies. "The link stability index has shown a downward trend, so we disconnected to avoid any accidents," Dr. Grace, a Na'vi expert and Avatar research expert, explained in the research lab.
That's right, under Wesker's command, Dr. Grace also participated in this plan. Wesker had clearly informed Dr. Grace that if the Na'vi did not yield, they would face systematic extinction and re-education. Left with no other choice, Dr. Grace still chose to join this infiltration plan and signed a Psychic Contract, eliminating the possibility of her leaking secrets to the Na'vi.
"The continuation of the race is more important than anything else." Dr. Grace had personally witnessed PDF Soldiers, Tyrants, and Colossus easily repel beast tides multiple times. She knew that if these people wished, they absolutely had the ability to exterminate the Na'vi.
"When can the linking time be extended to more than five days?" Isaac asked, standing up from the linking bed.
"Although you are exceptionally gifted, it will still take at least two weeks," Dr. Grace said, looking at the various data in front of her without lifting her head. Nodding, Isaac then left the laboratory with Jill and the others.
"I'm going to contact Captain Marcus and see if he can bring down the telekinesis crystal so our Avatar bodies can awaken Psionics." After stating his plan, Isaac returned to his room, opened his RIG, and contacted the Ishimura. The other three also dispersed. This recent period would be their last true rest time; once they fully adapted to the Avatar bodies, they would have to stay in the dangerous Pandora rainforest for a long time.