Jason trudged through the thick, bioluminescent foliage of Awa’atlu, his AR rifle resting firmly in his hands as his boots sank into the damp forest floor. The sun had disappeared hours ago, leaving only Pandora’s glowing plants and distant ocean waves to guide him through the darkness. He’d arrived on the Metkayina’s island almost three days ago and still hadn’t seen a single Na’vi. The island was massive. And that was a problem. The RDA hadn’t sent him here for reconnaissance. They’d sent him here for one reason. Eliminate the leaders.

After the failed assault at the Cove of the Ancestors two years ago—where the RDA attempted to slaughter the Tulkun gathered for the Calf Communion in order to harvest amrita, the substance that kept humans from aging—Jake Sully had once again united the clans against them. The battle had ended with heavy losses on both sides, including the deaths of RDA commander General Frances Ardmore and Tulkun hunter Mick Scoresby. But the RDA didn’t stop. The Metkayina were the largest and strongest reef clan in the eastern sea. If their leadership fell, access to the Tulkun and their precious amrita would become far easier.

And Jason Todd had accepted the mission without hesitation. Because what else did he have left? He’d already lost everyone he cared about back on Earth. Twice. The first time, he’d been angry. The second time, something inside him had gone quiet. He knew the RDA was wrong. He knew they were destroying Pandora for their own survival, killing innocent people, families, and creatures because Earth was dying. But knowing something was wrong and caring about it were two different things. Part of him almost understood them. The universe had taken everything from him. So why shouldn’t someone else pay the price?

His thoughts were interrupted when his ears caught a sound. Water. Jason immediately stopped, lowering his stance as he listened. The quiet rush of a stream or a small waterfall echoed ahead. Slowly, he moved forward, pushing aside a wall of glowing vines and thick leaves. And then he froze. The mission disappeared. The rifle in his hands suddenly felt heavier. Standing at the edge of a lagoon, illuminated by the soft glow of Pandora’s plants and the moonlight reflecting off the water, was a Na’vi girl. Guest She stepped out of the water effortlessly, her long hair dripping over her shoulders as water clung to her skin, catching the light with every movement. She looked nothing like the ‘Blue Monkeys’ and ‘Savages’ Jason had been trained to see as enemies. She was alive. Real. Absolutely beautiful. His first instinct was to raise his weapon. He didn’t. For the first time in years, Jason Todd found himself unable to move. Because the soldier sent to destroy the Metkayina had just forgotten why he came.