Chapter 9: Chapter 9: First Connection
The next day, Ben was the first to arrive at the connecting room. He was hoping to avoid Grace Augustine, and he succeeded. Indeed, he saw no trace of the director.
Max: Alors? Comment va notre français du jour?
Ben: Good. Just as long as I didn't run into a dog ball. Max couldn't help but spit out his coffee because of a sudden giggle.
Ben: Shit! I just put it on!
Max, calmed down: Sorry... It's just that you found a word that fits her perfectly. But you know what? She hasn't had an easy life.
Ben: Neither did I. That doesn't mean I'm going to bite every person I don't like.
Max: You're not lacking in honesty. Is it courage or stupidity?
Ben: I'll leave it up to you. So, where do I stand? Max took him to a link box on the left, just in front of the entrance. The box was a dull gray and was in front of a series of gray circles containing all kinds of analysis systems to ensure the link. The scientist opened the door for a green foam support in human form. Above it was a sort of grey breastplate with various cables and light points.
Max: You will take the number 6
Ben: Cool! That's my favorite number! I hope it will bring me luck. With these words, he settled on the link box. He took the neurological breastplate that he fixed well to his body.
Max: Ready for your first connection?
Ben: Yes and impatient.
Max: Have you eaten before?
Ben: I had breakfast. Thanks for the question.
Max: Very good. We're ready to go.
With these words, he closed the lid on the pilot. Once the lid on his room, Ben took a deep breath before closing his eyes, while evacuating from his brain the slightest parasitic thought.
Informatician: Brain in constant activity and stable. Should I start the procedure, sir?
Max: Do. The computer specialist confirmed the request and a loading screen appeared.
Informatician: Link at 30%, still stable.
The figure on the screen displayed 50%. Then 75% and finally 99%.
Informatician: Connection almost established. Stability of neural systems.
Finally, the screen displayed 100%.
When he had closed his eyes, Ben saw only black. As he had so often done during his training, the soldier kept an empty mind. Suddenly, the black was replaced by a sort of corridor, similar to a vortex.
Finally, he opened his eyes and saw two scientists leaning over him. But he didn't care. He sat down, looked at his hands and made a quick inspection of his new body.
His skin was light blue, and he noticed his tail behind him and a large braid of hair, the length of which all covered his back.
He was dressed in a white gown comparable to a hospital patient. The pilot observed his new body, a little uncomfortable. In spite of the simulations, the real experience was quite disconcerting and it made him cranky. And the sight of the scientists framing him like a baby did not help his mood.
Ben: I'm fine! I'm not a kid! Damn it! I don't need to be mothered!
Scientist: We can understand your annoyance, but understand...
Ben: Understand what? He felt something whipping through the air. He turned around but saw nothing.
Ben: What is it? Raah!!!! I'll never make it with this tail! The scientists stuck themselves to the wall to avoid the tail waving in all directions while trying to reason with the pilot. As for Ben, he had low ears, showing his annoyance and his tail, source of his frustration, also expressed it by waving in all directions, making the situation of the scientists complicated.
They could use the painkillers, but the violence of the movements discouraged them from reaching the table where the syringes were.
Ben: But... How do they cope with the damn line?
Max, the only senior program manager still available, was called. He joined an observer who informed him of the situation.
Max:What's up?
Scientist: The pilot is shaking all over the place.
Max: Why? Orientation problem?
Scientist: It does not seem so. Looks like adaptation.
Max: What does that mean?
Scientist: He has problems with his tail. The rest seems to be working perfectly, proof that he is a trained person but he seems to have trouble adjusting to his tail.
Max sighed: I see.
In the meantime, the pilot seemed to have turned his annoyance into joy, if we can trust his ears that have picked up and his look like a child who has been given a gift. He seemed to be practicing grabbing things with his tail. Ben: Mais c'est pratique ces machins!
Max: What are you doing?
Ben: I'm working on my adaptation! It's not a big deal, it makes life easier!
Max: You're going to do something stupid!
Ben: I've got it under control! Don't worry! On these words, his tail whipped the air and knocked over one of the medical devices.
Ben: Oups. Je crois que j'ai encore de l'entrainement à faire.
Max: Well, listen. I can understand that it's upsetting you, but stay calm. These tests are necessary to work on your adaptation.
Max was afraid that the driver would do as he pleased, making the situation more complicated. To his surprise, he nodded his head
Ben: I understand. Sorry about the mess, but let's just say...it's pretty confusing. I mean, the simulations are a long way from reality.
Max: That's why these tests are necessary.
Ben: I understand.
Max huffed and puffed while the Frenchman sat down on the bed and let the scentists do their work.
Max: I would have imagined it would be more complicated.
As soon as the tests were completed, Ben was allowed to leave and join the Avatar training room. After donning black short pants and a red T-shirt, he dedicated himself to working on his body control through physical challenges by working his legs through jumping jacks and his arms through climbing. As he reached the end of a climb to a wooden lookout, probably built to practice climbing trees, he heard Norm's voice as he caught his breath. Drops of sweat were pouring down his forehead, chest and back, smothering his top.
Norm: Jake!
He quickly turned his gaze around and actually saw Jake running in the garden, euphoric. He was followed by a Norm who begged him to stop running but it was in vain.
Ben, whispering: Did you expect him to obey? What naivety!
This reaction of the sailor did not surprise the former soldier at all. He would have found it even strange if Jake had not been behaving in this way, given the state of his body. Then another voice called out to him and he got a shiver. The voice was feminine and had a tone of authority. He looked around and saw a female avatar facing them. He was able to braid beads to drink and a kind of necklace around her neck. The soldier raised his right eyebrow, curious about this person who seemed close to the natives, judging by his observations. She caught Jake's attention with her profession before throwing a purple fruit to test his reflexes. The result seemed to satisfy her, judging by her smile. While Jake tasted the purple fruit with surprise and delight, which released a surprising juice, Norm finally caught up with him and almost fell over. He greeted Grace before clowning around in a rather boastful pose.
Norm: I am a living god! Yeah, that's great
And on those words he fell down, making Grace laugh and Jake looked at him confused, not knowing how to react. As for Ben, he sighed at this reaction.
Ben: The recklessness of youth...
With these words, he began to descend from the watchtower discreetly, so as not to alert the scientist whom he wanted to avoid at all costs.
Grace: While I have you two, have you seen the other soldier?
Both answered him with a nod of the head as he finally reached the end of his journey.
Norm: He was already in a liaison when we arrived.
Grace mumbled on hearing this as the person being stalked began to walk away, taking care to have their back to them. Jake spotted him not only because of his build, but also because of his characteristic hair.
Grace: He's not going to play hide-and-seek with me for long.
Norm: Isn't that Ben down there?
Ben turned and gave her a murderous, chilling look. The scentific had difficulty seeing a veteran in this young man in front of her. But avatars are often younger than human bodies.
Grace by joining him: You are finally here! How long do you think you'll avoid me?
Ben: As long as possible. But it seems that some people don't know how to tarnish their tongues.
With these words, he looked at Norm with that special black look, making him shudder before returning to Grace with calm.
Ben: Now that you have me, what do you want from me, madam?
The team leader turned to Jake and Norm who stood still and sighed in frustration.
Grace: How long do you plan to stay in hospital dress? Go get some clothes instead of playing the post!
Even the sailor did not seek to protest and the two walked away, leaving the two alone. Once their silhouettes were gone, Grace turned her gaze to the former soldier.
Grace: Here we are alone. I've been looking forward to meeting you
Ben looked at her with surprise, not expecting such a remark from her.
Grace with a smile: Oh, I see you weren't expecting that at all. Indeed, I was curious to know a bit more about you. A soldier voluntarily committing himself to the program, you must have a lot of nerve! But to be able to pass the preparation and be selected to join my team is impressive, considering your background.
Ben: Uh... Thank you.
He didn't know whether to take this as contempt or a compliment.
Grace: Your notes say you have a good na'vi.
Ben: Let's say I know how to hold a conversation. I'm a long way from Norm's level
Grace was surprised by his answer
Grace: You underestimate yourself. Why are you interested in Pandora? You can have any position that fits your profile.
Ben: I wanted to have peace during the six years of service. Only your program met my expectations. Do you have another request?
Grace was able to notice some awkwardness in the pronunciation of words but he seemed to be able to hold a conversation. In spite of her, it was something she could not separate.
Grace: That will be all, for now.
Ben bowed respectfully and left. Another strange gesture that surprised him. She watched him walk away with his head up in the sky, seemingly watching the helicopters fly.
Grace: For someone who hates me, he was pretty calm and respectful.
She would have liked the peace that the soldier wanted to see. Unfortunately, this was far from being the case.
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