Chương 42: Chapter 42: "Encountering a Wildlife Infestation?"
As a planet similar to Earth in many ways, Pandora's rotation period is about 26 hours, roughly equivalent to a day on Earth.
On the morning of September 2nd,
The light provided by the Alpha Centauri star system "illuminated" Pandora's sun-facing side, signaling a new day for the rainforest's creatures.
However, in an area with numerous floating mountains, a large-scale aerial fleet appeared, with two airborne gunships and a transport aircraft particularly conspicuous.
This fleet of nearly a hundred flying vehicles belonged to the RDA organization, which, as Samuel Young knew, decided to launch a preemptive attack to prevent the Na'vi from gathering tens of thousands of fighters and avoid an uncontrollable situation.
The first prominent vehicle was a military-green airborne gunship resembling a "flying turtle," officially named the C-21 "Dragon" assault ship, measuring 41.5 meters in length, 31.7 meters in width, and 9.22 meters in height.
This assault ship was equipped with a multitude of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and advanced fire control systems. It could also carry ten mechs and numerous armed personnel, serving as a tactical transport, command, and assault airborne platform.
The other striking aircraft was a black and white transport plane, the TAV-37B "Valkyrie" SSTO (Single Stage to Orbit) shuttle, with a length of up to a hundred meters. Its sleek design was even described as "elegant."
However, the Valkyrie was not a military unit but was temporarily requisitioned by the RDA to serve as a bomber, prepared to launch a devastating strike on the Na'vi's sanctuary.
Due to the Valkyrie's civilian nature and its structure not supporting any combat strength, the remaining smaller aircraft clustered around it, providing protection.
The escorting units mainly consisted of AT-99 "Scorpion" gunships, providing fire support, and "Samson" utility helicopters, which resembled advanced versions of the UH-60 Black Hawk, transporting combat squads.
The aerial fleet majestically crossed the mountains.
Soon, the fleet began rapidly descending.
Finally, they landed in an open area, unloading the transported RDA mercenaries and 4-meter-high mechs.
These headless giant-looking mechs were actually "Amplified Mobility Platforms" (AMP suits), suitable for all terrains and functioning as infantry units.
After unloading, the fleet took off again, continuing toward the sanctuary but slowing down to ensure timely support for ground troops.
In the cockpit of the Dragon assault ship,
"This is Dragon Leader. My request is simple: a quick fight because we have to hurry back for dinner."
An officer with white hair, a prominent scar on his face, and a muscular build, was the "villain" from "Avatar"—Miles Quaritch.
Holding a coffee in his left hand and leaning his right elbow on the cabin wall, Quaritch stood behind the pilots, looking out the window with a relaxed demeanor, not considering the Na'vi a threat at all.
Seeing the sanctuary and the spirit tree within visual range, Quaritch put down his coffee cup and ordered over the comms: "Attention all units, the target is in sight, estimated at four kilometers. Valkyrie, prepare to bomb."
"Received, preparing to bomb."
With the command given, the Valkyrie accelerated under the escort of the fleet.
"Sir!" At this moment, the observer sitting in the back of the cockpit reported loudly to Quaritch: "There's movement on the ground! Suspected enemy cavalry, ground forces about to engage."
Hearing this, Quaritch moved to the observer's side, also focusing on the holographic screen.
However, the image flickered intermittently like static on an old TV, prompting Quaritch to say: "Clear up the image."
The instructed observer immediately operated but still shook his head: "No can do, sir. There's severe magnetic interference here, and all flight units' navigation and fire control systems have failed."
Suddenly, a large number of Na'vi flying cavalry on Banshees appeared within visual range.
Seeing this, Quaritch frowned and said: "All units, open fire at will! Repeat, open fire at will!"
"Understood! Engaging the enemy!"
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"Sir! We... ah! Damn it... ah..."
Just as Quaritch finished speaking, the various commanders responded over the comms, but judging by the noise, the situation seemed less optimistic than a few days ago when they destroyed the thousand-meter giant tree without any casualties.
Boom! Boom!
At this point, the explosions outside the cabin became more frequent.
Outside the Dragon assault ship, the Na'vi flying cavalry, seemingly well-prepared for an ambush, launched a suicidal attack on the entire aerial fleet.
The magnetic interference caused fire control systems to fail, catching the outermost Scorpions and Samsons off guard.
They either exploded or suffered engine damage, causing pilots to lose control and spiral toward the ground.
In the rainforest below,
"Rat-tat-tat!"
"Boom! Boom!"
The symphony of various caliber firearms created a much better performance for the ground forces compared to the aerial units.
The Na'vi cavalry's frontal charge was like shooting practice targets against the gunpowder and electromagnetic weapons, falling in rows.
Some Na'vi, not yet dead, were trampled into blue pulp by the following six-legged horses.
However, a few unlucky RDA members were pierced by Na'vi arrows, pinning them to the ground or trees.
Soon, the Na'vi cavalry couldn't withstand it and chose to retreat.
The aerial battle also began to shift in favor of the humans from a stalemate, with Jake Sully on the Toruk pursued relentlessly by the Dragon assault ship.
Just as the Valkyrie was about to reach the designated area and prepare to bomb, thousands of wild Banshees came to the Na'vi's aid.
On the ground, many beasts were also aiding the Na'vi cavalry, including herds of Hammerhead Titans, like biological armored vehicles, and Thanators, much larger than panthers.
"Roar! Roar!"
Facing this sudden change, the Na'vi were the first to react, raising their weapons and shouting to the sky.
Nature itself was aiding them—this was Eywa's blessing!
In contrast, the humans were caught off guard again.
"Sir! Enemy reinforcements! Enemy reinforcements!"
"Oh my God! Colonel, there are too many beasts on the other side. What should we do?!"
The comm channels were filled with the panicked shouts of various personnel.
However, the Na'vi's "good fortune" was short-lived.
Bang! Bang!
Just as the beast reinforcements were about to inflict significant casualties on the RDA, thousands of airborne Banshees were blown to pieces by a barrage of large-caliber shells.
"Rrrr~ Brrrrrrrrr!!!!!!"
Next, the sound of cannon fire echoed clearly and crisply above the battlefield.
??
This stunned all RDA members, including Quaritch. At the same time, their comm channels were filled with a stranger's greeting:
"Hey! Folks! This is Major Arthur Morgan of the Atlas Rapid Response Force. Heard you were having a wildlife infestation problem? Hahaha! No worries, sit back and enjoy the barbecue show led by our cannons!"
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