Chapter 74: Parting on Bad Terms

To ordinary people, scientists are often seen as always rigorous and rational, sometimes even obsessively mad in pursuit of science. But Dr. Grace Augustine was not like that; she was a person filled with emotion.

The Avatar Project aimed to cultivate Na'vi bodies through bio-cloning technology, enabling communication with them. Astonishingly, Grace, a botanist, was the chief scientist of this project! Immersed in her science, she spent decades communicating with the Na'vi, to the point her emotions became unbalanced.

Aside from writing the book on Pandora’s flora, we saw no other achievements from Grace. Yet, despite being such a greedy corporation, they still invested enormous resources so that this botanist could roam Pandora daily, controlling her Avatar.

Upon hearing she would have to collaborate with others in scientific research, Grace’s first reaction was to refuse. She disliked anyone interfering in her work. However, when she learned of the effects of Life One, she was shocked and couldn’t wait to meet the inventor of this drug.

This gave Grace a renewed sense of purpose.

In truth, after prolonged contact with the Na'vi, Grace understood deeply that peaceful coexistence between Earthlings and the Na'vi was an impossible dream. The plants of Pandora had no hope of being transplanted to Earth; in other words, without invasion, all research was utterly meaningless!

Grace had become obsessed with controlling her Avatar. So, even knowing the scientist she wanted to meet would arrive soon, she still went off to play with her other body.

Waking from the control pod and returning to her human body, Grace felt disoriented. She bowed her head, “Where’s my lab coat, and my cigarettes? I look so out of place like this!”

Years of switching between two bodies had forced Grace into nicotine addiction.

A female assistant handed her the lab coat and cigarettes. Grace took a practiced drag. It must be said, most women look discordant when smoking, but Grace was an exception.

Patel approached, bringing along an Asian-faced man. Grace set aside her tablet and walked forward, “You must be Mr. Ma Jun? Your Life One is truly miraculous!”

“Hello, Grace!” Ma Jun extended his hand. “I’ve read your book on Pandora’s flora—it was very helpful to me!”

“Wow, your Na’vi is excellent! You must have secretly practiced for years?” Hearing Ma Jun speak in Na’vi, Grace was amazed. “I believe our future cooperation will be pleasant. Oh, by the way, I’ve never actually seen Life One!”

“I brought a batch of Life One with me this time; you’ll see it soon enough,” Ma Jun said with a smile.

Suddenly, a staff member entered, accompanying a man in a wheelchair. “Grace, this is Jake Sully!”

“Oh, I know who you are, but I need your brother,” Grace replied coldly.

“He’s dead!” Jake said quickly. “I know this causes inconvenience for everyone.”

“What training have you had?” Grace frowned.

“I’ve dissected a frog,” Jake answered seriously.

Grace grew even angrier, constantly complaining. “Excuse me, Ma Jun, I need to speak with Parker!” An assistant tried to persuade her, but Grace was unwavering.

“Jake Sully?” Ma Jun turned, smiling.

“That’s me. I’ve heard of your reputation, Mr. Ma Jun,” Jake shrugged. “But up to now, I haven’t taken Life One.”

“To reintroduce myself, I am now the director of the Avatar Project,” Ma Jun said solemnly. “I hear you can control an Avatar. Outdoor research on Pandora benefits greatly from a Na’vi body, and I often need to hunt animals. You could handle transportation work. The reward: return to Earth, cure your legs, and join Junma Technology’s security department, generous monthly salary, contract available anytime!”

Having witnessed Grace’s attitude, Jake certainly disliked the idea of working with someone who disapproved of him. Besides, his sole purpose for coming to Pandora was to heal his legs.

With such an opportunity before him, what was there to hesitate about?

Jake extended his hand, smiling. “I’m a soldier. I can help you hunt animals. All you need to do is focus on your research.”

When Grace returned, she was still filled with anger, utterly fed up with the faces of warlords and capitalists. Upon hearing that Ma Jun had taken care of a previous trouble, she expressed her thanks.

“Later, we need to discuss the research plan and division of labor. Are you available?” Ma Jun asked.

“Of course.”

Before dinner, Grace and Ma Jun met again.

Ma Jun’s research plan was for Grace to record and analyze the properties and uses of various plants, then hand all the data to him.

In other words, Grace was relegated to a minor role.

She decisively refused, insisting on participating in Ma Jun’s research. As a scientist, she naturally felt intense curiosity about Life One.

Ma Jun changed the subject, “I heard you once opened a school for the Na’vi and stayed with them for a long time!”

Grace did not wish to discuss this. The Na’vi, whom she regarded as family, had been slaughtered by mercenaries, leaving her in deep sorrow.

“Perhaps the Na’vi bodies and bones are valuable medicinal materials,” Ma Jun continued.

Grace was furious. “What are you saying? They are living beings, lives comparable to humans! They have a complete culture and ecosystem; they are not cattle to be slaughtered at will!”

“All right,” Ma Jun spread his hands. “I apologize for my words. Could you tell me more about their ecosystem?”

Grace launched into a long discourse about her research, describing Pandora as a perfect, self-sufficient, circular ecosystem, where plants and creatures are interconnected.

Ma Jun listened, nodding off. When Grace finished, he said, “Well, it seems our goals are different. My research is for the survival of humanity; yours is purely to satisfy your own curiosity.”

“We may only work together in limited areas.” Ma Jun stood up and walked out. At the door, he turned back with a smile. “By the way, hunting Na’vi for research was just a joke.”