What If? (P1) || Jake / Reader || Draft

Bait (1/3)

I'm sorry if anything comes off wrong, or maybe there's some plot holes, or I skip anything. I've been doing my best to write and I'll eventually proof over it when I can. I've lost my grandfather recently and it's been hard on me, plus one of my animals is not doing so well. If you spot any mistakes or have any critiques, please absolutely feel free to let me know and I will fix them! I'd hate for the story to drop in quality. 🫶🏻 just reply to this paragraph to make it easier for me to find, thank you!

_______________________________

There's not much time left.

The days start to blur together as they fade out, and with every new morning - the chance of them invading only increases.

The plan has been adjusted and run through many times now, even so much as timed with backup plans put in place should anything fail.

It shouldn't be that hard to pull off, right? Standing there with your group and trying to lead them into the field? They weren't as knowledgeable as they were in your world, which would surely give you the upper hand.

Although the Avatars stripped them of their gear or vehicles, there was never a full proof way of grabbing everything. They had plenty of backup pieces to repair items, or at least backup weapons stored in their bunkers.

As much as you wanted to worry about it, losing yourself to the sorrow and concern wouldn't do anyone any good.

Jake's human legs are a huge tangled mess with your own.

Even without the exoskeleton, he's starting to show some muscle mass coming back - and can move his legs with at least a few twitches or so independently.

His arm is around your chest, and face resting on your left shoulder as he loudly breathes in your ear.

It's kind of cute how attached he's been since he's fully come back - not needing to stay in his link for days on end.. sitting around, no more waiting for him to be able to have his shortened human breaks.

It's been three days since hes returned, and in those three days - you've barely had much more than a moment where he wasn't touching you in some way or form.

If it wasn't you, then it was your bump. If not here, then on your avatar.

Getting things together has been rather difficult on him, though. As you'd rightfully expect with anyone.

He might appreciate the late nights alone with you, but it always caused him to sleep in late — and being behind on plans was something he'd never forgive himself for.

Everything has been considered multiple times, run through with tests once or twice, and planned as best as it can be without truly knowing how things will go with the RDA.

Getting them out to the mountains, that was step one. Bait was in place. Jake would be watching over you with his main command squad — ready to dive in the second anything went wrong.

You're barely awake at all when you hear the sound of heavy boots stomping against the floor as they race down the hallway.

Curious, but... you're much too tired to check out what's going on. Being with Jake was all you wanted.

If it were important they'd —-

Oh, shit.

The loud banging on the bedroom door causes you to jump — which wakes Jake as he's worried something happened to you.

At least you two were decent, because there's hardly enough time to process before that door swings open.

Sanchez.

"Corporal." He shortly bows to the both of you - a gesture he's picked up on from the Navi and also meant as a slight apology as he says your name. "—I'm sorry to intrude, but we've got movement. Radar says they could be here in an hour or two. Ka'ani and Saeyla were on patrol and caught them moving out of the bunkers. Some are already in suits or coming by foot."

Jake has the most confused look he could ever wear on his face — stuck somewhere between panicked and not even sure if this isn't a dream.

You have to shove him off to get up first - and throw on your button-down as Sanchez hands you a mask.

"We've got thirty to get you set up." He reminds. "We're having Trudy wait further out in the field for added protection, so you'll have to run to her - hop on - and while Jake takes over, you two come back here for the avatar and extra weaponry."

Jake's slowly getting himself up, and fitting his legs to his usual prosthetics in only a few minutes.

He's still not happy about the plan, but he's trusting you with all he's got.

At least you wouldn't be alone.

________________________

While everyone else was either piling in and getting things together, or sorting last minute arrangements at the building — you were left standing in the middle of a blossoming meadow.

Somewhere between the path the RDA was taking to get to you since they last crossed you here - and the bare edge of where the mountains field started.

Even as your nerves grow with each update, or your stomach feels like jumping out of your throat — So many arguments and changes have happened along the way for this to happen, and you knew you couldn't let them down.

The only sort of comfort you had was standing beside a few hunters. They intend on buying you some time the second those demons make their way over, so you can flee while the others follow.

In the last moments before they show, you sure were grateful that Trudy went through the process of making you an armored vest again - as well as Jake keeping your training up as it gives you the stamina needed to disappear in the forest.

"GO!" Ka'ani yells before you even feel his finger tips brush against your shoulder - trying to shove you aside as the hoard builds before you.
"—GO!"
He realizes the look of shock you wear on your face, and how you hesitate to move as you lock eyes with several men on the front lines of this stampede.

You eventually start mindlessly moving, and nearly trip a time or two as you rush out to Trudy. She's waiting in one of the military vehicles, ready to head off the second you're able to jump in the back.

"Slow down a bit, babe." Jake's voice comes over the comms. "Two groups are following Ka'ani and Saeyla to their points — However, I think they've lost you on their heat sensors."

"Shit." You lean over and rest against a nearby tree, fighting your lungs for the right to breathe. "— You want me to go back? Try to draw them in?"

"Absolutely not. We've got a good bit of them in the field, it should work. We're just waiting for them to come further in so we can launch, but it's taking longer than we expected."

"Yeah, it's no good if too many retreat." You look behind you, scanning over the horizon. Not a single man is in sight, but you can hear ikran and shots going off in the distance. "— What if I get in with Trude and we drive by them?"

"If you do that, you'll have to drive through the field and then U-Turn back to the building. Lose them at the last possible second."

"I'm almost to her." Your fingers almost slip off the comms button as you stand back up and ready yourself. "—I'll try for it."

"Please, be careful." He solemnly reminds.
"—-You go straight to the building unless I call for something else, do you understand?"

"I know. I've got this."