Simon "GHOST" Riley

In the year 2170, precisely 146 years after 2023, the iconic ISV Venture Star sailed gracefully through the vast expanse of space. Its destination was initially thought to be a sister planet to Earth, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be just one of the thirteen moons orbiting a larger celestial body. This Earth-sized moon, along with its planetary parent, resides 4.423 light-years away, equivalent to a staggering 26 trillion miles from our home planet.

The graceful ISV Venture Star transported a group of meticulously chosen military and marine personnel, handpicked by the RDA organization. This diverse assembly comprised Marines, scientists, special forces operatives, and various other skilled individuals. All of these carefully selected humans had undergone and embraced what the RDA referred to as The Avatar Program.

Early exploration revealed that the moon, now designated as PANDORA, possessed a significantly smaller mass than Earth. Consequently, Pandora's gravity was 20% less than that of Earth, resulting in a notably denser and thicker atmosphere. This unique atmospheric composition rendered it inhospitable for regular humans, requiring the use of respirators, breathing masks, or oxygen tanks for survival.

Simon Riley, known by his code name Ghost, stood as one of the chosen Marines for the latest phase of the RDA's AVATAR PROGRAM. After the expulsion of the RDA from the moon, there had been an 11-year hiatus, marking a dormant period for the program between 2154 and 2169. However, in the year 2170, a new wave was prepared for release and beta testing.

A permanent facility had been set up by the RDA to house the latest participants in the AVATAR PROGRAM. The interior of the base buzzed with activity as new recruits, returning staff, and those who had previously undergone the program mingled. The program aimed to enable humans, including Ghost and others, to navigate the lush, atmospherically dense landscapes, breathing freely like the Navi natives without the need for respirators and air tanks.

The Avatar Program was originally intended to create mine workers who did not need environmental protection systems and could eat Pandoran foodstuffs, but the cost of the mental link system remained too high for the numbers needed. Avatars were then used to study the Na'vi and the Pandoran ecosystem with the hope that the avatars could be used as ambassadors

Ghost sat behind a glass window, peering into a room filled with tanks containing a liquid solution. In one of those tanks floated his very own human/Na'vi hybrid, meticulously engineered using genetic DNA/NVTranscriptase blueprints. The intricate system facilitating the connection between Ghost and his Avatar was known as LINK BEDS, featuring customized nanotech receiver/transmitter nodes embedded in avatar brains from their earliest blastomere stage. Thanks to this advanced technology, human "drivers" could now operate their avatars from distances of tens of kilometers, with the option to reduce these distances in areas where Pandoran magnetic fields were particularly strong.

Ghost uttered a soft murmur as he reclined within the confines of his LINK BED. With a deliberate closing of his eyes, a mere heartbeat later, he found himself reawakening within his Na'vi body. The transformation was evident—his once human form now adorned with vibrant blue skin, cascading long and thick braided black hair, a count of four fingers and toes, and a gracefully elongated tail.

Guided by the scientists present in the room, Ghost carefully elevated himself within the framework of his now taller and more slender avatar body. Clad solely in a hospital gown, his gaze, now adorned with bright blue eyes, gazed soullessly into a mirror situated across the room. "Bloody hell," he mumbled, the reality of the situation sinking in. No amount of training could have readied him for the surreal experience he found himself entangled in.

Ghost underwent a complete transformation in appearance, his skin now adorned with a vibrant blue tone that seamlessly blended with the indigenous Na'vi. Standing at an impressive 10 feet tall (3 meters), he exhibited facial features that included large, expressive golden-yellow eyes, ideal for navigating the low-light conditions of Pandora. High cheekbones, a broad nose, and a subtly feline appearance characterized his new countenance. A prehensile tail, essential for balance and coordination, had become a part of Ghost's physique.

Sporting a robust and athletic build, Ghost's Na'vi avatar showcased well-defined musculature, reflecting enhanced agility and physical prowess. Despite these changes, he retained the familiar five fingers, akin to his human counterpart, a subtle yet distinguishing feature setting him apart from the native Na'vi. Additionally, Ghost's skin now displayed bioluminescent patterns, particularly noticeable in darker surroundings, mirroring the striking characteristics of the indigenous population.