Welcome! My name is Crocs, 27, UK āØ This is a space for all my little avatar ideas and headcanons, but most of all š fanfic š
Below is a masterlist of all my works, though you can find them all on AO3 as well (@Naavispider). I also write oneshots which are often not long enough to post on AO3, so follow the blog for those! Or you can find them by searching the tags 'my stuff' or 'oneshot' š
I am so chill, asks and DMs are always open, as are requests and prompts (Spider or Spider+Quaritch centric, cannot promise to get around to it!) š„°š
The big three:
šš If You Playing Me That Mean My Home Aint Home šš 95k (41 chapters + an epilogue), atwow from Spider's perspective. Missing scenes, fluff and angst, Hurt/Comfort.
Caught ā¤ļøš¤§ 84k (27 chapters + an epilogue). AU where Spider gets caught in the net with Lo'ak, Tsireya and Tuk during the Battle of the Three Brothers Rocks. Evil!Quaritch, heavy angst, prisoner of war, psychological horror. Hurt/no comfort, Angst with a happy ending
The Catās in the Cradle 83k, 14 chapters, Modern au, focusing on Spider as he gets fostered by the Sullys, and tries to navigate his past creeping up on him in the form of a disgraced ex marine. Fluff and angst.
Other smaller stories:
Survivor Oneshot, 15k, Quaritch is a high ranking police officer who keeps running into Spider, a runaway foster kid who keeps making the wrong choices. Eventually they both work it out - but how will they react?
Noodle šš¼āāļø 6k, Spider gets lost in bridgehead and gets up toā¦ mayhem. Fluff and angst (but mostly fluff).
Trigger Spider will to anything to stop Jake and Quaritchās battle to the death. One shot, 2k. Angst.
Oh No Modern au, Spider is kidnapped by Quaritch. Angst. 10k, wip
Cold Spider is majorly wounded while in the forest with the recoms. Angst, gore, 5k
Smoke Spider meets Quaritch for the first time as the recoms raid High Camp. 3.1k, angst
Merciless An au where John Mercer from Frontiers of Pandora finds out Spider is being held by the RDA. Angst, 5k, wip
Prisoner Spider has been captured by the RDA for a while before Quaritch finds out. When he does, the recom takes drastic action. 13k, angst and good!quaritch
Obstinate Quaritchās POV of a late night conversation with Spider. 1.7k, fluff
All I currently want in Dream on is Spiderssqueezing Quaritcg's kuru with all his might so he can feel the same pain as Spider when they experiment on him lol
Vengeful!Spider would be amazing, it's what he deserves at this point. I don't think I've written him in that kind of a state before, so you have definitely given me some inspiration! How far would he go to inflict pain onto Quaritch, in the heat of his anger and if the recom was incapacitated enough?! Something to be explored...
Here is an excerpt from an unpublished chapter of Falling For It š Thanks for asking! šššš
The fresh night air felt like a balm against his tear streaked face. His swollen eyes were grateful to be out of the heavily scented tsahikās marui, even if it was into the perpetually sulfuric and ashen wasteland of the volcanic plain.Ā
āAir Breather.ā
Varangās voice was as amused as it always sounded when addressing him, and he shuddered a deep breath before turning to her. She had watched him leave her tent, coming over by the light of the bonfire. Her eyes travelled his face, taking him in.Ā
āWhat troubles you?ā
She moved around him, circling him like a predator.Ā
āGet away from me,ā he hissed.Ā
āYou are scared,ā she observed. The words clearly brought her pleasure, as her lips curled upward in that sick amusement. āWhat frightens you?ā
āIām not scared of anything!ā he snapped. No way was she going to twist this. āNot you, not this camp,ā - his lip curled in disgust - ānot anything.ā
The firelight danced in her eyes.Ā
Nearby, people were preparing the evening meal. The sounds of orders and instruction floated over to them, but where they stood they were given a wide berth by the rest of the clan. Whether out of reverence for Varang, or distaste of Spider, it was hard to tell.Ā
Quicker than a whip, Varang unsheathed one of the curved swords at her back and slashed a small cut in Spiderās arm.Ā
He hissed, stepping back, but she only brought the blade to her lips. He watched in revulsion as she licked his blood clean from it.Ā
āGo on then, what does it tell you?ā he jutted his chin, daring her to call his bluff. There was no way his blood tasted of fear.Ā
āPain.āĀ
For once, there was neither amusement nor anger on her face. She just contemplated him, as if he was a puzzle she needed to solve.Ā
I feel bad sometimes about how much of a fan I am of the Quaritch-Spider tsaheylu because it's usually forced by Quaritch. But I'm just a sucker for Quaritch showing Spider his memories of Paz when Spider was still little. How much boy was loved by his parents. Will this or something similar happen in your fic?
Iām not sure! You definitely donāt need to feel bad about enjoying that dynamic though! Itās really interesting to think about and i would love to explore how spider would react to Quaritch forcing it. I havenāt decided whether or not to go in that direction in this fic yet, because I want to keep Q as close to canon as possible, but I am thinking about it! Thoughts are definitely happening š¤
I suppose showing Spider Qās implanted memories would be showing him (as Jake says) dead manās memories. The narrative is obviously trying to show Recom!Q as a separate entity to the human Miles Quaritch, so Iām not sure they would ever do that in canon. I guess itās possible the Spider would ask Quaritch to show him memories of Paz, but I think his pride and stubbornness would never allow it.
Anyway, thinking thoughts right now and weāll see what cooks when I write chapter 4 š
Do you have any thoughts on what would have happened if Quaritch had managed to recapture Spider at the end of ATWOW? Even though he was injured, he would have decided there was no way he would lose the boy too and would have used his last strength to capture him
Interesting to think about now that we have the context of avatar 3! Neither Quaritch nor Spider knew at that moment where exactly the Sullys lived, so Quaritch would keep hunting for Jake. He'd probably keep Spider at his side, and not much would change. He always knew Spider would try and escape to Jake as soon as possible, so Spider's actions during the battle of the Three Brothers Rocks shouldn't come as a surprise. If what Scoresby said was true (there really were no survivors of the shipwreck) then no one could report back that it was actually Spider who sank the ship, and he wouldn't face any consequences from the RDA. But we did see some people escaping in lifeboats so that is still a bit unclear/open to interpretation.
I think if Quaritch did manage to keep hold of Spider after he saved his life, their bond would have 100% grown deeper. Of course it would be completely against Spider's will, but he wouldn't be able to help it. They wouldn't be able to continue in the same way as before. Quaritch has a lot more emotional leverage to manipulate Spider now, but he's also gained a newfound respect for the kid. So it could go in so many directions!
My favourite AU to think about would be if Ardmore found out that Spider crashed the whole ship, making him responsible for the majority of the deaths on the SeaDragon. Most of the crew weren't soldiers - they were scientists, researchers, engineers and mechanics. They weren't the ones fighting the Metkayina. They might have been able to escape had Spider not crashed the ship. So the tension between Ardmore (who'd want to throw Spider in jail and rinse his mind in the neuroscanner) and Quaritch (who now owes Spider his life) could force Quaritch's redemption arc sooner.
Damn, chapter 2 was tense asf! I wonder if Spider can spin the first bond angle so Quaritch makes Varang back off. Maybe even fuel his possessiveness by making it sound like he belongs to Varang and not Quaritch thanks to what she did in the reefs, and we know Miles LOATHES competition of any kind, especially have it comes to Spiderš¤
Chapter 3 is posted now š¤ let's just say they doooo talk about the bond š¶
The Factory Ship is sinking, pulled closer towards the flux devil with every minute. Spider offers himself to Quaritch in exchange for Neytiri and Tuk's freedom, but what if Quaritch knew the offer was just a play for time? In which he takes matters into his own hands and brings Spider back to the Ash camp.
'Itās not a weapon. Youā¦ you abused that.ā
Spider trailed off. The words had left him, but their absence left an empty feeling inside him. Like heād been holding onto them so tightly that now his clenched muscles didnāt know what to do with themselves.Ā
āI know what tsayhelu is, Spider,ā Quaritch replied, bringing them back to Naāvi. āI did what I had to to keep you safe."
Quaritchās love for Spider is his biggest weakness.
Itās constantly getting in the way of the mission, and endangering the lives of his fellow soldiers. His ONE JOB is to kill Jake, but he lets him go the second Spiderās life is in danger.
He CANāT stop loving the boy. Even after Spider shoots him in the arm.
And that love could be the thing that saves him. Eventually heāll realize that killing Jake would destroy any chance he has at a relationship with Spider. Itās something Spider could never forgive him for.
Better to just be coparents (with maybe a little holding hands and singing.)
You recently answered an anon's ask about what Spider's life would be like if he stayed with the Mangkwan and in your answer you said something about him trying to connect with and "soften" the Mangkwan kids and the adults disliking it. I think that sounds pretty realistic, but it also gave me an idea: what about the opposite?
Imagine some low-ranking Mangkwan who's eager to raise their status and has a kid around Spider's age. I could totally see this parent pushing their kid to be friends with Spider in the hope that it would catch Quaritch's (and by extension, Varang's) attention and give them a chance to get closer to the most powerful people in the clan. Even funnier if its a girl and the crazy parent starts trying to push a romance angle, which neither their child nor Spider is thrilled about. Maybe Spider and the kid would actually end up bonding anyway over complaining about how awful their respective parents are.
Oooo totally love this! A Mangkwan teenager tasked with getting close to Spider (and therefore Varang and Quaritch) to gain influence and status for their parentsā¦
Boy or girl, theyād try hard to fulfil their parentsā wishes. They had to succeed, or face the consequences of the Mangkwanās brutal discipline.
But after a while itās clear that Spider is no pushover. Heās kindhearted and selfless, but test him at your own peril. Heāll give as good as heās got, unafraid to throw the first punch if pushed into something he doesnāt believe in.
The Mangkwan teenager soon realises that this task wonāt be as easy as they thought. But they have to keep trying.
When Spider finds out their true motivations, everything clicks into place. Spider could have reacted with violence and anger, but instead he shows compassion.
Over time, they form a close bond. One forged in shared pressure and mutual parental issues. The teenager keeps up the rouse to their parents as best they can, while internally terrified theyāll find out everything so far has been in vain.
In return, Spider occasionally name drops the family to Varang and Quaritch, casually praising them when appropriate and tactical, tossing their name in for small promotions in leadership or resource allocation.
Then Spider gets his chance to escape. And somehow, the Mangkwan teenager is the only thing standing in his way. If they choose, they could sound the alarm and alert the clan of Spiderās escape attempt. Or they couldā¦ simply turn away. Knowing the consequences. Knowing theyād bring shame to their family for not being able to stop it.
The idea of āāSpider being forced to live with the Varang and Quaritch is so brilliant. He's human, but also almost a stepchild of the Tsahik and son her mate so he'd definitely have some kind of position in the clan even if he didn't want it. I just see the dangerous glares Quaritch and Varang give anyone who looks at the boy "without respect" for too long. It could develop in so many ways, do you think you'll ever delve deeper into how Spider would be perceived after a longer time by the ash Na'vi? Would he have gotten used to it and maybe even opened up enough to have at least one personon the verge of friendship ?
If spider was stuck with the Ash longterm, heād do what he had to survive. If that meant building a small amount of āloyaltyā to the clan then he would do it. Alone, scared, heād be well open to emotional manipulation from both Quaritch and Varang. At some point his feigning loyalty to them blurs and I imagine heād start to become a functioning clan member.
If thereās anything spider wants itās to feel valued, so yeah he would probably start taking some responsibility around the camp, offering tidbits of information that might make someone feel impressed by him. Over a long enough time, he might take a more directorial approach when it comes to clan organisation and efficacy.
Not as a warrior - he would never join in on their raids against other clans - but he would potentially defend the camp if it was threatened by the RDA. If heād been there long enough, his sense of self-worth is probably coming from Quaritch alone.
I can see him making āfriendsā with other Ash kids (more like acquaintances), but the Mangkwan kids are fierce and cutthroat already at their young age. Spider would bring out their natural play tendencies and annoy the hell out of the parents and clan elders for the softening effect heās having on them. Discipline is extremely strong in the ash camp, so the kids would never be allowed to be real friends with Spider. If they got too close, or their parents thought they were becoming too āsoftā theyād get a real ass whipping and not be allowed to talk to spider for weeks. Punished for getting too close to him.
If spider saw this it would obviously bring out conflicted feelings. Heād want to keep trying to influence the next generation to be better, but he doesnāt want them hurt. thereās plenty of room for a forbidden brotherhood/sisterhood/romance. It could get angsty!
Ooo I like this idea! I totally think that if Jake asked him, Spider would do it. Idk how realistic it would be of Jake to ask at this point, but if he did then Spider would want to help. heād see it as a way to finally (in his eyes) be uselful, and would value the responsibility. Not that heād like having to leave the sullys again. Kiri would beg him not to go, and sheād end up in a massive fight with Jake over it. Even Neytiri might question Jakeās judgement.
But say Spider goes back to Quaritch. I donāt know how theyād stage it aside from Spider literally walking back to Quaritch with his hands up š it could go two ways.
A) Quaritch clocks immediately that Spider is insincere, but he doesnāt let on that he knows. he lets Spider continue to try and work his way closer to Quaritch, and Q enjoys it at surface level. Under the surface however his resentment builds. After weeks of trying to keep control of himself and his emotions, at some point heād snap, and reveal that he knew all along Spider was faking. Qās own hurt and anger would bubble out and Spider would face the consequences.
B) Quaritch still realises that Spider is faking, but a part of him hopes that the kid will eventually come around and it will start to be more genuine. Heād not be as angry as the previous scenario because heās desperately hoping he can win spider over without him even realising it. When spider finds out, Quaritch would make him feel exceptionally guilty and (intentionally or not) holding that emotional blackmail over him.
I wonder what kinda damage control Quaritch will try after slapping Spider in that ash people camp prompt. Ik heās gotta be regretting that SO had bc of the trust heād just broke.
Well, I just posted chapter 2 so you can find out here š
I think Quaritch is the type of person who tries to brush his mistakes away, at least outwardly. He'd rather acknowledge it in the moment, then move on and put it behind him. That doesn't mean the guilt isn't there, but it is buried pretty deep, possibly so deep that Quaritch himself doesn't realise he's carrying it. So I don't see him being likely to bring it up again, but it will of course affect the decisions he makes in future chapters... š
Definitely Spider would bring it up though, as food to hold over Quaritch's head!
There are some preview images coming out for The Art of Avatar Fire and Ash book and there are so many cool stuff there but I'm most fascinated by this image as that's likely the Betabridge still under construction. Unfortunately, even this tells us nothing about its purpose.
Betabridge was something were were supposed to see in Fire and Ash coming online. We saw it in the leaked script pages and everything else in those came about. But Betabridge was completely cut out and it just makes me even more curious about what it's supposed to be.
Looking at it in this concept art I want to agree with people who theorized that this will be a base to a space elevator. I could imagine we see its anchor points. Earlier art of Bridgehead shows it to us at earlier stage of construction. We can see it's gigantic and separated from the main city and both of these would make sense for a space elevator anchor site.
However, that leaked script has it come online with a brilliant light and a shockwave. It is described as a combination of oil rig and a nuclear reactor. None of this sounds like space elevator. Space elevator would need a line first. And this is not how you get it to work.
So what else can it be. I saw ideas that it will be a teleportation hub but that seems like to out there for Avatar which tries to stick to more realistic near future sci-fi. I've heard a machine to change the atmosphere but that would be too small and also how would humans deal with all the detritus from dead animals and plants and the climate change.
Not knowing is going to bother me the whole time till next movie happens.
What do you think would have happened if Spider had managed to break free from Quaritch grip and escape with Kiri in that scene where Varang connected their kurus to knock him unconscious? Do you think Quaritch would continue to attack the village anyway?
Hmm interesting, yes I do think he would attack the village still, but he wouldnāt authorise the incendiaries unless he knew spiderās position and that he was far away from it. Instead of Quaritch demanding āIām gonna need the missus too,ā when heās negotiating with Jake, heād just ask for Spider. If spider heard this then he would 100% hand himself over, because thereās no way heās letting the genocidal maniac burn the village down if he has the power to stop it.
Either way, Quaritch wasnāt leaving that village without his son!
What if Quaritch didn't believe Spider when he offered the deal in the final battle?
"Me for them."
"I can't lose you again, son." Quaricth brings his hand to Spider's hair, " Did you really think I'd fall for that again?" Quaricth connects their kurus.
Spider feels the same thing when Varang did. (Pain and black out)
His trembling fingers released the comms button on his neck as Kiri crept up beside him.Ā
āWhere are you boy?ā The Colonelās voice sounded loud in his ear, drowning out the sinking shipās blaring emergency alarms. āStep out now.ā Warning laced Quaritchās words.
āAlright,ā Spider heart thundered as the full realisation of what he had to do settled inside him. āIām coming out.ā
Kiri tapped his shoulder, and they exchanged a silent decision. She nodded, slinking off underneath the portside walkway while Spider drew their attention up top.Ā
This had to work.Ā
āSpider, ya hear me? Weāre running outta time.āĀ
The flux devil was the least of Spiderās worries right now. He had to move slowly, cautiously. Give the others a chance to act.Ā
He turned to the stairwell and slowly ascended the rigid iron steps, exposing himself to the scene above deck. Neytiri and Tuk were crouched by the far railing, Tuk trembling in her motherās hold while Neytiri rocked them in silent prayer. The Mangkwan warriors shouted when they caught sight of him, and Quaritch turned. Spider almost did a double take at the thick Mangkwan war paint lathered across the Colonelās body.Ā
Spider knew how to handle the Colonel.Ā
But this wasnāt the Colonel. This was a Mangkwan leader. A senior clan figure, an eyktan or the tsahikās mate.Ā
Suddenly Spider felt very out of his depth.Ā
But he had a plan to see through, so he kept walking slowly toward them. āIām here to make a deal. Me for them.ā He nodded toward Neytiri and Tuk.
āThat can happen.ā The Colonel kept his hand on his AR, but tilted his head invitingly. āCome with me son. Iām a man of my word. We can resolve this here and now, everybody goes home.ā
Spider inhaled, steeling himself. Still no sign of anything from Kiri or Jake. He turned over scenarios and ways in which he could delay this, but there was nothing.Ā
Quaritch watched him expectantly.Ā
Pushing his shoulders back, he walked willingly into Quaritchās grasp. The Colonelās hand clamped down on his ocean-wet shoulder, and Spider clenched his jaw to focus on not shrugging him off. This had to look believable.Ā
The Colonel walked him toward Cupcake victoriously. āSaddle up,ā he commanded the Ash. āWeāre outta here.ā
Suddenly, the sounds of struggle raced toward them from under the deck. Quaritchās fingers squeezed harder into his collarbone and he stepped in front of Spider.Ā
Gunshots sounded below them, then across from them. The Mangkwan warriors standing over Neytiri and Tuk were shot down in succession, then Varang was firing at a spot on the starboard side railing. Her fury formed a bloodcurdling cry of outrage at whoever had shot her warriors, but she was forced to give chase to Neytiri and Tuk, who had jumped over the railing to escape.Ā
Pulse racing, Spider ducked down, looking for a way to dash around the Colonel. Where was Kiri?
Gunfire sounded loud around him, and the ship jolted, pulled ever closer to the swirling vortex getting closer and closerā¦
Quaritchās thick arm closed around Spiderās torso and he was hoisted up as Quaritch fired round after round at Jake, who had emerged above deck, taking cover while he assaulted the remaining Mangkwan. The Colonel sprayed another round of ammo, forcing Jake to hide behind a storage unit as he threw Spider forcefully onto the back of Cupcakeās saddle. Spider had no time to slide a leg over and escape before the Colonel was behind him, riding the ikran higher and higher until the ship was below them, Jake chasing after them from the deck.Ā
Shit, shit, shit! He had to get off this ikran now, it wasnāt supposed to end like thisā¦.
Looking down, Spider weighed his choices for a split second. They were so high, but the water below them would break his fall.Ā
It was better than allowing himself to be taken again by Quaritch.
He elbowed the man from in front, throwing his left leg over Cupcakeās neck and taking a huge breath-
āOh, no you donāt!ā Quaritchās hand dug into his arm painfully, keeping Spider atop the animal before he could slide off while his other arm secured Spider against his chest. āDid you really think I was gonna fall for that again?ā Quaritch growled at him, the last thing Spider heard before the manās kuru connected with his. Pain forced his body to stop struggling, pain so familiar and burning he knew he was passing out even as he did so.Ā
He woke up slowly, something soft and comfortable underneath him. It pressed against the side of his face and tickled his nose, but it was warm and safe.Ā
He frowned. This wasnāt High Camp, and it wasnāt Awaāatlu.Ā
His eyes shot open and he sat up, glancing around furiously. He was in some sort of large, animal skin tent. There was a fire in the centre, and an opening above for the smoke, but little light entered. A few feet away the Colonel was sitting, carving something beside the fire.Ā
All of Spiderās memories came flooding back.
āWhere the hell am I?ā he demanded.
āSpider. Back with us?ā Quaritch nodded toward a small table next to the pile of animal pelts Spider was sitting on. āYou thirsty? Hungry?ā A full waterskin and bowl of dried yerik had been left for him.
Quaritch was smeared in cakey ash paint, wearing only his loincloth. It looked like beads he was carving with his crystal knife, but Spider didnāt care enough to look properly.Ā
āIs this the Ash camp?ā he asked, glancing toward the flaps of dark hide that formed the exit.Ā
Quaritch nodded slowly. āIt is.ā
Fury rose in Spiderās chest. āWHY did you bring me here!ā
Quaritch put down whatever heād been working on, shifting closer. āThis is us now, kid. Home, sweet home.ā He raised his arms as if expecting feedback. āI know it might take a bit of getting used to-ā
āGetting used to? Are you insane?ā
He couldnāt believe what he was hearing. Quaritch thoughtā¦.? He thought they were going to live together? With the Ash?
āNope.ā Quaritch popped his mouth. āIām building us a future. Outside of the RDA. Where you can be safeā¦ free.ā
It took Spider a second to form words. āFree? You think Iāll be free here?ā
āI can see youāre not warming up real quick to this, huh. But this is for us, Spider. We can be together.ā The Colonel lifted a hand, reaching for Spiderās shoulder.Ā
Spider pushed it away vehemently. āI donāt want to be together!ā he hissed.Ā
Quaritch hid his disappointment well, but it was still telling in the way his ears dipped and his shoulders sagged.Ā
āTake me back home!ā
Dust rose from where Quaritchās tail flicked across the floor. The Colonel shook his head, not looking at Spider. āYou know I aināt doing that, kid.ā
Spider cast around for something to use as leverage. āYes you are. Iām not staying here!ā But his conviction fell flat without an obvious bargaining chip.Ā
Quaritch pressed his lips together, a crease deepening between his brows. āItās 12 kilometres to the forest treeline, which even if you reached undetected youād have to travel forty clicks to the nearest clan. The camp is guarded day and night by sentries at the entrance and at outposts on the lava field.ā Quaritch paused for dramatic effect.Ā
All of Spiderās insides had turned to lead.Ā
āYou make a break for it, youāll be hauled back here in two seconds, and I swear I will give you that ass whippinā.ā
Spider inhaled. He stared at Quaritch, mind racing.Ā
The Colonelās stature softened, and he let out a sympathetic breath. āLook. I know you hate it right now. But this will be good. You donāt need Sully. Iām your father. Iām all you need.ā
āNo,ā Spider said in a low voice. āHow could you do this?ā He said it more to himself. He knew better than to expect compassion and reason from the man kneeling opposite him.Ā
He was just so sick of being proven right.Ā
āHey.ā Quaritch reached his hand out again, this time successfully placing it on Spiderās shoulder.Ā
Spider let him because he was cold inside. Like the fire that kept him alive all these months had been temporarily doused to embers.Ā
āIt will be okay. Iām gonna look out for you.ā
Spider sat back on his heels, staring unseeing at the ground while his mind worked to figure out a solution. If what Quaritch said was true about the camp being guarded and having its own killzone then he really might be screwed.Ā
He knew Jake wasnāt coming for him.Ā
Heād known that for a long time.Ā
No, this was some deep shit that heād have to find a way out of himself, like he did everything. He let out a shallow huff of amusement when his brain told him: at least thereās no neuroscanner or RDA labs this time.
āSomething funny there, tiger?ā Quaritch stroked a rough thumb over Spiderās chin.Ā
He pulled his head away. āYou know these people want to kill me, right?ā
Quaritch looked around, faking looking for hidden warriors crouched in the shadows. āAnd yet here you are. Breathing.ā
āThe tsahik. She tried to kill both of us!ā
He knew Quaritch must have figured something out with her. Spider didnāt feel truly unsafe when he was with the Colonel, but it seemed mad that Quaritch had just forgotten how they all met.
āYou donāt need to worry about Varang. We haveā¦ an understanding.ā
āWhat? You give her guns she lets you fuck her?ā
He gasped as Quaritch smacked his cheek. He froze, head turned away.Ā
Quaritch had just slapped him.
Quaritch hadā¦ slapped him.Ā
It didnāt make sense in his brain. He couldnāt get the words to fit right.Ā
A hand came around the back of his neck. Gentle, forgiving. āIām sorry. Iām sorry, kid. I shouldn't have done that.ā
Quaritch made him look at him. Spider willed his eyes not to fill with tears. He said nothing.Ā
Quaritch pulled their heads together, brows pressing against each other. āGod, Spider. I just want to protect you.ā
āGreat job,ā Spider said, devoid of emotion.Ā
Quaritch pulled back, letting go of Spiderās head. āEat something. Drink. Then Iāll take you on a tour.ā
He didnāt reply, just sat back on the pelts and watched as Quaritch cleared away whatever heād been working on while Spider had slept, and left the tent.Ā
Alone at last.Ā
He leaned his head back against the leather wall. He needed to find a way out of here. That was his number one priority. Heād do it soon.Ā
While discussing with fellow Spider defenders about how important to the plot he actually is, a thought crossed my mindā¦
What do you would happen if Quaritch had arrived soon enough to pluck Spider out of the seascape battlefield instead of Tuk? Never taking her or Neytiri hostage and just peacing out since he has what he wanted and, as far as he knows, Toruk Makto has been struck down.
Do you think the Colonel would go back to the RDA and help them rebuild? Or would he go to the Mangkwan where he has more respect as Varangās arm candy?
š·ļøā¤ļøāš„š¦
Oooo thatās a good one! I think once he had Spider heād make sure the kid was secure - heād probably have to dump him back at Bridgehead temporarily, unless he trusted the ash camp enough to babysit him while he searched the battlefield for Jakeās body. Heād definitely want to make sure Jake was dead.
If he was pretty confident that Jake had died (like he saw the arrow protruding from him and assumed there was no way heād survive the fall from Toruk) then i think he would only fleetingly consider going to be with Varang. Given that Ardmore (almost certainly) is dead, there isnāt anything holding Quaritch back at the RDA. I could see him going back and resuming his senior position, perhaps temporarily taking control of SecOps. He and Selfridge had a tentative alliance going on regarding Spider, and Q could easily use his old manipulation tactics to command Selfridge again if needed. I think heād go back to Bridgehead and take up the reins in the wake of everything lost in the battle of the cove of the ancestors. Thereās no one left who poses a threat to his authority, so why wouldnāt he?
Heād definitely keep spending time with Varang, either at the ash camp or by integrating the Mangkwan warriors more into Bridgeheadās operations. He could see them as a new āarmyā for the humans since they basically lost all their previous men and we donāt know how much of their operational resources are left after the battle.
I think Quaritch cares so much about his position and not abandoning his side (yet!!) that he wouldnāt easily give up what he thinks he could gain at Bridgehead. I think he wonāt give it all up until later in the sequels šš
