8 Years in the Future
Chapter 1: Letters from a King and Queen
Part 2: Dear Sokka
The blue clad spectacled assistant looked around the enormous, and ever so messy lab. It was crowded with men and women tinkering and playing with gadgets he had never seen. They chatted and laughed, and appeared to not be getting any work done at all. No one even seemed to know exactly where Sokka was. One man sitting in a wheeled chair with a pair of goggles on his head grinned and finally pointed out the way. The assistant continued to step over wires and bits of metal, and looked through different colored jars that held powders and various liquids. Being new, he had never been inside the celebrated lab before.
He had wanted to be employed in the "Factory of Dreams" for years. Millions had heard of the wondrous inventions and machines to come out of that place. And not just that, but ideas and concepts on learning that seemed to change the world.
And yet this was not what he was expecting. The workshop was not filthy, but it was unorganized and cluttered. Junk littered the floors, the tables, the walls and even the ceiling. He thought it impossible that all those good things he had heard had actually come from here.
"Sir Sokka?"
Suddenly he stopped abruptly as right before his feet Sokka slid out on a low roller table from underneath a large metal contraption. He smelled like oil, and black smears covered his skin and clothes. He wore a large pair of goggles that magnified his eyes tenfold, which frightened the assistant at first glance.
Sokka stood up, and slipped his goggles off. He was tall, and broad. Much larger and strapping than the assistant had been expecting, in fact he felt petite and fragile in the presence of this water tribe legend. Sokka had the slim beginnings of a beard, dark brown hair pulled back in a pony tail, and the masculine facial features his friends would never have guessed he'd grow up to have.
He smiled broadly and shook the smaller man's hand.
"Hello, how can I help you?"
"A-actually Sir, I'm here to help you. I'm the new assistant, Chi'in."
"Great to meet you Chi'in, how do you like my Factory of Dreams?" Sokka said as he grinned and outstretched his hands, showing off what he considered his pride and joy.
"Er, I'm speechless Sir. It's an interesting name though."
"I know, isn't it? I came up with it myself." He then muttered something under his breath that Chi'in didn't entirely hear. But he did pick up the words: Katara…make fun…Toph… laugh all you want …Suki…it's a good name…
Sokka turned back to Chi'in. "Say, Chi'in have you met my son? Koda, where are you boy?"
"I'm up here Dad!" Both Chi'in and Sokka looked up at a small boy strapped in a harness, hanging upside down, inspecting a winged apparatus hanging from the ceiling.
"Alright, be careful!"
"Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Is lunch ready?"
Sokka laughed a big hearty laugh. "He's my boy alright."
"H-how old is your son?"
"Six. Or Five"
"Four and three quarters dad."
"And you let him…do that?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I?"
"Uh..." Chi'in's face reddened and he became flustered. Suddenly he remembered why he had been sent to find Sokka. "Oh, Sir, this just came in your post today." He handed over a letter with a red pressed seal.
"Ah, thank you."
"My pleasure Sir. Please if there's anything you need then-"
But Sokka was no longer listening. He tore open the envelope with the seal that he had instantly recognized. It had been a year since he'd last seen his sister. He glanced at the invitation to the Diplomat's Ball and quickly unfolded the letter. The handwriting was soft and curvy, but also assertive and reflective, he'd know it anywhere. It read:
Dear Sokka,
I know, I know. I'm not using the new typing device you sent us, but I just can't get the knack of it. So you'll have to deal with old fashioned writing from your ever so technologically impaired sister.
I visited dad a few months ago. I hadn't remembered it feels like you can almost touch the stars there. The snow had freshly fallen, and the new igloos glittered in the noon day sun like tales from my memory. Mom would have loved it. At least I think she would have. Sometimes, I feel myself forgetting.
It doesn't snow here, of course, but it does glow, like the warming embers of a winter fire. There is a young family of phoenixes that have made their stay in our garden. They astonish the eye, and their song is more enchanting than any I have ever heard. Zuko told me a legend about how the first phoenix rose from ashes to live again. Considering the lives we've all had, it's strange when you wonder if fables came from life or the other way around.
I hear great things everyday about the wonderful inventions and ideas that your "Factory of Dreams" is always putting out. I am so impressed with your work, and the good you and your recruits bring to the world. We…I would have been lost by now if it weren't for some of those creations. But I still think it's a stupid name.
Things haven't been looking up since you were here last. In fact the political situation has escaladed. The fire rebels are now committing more atrocious acts, nearing the line of terrorism. And if having to deal with them is already bad enough, now the other nations are blaming us. I know you attend the Ball every year, but I just wanted to warn you what kind of a scene you'll see this time. Zuko and I both agree, your expertise on some of these matters, and your presence could help us through the proceedings immensely.
I haven't been able to get in touch with Aang in four months and a half. I'm worried. This is the longest I've been out of contact with him. If you know where he is, please let him know I care. Please tell him to have hope. I know sometimes he thinks he's on a pointless quest, but he can't give up. Please tell him we need him.
I've missed you brother. Send my love to Suki. And of course to Koda, Sakari, and little Sesi. Be sure to bring the entire family this time around. I love you all. We'll be looking forward to seeing you next month.
Love,
Katara
Sokka folded the letter and slipped it in his shirt pocket.
"Who was the letter from, Sir?"
"The Fire Queen."
Chi'in, shocked, asked, "The Fire Queen? Is it true then, Sir, that the Fire Queen is your sister?"
"It's very true."
Chi'in looked surprised, but after a moment of thought, disgusted. Immediately Sokka grabbed him by the front of his shirt.
"And I wouldn't have it any other way, do you hear me Chi'in? The Fire Nation is the Water Tribe's ally."
"Yes, sir! I hear you!"
Sokka let go. He sniffed the air. A bright smile lit up his face.
"Pork and stewed sea prunes."
Chi'in sniffed the air. "I don't smell anything but oil and grease sir."
"Don't worry, my nose is highly trained and my instincts are top notch. Chi'in, stick with me, and maybe one day yours will be too."
Lunch turned out to be grilled salmon.