This chapter and the next are actually one chapter but it got too long so I broke it up. Thanks to InItToWinIt for reading through it and helping out! I know I keep building up to Katara's date and I promise it is going to happen. The Zutara is going to be magic too. Love ya'll!
Back Up Plans
Ch 12: Anticipation Part One
Pages rustle together as Zuko bends over his desk flipping through page after page. His bag lays on the ground where he threw it before tearing his chair away from his desk and shoving it as far away as possible. Information stares up at him but all he can think about is the image of Zhao and his father staring down at him like he is child. It occurs to him that he is acting exactly like petulant child, but he can't bring himself to acknowledge it. Bringing his chair back he falls into it with a sigh.
"It sounds like you didn't manage to sneak in unnoticed." Sokka leans around their cubicle divider.
Zuko's only response is to raise his golden eyes in the direction of his coworker. Sokka remains as unaffected as ever by Zuko's scowl. "How bad was it?"
"We had cookies and talked about our feelings."
"Sounds serious," Sokka's comical tone does not detract from his focused attention. "So how come you're attacking a defenseless stack of papers?"
Zuko runs a hand through his hair before he remembers that it will ruin it. An uncharacteristic chuckles slips out as he imagines what he must look like. Desk covered in chaos, his bag turned over, and his hair looking as unkempt as a fourteen-year-old's. "Sokka, I-" A rude dismiss is on the tip of his tongue, but it halts just before the launch. Why bother pretending that he has anything under control? "I have maybe two hours to start and finish a presentation that I'm supposed to give to every executive in the company."
Sokka seems to ponder this information. "Sounds like you're going to need more of those cookies." Zuko chuckles again and fidgets uselessly with the stack of pages. "What can I do to help?"
His dark eyebrows knit together and he wonders if Sokka is serious. "What do you mean?"
"I mean do you need me to put together some charts or graphs? I'm actually pretty amazing with designing presentations. Public speaking is not my favorite but that's your job anyway." Sokka has already left his desk and is standing next to Zuko arranging the pages into neater piles.
"Why would you want to help me?" Zuko's tone is distrustful.
"Weirder things have happened." Sokka's expression clearly conveys his exasperation. Faced with the reality of the ticking clock, Zuko suppresses his suspicious nature and gives Sokka instructions on how to help. His unexpected ally even has a few good suggestions on how to make the presentation livelier. Once Sokka has settled into his assignments Zuko turns to his own. Pulling out a packet of information from the project folder he starts reading through the tedious information. After a few pages of legal jargon and financial projections his attention wanders to a page peeking out from under a pile. The partially obscured title reads "Public Sector Clients." Slipping it out of the other papers Zuko realizes that it's a contact list. City of New York. Department of Agriculture. Sewage Refinery and Recycling Districts 1 through 9. Water Recycling District M.
"Interesting," Zuko mutters to himself. He skims the contents of the page and notices that every single client in their new public sector clientele is either a branch of the city government or a city owned business. There are no contacts outside of the city boundaries. "A group with a pattern. But what's the connecting factor?"
He picks up the phone and dials the first number on the list. A woman with an appropriately professional tone answers. "Director Tyro's office. How may I help you?"
Zuko shifts the phone to his other either anxiously. Why didn't he think of what to say beforehand? "Uh, hello. I'm calling from Noriko and King Consulting. I-"
"I will put you through." Zuko is relieved when the receptionist cuts him off and sends him straight through to the client. He glances down at the page. Tyro is the Director of the Department of Agriculture. There's not much information about the contract beyond dates and payments.
"Hello?"
"Director Tyro, my name is Zuko. I'm calling from Noriko and King Consulting."
There's some rustling on the other line but the director quickly responds. "This is unexpected. We are very satisfied with everything and very grateful. I have no complaints."
"Great," Zuko says as if he knows what Tyro is referring to. He tries to keep his tone authoritative. "I was just looking to collect a few details on the contract information actually. For our records."
"Okay." Tyro's tone indicates that the request is unusual, but doesn't object.
"My records state that your contract was signed the first of the month. Who initially approached you about hiring Noriko and King for consulting services?"
There's a long pause before the director responds. "What did you say your name was?"
"Zuko sir. Zuko King."
"King? Are you related to the President?"
Zuko's grip tightens on the phone. Will the connection earn him more or less information? "He's my father."
The line is quiet for several moments before Tyro speaks again. Zuko has to strain to understand the words fired at him in hushed tones. "I don't know why you're asking me about this. When I spoke with District Attorney Zhao I committed to the payments and haven't made any complaints. Please convey my gratitude to your father."
The line goes dead leaving a very confused intern on the other end. Clearly, Directory Tyro does not want to talk about his contract with the company. As Zuko reflects on the conversation he tries to pinpoint exactly what triggered Tyro's agitation. Was it the contract or the question about the initial pitch? Zuko dials the next client on the list.
"City Property Management. How may I help you?"
"Can I speak with June?"
"Who is calling?"
"Zuko from Noriko and King Consulting." He listens to some jazzy music while he waits for his call to transfer. After a brief moment the line picks up.
"This is June." The woman's voice has a deep timbre to it.
"My name is Zuko King. I'm calling from Noriko and King Consulting."
"Yes, the receptionist mentioned it was my most expensive employee. But I don't know you Zuko King. Why are you calling?"
"I-" Already this client seems less timid than the last. Zuko scrambles for a believable story that will elicit some information. "I need information." His palm connects with his forehead. He'd just done the exact opposite of a cover story. "I'm calling about our contract with your department."
"Is that what we're calling it?" June seems mildly amused.
"What would you call it?" Zuko bends the question back to her hoping it will hide the fact that he doesn't know anything.
"If we're going to sugar coat it then it deserves something more along the lines of criminal insurance. Or maybe coercive marketing?"
Zuko's not sure how to respond so he proceeds to his next question. "I'm giving a sort of superficial presentation on company contracts like yours. How would you describe the nature of the services we are providing your business?"
June chuckles darkly on the other end. "You consulted with me about how to avoid negative publicity and financial ruin."
"Okay," he processes her comment and attempts to decipher the meaning. "So it was a single consultation?"
"Yes."
"But the contract is for a year."
Zuko's luck ends with June's patience. "Is this a joke or some kind of test? When your President and his bookie presented the terms, I didn't have any leverage to try and improve them. After your pretty boy gangster paid me a visit I haven't missed a payment."
Zuko tries to get one last answer out of June before she hangs up. "Who?"
"These are definitely superficial questions."
Instinctively, Zuko knows that he is onto something. His heart pounds as he considers the direction of the conversation. "How about a deep one then? Why are you so scared of Ozai?"
The line transmits the sounds of June's office as Zuko waits for her response. "Good question. Good bye." The desk phone buzzes a dead tone into his good ear as he scribbles down notes. His pen tears a hole in the sheet and he has to slow down so he doesn't get quite so carried away.
"How are you doing over there Sokka?" A dark hand reaches around the divider and gives a thumbs up.
"I think I came up with a great title!" His voice is muffled through the wall but his enthusiasm is uninhibited. "What do you think of 'Little King to Big King Domination Presentation? For short we'll call it-"
"No."
"But it's so-"
"NO."
He stares at the cubicle wall and imagines Sokka's disappointed face on the other side. Zuko's doubts resurface about relinquishing control over some of his project. Sighing, he decides that desperation outweighs precaution. The notes on his desk outline some interesting points from his two conversations so far. Zhao and his father are personally involved in these contracts. The clients clearly don't like anything about the contract or how it was presented. They're making regular payments which are very important. June's comments are particularly revealing. "Bad publicity" and "financial ruin." Zuko looks around the office and wonders if any of the other interns feel like they are living in a bad soap opera.
The phone is in his hand again and he spends the next forty-five minutes speaking with nervous managers, executives and department heads. Each time Zuko explains to the secretaries and assistants where he is calling from he is quickly connected. The conversations vary in length and tone- some are angry and want to give him a piece of their mind, but most are scared and quickly end the conversation. After hanging up with the last client he runs his hand through his hair again. He taps his pen against the notepad so the muted thud matches the pace of his bouncing leg. He hasn't discovered any more details about why these people are so emotional over a business transaction. He has established a very clear pattern, however. These people have been scared into paying his father. If it's not blackmail, it's something close.
"Hello brother."
Azula stands next to his desk looking every bit the wealthy young heiress. She is coiffed, jeweled and looking very comfortable in her stilettos. "Azula?"
"I'm so glad you remember what I look like." Despite her sarcasm, she seems exceptionally focused this morning. Zuko stands so he can block her view of his desk.
"I should have known you were here. I noticed the sky get a little darker and the room a little colder."
"You're hilarious." She flicks her glossy hair over shoulder as she unbuttons her tailored coat. "Where can we talk privately?"
"Maybe Jet can help you find a spot," he says with open contempt. She is silent for an uncomfortably long moment but Zuko refuses to give her the satisfaction of watching him squirm.
"From what I hear," she says, "you don't have time to waste on pathetic comebacks this morning." She struts toward an empty office leaving a trail of perfume. It doesn't slip passed his notice that Azula is up to date on the events of his morning. With a sweep of his arm he dumps everything on his desk into a drawer and locks it. He tells Sokka he'll be right back and slinks after his sister.
The blinds have been drawn on the windows and when he enters the room, and he notices Azula hasn't made herself comfortable. "Not staying long?"
"That's up to you."
Zuko's good eyebrow raises. "Fine. You can leave."
Unphased, she maintains a confident demeanor. "You've made a lot of phone calls this morning."
She bates him with another reference to the events of his private life. Zuko grows very still. "How do you know that?"
Sighing, she presses her fingers to her forehead as if he's disappointed her. "You're still asking the wrong questions, Zuko."
"Maybe, but I've gotten some interesting answers." He observes the slightest crack in her composure. She's curious, maybe even nervous. He decides to take a risk. "Did you think I wouldn't find out why that car accident really happened? And now our friend Jet is back just in time for dad to reach new heights in business. Dad's successes have been strangely coincidental. Don't you think?"
Her golden eyes don't waver from his face. There's another silence that passes between them and he can feel his fingernails dig into his palms. Her plush lips pull into a grin. "Look at you Zuzu. Trying to bluff your way into some real information." She strikes a melodramatic pose. "I'm so proud."
Zuko's hand goes for the doorknob but she's faster. She is between him and the door now, and despite her small size she seems to fill up the room. "Cards on the table Zuko. I came here to ask for your help."
"What could you possibly need my help with?"
She smiles at her brother's genuine confusion. "Father is an ambitious man. And you're right, he's used his family as the stepping stones to his successful rise. But the Phoenix Project is different. Haven't you noticed?"
"What do you know about the Phoenix Project?" The information is hardly public knowledge. Azula may be related to the company's president, but being family was no guarantee of anything when it came to Ozai.
"I know that no one's disappeared yet," she responds. The atmosphere in charges with intensity in a snap. Her words slow down as she continues her disturbing hypothesis. "Father has created a new era, and it's not just here at the company. With the pattern you so cleverly discovered something tragic should have happened by now. But we don't see anyone disappearing. In fact, we have people coming back."
Zuko breathes in sharply at her insinuation. "Jet."
Azula rolls her eyes now that he's finally made the connection. She waits for Zuko to focus through the shock of the discovery. "Not just Jet. Zhao." She dangles the man's name like baited hook. The newly appointed District Attorney had once been the family attorney. He had lurked around the house for years. His signature was on Ozai's marriage and divorce certificates. It was probably on the contracts for the birth of Noriko and King Consulting. They'd been relieved of his condescending presence when he turned his attention away from the wealthy elite and toward the masses.
Zuko ponders the renewed association and wonders why it hadn't stuck out to him before. If he follows the line, there's no telling how much information is at the end. Zhao had developed connections with dozens and dozens of businessmen and politicians throughout the city. That's a nice ace for Ozai to have in his pocket.
"The clients," Zuko blurts out. It's Azula's turn to be confused, though Zuko's mind is too focused on other things to notice. "A couple of them mentioned being visited by a gangster. One even called him a pretty boy gangster. Do you think that's Jet?"
Before Azula can respond, the office door pulls open behind her. A pair of employees with coffee mugs and notepads stand on the other side. They can't see Azula's annoyed expression but there's a clear view of Zuko's murderous one. The man with his hand on the door quickly jerks the it closed slightly. He glances down the row of doors next to him in confusion. "Sorry. I think we're at the wrong room."
"Yes. You are." Zuko finishes shutting door, but Azula has lost her desire to continue.
"You probably want to get back to your panicked attempt to please Father. Just know that it's in your best interest to finish this conversation." Again, Zuko is aware that she has information she shouldn't. "Come find me when you want to talk about father planning to use one of us as his next ticket to the top."
"You're sure you don't want me to be your wingman in there?"
Zuko shakes his head and remembers his wild hair as it brushes his forehead. He presses his palms against it in an attempt to calm it. "This project isn't confidential, but I don't think they wanted me passing this information around. Especially not to other interns."
Sokka nods but his serious expression morphs into mischief. "So if I keep quiet this big favor turns into an enormous one."
All of Zuko's distrust toward Sokka has melted, but his annoyance is easily rekindled. He snatches the flash drive out of Sokka's hand and rolls his eyes. "I like to think of it as we're even now. I've forgiven you for being a loud distraction all summer."
"Hey!"
Zuko laughs quietly at the young man's outrage. Growing serious, he extends his hand. "Thank you, Sokka."
Their handshake is brief because Zuko has to get to the conference room to prepare the last of the details. He shuffles the pile in his arms around as he walks over. Glancing in the office's main conference room, he notices a couple of board members already inside.
He walks in hoping that the chaos of the last few hours aren't apparent in his appearance. He sets down his things and hands the flash drive to the tech support employee. The quiet chit chat at the opposite end of the table subsides and Zuko turns to acknowledge the executives.
"Hello Zuko." The greeting is offered without guile, which Zuko is grateful for.
"Mr. Piandao, it is nice to see you again." Zuko inclines his head respectfully as he addresses Piandao and the man sitting next to him. His fists clench slightly as he continues. "Mr. Warden. It's been a long time." In response, the man's critical gaze slowly inspects Zuko and makes no indication of admiration. He sniffs once and then returns his attention to Piandao. Their conversation resumes, effectively dismissing Zuko for now.
"I can't wait for the rest of them to get here," he mutters under his breath.
He knows his posture is too rigid to hide his nerves, but at this point he doesn't care if these people know he's nervous. The conference room is attached to the lobby by its single entrance. The majority of the room is filled by the long, oval table with a dozen leather chairs around it. He stands on the other side of the table, next to the panels of window that create a transparent wall opposite of the door. His attention slips toward the parking lot below and he feels a small rush as the drop beyond a few inches of glass looms before him.
"Thank you all for making time to attend this meeting today." Ozai's deep voice is uncharacteristically calm as he starts the meeting. The clock above the door reads a couple minutes past three, and as Zuko takes his seat he glances at his own watch. Three hours until Katara's dangerous charade. Despite the frantic hours of preparation, he knows his presentation will be an accessory to the meeting. If he slips out after he finishes he might be able to pick up the police report and catch her. "We'll excuse some of our members who have sent notice that they will be late."
As if waiting for the cue, the door opens and one last board member arrives. "My apologies, gentlemen."
Iroh is greeted warmly by many in the group, though a few remain unaffected. Ozai waits silently while pleasantries are exchanged. Zuko's nerves frayed into stomach twisting guilt as soon as he heard Iroh's gravelly voice. How had he forgotten that Iroh was an emeritus board member? Though he's no longer the primary shareholder, he has every right to join their meetings and contribute his opinion. Zuko is hyper aware of the keys in his pocket. He'd been holding the vehicle hostage for days and avoiding his Uncle's calls. His distrust seems melodramatic now that he looks at the guileless man.
"Zuko." Iroh's quiet greeting has no trace of resentment, but Zuko still cringes inwardly at the gentle hand on his shoulder. It's always best to face your mistakes than turn your back on them. Zuko stands and greets his Uncle as warmly as the circumstances allow.
"Uncle, I…" He doesn't know how to finish the sentence. "I am grateful you are here."
"Yes, we are honored by your arrival." Somehow Zhao's compliments sour upon delivery. Iroh settles into the chair next to Zuko and nods in acknowledgment of the man across the table.
Ozai's introduction resumes. "Our purpose today is to review the previous quarter's activity and earnings, discuss the outcomes of the last board meeting and introduce our latest venture in the public sector." Zuko's heart sinks when his participation is listed in the last section of the meeting. He acknowledges the irony of the situation. Any of the other interns would sell their own mother for the opportunity to sit in on this meeting and schmooze the company's elite. Zuko can't wait to leave.