Chapter 40: Siege of the North, Part 2

Base Camp

7 kilometers outside of Nuktuk Cove

"I'm a grown up, you don't have to treat me like a baby." Aang whined while Miska and Zuko checked him over for injuries. Meanwhile, Bulan and Hahn were keeping an eye on their lone prisoner, making sure he wasn't about to up and run back to the compound or notify his squaddies. Then again, the consensus was that it was only a matter of time before their camp would be hit and they did not plan on sticking around for a long extended firefight.

"Just sit still, you're making it take more time if you continue to fidget."

"I told you I'm fine."

"Will you sit still, or do I have to call Azula to make sure you sit still?"

"Did you call me Zuzu?" Azula asked in a sweet high pitched voice.

"Okay okay okay I'll stop fidgeting!" Aang squeaked, as she approached Aang with sparklers dancing on the tips of her fingers.

While all this was going on, Sokka kept watch outside the lone tent, eyes glued to the scope for any sort of enemy movement. Taking his eyes off the scope every few minutes to prevent scope strain, he allowed himself a small bit of reflection and introspection as he stared out into the dark tundra. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice a light tap on his shoulder. Pulling the stock into his shoulder, he was about to conduct another scan of the tundra when he felt pressure pushing down on the barrel. Noticing a hand on the forend, he followed the outline of said gloved hand to its owner, who stared back at him with warm honey eyes. Raising an eyebrow, he lowered the barrel as she loosened her grip on the forend.

"What is it 'Zu?"

"Aren't you cold?"

"Not really."

"Didn't you live most of your life in the URN or somewhere in the southern Earth Kingdom?"

Staring wistfully into the distance, he replied "Yeah, but I lived in Aqpik Bay for a good eight years until they came. After that, dad decided it was no longer safe and so we moved to the southern Earth Kingdom, the idea being that the Earth Kingdom is the last place they would look for a water bender."

"Who were 'they'?"

"Sea Ravens. A legacy gift from your grandfather. It was a night just like this when they attacked. They were looking for water benders. Mom died protecting Katara. She actually saw her killed, which is why she does what she does nowadays."

"I-I'm sorry Sokka, for what my family did to yours."
"It's not your fault, you were probably what, six?"

"But still, it's, well, I can understand why your sister hates me."

"Katara might hold grudges against firebenders, but I mean her best friend is half Fire Nation. She just needs time, is all."

"Somehow I doubt it, but I'll take your word for it."

"Like it or not, it's her problem to deal with, not yours. Aren't you cold?"

"I'm a firebender Sokka, I am my own heater."

"Well then," he replied, setting down the rifle gently after rendering it safe, patted his lap "would you like to share some of that warmth?"

"And what would I get in return?"

Not bothering to give her an answer, he picked her up and placed her in his lap while she fidgeted and gave him enough of a struggle to make it seem like a hassle. Once in his embrace, she relented and made herself comfortable, nestling her head in his shoulder while his hands circled her waist.

"Mmm, you are toasty."

"Aren't you glad your girl is a human space heater?"

"That I am, firefly, that I am." he replied as he planted a kiss on her forehead, making her purr in satisfaction.

"Oi, we're moving out now!" Bulan shouted, shattering their alone time into a million pieces. With grumbled threats about how she was going to turn her into a human punching bag, she reluctantly extricated herself from Sokka's warm embrace and helped him up as well. Just as they were about to climb back into their vehicle, a loud pop was heard and a bright white light floated lazily down from its apogee, bathing the area in a harsh white.

Not far behind, the sound of engines and the barking of polar bear dogs rung loud and clear into the inky darkness.

"Well, fuck." was all Hahn could utter.

Armory

Fire Nation Embassy

Agna Q'ela

"Well this, this is uh…" Takashi commented.

"What?" Jia Ling replied, not quite grasping the situation at hand.

"I mean...I wasn't expecting the armory vault back at camp but like Taki said, this is uh..somewhat lacking." Aldo chimed in.

"Coulda been worse." Jiro countered.

"What do you mean, 'coulda been worse?'" Takashi asked, not understanding how the armory for an important installation such as an embassy could be in such a neglected state.

"I got posted to Gao Ling on consulate security duty, best they could do was 'here's a handgun and a phone number, if there's trouble we hunker down and wait for backup from Jang Hui.'"

"You have got to be shitting me."

"It's the truth, I swear. Besides, think how badly it'll reflect if the host country finds out that the embassy has a fully stocked armory with enough weapons and gear to outfit a company. They'd probably think we're itching for another crack at conquering the Earth Kingdom."

"But still…"

"Adapt, improvise, overcome. You're a graduate of the Institute, pretty sure they beat that into you."

"Is there a problem?" a voice from behind

"N-n-no ma'am, th-there isn't a problem, I don't know what you're talking about." Takashi stammered.

"Is that so?" Ursa inquired, an eyebrow raised. "Well then, let's get moving, your commo wizard has a fix."

"Yes ma'am!" they replied in sync, before turning their gaze to the spartan selection before them. A few pocket pistols, an old double barrel shotgun there and a long gun that hadn't seen a cleaning rag since the first siege of Agna Q'ela was all they could choose from.

"Pretty sure one of the ambassador's bodyguards has a light machine gun. Where does he even get the ammo from?"

"Diplomatic pouches, probably. Oh well, bitching and complaining isn't going to make gear automagically appear, so let's get to it."

"Says the one who was bitching about the state of the armory five minutes ago."

"Are you asking for a court martial Jia?"

"Gee, I wonder what the panel will say when they find out you've been-" Jia Ling smirked.

"Shut. It." Takashi hissed.

"Oooh, drama. Shiro, quick, get the popcorn!"

"Why me?" he whined.

"Because you're better at bending than I am."

"It's not that hard to heat popcorn, Aldo."

"Then don't bitch when the popcorn gets burnt."

Basement

Having had time to ponder her options, Katara decided that she would take the chance and make a break for it or die trying. Well, maybe try not to die in the process. Slowly, she opened the door, its hinges groaning so loudly she figured it would be heard all the way in Aqpik Bay.

Wrapping the water around her left hand, she peeked left and right before tiptoeing into the seemingly deserted hallway. Making sure to close the door behind her, she scurried down the hallway, trying to peek into the cells for Kiyi. However, a loud clanging sound made her panic and she hid herself under the nearest stairwell, making sure she was hidden in the shadows.

Under the stairwell, she heard a familiar voice move down the steps. Hoping he was too distracted, she put her hand in her mouth to stifle her sigh of relief as she spotted him head inside the cell she was about to check. However, her relief was only temporary as the sounds emanating from the cell would stick with her for the rest of her days.

"Hello there, Kiyi." he greeted.

"What do you want?" she whispered back, hidden steel in her tone.

"You."

"You can't have me."
"That's what you think. What are you planning to do, challenge me to an Agni Kai? Burn me to death? You would be annihilated."

"Better than being used like a sex toy by someone like you." she spat.

"So you want to play hard now? Good, I like it when my prey puts up a fight. Breaking you will taste so much sweeter that way." he replied, carnal want audible in his tone as he summoned a burst of yellow in his palm while Kiyi ignited an orange hue in her fists. In the confined space, they engaged in hand to hand combat, as igniting flames in here would cause unintended suffocation.

For Kiyi, it was her chance to prove she wasn't broken just yet, that she had fight left in her and wasn't going to take things lying down. For Wenfu, it was a mere distraction as he had the stamina and strength to outlast her, despite their age difference.

Pouncing on Kiyi's overextension, he twisted her arm behind her back and with his larger body mass, pinned her to the thin excuse of a mattress. Grabbing her other arm, he pinned them both behind her back while he more or less ripped off her leggings, exposing her firm, toned rear to his hungry eyes.

As she struggled and writhed to get out from under him, he undid his pants and ran his hard member along her butt, before slipping it in between her thighs and moving it back and forth across her seam, letting her know he could have easily taken her if he wished to. Still keeping a firm hand on her wrists, he proceeded to run his manhood back and forth pressing her head into the mattress.

"Please, no stop, please!" she begged, the edge in her voice gone as his head and part of his shaft breached her core several times, but not far enough to tear her hymen. Between the feel of his girth running along her seam rubbing her clit and the occasional breach of his head as their body fluids intermingled and made things slippery, her hips involuntarily bucked upwards as she hit peak after peak with no respite in between. When he was close, he flipped her over and shoved his cock between her breasts and ran repeatedly into her mouth.

"Don't try anything funny, or else." he warned as she helplessly endured the battering of his cock on her mouth and throat. Gagging repeatedly, tears formed in the corner of her eyes as her pussy was not shown any respite, fingers being plunged deep into her core. With a final grunt, he shoved his cock into her and exploded. Having little say in the matter, she could only take in his essence down her throat and hope that he pulled out or else she was going to blackout or vomit, neither of which sounded very appealing to her.

Just when she thought she was going to do both, he pulled out of her and slathered her with his remaining load, making her feel like a cheap whore and further crushing her sense of self esteem and worth. Later, she would cry herself to sleep when she recalled the events but now being able to take in deep lungfuls of air felt like Spirits-damned privilege.

Pulling out a key, he unlocked a tap and filled up the empty bucket laying on its side with water. When it was almost full, he shut it off and cleaned himself, before dumping the rest of it on the floor.

"Oops." he grinned evilly, as he locked the valve once more and placed the key in his pocket. Satisfied, he left scrambling for what was left of the bucket to try and wash away the taste and residue he had left on her, scrubbing and scratching until her skin was red. Curling up against the corner, she felt extremely helpless and began to sob freely.

Outside, Katara had heard the grunts of her captor and the cries of mercy from Kiyi and immediately was wracked with guilt and shame that she had hid away while Kiyi was being violated. Judging by her pleas, it sounded like he had it out for her. Covering her ears as best she could, Katara hardened herself to Kiyi's cries and waited out the storm.

When he finally left, Katara waited for a few more agonizing minutes before shamefully crawling out of her hiding space. Wasting no time, she busted open Kiyi's cell and found her in an absolutely miserable state.

Pulling her into a tight embrace, she cried softly while apologizing to her. Gathering the water into a clean ball, she cleaned her as best she could tenderly. Inside, her heart broke as whatever they did to her, it seemed as though they well and truly broke her will to fight and live. Clutching her hands, she whispered "I'm going to get you out of here, understand? I swear by Tui and La I will keep you safe. Do you understand?", to which Kiyi weakly nodded, her body still trying to process the aftermath.

"Good. Can you bend?"

A slight nod was her response.

"Alright, now let's get you out of here." she replied. Squatting down, she motioned for Kiyi to climb on her back. With that, she wrapped her arms around her shoulders while her legs wrapped around her waist.

"We good?"

"Mmm hmm."

"Alright, you're gonna have to cover me if we meet any resistance. I can't bend if I'm carrying you. Can you do that?"

"Mmm hmm."

"Aight, now let's get the hell out of here and go kill his ass."

"You're damn straight." she spoke in a cold tone that sent a chill down her spine.

The boat ride from the embassy was a tense affair as the fireteam wasn't confident the diplomatic plates would be above scrutiny. In addition, reports had filtered in via secret unofficial channels that there were imposters in the system, making every checkpoint they encountered more nerve wracking than it needed to be.

Of course, the ensuing diplomatic fallout from a shootout between Northern Water Tribe law enforcement and Fire Nation military personnel, not to mention the fact that they were sent here to 'clean house' had the very real and distinct possibility of kicking off a new world war. Needless to say, all were on edge from the driver to down to Ursa herself, who insisted on being in the stack.

"We're four minutes out." Jahan announced. Wordlessly, they checked and rechecked each other's weapons and gear. Between the six of them, there were only two rifles, but only one with a silencer. All the pistols had silencers, but no one was willing to stake their life on the sound suppression abilities of an oil filter.

Thus, bladed weapons and innate bending abilities were the order of the day, and the winter coats helped conceal a plethora of knives, darts, throwing stars and other sharp instruments. With any luck, it would be an in-and-out type deal, with no one the wiser. When the constant hum of the propellers ceased, they filed out into the street, sticking to the shadows lest they be made.

Choosing the least obvious entry point, Aldo checked the windowsill for any signs of tampering before slowly prying it loose. When he had a crack big enough for the largest member to fit in, he propped it up and in they went, Jahan and Takashi first, setting up a perimeter and checking for traps while the rest filed in. Once done, he shut the window and all of them drew their throwing knives. Unknown to all of them, they were walking into a large trap, and the door was about to be slammed shut in their faces.

"All units, this is 439. The phoenix has entered the pyre. I repeat, the phoenix has entered the pyre."

"Understood. It's showtime, boys."