This chapter is called "Loyalty," something worthy of reward...

…

A fire nation soldier stared somberly at Zhao's back, remembering better days. There was once a time when Zhao was reasonable—sane, a time when being in his service brought honor and respect. But as of late… he sighed. Zhao's already-erratic mind had embarked on a steep decline after his duel with Prince Zuko. Now the commander had been bested once again—what would become of those who followed him?

Another sigh. The soldier turned away, resuming his duties from a safe distance.

Meanwhile, Zhao was lost in thoughts of his own. His mind lingered on a favorite fantasy about Zuko, himself, and a bag of nails. Ah yes… the nails…

He shook himself. Actual circumstances weren't nearly so pleasant. He and his men had been rescued from the sea, but their prey had escaped. Now they stood on Zuko's ruined ship, combing the wreck for any hint of his intentions. Once we have the ship's roster, thought the commander, the gleam back in his eyes, we'll have wanted posters of these renegades paving the roads! Certainly the prince wasn't fool enough to think his men would get away clean…

Footsteps sounded behind him. He turned to face the source, with an expression that said you-just-interrupted-something-vital-to-world-security. Three people rigidly greeted him, two soldiers, and a prisoner? She was a middle-aged, harried-looking woman with a doctor's insignia on her sleeves. The mark of Zuko's service blazed on her armor.

"Where did you find this mutinous swine!" Zhao demanded.

"She was in the brig, sir," answered a soldier, "along with ten others."

"My liege!" the doctor pulled away from the man holding her and bowed to the commander. The soldier made a grab for her, but Zhao seized her first. He gripped the woman by her graying hair, pulling her face to his. "How dare you address me, traitor?" he snarled.

"Please, sir," she begged, "it's not—!"

"Permission to speak!" piped one of the guards. Zhao glowered at him. The man must have taken that as 'permission granted,' for he hurriedly stated, "This woman and the others were imprisoned by the former crew because they were unwilling to participate in the rebellion."

Zhao did not let go of the doctor's hair. "Is this true?" he challenged her.

"Yes!" she said, holding back pained tears. "We wanted to stay loyal to the Fire Lord. Prince Zuko said he wouldn't force us to fight for him—"

"That bastard is no prince," Zhao corrected vehemently. He did release her hair though, giving it a last tug that sent her stumbling into the soldier who'd spoken for her. "But if you're as loyal as you claim, then you will inform us where to find his log."

"That's the other thing we came to tell you," said the soldier to the left, a nervous tremor in his voice. No one liked to deal with the commander in a rage. "The records… seem to have been disposed of."

"DISPOSED OF?"

"All we found was a pile of ash, sir."

((The commander's response was so obscene that the author fears it would traumatize more sensitive readers.))

Zhao felt much calmer after decking the unfortunate messenger. He turned his back to the prone, wheezing sailor, taking meditative breaths. "At least we have you then," he said after a while, speaking to the doctor. "You will compose a list of your former crewmates, and we will see what can be done for you."

The poor woman trembled behind him, leaning against the remaining soldier in hopes of sanctuary. "I…" she fumbled, eyeing the bloody man on the ground. "I can't… do that…"

The commander pinched the bridge of his nose, gathering what shreds of his self control that remained. "And why not?" he asked evenly, biting back the angry shout clamoring in his chest.

"We all… swore… an oath!" she managed, on the verge of collapsing. On some level, Zhao wondered how such a weak specimen had ever made it into the navy. Healers…

"Then you are just a guilty as the rest!" He spun on his heal to face them. "Soldier! Take this traitor to the Slayer's brig!"

"Yes sir!" He gave a hurried salute and grabbed the doctor's arm, eager to get away.

"And sailor…" Zhao added, in a chilling tone. "Send lieutenant Goruske to keep her company. He can be… so convincing, don't you think?" The gleam was back.

"…Yes sir."

….

ME: You can't have a story without a crazy guy! And while we're here… thanks all of you who read and reviewed! (big anime sparkly eyes)