A/N: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, the Ace Combat series, nor any of the aircraft mentioned.
Singed Wings
Union of Verdia Security Ship Kuruk, February 16th, 2020
Lieutenant Commander Sokka Antarktis, callsign Wolf, sits in the cockpit of his F/A-18E Super Hornet awaiting for the catapult on the super aircraft carrier Kuruk. He looks over his shoulder and sees his flight being pulled onto the deck. The first on deck is his sister, Sub Lieutenant Katara Antarktis callsign Healer, flying in an aircraft just like his. Sokka is rather uncomfortable with the idea of his sister flying into combat, but their father, Admiral Hakoda Antarktis, only trusts Sokka to look out for her and was insistent on being a pilot. She had showed much promise at flight school, yet it dumbfounds Sokka that anyone would think giving an aerospace physician assistant the opportunity to fly was a good idea. Of course Sokka believes their father has something to do with it, so he will question it; at least publicly.
At least his long-time wingmate Lieutenant Yue Moon, callsign Oasis, is there in his flight. They met in flight school and quickly formed a tight bond, despite Sokka's awkwardness toward her at first because of her beautiful blue eyes with surprising matching white hair. But without her Sokka would have failed the flight school acidemia, preventing him from showing his true skill in the cockpit. They tried to establish a more romantic relationship but when Sokka was selected to become a flight lead, they decided it would be best to put their relationship on hold, or else Sokka might make a decision he would later regret.
The last plane in his flight though is being flown by Lieutenant Hahn Tonto, a rather egotistical man who lives up to his callsign Ego has a habit of courting women with no real interest in a lasting relationship. What infuriates Sokka the most is that Hahn has zero regard about respecting practices regarding interpersonal relationships between interested partners. Granted Verdian regulations are rather lenient regarding couples on deployments because of the Verdian cultural belief of community, most couples are professional about separating their personal lives from their duties. Hahn on the other hand has a tendency to forget that cultural practice. If he was not such a quality pilot Sokka would have found a way to transfer him out of the squadron.
"Sword Five, stand by to launch with Sword Six," the air control tower announced over the radio. "Swords Seven and Eight will launch after, followed by Bison One, over."
"Sword Five, roger," Sokka says. His formal radio callsign referred to his role as the leader of the second of three flights within his squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron-101, or VFS-101 for short. They call themselves 'The Black Swords' after an antique sword of Verdian legend. Their squadron is one of the oldest in the Verdian Security Forces and has earned many accolades in its history.
Flying support for their mission was Sub Lieutenant Aang Kadag, callsign Arrow, with Commander Gyatso Prajna, callsign Wiseman, in the backseat of their EA-18G Growler. The two Verdian immigrants are members of Electronic Attack/Defense Squadron-11, VADQ-11, or the 'Bisons' as they are called. Flying six EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, the squadron's job was to provide support by attacking and suppressing enemy air defense systems and defend friendly aircraft by disrupting enemy radar guided missiles. Aang is a relatively new pilot to the carrier air wing but his flight school record shows much promise. Gyatso though has been in the Verdian Security Forces Air Division for nearly two decades. He initially flew the EA-6A Prowler, the Growler's predecessor, but the years have caught up to Gyatso and a slight case of arthritis that has affected his flying for the worst. Instead of taking a medical retirement, he chose to reclass as an electronic warfare officer, a role he excels at. More importantly though, he serves as a wise mentor to all the flight officers aboard the Kuruk, particularly Aang as they are both immigrants from the Republic of Sotoa.
Sokka feels the front landing gear of his Super Hornet latch on the electromagnetic catapult. He looks into one of his rearview mirrors and sees the jet blast barrier raise up behind his thrusters. He looks over to his right and sees Katara in the same position on the second catapult.
"Sword Five you are clear for takeoff," the control tower announced.
"Roger," Sokka says as he pushes his engines up to thrust. He angles his plane's elevators slightly upward and braced himself for the harsh acceleration.
He salutes the catapult crewman, who returns it and signals the catapult control room to launch the Wolf.
Sokka has just managed to grab hold of the handlebars when his fighter was shot forward across the deck. He angles upward and grabs hold of the flight stick. He looks over all gauges and radios, "Sword Five in the air! All systems in the green!"
"Sword Six here," Katara radios, "all systems are a go."
Yue, Hahn, and Aang report that their aircraft are in the green, while Gyatso reports that his electronic warfare equipment are fully operation.
"Alright everyone, you all remember our mission?" Sokka calls over the radio.
"Our mission is to conduct an air reconnaissance of western Kaluga to ascertain the disposition of Romni forces," Gyatso replies.
"And blast any Romni planes outta the sky!" Hahn added with his trademark cockiness.
"Weren't you paying any attention to the briefing Ego?" Katara sharply reprimanded.
"Of course I was!" Hahn replies. "Part of our mission is to shot down any Romni planes."
"Only if they present a threat to us or any ally and civilian crafts, either airborne, surface, or ground," Sokka barked over the radio, causing Hahn to quiet down. The latter knows better to cross the former. "Admiral Antarktis doesn't want the Romni to know we're part the war just yet."
Hahn sighs with feign disappointment. "Can't you just call him 'dad'?" he asks.
"When it comes to fleet operations, it's Admiral Antarktis, understood?" Sokka reprimands in a more barking tone.
"Aye aye, sir," Hahn replies sheepishly.
The flight continues northeast toward Romni occupied Kaluga, determined to find out exactly what is going on…
Lieutenant Azula Kasai of the Romni Air Force checks over her gages of her Typhoon. Being the best pilot requires checking over every detail. Even before entering her first dogfight, Azula understood that survival and victory depends on paying attention to the details, no matter how trivial it seems. That is why she has survived a half dozen dogfights, while earning a tally of sixteen kills to her record.
She looks over to her flight lead, Commander Zhao Kojima of the 38th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the 'Demons', and reports, "All systems are a go Demon One."
"Roger, Dragon," Zhao replies before receiving positive systems checks from his other wingmates. "Alright everyone", he calls to his flight, "the Rafales will link up with us shortly. Then we proceed to attack the enemy fleet. Provide air cover till their mission is complete."
"Understood," Azula replies.
Ten minutes later, a flight of eight Rafales appear on radar, with a following visual confirmation. As she expects, Azula sees that each Rafale is loaded with long-range anti-ship missiles. Intelligence states that the surviving ships of the Kalugan Navy were attempting to bombard Romny from the sea. Their mission was to see its end before it can begin.
It was not long before the radar picked up the surface vessels. But when Azula gained visual on the ships, she notices that the fleet was overwhelmingly consisting of civilian vessels. By her count, out of eighteen ships, only six were warships of the Kalugan Navy.
"Commander, I have visual confirmation on civilian vessels," she reports.
"As do I. They must be container ships attempting to resupply their forces," Zhao replies. "Talon Flight, focus attack on the combat vessels before striking at the container ships.".
"Roger Deamon Leader, commencing attack," Talon Flight leader replies.
Azula scrutinizes the civilian ships. None of the dozen ships appear to be container ships.
If anything, they look like passenger liners, with signal flags indicating their non-combatant status.
"Demon Leader, this is Demon Two, those civilian vessels are non-combatants," Azula calls over the radio. "We must break off our attack or risk violating international law."
Unlike her fellow pilots, Azula pays close attention to the political climate. Romny's invasion of Kaluga to secure natural resources in the Chatsgue Sea has already drawn international criticism, especially from the world superpower to their country's north, the Union of Yuktobanian Republics.
"Our orders are to sink any Kalugan vessels in the Chatsgue Sea, no exceptions," Zhao replies coldly.
"Doing so would escalate the war," Azula warns.
"That is above your pay grade Lieutenant," Zhao counters.
"But preventing a violation of international law is within my pay grade," Azula says in a condescending voice. "Talon Flight, you are ordered to stand down."
"You're not in command Demon Two," Talon Leader replies. "We're continuing the attack."
Azula breaths deeply, deciding on her course of action. If she lets this attack continue, her country will violate international law and bring a greater response down upon it, especially from Yuktobania. They are already assisting the Kalugans in liberating their country and are positioned near the border between Romny and Yuktobania. If these vessels are sunk, Romny will not stand a chance against a world superpower.
So in Azula's mind there is only one way to prevent her country from becoming overrun by foreign invaders in a counterattack…
After refueling in mid-air over the friendly country of South Sotoa, Sword Flight continues northeastward to conduct their reconnaissance flight.
"Uh, Sword One," Aang calls over the radio, "Wiseman is saying there's an incoming message from Fleet Command."
Sokka pauses for a moment. Messages from Fleet Command are not just simple check ins; they are always a priority change in mission. "Let's hear it Arrow," he says to get Aang to become more confident in himself using the radio.
"Oh, uh, Fleet Command has ordered a change in mission," Aang replies.
"No kidding," Sokka replies with sarcasm. "What's our new objective?"
"They're saying there's a flight of Romni fighters approaching a convoy of civilian cruise liners carrying refuges and wounded," Aang replies, nervousness evident in his voice. "They're under Kalugan escort but need support."
"Those dirty Roms," Hahn disdainfully says, referring to the derogatory name for the Romni.
"What's our new heading?" Sokka asks.
"Vector one-one-zero, distance forty kilometers," Gyatso reports.
"Do any of our satellites have visual of the Romni fighters?" Yue asks, referring to how they can engage enemy craft with their missiles beyond what their eyes can see.
"Negative, too much cloud cover," Gyatso replies.
"Looks we're doing this the old-fashioned way," Sokka answers.
Hahn chuckles with glee. "That's where the fun is."
"Please don't get strung out chasing them too far Ego," Yue warns.
"Oh come Oasis, have a sense for excitement!" Hahn quips.
"Only if it doesn't get anyone killed," Yue replies dreadfully.
"Alright cut the chatter," Sokka orders as he leads his flight toward vector one-one-zero and accelerates toward the convoy. As they close in, he calls out, "Wiseman, how many contacts do you have on radar?"
"I count twelve and-," he stops suddenly in mid-sentence. "Now I count eleven." Two seconds later, he adds, "Now ten."
Sokka grunts in mild annoyance. "Is your radar malfunctioning?"
"It can't!" Aang cries out defensively, knowing he is responsible for coordinating his aircraft's maintenance. "It was calibrated just yesterday. I even helped out the radar technicians!"
Knowing Aang's humble insistence to help out the maintenance crews whenever he could, Sokka takes him for his word and believes the Growler's radar was operating correcting.
"Could it be the Kalugan escorts have shot down the enemy?" Katara asks.
"I have doubts about that," Yue answers. "The intelligence reports states that the Kalugan Navy has taken a lot of loses since the New Year's. The convoy's escort might not even have the means to engage the enemy at long range."
"If that's the case," Sokka replies wearingly, "then just what the hell is going on there?"
Perhaps it is a rash decision based on logic, or just a plain stupid decision all together, but she made her choice and she will live with it.
Azula throttles the engines and pulls the flight stick down harshly, climbing high and fast into the sky.
"Demon Two, what are you doing?!" Zhao shouts. "Get back in formation!"
Azula ignores him and nearly stalls her engines, causing her fighter to fall upside down for a moment before she accelerates again and pulls back on the stick, up righting her fighter…
Behind her wingmates.
Or rather her soon to be former wingmates.
Azula arms her Meteor long range missiles and locks on to her wingmates.
"Wha-? We're being painted by Demon Two's radar!" Demon Three shouts.
"Demon Two, stand down!" Zhao shouts.
Azula breathes deeply. "I'm sorry, but I can't allow this to happen," she says before firing her long-range missiles at her former wingmates.
Perhaps it was shock that prevents them from reacting, or the simple fact that the Meteor missile was designed for beyond visual range combat and boast high velocity, especially at its launch point.
Regardless, only Zhao reacts and dodges the missile intended for him, but Demons Three and Four erupt into fierce fireballs and plunge towards the sea.
"Traitor!" Zhao shouts over the radio.
Azula ignores him and fires at the nearest Rafale. Given how they were loaded down with anti-ship missiles, their maneuverability was hampered by weight, preventing them from dodging the missiles.
Just as Zhao manages to get behind Azula, she had already down three of the Rafales.
Azula looks over her shoulder and sees her former flight lead moving into the perfect firing position.
Azula rolls right and dives down, knowing she has just entered the most personal dogfight of her life…
"How peculiar," Gyatso says over the radio. "Now there are only seven contacts on the radar."
"Seven?" Katara says with mild disbelief. "How can seven fighters go down that fast?"
"Maybe Arrow's radar is malfunctioning," Hahn suggests.
Before Aang can begin an argument, Sokka interrupts. "Let's not make any assumptions. Let's get visual on those fighters."
"Also," Gyatso begins to add, "it appears that one of the fighters is being pursued by another."
"A dogfight between Romni aircraft?" Yue asks. "A spy?"
"No more assumptions," Sokka commands. "Let's push and get there." He accelerates his Super Hornet to full throttle, the rest of his flight close behind.
Fifteen minutes later, Sokka gains a visual on the Romni fighters. A closer inspection reveals five Rafales flying toward the convoy, while a Typhoon chases after another. As he gets closer, he catches a glimpse of the Typhoons' markings.
"Confirmed Typhoons are Romni fighters," Sokka says, finding evidence of a potential spy among the Romni. "Sword Seven, take the flight and engage the Rafales. Protect the convoy at all costs."
"Roger Sword Five," Yue responds, but with apprehension. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm going after those Typhoons," he replies coolly.
"Alone?!" Katara cries out. "That's insane!"
"You won't last long against them!" Aang adds.
"If it's true that one of those Typhoons is an allied spy, they'll help me rather than shoot me down," Sokka rationally explains. "You have your orders Black Swords. Sword Five, breaking off!" Sokka accelerates and proceeds to find out which Typhoon is his ally.
Assuming one of them is his ally…
Azula continues to dodge Zhao's attacks, but with each twist and turn, he gets closer to her.
Suddenly, a Super Hornet appears in her peripheral vision. She checks her radar and sees four other contacts pursue the Rafales. After preforming a split s maneuver and a roll, Azula confirms that the new aircraft is not Romni.
Rather, it belongs to the Verdian Security Forces' Air Division.
"Guess the Verdian are involved with this war," Azula says over the radio. "You might want to consider disengaging Demon One." It is more of a taunt than an actual warning; Zhao is not one to give up so easily.
"I'm not letting you get away with this!" Zhao shouts over the radio, making more aggressive moves with his fighter.
"I have always respected your determination," Azula continues her taunts, "but it appears it's clouding your judgement."
"Maybe when it comes to you it does," Zhao admits to Azula's surprise. He looks over his shoulder and sees the Verdian Super Hornet tailing him. "But let's see if your new 'friend' has the talent to match your own."
Suddenly, Zhao pulls up to perform a post-stall maneuver to get on the Super Hornet's tail.
No! Azula mentally screams and rotates her fighter to the left and pulls down hard on the stick, hoping to get on Zhao's tail before he can shoot down the Super Hornet…
Sokka watches the pursuing Typhoon pull up suddenly. At first he assumes the Typhoon was disengaging, realizing that the spy has support.
Instead, the Typhoon performs the perfect post-stall maneuver and manages to fly right onto Sokka's tail.
"Shit!" he shouts and begins evasive maneuvers as the Typhoon fires its cannon at him. "Sword Five here, I've IDed the hostile Typhoon but I need support now!"
"Roger Sword Five!" Katara shouts to him. "There's only one Rafale left! The others can handle it! I'm on my way!"
Normally Sokka would be upset that a fighter pilot would choose to break off a succeeding attack without orders but given how Katara is coming to back up a wingmate, it is something that can and should be forgiven.
"Roger Sword Six!" Sokka shouts back. "Get here soon! This guy's good!" The Typhoon's cannon fire comes perilously close to Sokka's canopy. "Damn he's really good!"
Sokka continues to evade, pushing himself and his fighter to the limits and probably beyond. He just hopes help comes sooner rather than later.
But he has no idea how soon help would come.
Azula feels the gravitation forces act on her body as she pitches around and makes her way onto Zhao's tail. Something was telling Azula that this was the tightest turn she ever pulled off, but she sets that thought aside as she maneuvers onto Zhao's tail and targets him her AIM-132 short range infrared missile. As soon as it locks onto Zhao's engine exhaust, she fires, hoping he was too distracted to evade.
But to her dismay, he fires off flares and causes the missile to veer off course. Azula curses and closes in to engage with her cannon. With the Verdian fighter in front of her target, she has to wait till they clear the front of Zhao or risk hitting her new ally.
Oh how she wishes she could communicate with the Verdian. They are proving themselves a good pilot. Not as good as her but definitely has potential.
Zhao smirks slightly as he sees Azula's heat seeking missile fly off course. But his smirks vanishes as he sees her closing in on him to engage with her cannon.
Knowing how accurate she is, he has to end this fight soon.
He watches the Verdian closely, maneuvering his own Typhoon and the cannon reticle till he can get them lined up…
Right before the Super Hornet's right wing crosses Zhao's reticle, he fires.
A split second after pulling the trigger, he sees the Super Hornet erupt into flames…
"Dammit!" Sokka shouts as his fighter begins spiraling. He tries desperately to gain control but to no avail.
He pulls on the handle for his ejection seat, realizing that he if survives this, he will become a member of the Martin Baker Fan Club…
Azula watches with horror as the Super Hornet bursts into flames. She searches for a parachute, hoping the Verdian manages to eject.
But she fails to evade the Super Hornet's right wing as it collides with her left wing.
"Well shit," she says as her plane tumbles toward the sea, forcing her to eject as well. The impact of the seat rocketing away makes her teeth shake, but after the seat falls away from her, she looks up and checks her parachute. Seeing that it is intact, she looks around her to see if the Verdian pilot managed to escape their fighter as well.
To her relief, she sees another good parachute descend toward the sea.
But her relief is short lived as Zhao's Typhoon banks toward her.
Azula sighs as she reconciles with the fact that she was going out in a rather helpless and embarrassing way…
"SOKKA!" Katara screams over the radio after he was struck by the Typhoon. Two seconds later, the second Typhoon, presuming the spy's fighter, was struck by the remains of Sokka's fighter. Katara witnesses the spy managing to eject and sees a good parachute.
Katara searches frantically and sees a second good parachute and breaths in relief.
But before she can report she has two good ejections, she sees the enemy Typhoon bank toward the descending pilots.
"Oh no you don't!" she shouts and banks toward the Typhoon, recklessly firing her cannon…
Zhao feels his fighter vibrate violently. A warning alarm sounds inside his helmet and he checks over the gauges.
His fuel tank was struck and he was leaking fuel at a moderate rate. He could stay and blast Azula out of the sky, but he would be risking running out of fuel before he can return to base.
And when he saw three more contacts on his radar approaching fast, he decides that it would be best to disengage.
He banks to the east and throttles the engines to maximum, vowing to get revenge for his wingmates who died at a traitor's hand...
"Sword Six to Sword Seven, I have two good chutes!" Katara shouts to Yue.
"Say again Six, did you say two good chutes?" Yue asks for clarification.
"Affirmative," Katara breathes out. "The Wolf made it."
"That's good to hear," Aang adds.
"Yes," Gyatso begins, "but who is this other pilot?"
"I think it's our spy," Katara reports. "They were trying to defend Wolf."
"Well now I hope this spy is gonna be worth it," Hahn says.
"We just defended a civilian convoy from attack," Yue tells him. "Of course this mission is worth it."
"Incoming message from the Kalugan escorts," Gyatso reports. "They are grateful for our support and are moving to rescue our pilot."
"Send them our thanks Wiseman," Yue replies. "And please ask them to pick up our spy as well."
"Right away," Gyatso says and complies.
"I wonder who this spy is," Aang says with curiosity. "And what kind of stories they have to share…"
Azula feels the impact from the water as she lands. Her suit's life preserver inflates automatically and helps her remain buoyant. She gains her bearings and remembers which direction she and the Verdian pilot were facing when they were struck. She begins swimming toward where they could be located and before long, sees purple mixed into the water, a signal alerting rescuers where they need to go.
She soon spots the Verdian pilot floating in the sea…
Unconscious.
"Oh no," Azula says as she swims up next to them, finding a rather handsome man. She checks for a pulse and finds it rapid but steady. Looking over his helmeted head, she sees no blood but is careful not to move his head around, fearing a possible neck injury.
He coughs suddenly and comes too. He breathes deeply and opens his eyes, finding the most beautiful woman he ever saw.
"Wow," he say absentmindedly.
"Are you alright?" she asks.
"Yeah," he says, though he can feel his headache. "Must've hit my head on the something on my way out. But I'll be fine."
"Good," Azula says.
"Who are you?" Sokka asks.
Azula hesitates. Even though she is now considered a traitor- or will be soon because it looks like Zhao escaped- she is still Romni, the Verdian man's enemy.
"Dragon," she replies, using her callsign.
"Guess you can't give me your real name, so you're giving me your spy codename," Sokka says.
Spy, Azula thought to herself. Well she is no spy but if that means the chance to get out of the Chatsgue Sea, so be it.
"Yes, that's my codename," she lies. "Afraid I can't give my real name."
"Well, thanks," Sokka says to her earnestly. "You saved a lot of lives today."
Azula smiles but thinks to herself, You have no idea. "What's your name? Unless you're a spy too and can't share your name," she teases.
Sokka chuckles. "I'm Lieutenant Commander Sokka Antarktis."
"Antarktis?" Azula says with surprise. "You wouldn't be related to Admiral Hakoda Antarktis?"
"Uh yeah, he's my dad," Sokka says bashfully. "He's also my Fleet Commander."
Azula smiles but thinks to herself that if she can convince a hero of the Belkan War of her actions, perhaps she can revel who she really is. "Would it be possible for me to speak with him?"
"Well considering he'll want to speak with me, yeah I don't see why not," Sokka tells her. "But you're gonna half to wait your turn; my dad will want to make sure I'm okay."
"Sounds fair to me," Azula says with a smile.
Less than an hour later, the two pilots were aboard a Kalugan destroyer, regaled as heroes. Sokka radios his flight and tells them he and the spy are okay. When the convoy was no longer within range of a possible second attack, Sword Flight begins their return flight back to the Kuruk after informing Sokka that a HV-22B Osprey would pick him and the spy up to bring them back to the carrier.
As they wait on the deck, Sokka cannot help but feel grateful. "Thanks again for risking yourself like that. You could've kept your cover but decided to do the right thing."
"I couldn't stand by and watch innocent people die," Azula says, partially a lie. The truth was she did what she had to do to protect her country from being overrun by invaders. She only wants Romney to have the resources to elevate its people into a better position in Southern Verusa.
Though admittingly that will difficult to explain to Admiral Antarktis when the time comes.
A few hours later, Azula sees the Kuruk through a window aboard the HV-22B. Her eyes widen at the massive ship. From what she can see, it was even larger than the Osean Hubert-class carrier, with enough deck space to land two aircraft at once. And if the deck was clear, it can even land a C-130 Hercules.
"Impressive isn't it?" Sokka asks her, finding her staring at the Kuruk in amazement.
"Quite impressive," Azula admits. "This must be the largest ship ever built."
"It is, at least for a combat vessel," Sokka says after a chuckle. "It's named after my great-grandfather, Kuruk Antarktis, who fought for Verdia's independence during the 1940s."
Azula's eyebrows raise. The man next to her comes from a long line of ace pilots; perhaps she is right in her assessment of him. She scrutinizes the ship more closely and notices a section of rather old aircraft.
"I see the Verdian Air Division has a sense of sentimentality," she critiques. "Flying old F-14 Tomcats."
"Oh you mean the Hellcat IIs," Sokka says of the F-14E Hellcat II, named after the F6F Hellcat of the 1940s. "Those fighters might look the same on the outside, but it's a whole new beast on the inside. It was still in testing when the war started, but I guess we have to put it to the real test now."
Azula looks over the Hellcats, wondering what capabilities they have over their older predecessors. She finds herself wanting to fly it and see how it stacks up to her old Typhoon.
After receiving a warm welcoming from his flight and the deck crew, Sokka and Azula clean up with the latter receiving a spare Verdian flight suit. Soon after she found herself facing Admiral Hakoda Antarktis, a well-known ace who served with the Osean Navy as an exchange officer during the Belkan War. Rumors abound that he fought alongside the mythical Galm Team over the Futuro Canal and later over Area B7R, a battle that broke the back of the Belkan Air Force.
"Greetings Dragon," Hakoda said with a kind smile after checking over his son. Around him are his fleet intelligence officers and Captain Bato Sungittot, commander of the 1st Air Wing embarked aboard the Kuruk. "First, I'd like to thank you for your intervention in protecting the civilian convoy. I know it's been a chaotic day for you, but we need to know everything you can share with us about the capabilities of the Romni Air Force."
"Yes sir," Azula begins but hesitates. She knows it would be suicidal to admit her true identity. But given how kind the Verdian have been to her, along with their fair and honorable treatment of prisoners, she feels she is safe to tell the whole truth and perhaps convince the Admiral she can help. "First, I am not a spy. I am Lieutenant Azula Kasai of the Romni Air Force."
The room is silent as everyone processes the information. It is Sokka who breaks the silence by saying, "What?"
"It is true," Azula tells him earnestly.
"Are you related to General Iroh Kasai?" Hakoda asks, referring to the legendary ace who served as an exchange officer with the Yuktobanian Air Force during the Sotoan Civil Wars of the 1980s and later during the Belkan War.
"Yes, he is my uncle," she says with a hint of bitterness. Iroh's only son, Lu Ten, was killed during the Circum-Pacific War as an exchange officer and Iroh has since disappeared following his early retirement. No one has seen or heard from him since.
"I see," Hakoda says, unsure what to make of Azula. "Explain your reason for turning on you fellow Romni."
"My squadron was ordered to provide air cover for a squadron of Rafales as they attack what we were told was a fleet of Kalugan warships attempting to bombard Romny from the Chatsgue Sea," Azula begins. "When we gained visual of the convoy, I found that the majority were non-combat cruise liners. I don't know what their purpose was but attacking them would have been a violation of international law. I attempted to order the Rafales to standdown, but they refused."
"And so you attacked your own wingmen," Bato concludes.
"Yes, to prevent my country from being overran by foreign invaders, particularly Yuktobania," Azula finishes.
Hakoda hums in thought. "You're correct to assume that there would be a heavy-handed response from Yuktobania if your squadron's attack was successful," he agrees.
"Too bad she wasn't there for the other attacks," Bato whispers absentmindedly.
Azula catches his words. "What other attacks?" she asks.
Hakoda, Bato, Sokka, and the intelligence officers remain silent. Feeling that she owes him, Sokka was the one to break the silence. "The Romni Armed Forces have been found attacking other civilian targets."
"What?" Azula says in disbelief.
"Don't say another word son," Hakoda warns Sokka.
"Admiral, we owe her this," he explains. "She risked her life to protect innocent civilians. She effectively renounced her country…"
"I wouldn't put it like that," Azula says, her anger flaring.
"Even so, you decided to do the right thing rather than follow orders. If you asks me that's what make an ace pilot," Sokka says before turning toward Hakoda and Bato. "Wouldn't you two agree? Sirs."
Hakoda and Bato share a look with one another. They have been wingmates since literally childhood and have flown together through some harrowing skies. They both know that it was a pilot's character that determines if they are a true ace.
Hakoda chuckles. "You make a good point son," he says before turning toward his senior intelligence officer. "Commander, please give Lieutenant Kasai full access to all intelligence we have on Romni activities since the war began."
The commander hesitates for a moment. "Are you sure that wise sir?" she asks.
"No it probably isn't, but she deserves to know the truth. We owe her that much," Hakoda says. "Besides, she can add her own knowledge of Romni forces to what we know and-."
A knock on the hatch to the conference room interrupts him. "Enter," he commands.
A young lieutenant enters the room and stands at attention. "Sir, you and Captain Sungittot are required on the bridge."
"Just when things were getting interesting here," Bato comments.
"Quite, but we're needed elsewhere," Hakoda says before standing up and addressing Sokka. "Commander, you are to stay with Lieutenant Kasai until further notice. Assist her as necessary in… processing the intelligence reports."
Sokka snaps to attention. "Aye aye sir."
As Hakoda, Bato, the messenger, and most of the intelligence officer left, the senior intelligence officer hands over a tablet to Sokka. "This has all of our reports pertaining to Romni activities since the war began. You have full access to them, but nothing else. I hope you help her keep that in mind commander."
Sokka nods and takes the tablet while the intelligence officer takes her leave.
Sokka and Azula sit down at the conference table. Sokka sets the tablet between them and carefully watches Azula as she reads over the reports.
What Azula reads deeply imbalances her. The reports, including aerial and satellite photos, reveal that many Kalugan factories were completely destroyed. From her understanding, they were to be targeted by precision bombing strikes to disable them so they can be quickly repaired to benefit Romny.
What is worst though was the strikes against college campuses. Apparently the Romni Air Force wanted to remove any chance of Kaluga from researching and developing weapons to be used against Romny. If that is the case, Azula would have ordered precision strikes as well, preferably with special forces aid.
Instead, many of the college campuses were completely destroyed, even if they would have no military value. What is worse is the area surrounding the colleges; many homes and businesses were destroyed.
Azula feels nauseated and doubts it is because she is on a ship.
She leans back in her chair, her emotions ranging from rage, to shame, to sadness, and finally numbness.
She is pulled out of her brooding when she feels Sokka's hand on hers.
"Are you alright?" he asks gently.
She closes her eyes and shakes her head. "No… I'm not."
"You must be thinking we're lying to you," he says.
"No I-I know you're telling the truth," she says. "I studied a few of those college campuses and factories in preparation of the invasion."
Sokka's eyes widen. "So you are a spy."
"I was doing reconnaissance," she growls. "I was told the purpose behind my mission was to identify which buildings were of military value for precision strikes. I had no idea my country would carelessly carpet bomb entire sections of cities."
Before Sokka could say anything, Azula slams her fist on the table, knocking the tablet over. She stands up and punches the metal bulkhead harshly. She stands there with her fist against the wall before bringing up her other hand to brace herself.
Sokka watches her and soon sees her shoulders shake slightly. He stands up and carefully approaches her.
She sobs silently, trying to keep it in.
Sokka gently reaches for her and rubs her back. Azula's sobs became stronger, a sign her will is breaking.
When Sokka takes a step forward, Azula launches herself into his chest and wraps her arms around him. Sokka is stunned but he slowly wraps his arms around her and holds her.
"Why?" Azula asks. "Why did my country do this? It doesn't make sense. We just wanted the resources to build our country up. I never wanted to tear other down to do it."
"That's how war is sadly," Sokka says gently.
They stand there in silence while Azula lets out her grief. When she collects herself she steps away from Sokka and heads for the hatch.
"Where are you going?" he asks.
"I am going to ask your father-," she begins.
"The admiral," Sokka corrects.
"Yes, I am going to ask the admiral if he needs another quality pilot," Azula says with determination before steeping out the hatch.
Sokka reaches out for her and pulls her back into the conference room. "You do realize he would never go for that, right?"
Azula smirks at him. "Not if you help me convince him."
Sokka stares at her with skeptical frown. He doubts his father would go for such a thing, but Sokka has a feeling that if they do not give Azula a fighter, she will steal one right off the deck.
Or just jump ship and swim and run until she finds a fighter to steal.
Sokka huffs and shakes his head. "Why do I have the feeling you're going more trouble than you're worth?"
Azula chuckles with humor. "You have no idea."