Chapter 14: Sons and Daughters

It took quite a while for Sokka and Katara to catch up.

For one thing, they hadn't seen each other for months before all the craziness started. Sokka had been going around the world on a regular basis, while Katara had mostly remained in Ba Sing Se after the war ended. Add to that their vastly different experiences when the Empire arrived, there was a lot of stuff to cover to bring each other up to speed. Fortunately they had all the time in the world, or in the galaxy as the case may be. At this point it was great to just have each other for company, like the good old days before finding that one particular iceberg.

At the moment they were sitting in what looked like a lounge, filled with plenty of people and aliens making conversation. They were at a table in the corner, and Sokka had his back to a wall. "You know, this almost makes it worthwhile. Getting blasted into space I mean."

"Maybe," Katara said. "It's a good place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live out here."

"Yeah, too easy to get lost," Sokka said. "It's a wonder we both ended up in the same place."

"Fortunate we got picked up by guys on the same team," Katara said.

"I figure the Empire has lots of enemies," Sokka said. "Kind of nice to know they're organized."

"Not sure why they meet on a ship though," Katara said. "It seems kind of crowded."

"From what I've seen, it's just a temporary thing," Sokka said. "Some of the guys on the other ship complained about their base being destroyed."

"Huh," Katara muttered. "Wonder what they'll do about that."

"So it's Hoth or bust, right?"

That's what Luke figured, given everything he was aware of at the moment. He was in the private quarters of Princess Leia, invited there as a friend. Luke reported the results of his survey with the X-Wing squad, specifically the lack of viable results for the new base. Leia was disappointed, but not surprised. It had been a long shot when she sent him on the mission, done solely for the purpose of finding an alternative to Hoth. Now it seemed like that frozen world was the only choice, even if she didn't like to admit it.

"Afraid so," Leia said, sitting in her favorite chair. "We've put this off long enough already. Mon Mothma wants a decision made today."

"So that's why Ackbar brought his ship here," Luke said. "He wants to see it personally."

"It is a group decision," Leia said. "Afterward we'll be taking the fleet to Hoth to build the base."

"How long do you think it will take?" Luke asked.

"A couple of months, half a year at most," Leia answered. "We've got all the parts to get it done. We just need to get started."

"Still… it's Hoth," Luke complained. "Sooner or later we'll lose people to the cold."

"I know," Leia said. "So don't get lost in it and you'll be fine."

"Alright," Luke said, conceding the point. "So are we going to bring those stowaways with us? I get the feeling they'll only work with us if we promise to free their home world."

"Yes, this… what did they call it again?" Leia asked.

"Earth," Luke answered. "Apparently the Empire just conquered it."

"Well it will have to wait," Leia said. "We're not in a position to liberate any planets right now."

Luke nodded. "What do you want me to tell them?"

"Be honest," Leia suggested. "There's nothing we can do to help them until after our base is built."

"Okay," Luke said. "They're not going to like it, but their world is on its own."

Given his situation, looking out at Earth was a small comfort for Zuko.

Yet there was a hole in his stomach that only got worse, and there was nothing he could do about it. Here he was trapped in the enemy stronghold, having no choice but to comply with their terms. Sure it resulted in him getting reasonable accommodations on the Executor, but it was really little more than a gilded cage. Zuko was still a prisoner in all but name, subject to the whims and desires of his captors. Soon he would be put to work for the Empire, and all he could do about that was attempt to minimize the loss of life.

At least he got a window, and had a great view of Earth. Zuko could also see two of the Star Destroyers out there, simply coasting along as if they belong here. There were many smaller ships flying from those Star Destroyers, heading down to Earth with men and supplies. Zuko didn't want to think about what they would be doing down there, so he hit the button to close the window shutters. He sat down on the end of a bed and put his hands over his face, feeling worse now than at the beginning of that three year search for the Avatar.

There was a buzz at the door, and Zuko stood up and looked over there. "What is it?"

An unfamiliar voice answered. "You've got a visitor."

The door opened, and two stormtroopers brought someone inside, someone Zuko recognized. "Azula?"

Somewhat recovered from the fighting, Azula was still exhausted but at least able to stand. Her hands were bound behind her back, kept inside fist-sized metal blocks that kept her fingers from moving. "So is this better cell a reward for good behavior, or am I missing something?"

"It's actually worse than that," Zuko said. He walked over to where Azula was standing. "I'm surprised they let you up here."

"So am I," Azula said.

One of the stormtroopers nodded to Zuko. "You get five minutes."

The stormtroopers left and closed the door, leaving Zuko alone with his sister. "You're looking better."

"Sleep helps," Azula said. She tried to wriggle her arms, but the restraints limited what she could do. "These don't."

"Sorry about that," Zuko said. "I'm told they're taking every precaution with you."

"Wrecking one of their big machines does that," Azula said. "So why aren't you in these things?"

Zuko sighed and looked away. "I caved in."

"Ah," Azula said. "What did they offer?"

"What you've always wanted, but with strings attached," Zuko answered. "I get to be Fire Lord, and nothing more than a figurehead."

"So you gave up," Azula surmised.

"Yeah, I did," Zuko admitted. "Tried talking, tried fighting, neither worked. This is really all that's left."

Azula didn't try to argue with that, instead just looking around. "At least they gave you a nice room."

Zuko walked over to the window and opened the shutters. "And a good view."

Seeing the Fire Nation from space, Azula gave the fainted glimmer of a smile. "That's true."

"You know, you're not supposed to do that."

Luke had gone to deliver the bad news, and had walked to the small room assigned to the two stowaways from Earth. He had spotted Katara leaving the room just as he arrived, and found Sokka inside looking out a window. However the Home One had made the jump to hyperspace, so all one could see was the blue void. Luke's comment got Sokka to turn around and look at him instead, seeing him standing in the doorway. Sokka leaned back against the window, crossing his arms while looking Luke in the eye.

"Actually I don't know," Sokka said. "Is there a reason I shouldn't look out there?"

"It's been known to drive people crazy," Luke answered. "I have no idea why."

"It is kind of trippy," Sokka said. "So, what brings you down here?"

"Bad news I'm afraid," Luke admitted. "It will be a while before we can help your planet. I'm sorry."

Sokka sighed and looked away. "Why am I not surprised?"

"I wish we could do something, I really do," Luke said. "It's just that we don't have a base right now, the Empire destroyed our last one and we've been on the run."

"I get the picture," Sokka said. "Why do you need a base anyway? You've got these big ships."

"Big ships that need repair after every fight," Luke said. "There are some things that just can't be fixed in space. Without a base the whole fleet would eventually fall apart."

Sokka nodded, even though he didn't like it. "Well I appreciate you being honest with me."

Luke turned to leave, but hesitated and looked back at Sokka. "This base is going to take a lot of effort to build. We could use a few extra pairs of hands."

"Might as well,"Sokka said. Really he didn't have anything better to do. "Not like I'm going anywhere."

Leia was glad to get out of that meeting.

Sure it was good to see Ackbar and Mon Mothma, but that didn't mean she liked debating with them. Ackbar had tried to get more time to search for a better place to build, while Mon Mothma insisted that they start building now. Leia had to concede that Mon Mothma was right, and recommended that the fleet set course for Hoth. The order had been given out immediately, and the fleet was in hyperspace before the meeting was over. A few minor issues were resolved afterward, which felt like irrelevant minutia by the time she Leia got out of the meeting.

The first spot Leia went to afterward was the mess hall, her stomach rumbling by the time she got there. "I don't care what, just give me something."

A chef delivered with a plate of scrambled eggs, sprinkled with cheese and diced meat, and a glass of blue milk. Leia took the meal and looked for a good spot to sit down, which proved difficult while much of the crew was here for dinner. Of all the tables in the mess hall, only one had barely any people around it. The lone person there was the obvious reason why, one of the stowaways brought aboard and a stranger to everyone here. Leia considered finding somewhere else to sit down, but now was as good a time as any to talk with one of them herself.

Leia made eye contact as she put her meal on the table. "It's… Katara… isn't it?"

"Yes," Katara said, watching Leia take a seat. "Is there something you want?"

"Just to talk," Leia answered. "I've heard what you've gone through, but I want to hear it from you."

Katara sighed and put down her fork, not even bothering to look at her food now. "Okay, fine. We were just trying to rebuild and be ready for when aliens came back. We weren't even close when the Empire showed up, promising all sorts of good things before invading us. Then I find out about you guys, fighting the same enemy, and you can't do anything to help."

Leia patiently listened, and didn't say anything until Katara was finished. "I'm not going to make any promises. I have to put my people first, and you should know that. I can't risk it all just to liberate one world that was barely on the galactic map a week ago."

"I know," Katara said. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."

Leia nodded, and ate some of her meal. "If it's any consolation, fighting the Empire anywhere will help. It will certainly tie up resources. Maybe even pull a ship or two away from your world to deal with us."

"It won't be enough," Katara said. "Not unless you can topple the whole Empire."

"That's the goal," Leia said. "It is going to take years, but we will get it done. I'm sure of it."

A few days later, Zuko wasn't feeling much better.

He finally got to leave the Executor, and got to return home after what felt like a lifetime. But seeing the Fire Nation capital in ruins killed the moment, should have been relief but was now only dread. When he arrived Zuko found that none of the original inhabitants remained, and the only people here were stormtroopers occupying the capital. If it was any consolation the stormtroopers had removed the bodies of the fallen from sight, though Zuko could still smell the stink of death everywhere. The only escape was in the incomplete palace, which was damaged from battle but still standing.

On one morning Zuko was in one of the higher floors of the palace, looking out a window at the ravaged capital below. "Well… at least they're doing something."

Occupying the capital wasn't sufficient for the Empire, not in the long term anyway. The Empire was here to stay, and it needed substantial changes for this place to be suitable for their needs. Workers were brought down to clear away the debris, tear down buildings that were beyond repair, and repurpose what could still be salvaged. Officers were already scouting for places to build new facilities, starting with barracks to house their men. Eventually they planned to transform the capital into a proper military base, the first of many on this world.

"What am I even doing?" Zuko muttered. He put his hands on the windowsill and looked down, seeing imperials already at work on the ground floor of the palace. "I shouldn't even be here."

Zuko left the room and walked through the palace, passing by the imperials assessing the place. He could hear them talking about how it would make a fine command center, after the necessary modifications to bring it up to code. Given that the palace had never been finished, the imperials could just build on to what was already done. Zuko ignored them and walked to the throne room, finding it empty and disturbingly silent. He found the empty throne and stood next to it, not yet ready to take it for himself.

Someone else entered the throne room, and Zuko turned when he heard the footsteps. "What is it?"

An imperial officer had entered. "It is time for your first appearance."

Zuko sighed, and then walked away from the throne. "And it begins…"

All the while, Zuko wished he could be anywhere else.

When the rebel fleet emerged from hyperspace, Katara knew it immediately. She felt her bending return once again, and her mood improved with it. Katara went to the closest window and looked out into space, wanting to see where they were this time. She couldn't see a sun anywhere, apparently it was behind the ship, but she could see a planet up ahead. It looked like a giant snowball, with absolutely no green or brown or blue features of any kind. Around the planet were three moons of various sizes, all barren worlds pitted with craters.

Soon Katara was on a shuttle leaving the Home One, heading down to the planet along with many of the ship's crew. They didn't mind having an extra pair of hands, as long as they helped with building their new base. Everyone had been given a parka and other warm clothes, as the temperature at the landing site was well below freezing. That was in spite of the location being at the planet's equator, and in the middle of summer no less. Before long the shuttle was making landfall, and Katara couldn't wait to get out and breathe in fresh air.

Setting foot on thick snow, Katara felt more alive than ever. "It's like being back at home."

For an alien world so far away, this place was surprisingly familiar to her. The snow crunching beneath her feet sounded the same, the air she breathed tasted the same, even the light from a different sun looked the same. If Katara didn't know better she'd swear she was back at the South Pole, only the shuttle and the crew breaking the illusion. She took some steps across the snow to get away from them a little, taking in the sights of this snow covered rock. The best part was that she felt better than ever before, and that she had some understanding of why.

Katara heard someone walking up to her, and she turned to see Luke there in the same cold weather garb everyone was wearing. "Hey, want to see something cool?"

"Sure," Luke said.

Katara turned back the other way, holding her arms above her head. She threw her hands forward and then flung them apart, putting everything she had into her bending. The snow exploded in a violent frozen geyser, excavating tons of material and clearing a quarter mile. When the snow settled there was a hole thirty feet deep, exposing a layer of ice that hadn't seen sunlight in ages. Katara swiftly raised a hand above her head, and the ice melted into a river that flowed up and out of the hole. She let the water spill on the far side, mixing with more snow before quickly freezing into hard slush.

Luke stared at the hole now fifty feet deep, words failing him. "That's… wow…."

"I know right," Katara said, turning back toward Luke. "Normally I can't do anything near that big. But with those moons up there, I feel like I can do anything here."

"Is that so," Luke muttered. "The base will be built in no time if you're helping out."

"Just tell me how you want it done," Katara said.

"Alright," Luke said. He pointed over to a ridge not far from the landing site. "We were going to make the entrance right over there."

Sokka had overslept.

He couldn't really blame himself for that, given that he had long since lost track of time. His entire sense of day and night had gone completely screwy, which he figured was due to the fact that the concepts of day and night had no meaning in a spaceship. So when he had gone to sleep during the trip he missed the arrival, waking up to discover that the rebel fleet was in orbit above a planet. Katara had gone off ahead without him, leaving him alone when Sokka woke up. He got a good look at the planet out the window, and then left the room to look for his sister and friend.

As he walked through the halls Sokka felt pretty good, being well rested and with plenty of energy for a new day. For once it seemed like everything was going to work itself out, and that nothing could possibly ruin his good mood. He saw many of the people aboard this ship all heading in one direction, and so he walked that way to find out what was going on. That led Sokka all the way to the hanger, where many of those people were either boarding transports or helping to load them with equipment and supplies.

"Excuse me," Sokka said, walking up to a pilot. "Is there room for one more?"

"Afraid not," the pilot said. "Her highness reserved the last seats."

"Oh," Sokka said. He noticed a look in the pilot's eye, as if he was looking past Sokka. "She's right behind me, isn't she?"

Sure enough, Princess Leia was standing there. "Let him on. Mon Mothma isn't coming anyway."

"As you wish," the pilot said.

"Thanks," Sokka said, walking into the transport just ahead of Leia.

"Just pull your weight when we get down there," Leia said. She got aboard the transport and found her seat. "Everyone helps out, including the leaders."

Sokka nodded as he sat down. "I suppose I could do manual labor."

The transport quickly filled up with its designated passengers, people that seemed to be more important than the usual people aboard the ship. Sokka got a seat opposite from Leia, and on both sides of him there were two guys that he didn't know. The transport lifted off and flew out of the hangar, heading out for the planet below. There weren't any windows in this transport so Sokka couldn't see what was outside, but he certainly felt it when the transport hit atmospheric turbulence. Still he didn't really mind it, since the pilot knew what he was doing.

Sokka's eyes met Leia, and he smiled. "So… what's it going to be like down there?"

"Cold, snow, that's about it," Leia said.

"Neat," Sokka said. "It sounds like home."

"I wasn't told your planet was a snowball," Leia said.

"Well no," Sokka said. "I just grew up at the South Pole. It's pretty icy there."

"You must have some survival tricks then," Leia assumed.

"A few," Sokka said. "Not sure if they'll be much help on an alien planet."

Soon enough the transport landed on the planet's surface, and everyone inside put on winterized gear before heading out. Sokka put on the same gear as everyone else, finding it like a parka only more comfortable and more efficient at retaining heat. When the transports door opened Sokka was nearly blinded by sunlight, though it passed after taking a moment to adjust. Sokka followed everyone out and walked on fresh snow, taking his first breaths on an alien world. Leia was right behind him, and she was surprised by what she found.

"Huh…" Leia muttered. "They've been busy."

Construction of the rebel base had already begun, and it had progressed a lot farther than Leia had expected. The main entrance for a hangar was already finished, and it was being inspected before ships would be allowed to enter. Large mounds of snow and ice were left outside, excavated from inside when tunnels were made. Sokka and Leia walked into the new hangar with everyone else, getting to see the large space available inside. They also noticed that the people already here were only doing the metalwork, not one of them shoveling snow or chipping ice.

Sokka was surprised, but only by the scale. "Katara got a lot done."

"Indeed," Leia said. She could see the waterbender in the back of the hangar making a tunnel, moving tons of ice and water like it was nothing. "Remind me to never get on her bad side."

Azula wasn't sure how she knew it, but she was being taken away from Earth.

The stormtroopers had taken her out of her cell an hour ago, loaded her onto a shuttle, and sent her off to who knows where. Her hands were bound behind her back and attached to the seat, keeping her in that seat during the ride. This shuttle didn't have any side windows for her to look through, so she couldn't see where the shuttle was going. Still something told Azula that they weren't taking her back to Earth, though she wasn't sure if it was intuition or just a gut feeling. The stormtroopers seemed happy through, and Azula didn't like that one bit.

"Where are you taking me?" Azula demanded.

One stormtrooper shoved his blaster into Azula's shoulder. "Quiet."

"Might as well humor her," the pilot said. "It won't make much of a difference anyway."

The stormtrooper shrugged. "Alright, fine. If you really want to know princess, we're going to a state of the art research lab. They're going to take you apart, find out how your power works, and then use the leftover pieces for spare tissue samples. It will be very painful, like nothing you could ever imagine. And all the while you'll know that it could have been avoided, if you have just surrendered at the beginning."

Azula laughed. "Is that supposed to frighten me?"

"Not yet," the stormtrooper said. "The fear can wait until we arrive."

The pilot set in the course. "Engaging hyperdrive… now."

The shuttle lurched into hyperspace, leaving Earth far behind it. Azula felt the change immediately, like something had grabbed her heart and ripped it out. She lurched forward as far as the restraints allowed, fighting the urge to throw up. She failed in that fight, emptying her stomach on the floor. Her vision nearly faded to black, just short of passing out entirely. She could still hear the startled reactions of the stormtroopers, though the exact words were muffled to her. Azula didn't really care about them, feeling sicker than ever before in her life.

"The hell is wrong with her?" the stormtrooper asked.

"What's going on back there," the pilot asked.

"I think she's dying," the stormtrooper answered. He physically examined Azula in a few places, but she did not respond. "Yes, pretty sure she's dying."

"Seriously?" the pilot asked.

"She's definitely not faking," the stormtrooper said. He checked again to be sure, and got no response from Azula. "It started when we made the jump to hyperspace."

"Better report this in," the pilot said. He made some adjustments to the controls. "I'm taking us out of hyperspace. We'll turn around and head back from there."

The blue void changed back into stars, and the shuttle had to change course immediately. The premature return to normal space had dropped the shuttle right in the middle of a binary system, its two suns directly ahead. A blue giant and its medium yellow companion orbited each other close, their combined gravity pulling the shuttle forward. The intense light shined through the windows of the cockpit into the shuttle, blinding the pilot before the automatic shades activated. The pilot set a course to take the shuttle around the stars, so that it could turn around and make a jump back the other way.

The stormtrooper noticed Azula slouching in her seat, as if ready to nod off to sleep. "Well look at that. She's getting better already."

Indeed the sickness Azula felt had vanished, as if it had never been there to begin with. In its place was warmth that swelled from the very core of her being, the kind of raw heat that could be intoxicating. She felt the light of the two suns shining into the shuttle, so much brighter than the sun she knew. Azula took in a deep breath and tilted her head back, keeping her eyes closed while enjoying the moment. Then she took in a deep breath and opened her eyes, looking at the stormtrooper before unleashing her fury.

From between Azula's lips a plume of blue fire burst out, blown at the stormtrooper as if from the maw of a dragon. The blaze covered the stormtrooper from head to toe, burning through his armor and cooking him alive. With that same breath of blue fire Azula burned everyone else in that part of the shuttle, turning her head as needed to get the job done. When she was finished there were only charred corpses on the floor and scorch marks on the walls, and Azula wanted a glass of water for her parched throat.

Only the pilot was left unscathed, safe in the shelter of the cockpit. "What's going on back there?"

Azula was feeling far more powerful than normal, similar to the day that Sozin's Comet had returned. She didn't have the time to enjoy it, needing to get out of the restraints and deal with the pilot. She clenched her fists and intense heat radiated outward, warming up the metal so quickly it warped out of shape. The heated metal turned soft enough to tear apart with brute force, and Azula did just that by pulling her fists apart. She got up and hurried to the cockpit, ignoring the bodies that she had to step over to get there.

The pilot was in the middle of making a distress call. "Mayday! Imperial Command, shuttle nine-zero-zero-one is under attack. The prisoner is not contained. Repeat: the prisoner is not contained. Send help immedi-Argh!"

Blue flames incinerated the pilot where he was, fired from Azula when she entered the cockpit. Too late she realized the mistake she made. "Might have needed that guy…"

It was supposed to be at least a week before the rebels could start moving into the new base.

They only needed a day.

Thanks to Katara and her waterbending, the bulk of the work was completed far ahead of schedule. Leia already had quarters picked out and some of her things moved in, once the icy chamber had proper insulation put in. Luke was busy helping to install the various equipment the base required, first priority being the power systems and related infrastructure. Sokka was content just to help move things around, the one thing he was sure he could do here. By sundown the base was fit to house a small number of people, enough to continue the work well into the frigid night.

Late in the evening Katara took a well-deserved break, sitting down and having a hot meal in a mess hall she carved out of the ice a few hours ago. "I don't know about you, but I'm absolutely exhausted."

Sitting across from her was Leia, enjoying her own supper and present company. "You carved out this base singlehanded. You have every right to be worn out."

Overhearing her were Luke and Sokka, coming over to the table with their own meals. Luke sat down at Leia's side, grateful for the chance to get off his feet. "I see you two got the same idea."

Sokka sat down next to his sister, feeling sore in a few places. "Hey sis, long day?"

"It sure has been," Katara said, taking a moment to stretch her shoulder. "Still, I got a lot done. It would have taken weeks to do all that bending back home."

"Wait, I thought this was normal for you?" Luke said.

"No it isn't," Katara said. "My bending is a lot stronger here."

"Must be those moons," Sokka figured. Then he realized something. "I wonder…"

Katara knew that tone of voice. "You don't think…"

Sokka turned away from the table and raised his hand quickly, hoping his theory was right. Part of the frozen floor melted, followed by a few gallons of water rising upward like a geyser. "Yes!"

Some of that water rained back down on Luke, and his amazement was replaced by shivering. "Please don't do that again."

"Sorry," Sokka said. "I know that gets really annoying."

"You were right though," Katara said. "All you need for waterbending is more power."

"So does this affect everyone from your world?" Leia asked.

"Not this time," Sokka said. "If I have this right, only waterbending will be stronger here. The other three elements, they'd probably be about the same as normal."

"We only need the one you got," Luke said. "If we had a few more of you we'd be done in a weekend."

That remark got Leia thinking, something that she thought Katara and Sokka would like. "You know, that's the kind of resource we can't let the Empire control. Once this base is complete, the first thing we should do is send a stealth squad there."

Katara's eyes lit up with all the joy in the world. "You mean you'll help?"

Leia nodded. "I think you've earned it."

After a long day Zuko returned to the palace, wanting some time to be alone. He had been forced to make a few grand speeches to the Fire Nation people, lying through his teeth about how great times were beginning. He was already getting sick of being the Empire's pawn, but there was nothing he could do about it. And yet inside the palace he could not ignore the Empire's presence, for a messenger had been sent to deliver news. The messenger found Zuko just outside his quarters, and the private nature of the news got Zuko to bring the messenger inside.

"What is it?" Zuko asked, closing the door after they entered.

"There was an accident involving your sister," the messenger reported. "The transport carrying her was attacked earlier today. When it refused to surrender, the rebels destroyed the transport. I'm afraid there were no survivors."

"Did they recover any bodies?" Zuko asked.

"Proton torpedoes generally disintegrate the remains," the messenger said.

"I see," Zuko said. He turned away from the messenger and walked to a cabinet. "Please leave."

"As you wish," the messenger said. He left the room and closed the door behind him, leaving Zuko alone to think about the news.

"She's not dead," Zuko muttered. He opened the cabinet, took out a bottle of liquor, and poured a small cup. "Azula made it. Azula always makes it."

A/N: This story will be on hiatus for a while. More chapters need to be written, edited, and refined before continuing. Might need to change things before updating again. Apologies in advance if this takes too long.