LOK Stateless Man 2

Foad U'Pad I don't own LOK & don't earn anything from this fiction

Rated M for possible adult theme's, extreme graphic violence & sexual situations.

More pain for the Heroes and villains...ain't it a bitch.

As I leave the dormitories I decide to head towards the western side of the island to watch the ocean. Following a path to a promontory on center of the western side, by a grove of spray stunted cedar. As the path clears the grove I see 3 benches facing the sea, the center one occupied by Jinora, reading a newspaper. Not wishing to disturb her, I turn to leave, when she calls out, "You don't have to leave, Foad."

"That's a good range on that Spirit sense of yours, Jinora. Its, what like 5 meters to the tree line!"

Jinora giggles, "Actually it depends on the strength of the person's spiritual energy, the only other person that I can sense further than you is Korra. I could feel as you entered the grove."

"Wow! That's some 20 meters out, is it like hearing or smelling the Spirit energy?"

"Sort of, its like feeling the pressure of the energies with a unique scent, but they all feel different. Your like a gentle breeze with the scent of pine, but Korra is a high wind that smells like Naga."

"Ah, Naga? I don't know that one."

Jinora giggles, "Sorry, you don't know her. She's Korra's Polar Bear Dog."

"Ok, guess I'll have to meet her to know what you mean. So this Spirit sense is an inherent ability or a skill that can be taught?"

"I'm not sure, I haven't found anything written about it yet. I think it is like Bending, an inherent ability that you can be trained to use. Right now I can only sense someone who has strong Spiritual strength, like Aunt Kya, but I can't sense Chief Bei Fong."

"Yes, Chief Bei Fong did say that Sifu Kya is her cousin."

"Not quite, Great Uncle Sokka is the father the Chief's younger half sister Su Yin Bei Fong, but he disappeared when she was young. But Aunt Kya and the Chief grew up together and have been best friends for a long time."

"Humm, so is that today's paper?"

"Yes, I'm not reading these sections if you want them."

"No thanks, I'm still illiterate, but if you just start reading wherever you left off would be fine."

"OK, "Police Van Skids off Yu Dao Pass Road. In the predawn hours of Xingqier a Republic City Police Department van in route to Yu Dao slid off the road at the head of Yu Dao canyon. In the van were 10 highly decorated RCPD Officers and 2 United Republic of Nations Marines. The 10 Officers had just received highest honor for a Police Officer, the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, by the late Honorable President Raiko hours before this tragic accident claimed the lives of the 12 brave men and women who had served the Republic proudly. 10

bodies were pulled from the burned and battered Police Satomobile van. It appears the missing 2 officers, Shui and Qiang were thrown from the vehicle during the crash. It is feared that their bodies were washed down the treacherous Yu Dao canyon, a search is on going at this time. The crash is currently under investigation, but anonymous sources call the crash questionable, as the roads were dry and there were no skid marks at the site."

"Here's photos of the 12, Foad."

"Humm, these cops they look like the one's that Raiko used to try and capture Team Avatar after the battle. Sounds like Raiko was trying to clear up any loose ends. I wonder if the Chief has seen this?"

"I don't think so, since the war and Raiko's death she is the senior civilian executive in the Republic, so Chief Bei Fong is running the nation."

"Jinora, the Police Chief of the capital city has got to be far down the line of succession, your saying that none of Raiko's Cabinet members survived the war?"

"No, the 4 of them were scattered throughout the city to avoid this, but with Kurvia's Spirit Cannon, they're all dead or missing and presumed dead."

"So does she have a staff to help her? Any type of advisors to buffer her from each of the nations departments?"

"No, she just using Ru, he's her administrative assistant. The Chief doesn't like to ask for help."

"Damn that woman, I should have realized this sooner! Do you were I can find Mako and Bolin?"

"Mako should be at the infirmary for treatment and Bolin is", as Jinora raises her voice, "hiding in the tree's with Opal!"

As the couple sheepishly emerges from the grove, Bolin grinning "Hey, guys we didn't realize any else was here, I just wanted to show Opal the great view!"

Jinora, not buying Bolin's words, has a knowing grin for Opal, who begins to blush as Foad says, "Come with me Bolin, we have to save the Chief from herself!", grabbing the young man's arm, heading back towards the temple.

Opal calls after them, "Wait, Aunt Lin's in trouble?"

Jinora, folding the newspaper "Let's go, they may need our help.", as the young women follow them.

Qiang stops quietly, "I could have sworn I heard something!", I think to myself. I look down as I begin to feel the water in the tunnel moving u Frantic, I try to Bend the earth I know is on the other side of the cement walls, but I can't get it to move for me. As I look up hill I can see Viper begin to move a wall of water towards me. In desperation I put all my effort into bring up a wall to block the oncoming water as the cement begins to glow redder and redder. When the water hits the glowing cement it becomes a wall of steam that blast's back up the tunnel, engulfing Viper with superheated steam. As he begins to shriek in pain from the burns inflicted on his skin and in his lungs, I turn and run down a side tunnel trying to throw off any pursuers.

20 minutes later, having worked my way through the tunnels I arrive at from the opposite side. As I glance around the corner I see the back of Two Toed Ping and inadvertently gasp, causing Ping to spring and throw a fireball at me. I counter attack with a lava ball that cuts through the fire ball like it was tissue paper. The lava ball hits Ping in the chest, completely encasing his torso. Ping begins to scream but is cut off when his head and legs explode, covering me in ichor. Vomiting I stagger forward to see if Shui is alright, but when I enter the room all I find is her blackened curled up corpse. Sickened again at the remains of my partner, I try to vomit, but have nothing but bile to cough up.

After 3 days since Raiko ordered us to arrest Asami Sato I have been on the run. My only hope at this point is to find the Avatar and hope she can protect me from Raiko and the Triple Threat triid. Gathering what little supplies are left I flee into the tunnels towards Yue Bay.

Asami steps back from modified interrogation table, "A bit crude, but it should work! Let's test it, can you bring me a normal duty sword, Zi Hao?"

Fastening the blade in narrow tray, Asami places her hands in the open palm gloves fastened to the table, as Kya tightens her restraints to the table and chair. Zi Hao testing the lever that raises and lowers tray from Asami's bared hand.

Asami looking forward up at Kya saying "Well this works, I 'm ready, can someone bring Sokka's sword?"

Kya grimly nods to Zi Hao, who waves in 4 White Lotus guards wearing heavy gauntlets, one carrying Guang Ci.

"Remember, Asami at the first hint of any problems, you can't stop talking or you don't speak at all I'm throwing that lever and getting you away from that sword. I don't want you to end up like my Uncle Sokka!"

"I hope this works too, could be a big help for people suffering like Foad and I are."

28 minutes later going over Raiko's death, recalling new details and having to retell the entire event with the new details, Asami heard Guang Ci say in her mind "Good, I have been able to absorb this memory. Now tell about the last time your mother hugged you."

Asami continuing to speak in the same monotone voice she has been using for the previous 28 minutes says, "The last time I hugged my..."

On hearing this sentence Kya throws the lever that breaks the contact between Asami and Guang Ci, Asami slumps forward, exhausted from the mental strain that the retelling of Raiko's death has placed her under. " Quickly," Kya orders the White Lotus guards, "get her to that cot!" as the guards unfasten the restraints

Once the White Lotus guards have Asami on the cot, Kya pulling the water from her bag flowing in above the pale young woman's body searching for any physical injuries, blocked chi, but only finds exhaustion from the lack of sleep and stress over the last several days. To the guards she says, "Just let her rest, so make sure she isn't disturbed. And somebody get that sword out of here!"

As the 4 of enter the White Lotus barracks I see Zi Hao leaving one of the interrogation rooms, carrying Guang Ci, followed by Kya. "Kya, how is Asami, is she alright? Did it only take the memories she wanted it to?"

"I think she's alright, Foad. Asami is just emotionally and physically exhausted from the last few days and collapsed, but after some undisturbed sleep she should be fine. I think that Guang Ci only took the memories of Raiko's death, but won't know until she wakes up. What she needs (now is rest."

"Well here's hoping that it worked! Where's Korra, I'd thought she'd be here for this?"

"Asami didn't want her to worry, so we didn't tell her."

"Ouch! Not sure I want to be anywhere near when that comes out. Anyway I'm here about Lin trying to run the United Republic without a Cabinet. I need your help in getting some experts to help take the load off of her. What are the Cabinet departments?"

?"That woman can be such a Flying Boar! She is going to kill herself with her pig headed determination to do it All Herself! UUNNGHHHH!"

"Umm, Kya I'm not happy with her right now as well, but can we focus on getting her some help. We can yell at her later, ok?"

"I'm sorry Foad, her single minded focus is part of why I love here, but sometimes she gets in over her head before she knows it! Ok there is Foreign Affairs, Exchequer, Justice and Defense."

"Ok, so could Iroh takeover Defense? If Asami is cured we can hand her Foreign Affairs. I guess find the most senior judge to take over Justice, and a Banker for the Exchequer. I hope you know who can fill the last 2, 'cause I sure don't."

"Why yes I do, let's go tell that idiot of a cousin that we're saving her ass!"

Foad turns to the rest of the group, "Master Jinora, Bolin, Opal, why don't the 3 of you head to the cafeteria. I think I may need to use some Bending on the Chief and may have my hands full with her."

Bolin says in a stage whisper "Yea, the Chief can be real scary som...ow!", as Opal slaps him in the arm.

"Bolin that's my Aunt!", she exclaims.

At this I take Kya's hand and Time Bend our way to the main temple. As we enter the main temple we can hear Tenzin, loudly, say "Lin, you can't do that!"

"And just whose going to stop me? I am the President of the United Republic of Nations!", her acerbic voice loudly proclaims.

At this I grab Kya's hand and Time Bending walk of to Lin and grab her hand in mine, saying "how about us!"

While Kya jumps in with "Lin when was the last time you slept? You also need a shower and knowing you, you've been living off rice cakes and tea for the last several days! You need to eat a proper meal. Breakfast is still being served, so were going now!"

As I continue to hold both Lin & Kya's hands I unbend appearing in front of Tenzin, General Iroh, Fire Lord Izumi and Korra, "Excuse the interruption, President Pro Tem Bai Fong will be taking a short recess to discuss the issue with her staff. General if you would please take Sifu Kya's hand, please." As Iroh does this I Time Bend the group out of site of Tenzin, Korra and the Fire Lord.

As we begin walking towards the cafeteria, Kya asks, "Lin what's going on?"

"I don't wanna talk about it!"

"If I may, Madame President?", ask's Iroh.

Lin waves her free hand dismissively.

"My mother, the Fire Lord is not accepting that Verrick and Zhu Li had no role in the rearming of the Spirit Cannon that led to Raiko trying to arrest me before I could warn her of the rearmed weapon. I believe that they did provide the information that allowed Raiko to use the weapon."

At that Lin, Kya and I glare at Iroh, but being the first to speak, I explain, "Technically that is correct, Verrick and Zhu Li did provide Raiko the information needed to fire the Spirit Cannon.

But only after Zhu Li had been bound and left to dangle from a hook, her toes millimeters from the ground, only after Verrick had been stripped nude, bound to a chair with no seat and beaten with a shinai around the thighs, buttocks and groin, only after Verrick had his head strapped to a halo that forced his eyes to watch Zhu Li as she had her skirt sliced off with a straight razor, her blouse ripped off, her upper bindings sliced off, her body mauled and bitten before he placed his head between her thighs, giving Zhu Li the to wrap her legs around his head so that she could lever her body up and freeing her bound wrist's from the hook she had been hanging from. She then clamped her legs around his neck and head, throwing her weight to one side snapping his neck, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Freeing her hands Zhu Li then sliced off his member and stuffed it down his throat, were it choked him to death."

Continuing my venting on Iroh, "If the Fire Lord still wants this couple in order to vent some misguided maternal rage on them, then she and I are going to have long private conversation that no one will interrupt!", as we enter the half full cafeteria.

Iroh's blanch's as he realizes what horror the couple had faced that night, "I believe that the Fire Lord will accept this information as proof that Verrick and Zhu Li were not willing participants. I do not believe that it will be necessary for you to have a private conversation with my mother Master U'Pad."

"I'm glad to hear that General Iroh. I also request that this information not go beyond the Fire Lord, as to spare Verrick and Zhu Li any unforeseen difficulties if it were to leak to certain parties.", as I phase back in to normal time, next to the cafeteria trays. "So, what looks good to you President Bei Fong?"

Using command voice I say to Foad, "Master U'Pad, would you rebend us for a moment, thank you.", as he does so I drop my voice to a cold monotone, "As the President of the United Republic of Nations if you ever threaten a world leader in my presence again I will have your Ass in a sling so fast you couldn't Bend out of it! Do I make myself Clear!"

"Ah, yes Madame President.", as I realize my over site, saddened to have diminished myself in Lin's eyes.

I turn from Foad to Iroh, "General if you would give the Sifu and I a moment." As Iroh releases Kya's hand, I turn back to my long time Lover and the man we wish to add, "Pretty Boy, I know that we are developing...Feeling's for each other, but I need to let you..."

"Oh Lin, quit being so long winded, you sound like Tenzin! Foad what Lin is trying to say is we are a package deal. You want a relationship with Lin you have a relationship with me. So, you in or out?"

At Kya's out burst, I'm floored, flitting in and out of Time Bending, before getting it back. Replying, "I...I didn't see that coming! Do you mean relationship as in friends or romantically?"

As I step closer to Foad, I pull Lin closer to him as well to reply, "In for a fen, in for a yuan!"

As I look down at these 2 wondrous gems in my arms, "I...wow...this is...umm Yes, I'd like to get to know the 2 of you better. I'm not sure...", as Lin's stomach growls loudly, "...that we can wait on feeding Lin's stomach before it does an Alien thing and leaves on its own!" The 2 look at confused at my last comment, then giggle at me. "It's a mover reference, I'll explain later," as I unbend, "What do you want, Lin?"

"Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Steak... some kind of meat!"

"Stop it Lin, you know the Air Nation are vegans. Try any of the hot cereals, Foad. I like the grits with a little syrup.", offers Kya.

As we collect our meals and head for one of the empty alcoves off the main dining room, I ask Lin, "Do you have any background information on Zhu Li? She has come through some hair raising situations with nary a scratch on her."

Lin replies, "Zhu Li first showed up about 4 years ago as Verrick's assistant. This was about the same time that Amon and the Equalist's were making there presence known. Detective's Lu and Gang did the background check on her and found nothing out of the ordinary. By the time those 2 clowns showed what idiots they really were we already had Verrick and Zhu Li in custody."

"After they escaped during Harmonic Convergence our plate was full dealing with it's aftermath. With the development of new Air Benders and the escape of the 4 Red Lotus members I was focused on keeping Korra safe. Then we had the collsape of the Earth Kingdom and Korra being sidelined, Zhu Li just fell between the cracks."

"Well," replies Foad, "Mako has been reading some of the reports on Avatar Korra's exploits to me. Some of the appendices refer to Zhu Li. Two are from Harmonic Convergence. The 1st has Verrick referring to her as a "...war machine." While the 2nd refers to her piloting skills as she and Verrick escape by using a glider during the battle between Avatar Korra and Unalak/Raava.

The final report is when Bolin, Verrick and Zhu Li first tried to escape from Kurvia. Bolin states "Zhi Li fought like a Saber-Tooth Moose Lion protecting its cub. We would have escaped if Verrick hadn't hit her with lighting blast shorting out the Mecka tank!" Then there are the events of 2 days ago. This tells me that I am looking at a very determined, highly intelligent, physically powerful, well-trained and extremely focused young woman."

"Where I'm from this range of skills that Zhu Li has displayed are taught to only specialized military or intelligence personnel, not at your average administrative assistant school. From what Mako has told me about the last 3 or 4 years, I think she is a former Dai Li agent under deep cover, assigned to feed intel back to the Earth Kingdom on what Verrick was up to. When the Kingdom collapsed 3 & 1/2 years ago the Dai Li imploded with it. The Northern Water tribe would have had her stop Verrick before the

Civil War started, the Fire Nation is too isolationist and the United Republic would have had her keep Verrick in prison."

"Spirits, Foad! How do you figure this stuff out? In 5 minutes you figure out..."as Kya leans in to whisper, "that Asami loves Korra!", 18 hours to realize that Raiko had captured Verrick and Zhu Li, getting the information needed to fire the Spirit Cannon, and in 72 hours that Zhu Li was a deep cover agent for the Dai Li!"

"Some 30 years ago I joined my countries version's of the Dai Li. With this organization I applied my military skills against competing countries and enemies of my nation, while learning new methods on hiding in plain sight, reading body language, along with other espionage skills. I worked with this intelligence organization for the next 25 odd years."

As Foad, Lin, Kya and Iroh depart, Tenzin turns back to Izumi, saying "Fire Lord Izumi I agree with President Pro Tem Bei Fong, that Verrick and Zhu Li were forced into giving Raiko the information. Their mental and physical condition shows great stress was placed on them. Then there is Foad's report on the mission to destroy the Spirit Cannon. It paints a very disturbing picture on what happened to that couple. The man responsible for the attack on your son is now death, at Zhu Li's hands. This is also confirmed by Asami Sato, as well."

As Tenzin continues speaking I stop listening when I realize that Kya was with Foad and not Asami. Thinking, "I wonder if they used Sokka's sword to erase Asami's Memory, I hope she's alright...", speaking aloud, "Master Tenzin, Fire Lord Izumi, if you will excuse me I have a personal matter to attend to.", as I turn and leave without waiting for a response, hearing Tenzin begin to explain my sudden departure.

Heading towards the White Lotus barracks and entering the common area I see Zi Hao standing guard outside of one of the interrogation rooms. I approach him and ask, "Zi Hao have you seen Ms. Sato?"

"Yes, Avatar Korra. Ms. Sato has been asleep in here," gesturing to the door of the interrogation room he's next to, "for the last 30 minutes or so. She collapsed just after Master Sokka's sword was removed from her hands. According to Sifu Kya it was due to exhaustion brought on by seeing President Raiko killed." "Thank you for watching over her Zi Hao, if you could have an orderly bring us a pot of tea and a small tray of cha san's. I'll sit with her until she awakes."

"Certainly, Avatar Korra. May balance fill your days.", as Zi Hao bows and departs, returning several minutes later to find Korra sitting in a chair by Asami's sleeping form. Setting the tray on the table in the room, Korra speaks to him.

"Zi Hao, were you here while Asami and Kya were using Sokka's sword?"

"Yes, Avatar. It appeared that Guang Ci kept asking Ms. Sato about what she saw, heard, felt at President Raiko's death. It kept asking for more and more details, not only what she saw, but heard, smelled, tasted, felt...it was very strange to listen to Ms. Sato reply in a monotone voice about the event. I had my back to Ms. Sato when the attack happened and comparing what I remember to how Ms. Sato was describing it was a little...surreal."

"Do you know if she gave any other memories to Guang Ci?"

"No, Avatar. Ms. Sato started to say something about hugging someone when Sifu Kya pulled the lever that raised Guang Ci out of Ms. Sato's grip, that's when she collapsed. She has been sleeping quietly for about 45 minutes now."

"Is that important, Zi Hao?"

"Sifu Kya did instruct us to send a runner if Ms. Sato's sleep appeared restless, showed signs nightmare's, or woke up. None of that's happened though, so I'm sure that she'll be alright Avatar Korra."

At this point Zi Hao, standing by the door doesn't hear Asami's moan like whisper, "Kooorrraa, mmmm...", but Korra does, as the blush quickly rises up her face. "Thank for your help, Zi Hao. If we need anything I'll call."

"Your welcome Avatar Korra, and may balance be with you and Ms. Sato for all of your days."

"And for you and yo...wait, you knew too! Who doesn't know!"

"I don't think Shiro Sinobi knows...yet.", as he leaves.

TBC