LOK Stateless Man 3
Foad U'Pad
I don't own LOK & don't earn anything from this fiction
Rated M for adult language, violence, sexual situation.
Solace for the most troubled, unexpected advancement for some...
As Sifu Kya and Foad left to talk to my Aunt Lin, the 3 of us got some breakfast while we waited for their return. I turned to Bolin and asked, "Do you know why Mr. U'Pad wanted you to help Aunt Lin to run the United Republic?"
"I'm not sure, Honey. I think it might be, that before President Raiko was killed, that Mr. U'Pad and Master Tenzin wanted the Chief to run against him in next year's election. They asked me to be her Press Secretary."
Jinora adds, "And now that she is the President Pro Tem it's even more important that she do well in the polls, since Chief Bei Fong will still need to run in next year's election. Now she can only focus on what she is doing to repair Republic City."
"Yes, Aunt Lin always liked to "get the bad guys, not bad mouth 'em!", says Opal in her best impersonation of the elder Bei Fong. "She doesn't have to focus on what Raiko was doing, only on what she will be doing to rebuild the city. I wonder what Mako will end up doing now that the Chief is running the nation and not the police?"
"I think that will depend on if my brother can dump being Prince Wu's body-guard or not. I know he doesn't like working for Wu and the Chief is in charge of the Republic he may be getting bumped up in the police department."
"I wonder what Prince Wu is going to do Kurvia and my brother now?", asks Opal
"I think that he's going to get a lot of guidance from the other world leaders, which means your Aunt Lin and Korra, along with Fire Lord Izumi, Korra's Dad and her cousins Eska and Desna", Bolin shutters at this, "and my Dad too.", says Jinora. "I think Korra and my Dad will ask for leniency, and Korra's Dad may follow Korra on this. I'm not sure what Chief Bei Fong or the Fire Lord will do, but Eska and Desna may even want the death penalty, but I don't think that they can get enough of the council to side with that."
Contuning, Foad asks "Enough about me, Lin what do you want to do with the most damaged sections of the City?"
"My first response would be to rebuild the whole area, but this would mean leveling the district, rebuilding the infrastructure, then building the structures. It could take decades and tens of millions if not more than a hundred million yuans. It could bankrupt the nation. I wouldn't know until I get a new Exchequer to review the books...I'm not sure that the people will wait for that. Any suggestions?"
"In my world the was a weapon that caused a similar level of destruction to a city. The mayor of that city, Hamai Shinzo decided to use the center of the devastated area as a peace park, serving as a warning of the dangers of that weapon. This will be a powerful political message against anyone else developing the Spirit Cannon as well.", Foad offers.
"Lin, it can also allow us to expand the Spirit Wilds. Like Foad suggested the other day, we could charge for Spiritual Retreats.", says Kya
And from Iroh, " It would also give us a buffer to control access to the new portal as well"
"Good, this will allow us to take steps to rebuild the City faster. General...I mean Secretary of Defense Iroh let your staff know of your promotion and have them come up with a boundary line drawn on the moderate to minor damaged areas, as well as a plan to let residents to salvage their belongings in those areas. Kya, let's see how Asami is, I need that Foreign Minister yesterday. Foad have you seen Bolin? You suggested I use him to deal with the media. I need to inform the citizens know what's being done to restore services."
"I think he, Opal and Jinora are here in the cafeteria, did you just Bolin for this?", I ask.
Pausing a moment before answering, Lin replies, "Yes, bring them all please." I exit the alcove and approach the 3, "Master Jinora, Acolyte Opal President Pro Tem Bei Fong is requesting your presence, please. Bolin, you are wanted as well."
Jinora ask's, "Why so formal, Foad?"
"When the head of one state asks to speak to the deputy head of another state and one of her citizens titles are a safe bet. At least where I'm from anyway."
"I've known the Chief for almost 4 years now, Opal is her only niece, so I'm not sure the titles are needed, Foad."
"That may be true, but it is also to let you know this is an request from the President, not your..sorry I not sure what you relationship is with Lin, Jinora."
Jinora pauses for a moment, giggles and replies, "The Chief was Daddy's girlfriend before he met my Mom. Then I help to save her from the Equalists, then she got captured by them to make sure our family escaped... its complicated."
"Ah, wow... has anyone offered to turn this into a mover? Anyway, Lin is in here," as I usher the three into the alcove, "Madame President I have Master Jinora, Acolyte Opal and Bolin for you."
As I enter the quarters of Zhu Li Moon I see the young woman, clothes rumpled, the room reeking of stale alcohol slumped over the desk an open half full bottle of mijiu clutched it one hand. I walk over to the closed shutters and open them letting the midmorning sun into the room, garnishing a low moan from Zhu Li.
"Who the fuck are you...what are you doing in my room." I groan out, feeling the hangover pounding right behind my eyes, the light from the morning sun sending bolts of pain through my eyes, wondering why I got so drunk last night...then I do, those endless hours spent with Zolt, I try to bring the bottle of mijiu to my lips, but this bitch has snatched the bottle out of my hand! "Hey that's Mine!" I yell, regretting it as the sound feels like explosions in my head.
"Zhu Li, trust me this is not the way for you to work through what happened to you."
Grumbling, I mumble, "Who the fuck are you? What are you doing in my room?"
The woman replies "I'm Guan Yin and President Bei Fong asked me to talk to you."
"Wwwhat, why?" I stumble out.
"She said something about pay back for putting her in the presidency.", replies this woman who tosses the now empty bottle of mijiu in the trash bin.
"Why you, why not Sifu Kya?" I ask, alarm bells starting to ring in my head, remembering what's happened to others the elder Bei Fong has "paid back".
"No offense to Sifu Kya, she is one the worlds greatest Healers, but isn't trained to heal trauma's of the spirit and mind as I am. I'm the most experienced councilor on the Republic City Police Department. That's why the Chief asked me to help you get past what was done to you at the hands of Raiko and Zolt."
At this I loose my grip on the desk, sliding off the chair on to the floor under the desk, whimpering as I curl into a ball at the memory of that night, "No one can help...Verrick can't even see me after watching what I did with Zolt, listening to me fake my passion while Zolt mauled and pawed at me...I've tried washing away his stench, but I can still smell him...its like he's soaked into me..." the tears streaming across my face, shaking as I sob out my fears to this stranger.
As Zhu Li collapses, the shattered young woman begins to sob out her fears, I kneel down, stroking her back in reassurance, knowing that what she needs is to have someone hold and comfort her. The healing, getting past the horror of what she has been through will come later.
As we approach the White Lotus barracks I mention, "Foad, Lin if you could wait outside, I want to make sure that Asami is going to be alright in seeing you."
"I understand Kya, but Asami seeing either myself or Zhu Li will be the quickest way to see if Guang Ci was able to take those memories."
"Patience, Foad, patience, it just be a few moments." I reply. As I enter the dimly lit room I find Korra sitting next to the cot Asami is in, holding the peacefully sleeping woman's hand, looking at her face. Korra looks to me as I approach and whisper, "Avatar can we step out side for a moment?", as she nods and starts to pull her hand away from Asami's.
As I slowly waken, I feel a strong hand holding mine, a thumb tracing patterns on the back of my hand. I know it can only be my Korra, feeling safe I gently squeeze her hand back. Hearing a whisper, I feel Korra begin to pull her hand away. Gripping her hand to keep it in mine I sleepily murmur "No, don't go!".
I feel her shift her weight as her free hand caresses my cheek as she whispers into my ear, "I'm not going anywhere Babe." As I hear a second voice softly ask, "Asami are you feeling alright?" I reply "Yes Sifu, I'm feeling much better now, thank you. Did the process work?"
I reply "That's something I want to check on, can I bring in Foad?" At the young woman's nod, I open the door and motion Foad and Lin to enter.
As Kya steps back from the doorway I see Foad, followed by President Bei Fong, I exclaim "I sorry Madame President," as I withdraw my hand from Korra's to stand up," I didn't know you were here!"
"Sit, Asami, you don't need to get up on my account. I just wanted to see how you're doing, but talk to Foad for a moment, if you don't mind.", Lin states in her normal tone.
"Hello Asami, I understand you held Guang Ci earlier, how did that feel?", I ask.
"Its a bit jumbled, Foad. I can remember it asking me questions in my mind, but what was asked, as well as my answers I can't for the life me remember what it was about. Was it important?"
"We thought it was important that you forget it. What do you remember about the mission after you captured Raiko and do you remember how you've sleeping and feeling since then?", asks Kya.
"Umm, I remember that we caught Raiko, destroyed the top floors of the Future Industries tower, got back to the Rally point. Then the next thing I remember is I'm leading the team with Zhu Li and Verrick back here. I was drenched in blood, wait I didn't hurt someone did I?"
"No," says Kya, "you didn't hurt anyone Asami. Please keep going with what you remember."
Zhu Li and Verrick seemed to be in shock. Verrick was blind as well. We got back to the island with no problems. As far as how I've been sleeping, it hasn't been very well. I remember having very bad nightmares, something to do with seeing my Dad killed, but it wasn't Kurvia crushing him, it was something or someone else. It's strange, most of my memory is clear, but others are out of focus or just not there. What happened to me, Korra am I going to be ok?"
"Yes, Asami your going to be just fine...Kya I don't know how to explain this clearly, can you help us?"
"Actually I think that this is something that Foad has a better grasp of than I do.", replies Kya.
"Thank you Sifu. Unfortunately Kya is right, what happened to Asami is common among people who have seen horrific things. The mind reacts by, subconsciously telling the body, that something is reminding it of the horrific occurrence. Since this is subconscious the body is gearing up for a fight or flight response without the conscious mind realizing what is happening. This break in understanding what's happening leads to an inappropriate response to the situation. What was been happening to you Asami, as well as to me, are panic attacks, wanting to run away and hide."
"In my world there is a new theory on how memory works that Guang Ci used on Asami by replying the horrific event, in as much detail as possible and preventing the mind from re recording the horrific memory. Think of a system of mover cameras, one records the event on to film, the second will play the film when you recall the event, but if the first camera doesn't re film the event as the second camera plays it then the event is lost. That's why some of Asami's memories are clear and others aren't. This is also why Asami is no longer upset when she sees me. It should be the same when she meets Zhu Li as well. Speaking of Zhu Li, has anyone been able to help her and Verrick?"
"I had Mako request that the best counselor in the Department, Guan Yin to come over to work with the two of them. She should be with Zhu Li some time this morning, but if Guang Ci will work for her like it did for Asami that would be helpful."
"Let's hope so Lin, though it might be slower for Verrick. The mental trauma he suffered not only gave him hysterical blindness, but caused him to block that same memory. We have to get him past the memory block, which may lift his blindness. Then Verrick can tell us if Guang Ci is needed or not."
"I would also suggest a stenographer or audio recording of the memories being erased the next time we do this. This way it be played back as just audio with out the overwhelming the senses as it was when it was first experienced. It can reduce or remove the sense of fuzziness that Asami has described.", Lin adds. "Now, Asami I would like you to help me by becoming my Foreign Minister."
"Ahh, I thank you for your trust in my abilities Madame President, but I must decline. My loyalties to rebuilding Future Industries will prevent me from focusing on the position of Foreign Minister for the United Republic of Nations. Besides as the Avatar's girlfriend I might be comprised if the Republic doesn't side with the Avatar on an issue.", Asami replies.
"Damn, I wanted to avoid promoting one of those Changshan starched shirts. Does anyone have a suggestion?", asks Lin.
"What about moving Iroh to the Foreign Ministry, making his Chief of Staff the Secretary of Defense?", offers Korra.
"No, Iroh might be comprised in his dealings with his mother the Fire Lord. Thank you for that, though. But," turning to look at Foad with a smirk on her face, " I know someone who is very adept at ciphering out the core details and he hasn't got any foreign entanglements or conflicting relationships. Or is there something you haven't told us, Foad?"
"No! Fuck No! I'm not even a citizen...of any nation of this world! Kya, help me here!"
Kya, with a grin that ate half her face, says "Oh no, your on your own here Foad!"
"But, but isn't this nepotism or something?", pleads Foad.
Korra is flat out laughing at Foad's antics, while Asami hides her grin behind a hand, leaning into Korra.
"Nope, we're not married or related, so I'm now your Boss!"
I mumble "In more ways than one..." speaking clearly, "So were the Foreign Ministry offices destroyed in Kurvia's attack and do I have a staff? And I need to see Guang Ci. I need to be at the top of my game if I'm the ...facing 4, well 3 ...", thinking to myself, the Earth nation is back in chaos, the Southern Water Tribe is maybe 3 years old and led by Korra's dad Tonraq, while the Northern Water Tribe has relatively new leadership in Korra's cousin's, Desna and Eska, can someone give me a Tutankhamun and Ankhasenpaaten?, while Fire Lord Izumi has been groomed her whole life and has been in power for the last 7 years, "maybe just one."
Lin replies to my questions, "Yes, the Foreign Ministry offices were in the downtown section of Republic City that was destroyed. As far as your staff, the Deputy Foreign Minister and the 25 support personnel were evacuated with the non critical government staff to Shangren Haigang, located 80 kilometers to the southwest."
"I'll need some time with Guang Ci before I go. How soon can the stenographer be here?"
"You're in luck, Guan Yin was one of the best before she became one of the Department's sexual assault counselors. There is a steno machine and paper in the Air Tele tower left from Kurvia's attack. Ru would you send a runner for Guan Yin and one for the steno equipment as well, thank you."
As I leave Zhu Li's room, shuttering at the horror of what she told me between the bouts of sobbing that wracked her body. Thinking over this poor girls description, along with the reports the Chief and U'Pad wrote, I'm relieved that she had been able to exterminate those slime molds. I hope Verrick can understand all that Zhu Li had to subject her self to in order to get out of their alive.
Raiko was a real sick fuck have had that halo eye clamp device built. And how long had he been working with Zolt? Well that was something that the Chief would handle. That halo really did a number on Verrick, hysterical blindness. This means that he's suppressing some or all of happened to them. Well I need to find out when was. Reaching his room I knock, "Mr. Verrick, may I come in?"
"Wwwho is it?" He stammers out.
"I'm Guan Yin, Chief Bei Fong asked me to help you."
"Sure, come on it, see the Blind, Broken Freak!", I say bitterly, "Did you bring a mover crew for newsie's? You can call it "The Mighty have Fallen!"
"Ahh, feeling sorry for yourself are you? I thought I was meeting the Great and Powerful Genius, Iknik Blackstone Verrick, but all I'm hearing is a hurt Turtle duck, peep, peep, peep. I guess I find him down the hall."
"What do you want! I was kidnapped, stripped and beaten in front of my fiancee until I passed out, wake up, my fiancee putting another mans pants on me and I'm Blind! Excuse me if I'm not in my best form!" I snap back. "I don't know what Zhu Li thinks of me now, I let her down when she needed me most...I deserve this!", waving my hand in front of my sightless eyes.
"Ì'm still hearing "peep, peep, peep", not Verrick."
"Guan Yin, I thought you said you were here to help! How is this helping?"
"Well, finally! A question, not the incessant woe is me! You were bound and beaten brutality and your upset that you didn't save the girl, the Woman saved you! Get over your self you insensitive little boy! Moron! Who helped you to escape from Kurvia? Zhu Li! Who sabotage the Spirit Cannon after You got everyone recaptured? Zhu Li! Who has gotten you out of every physically dangerous situation that YOU have put your self into over the last 4 years?...
"Spirits, you are too slow to answer this question, Verrick!"
"ummm it's been Zhu Li. She has pulled me out of harms way more times than I can count, bbbbut this time She was in even greater danger than I was aaand it was my arrogance that put us there! I had to watch her cry hanging helpless as she had to debase herself to save us. I couldn't bear the woman I love being mauled while I did nothing...I didn't even close my eyes! What kind of Hentai am I! I deserve to be blind, the sick fuck that I am!"
As I turn and reach into the hallway, "No the Hentai is the sorry excuse of a human that designed this," as I pull the halo restraint into the room, "the sick fuck was brute that strapped your head, your eyes forced open by these fingers" As I hoped, when Verrick saw the device he screamed, but what I didn't expect was that he would turn and run, diving headfirst out the window into the blackberry bramble 3 meters below. This isn't going to one of my greatest successes, but a win is a win.
While heading to the men's dormitories, after a session on the island's obstacle course, Bumi and Kai see Verrick, screaming "KEEP THAAAAAA" dive head first out of his window into the blackberry bramble on that side of the dorm. Looking at each other in disbelief, they break out laughing.
"This isn't funny, help, ow ow ow, me out of here! Air Bend these thorns away from me!", cry's Verrick.
As Guan Yin looks out the window, she yells down "Bumi quit being a clown are help the man out of that bramble!" Pitching her voice to Verrick, " Verrick, look at me!", as the man returns my gaze "You'll be fine. I 'll be by tomorrow to talk more with you, but for now Zhu Li needs you Now! Do you understand? "
Looking up at this woman Verrick whispers, "Zhu Li needs me...", louder "Yes, Zhu Li needs me!" As Bumi and Kai Air Bend Verrick out of the bramble, he quickly thanks them and runs off towards the women's dormitories, still pulling broken branches off his clothes.
It's been a slow trip from the shelter on the far side of the City. Constantly circling back through side tunnels, making sure no one else is following me, but I'm finally at Yue Bay. I can see one of 6the regular ferries making the trip from the City to Air Temple Island. I hope I can smuggle myself on and off without being seen.
TBC