Chapter 3 - Accusations

"Have the stables prepare my mount, and two others," Zuko ordered the page. As the servant left to carry out his orders, he turned to Sokka and asked, "Would you please get Azula, and meet me at the docks?"

Sokka got up to leave, and said, "Yes, of course." He rushed out to find the princess. He found her in her chambers, buckling on ceremonial armor that was part of her Fire Nation High General's uniform.

Azula smiled when she saw him, "Did you find Mai?"

Sokka shook his head, "No, Azula. She's missing. Zuko wants us to meet him at the docks, I'll explain what I know on the way."

…...

As they approached the ship, Sokka could see some of the damage. The wooden pagoda superstructure showed extensive fire damage on the port side, and the vessel itself was listing to starboard.

Azula sighed in disgust, "If Zuzu wasn't so paranoid, and shared his plans with me, I could have arranged proper escort, and this outrage would not have occurred."

Sokka gave her a sidelong glance, "Maybe you could bring that up with him later, after we find out what happened and find Mai."

Azula sighed again, "Yes. You're right of course. Whoever had the temerity to do this will pay. Dearly."

They dismounted their komodo-rhinos and walked up to the gangplank, where casualties were being unloaded. At almost the same time, both noticed a particular stretcher. The left half of Ty Lee's face was badly bruised, and both eyes blackend from a broken nose. Her left arm was in a splint, and her right arm was covered in gauze, no doubt covering serious burns. The pair rushed up to her. Azula took her hand.

"I'm...so...so sorry Azula. They took her and I couldn't stop them. I'm sorry..." Ty Lee sobbed, inconsolably.

"Shh...Ty Lee. I know you tried," Azula tried to comfort her. To the medic, she ordered, "Take Lady Ty Lee to the infirmary at the Royal Palace."

"Yes, Princess," the man acknowledged.

Sokka followed Azula up the gangplank, where they found the Deck Officer. "Ensign, do you know where the Firelord is?" Sokka asked.

"I believe he's on the bridge, with the Captain, sir," the young officer answered.

The pair walked up to the bridge, where the ship's master was briefing the Firelord, "...at 0235, we'd just entered the Dragon Tooth Strait, when we struck a mine. We immediately went into damage control mode when we were assaulted by at least 5 steam skis and two speed boats. They boarded us, and quickly overcame the Imperial firebenders. One team split off and scattered our hawks. The rest went after the Firelady. When I last saw her she was unconscious, and we could not engage them for fear of harming her. I offer my deepest apologies, My Lord. I accept full responsibility."

"No apologies are necessary, Captain. You did what you could. What were the assailants wearing?" Zuko asked.

"They seemed to be wearing a mix-mash of surplus Navy and Army uniforms, My Lord. All were masked," the Captain answered.

"What of your other casualties?"

"11 dead, 23 wounded and injured," the officer reported. "I've not seen numbers like that since the war."

Zuko noted Azula and Sokka's presence, and dismissed the Captain with, "Go see about your people, Captain." Zuko studied the ship's chart. Sokka and Azula studied it as well.

"Steam skis and speed boats, all short range craft. They couldn't have gone far." Zuko observed.

"Unless they launched from a larger vessel out of visual range. It looks to me like there's plenty of places to hide a large vessel in those waters, especially at night," Sokka countered.

"You're right, Sokka," Azula agreed. "So we must immediately blockade those islands, Zuko," she recommended.

"Agreed," Zuko said. "Azula, get over to Home Fleet headquarters. Tell Admiral Joon to cancel all exercises and leaves. I want every available vessel on this blockade. Also, as of right now, both of those islands are under martial law: I want checkpoints at every crossroads, and every beach, cove, and harbor inspected for signs of these craft. You're responsible for Army/Navy coordination, Azula, and I'd also like you to question the barge crew. The assailants had to have inside information."

From the entrance to the bridge, a voice said, "Isn't that like putting a cat-fox in charge of the hen house?"

Sokka turned around in surprise. "Suki? What are you doing here?"

The leader of the Kyoshi Warriors hobbled in on crutches. "I was part of Mai's security detail," Suki explained. "But I have to wonder, who stands to benefit the most if harm comes to Mai or her baby. Right now Azula is first in line to your throne, Zuko. But as soon as that child is born, Azula moves to the back of the line. I know a military extraction operation when I see it. Who's nominally in charge of the military now? That's right, it's you, Princess. You have the motivation and the means to pull this off," Suki accused.

"Suki," Sokka said, "Azula didn't even know until half an hour ago that Mai was even going to Ember Island."

"Hmmph," Suki scoffed. "You would defend her."

"Enough!" Azula exclaimed. "You cast accusations on me to cover your own failure. Security detail indeed! Go back to your insignificant island and spin your conspiracy theories there, Fan Girl. This is none of your concern."

"You heartless bitch!" Suki argued. "Mai is a friend, and one of my girls is dead, and another may never walk again from defending her. That makes it my business."

Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose, "Stop it, both of you! This bickering is not helping us find Mai. Suki, I think you still need some medical attention. Ambassador, would you please escort her to the medics?"

Sokka nodded his assent and led Suki off the bridge. Zuko and Azula watched them leave and Azula turned to her brother. "So, do you believe her and consider me a suspect? I'd understand if you do," Azula informed him.

Zuko sighed, "It makes no difference if I do. If you're innocent, and I excluded you from the investigation, you'd go off on your own, enlisting your boyfriend in the process, to prove your innocence. I'd have to lock you up to keep you out of it, and we both know you're not going in to Caldera Tower willingly. I'm trying to find my wife, I have neither the time nor the energy to fight you as well. It's better to utilize your talents, whatever misgivings I may have."

"What if I'm not innocent?" Azula asked.

"Then, it's better to have you in charge of the investigation, so I can watch you and catch you when you tip your hand sabotaging it," Zuko explained.

Azula smiled, "I'm impressed, Zuzu. I didn't think you were capable of such ruthlessness."

Zuko nodded, "It comes with the job. And we had the same teacher. Now, go get that blockade in place and initiate the necessary troop movements. We've wasted enough time already."

Azula saluted, "As you command, my Firelord."

…...

As Sokka escorted Suki to the port hospital, Suki said, "I don't get it, Sokka. Why her? You could have, and have had, from what I hear, any woman you want. I could understand if you got together with - Toph, but Azula? Why?"

Sokka rolled his eyes. "Why do care Suki? You broke up with me as I recall."

"Just because I realized we would never be able to stay together doesn't mean I stopped caring about you! Mark my words, one day you're going to wake up with a knife through your heart," Suki asserted.

"You're wrong about her, Suki," Sokka argued. "She's changed. Besides, knives are more your style."