Under normal circumstances, I'd really consider this a filler episode, and would porbably have left it well alone for now to move on with the general plot, but as I decided to use this episode to properly introduce my OC character Artirius Meridiano and the not so OC Lieutenant Ming. I just felt that you really needed a proper introduction to these two before we moved on with the plot.

I'm a little dissappointed that only four people voted in my poll, but I think that was mostly to do with a lack of advertising rather then a lack of interest. I'm going to keep it open until I upload again though, but right now, I'm going to stick to my plan of shortening down this season so I can focus on the next two.

That said, I did have a interesting idea concerning this season.

I know this fic isn't exactly the story everyone's talking about, but if anyone has a general idea for a particulair episode, I was just wondering if anyone out there would like to write it up themselves? I wouldn't mind, and if you emailed it to me, I'd add it to this story, giving you full credit of course. It's just a thought I had, and I'm sure we'd be able to sort something out if there was more tehn one entry (Although I think that's doubtful in itself.) So yeah, you got adaption in mind, write ti up and let me know if you like. Just a thought, like I said.

Anyway enjoy, and concerning Ming's attire, I think something akin to Melissa Mao from Full Metal Panic.

007

THE SCHEMATICS

Of all the places on the Berlin class super heavy ranger sea carrier known as Sovereignty, Ty Lee Ming's favourite spot had to be the immense vessel's Mess Hall.

Situated in within the main hull of the ship, it was a favoured hangout of most on duty pilots, and reminded the young Lieutenant of speakeasies she had seen in stolen U.S.A.C. books and the like (Although alcohol was strictly forbidden from all except the grandest events on board for obvious reasons.)

All the walls were wood panelled, the counter dividing the main room from the kitchen made of onyx quartz, standing out starkly to the metal walled preparation area beyond it.

Even the tables had fine wooden surfaces, looking only slightly out of place when aligned with their metal legs bolted to the floor, plastic chairs tucked underneath, so as not to fall away during battle.

It would have been almost idyllic, had not the large bay windows overlooked the cavernous hanger bay that took up most of the main hull (With most of the cargo bays and living quarters taking up the secondary hulls on either side to make room.), the entire room shaking occasionally at the passing Fortitude Class Ranger as it made it's way to it's berth.

Yes, it was a pretty amazing place alright, especially on a ship of war, but it was a certain object contained within it's wooden confines that attracted Ty Lee to this room so much: The piano.

It was by no means a grand instrument. Just a plain wooden thing, bolted to the floor in the left hand corner opposite the kitchen area, away from the windows, with simple white and black keys, the kind of instrument you would likely find in a music teacher's house. Neither did it give out a sound like the charming organ in Sovereignty's tiny chapel.

But it was the person who played it that drew Ty Lee to this room every time she heard it's sweet melodies (Someone usually had the decency to open a secondary comm. Line throughout the ship)

Major Artirius Meridiano.

A wonderful enigma she just had to solve. So many questions surrounded her quiet commanding officer. Like where did he come from? (His accent definitely wasn't Italian) How did he master the transformable Ranger when so many before him had lost their minds in the process? Was he really as blind as he said he was? And even if he was, what was with the sash? And how did he learn to play the piano so well?

Tonight however was different.

Twirling the end of her long braid between her fingers, Ty Lee sighed as she leaned heavily against her table near the kitchen, the melancholy tunes of the blues causing a sad kind of calm to fall upon the soldiers that lounged around, listening to their commander.

Something had definitely been weighing on her Major's mind since they left the ruins of Shangri-La. Every night for the past week it had been the same tune. Not that she was bored or anything. It just broke her heart to see him so depressed.

After adjust her tunics buttons just so, she decided to do something about it.

"You seem down sir,"

He never missed a note as she came over and leaned against the side of the piano.

"You want to talk about it?"

"Not really,"

"Not really?" a sly smirk crossed her face, "Or just not here?"

A patient smile crossed his lips, "I mean I don't want to talk about it. Nothing personal Lt. Ming,"

"How many times have I asked you to call me Ty Lee?" the young woman sighed as she heaved herself onto the top of his instrument, laying down across it as she left one had drift lazily in front of his nose.

"How many times have I told you I can't?"

"But we've known each other for ages," she cast a gaze to the other officers in the room, most of the men more interested in their own private conversations, some even deciding to turn in for the night, "You always call me Lt. Ming, even when it's just the two of us!"

"Just as you call me Sir and Major Meridiano,"

"That's different," she scowled, "You're my superior. I don't have a choice. You on the other hand…" she faded off as she spied a small object leaning against the highest keys, "Hey what's that?"

"A trinket," he didn't stop her as she pulled up the necklace by it's leather brace to examine it properly, "It belonged to the female companion of the Courier. Admiral Vadeck confiscated it from her at Shangri-La. I want to return it to her,"

"Who says the art of chivalry is not dead?" she smirked, "Is that why your so bummed? Because you can't give our mortal enemy her necklace back?"

"Something like that,"

She sighed as she flipped herself onto her stomach, lacing the necklace between her fingers before setting it down on top of her commander's hand as his song came to an end, "You really strange sometimes Major. You know that? What you need is some fun. You know, something to take your mind of your dilemma. The fact we've been at sea for a week probably doesn't help much either. We need to go somewhere fun and exciting!"

"What about catching the Avatar,"

"Oh, the Avatar will still be there," she smirked at him playfully, "Zuko was last seen somewhere in the Mid-Pacific, he's nowhere near here. Colonel Zhao can't blame you for having a little fun,"

Artirius smiled privately, "Oh yes he can,"

"Come on sir, you need to lighten up!" Meridiano felt his cheeks flush pink as she grabbed his hands from the keys, bringing her face almost nose to nose with his, "We need to go somewhere fun! Somewhere the war and the avatar is just a distent memory. Somewhere the crew can get some down time.

Somewhere like…"

"Tortuga?" Alistair gazed around uncertainty around as Katara's hand came to her forehead with a heavy slap, Sokka bouncing around like child at Christmas, "We have no idea where to go from here…and you take us to Tortuga?"

"I know it's great isn't it?" Sokka bounced happily on the balls of his feet, "I've read about this place, it's totally awesome!"
"If by awesome you mean you'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy, then yes, it is pretty awesome," Katara sighed as she ran a hand over her face, "Tortuga is supposedly the place you can get anything and everything…illegally of course,"

"But we're so close to the U.S.A.C. boarder," Alistair frowned as he surveyed the seedy scene, "Doesn't the government care they've got such a corrupt place so close to their territory?"

"They don't have a choice in the matter," Katara watched with mild amusement as Sokka practically danced down the street, taking in every dirty shop and run down tavern he came across with wide adoring eyes, "Early in the war, G.U.N. managed to take Tortuga and most of the Caribbean before they were driven back to the African coast, before he left however, the commander of the forces here bribed the local inhabitants with gifts of gold and advanced weapons. Since then, the island's pretty much dissolved into a state pretty much as it was in the years of privateers and sail boats. You know," She smiled wryly as a rust ridden Endurance creaked by, "Except with more Rangers,"

"I'm just glad we left Forge with Avat on the outskirts," Aang cast a wary glance towards a small group of shady looking people, the group of men casting him and his friends suspicious looks as they talked amongst themselves, "I still think we shouldn't stick around her long though. People are starting to stare,"

"No bloody wonder," the two jumped as a new voice entered the conversation, "Trim clothes, nice and clean. You three look more out of place then a alcoholic at a tea party. So tell me buckos, what are three fine people, such as yourselves, doing in the industrial paradise of Tortuga?"

"Paradise?" Katara smirked, "That's an interesting term for it,"

"Well judging from your attitude, you're either tourists, or lost," The man grinned menacingly, showing off an array of gold teeth, "Either way, it's not good to be one or the other in Tortuga, that is unless…you got money?"

"Money?"

"You know, money, cash, currency, the root of all evils," the man smiled again as he rubbed his finger and thumb together for emphasis, "You got enough money to spend, then the Cap'n will wanna see you. You got too much money spend though…well…you might not want to spend the night here if you get my drift,"

"I…don't think this is such a good idea," Katara quickly took Aang by the arm, dragging an uneasy looking pilot away from the disappointed man, "He looks kinda shady Alistair, we shouldn't get involved…"
"Are you kidding!?" the girl squeaked as Sokka grabbed her by the hand and tugged her to the run down metal ship the man had indicated to, "This is Tortuga! We gotta soak up the atmosphere! Take in the sights…"

"But Sokka this is Tortuga!" Katara tried desperately to dig her heels in to the pebble ridden ground, not even With Alistair tugging on her other arm slowing down her excited sibling a second, "The place where murder occurs every night! Sokka are you even listening to me!?"

The inside of the ship was just as dank and shoddy as it's exterior. Almost entirely comprised of a single cargo bay, everything from Ranger parts to tiny bonze screws with decorative tops was piled up against the sides of the hull, various crewmembers making sure nothing slipped too far down as other shady folk browsed the heaps.

"Got another three Cap'n," Alistair yelped as he was shoved roughly into Katara, Sokka practically bounding in through the hatch, wide eyes taking everything in with childlike wonder, "Nice and clean too!"

"Clean eh?" An elder gentlemen stepped out of the shadows, a docile smile upon his wrinkled face, with a greedy look in his eyes, "Something of a rarity around here,"

Alistair regarded the old man quietly as his eyes travelled up and down the officer's uniform. He seemed to almost blend in with the dirt and grim of the hold ship around him, his white woollen jumper almost grey, smudged with dirt and grim underneath his dark blue jacket, a pitch black captain's hat perched atop a shaggy mop of iron grey hair, blending seamlessly into his long beard.

"Nice uniform kid," the Captain smiled greedily, "Not sure I recognise it but that," he indicated to the emblem on the pilot's chest, "Is RAF. I should know, this old tub had a load of them when I found her off the coast of Spain,"

"This was a British ship?" Alistair blinked as he gazed around the cluttered area, "I think I've ever seen a ship with such a large cargo bay before,"

"Ah, I've made a few modifications," The Captain grinned mysteriously as Katara headed off to take a better look at something that had caught her eye, "Was an old Captain Class destroyer, left for dead over at the remains of Saint Peter Port. Guernsey had recently resurfaced after eighty years underwater, and this old rig was still in fair good shape, so I thought what the heck, gut out the interior, refit the hull, and bobs your uncle, I get me a fine shipping vessel without paying out U.S.A.C.'s insane prices, or swearing my allegiance to the G.U.N.. So, I've told you my story, I figure you'd do me the honour of telling me where you got such a fine condition RAF badge eh?"
"Well…Erm…I…"

"Hey Alistair, take a look at this,"

The officer breathed a silent sigh of relief at Katara's calling from across the bay, smiling nervously as he excused himself from the captain's stare to come over to where his friend stood at a nearby table.

"What's up?"

"Take a look at this,"

The Lieutenant frowned as he leaned over Katara's shoulder, grey eyes taking in the blue paper, white lines and technical data.

"Blade, ratio, energy? No…beam…no," he traced a hand lightly over the main image; a cruciform long sword with nearly the entire right side removed, save for it's distinct point, "This is a schematic for a new form of Ranger melee weapon…a…energy sword?"

"Alas, the first thing you find, I cannot sell," the two young adults blinked as the plans were snatched away, the Captain rolling them up and storing them on a nearby rack, "Already got this promised to some rich guy from Saint Petersburg. Sorry,"

"And what exactly does a rich Russian guy want with the schematics for a prototype energy sword for a Ranger unit?" Alistair scowled as Katara eyed the plans hungrily, several other patrons taking interest in the conversation, "The Union's a neutral nation, they don't want any part of the war. With a sword like that…"

"Keep you voice down sonny," the old man's eyes narrowed as a hand went into the inner pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small metal object slightly that looked like the hilt of a pocket knife, "I like you lad, so it'd be a shame if I had to splatter your blood across your nice new uniform, understand?"

Alistair regarded the hilt with warily eyes, before nodding calmly.

"If you don't mind me asking," his voice was quieter now, "Where exactly did you manage to find such a powerful weapon?"

"Let's just say I got it down Luxembourg way for the best possible price," the Pirate grinned, "Free,"

"Luxembourg?" Katara's eyes widened as she came up beside Aang, "That's where G.U.N. develop new Rangers and weaponry. You stole it from the Nationalists?"

"I prefer to think of it as high-risk trading," The Captain's voice became slightly grim, "Now I've told you I can't see it to you, so do you see anything else?"

"No, I don't think so," Katara grabbed onto Alistair's arm before he could open his mouth, "It's clear you don't want us here if we're not going to buy anything. May as well get out of your way. Sokka, we're leaving?"

"Leaving?" Sokka's eyes grew round and hurt, "But I just found something we really need!" He held up a small onyx money statue, a large grin across it's stone features as it's jewelled eyes glistened in the overhead naked lights.

"I think we better just leave Sokka," Alistair was practically hopping as Katara half dragged him out of the ship, "Quickly, before Katara pulls my arm off!"

"Well, that certainty, could have gone better," Aang sighed as he brushed off the creases in his jacket arm Katara had created, "What was the rush to get out anyway?"

"I just…didn't like there very much," Katara scowled as Sokka trundled on behind, his head hung low, "I mean they were pirates! Who knew where most of that merchandise came from! I mean, what if the owner tracks us down?" Sh suddenly glared at her older brother, "And what prey tell were you thinking of doing with a jewel encrusted monkey anyway?"

Sokka merely shrugged despondently, "I thought it was funny. Would of looked nice in the hallway below the cockpit,"

"There they are!!"

Shouts of surprise and anger rose up from the crowd as the three friends looked up in surprise, a band of ragged men pushed their way through the masses.

"Well they look familiar," Sokka brightened up slightly as Katara and Aang shot each other uneasy looks, "I wonder if they want to make me an offer on the monkey?"

"Something tells me…no," her older brother squeaked yanked him roughly by the collar as the three took off into a high speed run, the rabble hot on their tails.

"Get back here you bloody thieves!"

"We're in the middle of Tortuga, and he's calling us thieves?" Alistair couldn't help but grin as a bullet whizzed over his head, "Sokka what did you do?"

"Oh, so just because we're being chased by a bunch of smelly old pirates, it automatically means I did something," Sokka scowled as another bullet narrowly missed his foot, "All I wanted to do was take one of the most infamous places on the planet but no," the three ducked in and around vendor's auto rickshaw, a sea of hotdogs gushing out onto the street as the pirate's not far behind smashed right through it, "You lot had to go piss off the locals!"

"MY HOTDOGS!! THIS PLACE IS WORSE THEN NEW YORK!!"
"Oh get over it!"

"Alistair," Katara cast a desperate glance the pilot's way as they swung into an alleyway, "Don't you think it would be a good idea to summon your giant friend right about now,"

"Do you think it would be a good idea to summon the world's most wanted Ranger into the heart of the planet's crime capital?" Aang gave her a pointed look back.

"I guess not," A sheepish smile turned into a look of horror as Katara almost ran into a brick wall, "But right now, I'd rather go with Avatar destroying the place then being trapped at the end of an alleyway!"

"Just give me a second," Alistair twisted the dial of his watch around quickly, skidding to a stop mere inches from the brick barrier as Sokka hit the it with a dull thunk, "Come on, come on,"
"We got you now!" the pair looked back up the passage as they haled their third back to his feet, their only escape route blocked by the on coming pirates, "Hands where we can seem them!"

"I though they were pirates," Aang grinned wryly as he and Katara quickly raised their hands, Sokka falling to the dirt with a thump and a burble, "Isn't the police who ask for hands above heads?"

"So, a smart guy are we?" The lead brigand smiled maliciously as he levelled his pistol at the officer's chest, "Well congratulations kid, you get to die first! You ever felt the life drain from your body as a bullet perices your heart?"

"Hm, no can't say that I have," Aang smiled good naturedly as he folded his hands behind his head, "Sounds like a lot of fun, but it looks like our ride's here. Maybe next time,"
"What are you…AGH!"

A blast of wind with the force of a hurricane suddenly blasted down the alleyway, the buildings on either side shattering like fragile glass as the pirates were blown clear into the sea beyond.

They couldn't see a thing through the dust and smoke as three comrades climbed a rope ladder to make their getaway in their unseen vehicle, and by the time the battered men had pulled themselves from the salty water, all that was left of their escape was a fairly large crater on the dock side of Tortuga.

"That…was a close one," Alistair breathed a sigh of relief as he slumped into Avat's cockpit chair, grinning at the small holographic girl at his side, "Great timing as always Forge,"

"You were the one that commenced the emergency start-up sequence," Forge smiled coyly, "I just steered Avat in the right direction, no problem,"

"What I'd like to know is why they were chasing us in the first place," Sokka rubbed his forehead sorely, "I mean it wasn't like we snagged something on the way out,"

"Well…You may not have," Katara smiled devilishly, "But there was no way I was leaving that ship without this,"

"Is that?" Sokka's jaw dropped to the vicinity of his ankles as Katara pulled out a familiar roll of blue paper from within her jacket, "The schematics? You stole the schematics from a bunch of pirates! I almost cracked my head open because of you!"

"Well…" Alistair smirked as he came over to the walkway, gazing at his friend below with a mixture of admiration and amusement, "That was certainty…out of character of you,"

"I like to think of what I did as high risk trading," Katara smirked up at him, "Besides, it's not like I didn't steal it from the original owners,"

"Yeah, well your 'high risk trading' almost broke my nose!" Sokka scowled as he slumped against the bedroom partition, "What were you thinking anyway? So you have the plans to some kind of fancy lightsaber. What are you gonna do with it?"

"Easy," Katara smiled down at her brother, "I'm gonna build one,"

"Wow…Tortuga," Ty Lee blinked at the carnage that surrounded the dock, "It's…messier then I thought it'd be,"

"Looks like a bomb hit,"

"Now how do you know that?" Ming scowled at her commander as she waved a hand in front of his scarf covered eyes, "You're blind remember?"

"Call it intuition," Artirius smiled mysteriously, "Even if I can't see it, I can definitely smell it,"

Even Ty Lee couldn't argue with that as she wrinkled up her nose in disgust. All around them, dirty and battered men and women seemed to picking clean a crater that engulfed several buildings near the centre of the docks, a distinct smell of ion emissions chocking the air.

"Did the States finally get tired of this place?" The young lieutenant gazed around curiously, "This place reeks of ion technology,"

"It's a underworld haven Ming," The Major sighed as he stepped off of Sovereignty's lifeboat onto the wooden dock, shoving his hands in his pockets as the pair wondered down the dusty street, "We should know, we basically fund this place. I wouldn't be surprised if some idiot was messing around with U.S.A.C. technology and got himself blown up in the process,"

"You'd think that wouldn't ya?" The two officer blinked as beggar, dressed in rags, leaning heavily on a crutch as he gazed eagerly at the pair with a single hazy blue orb nestled amidst a matted bunch of grey hair and beard, a leather patch covering his left side eye, "With all the idiots and morons around here, I figured it would only be so long before something blew up!"

"So it wasn't an accident?" Ty Lee looked back at the crater in amazement, "Someone blew up the wharf on purpose?"

"No missy, not blew up," the beggar smiled mysteriously, "Something merely…took off,"

"A plane?" Ty Lee gawked at the old man, "Someone…someone used a ion propelled ship in the middle of a city?"

"No…no plane, just the ghost of a plane. All the effects of a takeoff without a single aircraft in the skies…URK!!"

"I am getting seriously tired of your wordplays old man," Artirius scowled darkly as he rammed the beggar into a nearby post, the old man sweating as he felt the cool metal of a pistol barrel lodged into his jaw, "Now are you going to give the lady a straight answer, or do you really want to know what's it's like to be blind in one eye?"

The old man winced as a finger flipped the eye patch onto his forehead, a pair of terrified blue eyes staring into the dark abyss of the Major's scarf as Ty Lee looked on with mild amusement.

"I…I don't exactly know," he tried to smile shakily, "There was a lot of commotion see? These three kids were on the run from these shady looking guys…course, most guys in Tortuga are a bit on the dark side but…"
"Get to the point," the man let out something similiar to a raspberry as the pistol was pushed further into his throat, "I'm running out of patience,"

"All I know is that they darted into an alleyway, the guy's fallowed them, then BAM! Four whole buildings suddenly gone, and the skies filled with flying pirates!"

"These men," Artirius loosed the pressure, "They still alive? Where'd they come from?"
"They landed in the ocean, so they weren't hurt to badly," The beggar pointed a shaky finger towards a old vessel nearby, "I think I saw them go in there. Now let me go, pretty please?"

"You idiots!" The captain slammed his fist on the table as his men winced under his wrath, "You bloody great idiots! All I wanted was for you to get the plans back, maybe ruff up those bastards a bit, and what do you do!? You only blow up half the bloody dock!"

"It was only four buildings Cap'n,"

"I don't care!" the crewmember was sent flying his commander's fist, "People are going to talk you realise that? They're gonna say: "Oh look at those fearsome pirates. So formidable that only a puny little girl, a Hawaiian lunatic and well dressed pipsqueak can stand up to them!!" We'll be the laughing stock of Tortuga!"

"You travel around in a ancient wreck of a ship with prices so insanely high it's surprising you get anything sold. Belive me, you were the laughing stock long before you got punk'd by a bunch of kids,"
"What!?"

The crew parted to let their captain see the door as a new pair of visitors entered the dingy setting; a tall pale man with a scarf around his eyes accompanied by a busty young woman with a long back length ponytail, the latter taking an interest in a nearby jewel encrusted monkey as the former approached the table. It took only a few moments for the Captain to recognise the uniform of the G.U.N.

"So tell me my friend," Artirius Meridiano smiled as he lent across the desk, "Did this well dressed pipsqueak by any chance have an insignia of the Royal Air Force?"

"Come on. Come on! OW!!"

Alistair jerked his head out of Avat's cab side entry hatch as Katara's scram echoed amidst the trees.

The island they had decided to hide out on for a while was small and out of the way, perhaps only a mile long, far too tiny to properly colonise, but large enough to sustain a small forest of palm trees thick enough to block out the view of the coast, and deep river slicing the isle neatly in two.

"What was that?" the officer blinked in the pale sunlight over towards Sokka as he sunned himself near naked on the river's banks.

"What do you think?" the elder brother gaze his friend a pointed look over the top of his glasses before letting his head thump back against the grass, "She's trying to build that energy sword thingy," He smirked wryly, "Not having a lot of luck by the sound of it,"

Alistair frowned as he slung his tunic and hat over the edge of the hatch, his grey eyes scanning the small clearing until he found a certain girl as she fumed over a small wooden desk near the wall of greenery.

"You okay?"

"Fine," Katara waved him off as he approached with one hand as she sucked on the edge of her fingers of the other, "Really. I just shocked myself a bit that's all,"

An eyebrow rose at the harsh tone of her voice as the pilot leant against the desk, grey orbs taking in the mess that was sprawled across it.

"You know, you might have better luck if tried using the repair facilities in the launch bay,"

"I'm not trying to build it yet," she threw down a pair of what appeared to be crystals with agitation, "I'm just trying to create a small prototype before I go onto the final project,"
Aang leaned over her shoulder with bemusement, "By using chips of crystal from the energy pistols?"

"How do you know their from the energy pistols?"

"You didn't clear up after yourself,"

"Oh…Well…It's not like I can completely copy the design with what I have here," the young girl fumed as Alistair studied the plans before them, "There's all kinds of variables and mathematics involved…and a good education is hard to come by when you're born near the runs of Sydney,"
"You seemed to pick up Ranger mechanics okay," Alistair smiled as his eyes darted across the schematics, finger tracing over numbers and calculations, "A little algebra shouldn't be too far beyond your reach,"

"Hey, I learnt all I know about Ranger mechanics and piloting by tinkering and experimenting with the Lumber," Katara followed Aang's hands with a mixture of intrigue and irritation as they set up nodes and a small power supply, the crystals left well alone, "It wasn't exactly perfection over night," She tired of his tinkering, "What are you doing?"

"Experimenting," Alistair knelt down beside her so he was level with the table's surface, gently prodding both nodes until they were exactly aligned five centimetres apart, placed upon small blocks a few centimetres above the desk, "The scientists of Project A.V.A.T.A.R. never managed to perfect a energy blade, because the crystals used in the rifle and pistols couldn't keep a constant beam at a certain length for more then a few seconds before disintegrating. This sword is more similar to the Union's laser technology then the Black Core's Energy technology. Only instead of solar energy and focusing crystals…" he smiled as he flipped a small switch on the power supply, "…you instead have pure, advanced particle beam technology,"

There was a flash of light, the sound of energised electricity, and suddenly a bar of burning white shone between the nodes, it's light shining brightly against the dying rays of the sun.

"You…you figured out," Katara looked crestfallen, "I spent all afternoon getting everything together, making sure I didn't damage the crystals…and you added it all up in a matter of minutes!"

"Well…I have a proper education," Alistair felt a small wave of uneasiness under the non too friendly glare Katara sent his way as he clicked the power supply off, the beam dying with a hiss, "I mean…it's not that I didn't expect you to succeed or anything but…"

"But you thought you could do it quicker," Katara's voice was laced with venom as her fists clenched at her sides, "You thought that you could do it better is that it? The poor little girl from Australia wasn't up to par with the mighty standards fo the Black Core! Well you know what? Fine. You want to build your own damn sword, go ahead! You've already got a working prototype, so I guess you don't need this!" she snatched the plans from the table, "I don't need your pity or your help! I'm going somewhere quiet to study these plans, and when I come back, I'll have such a perfect design you'll be just begging for my ideas!!"

Alistair watched with a stunned expression as Katara stormed into the forest, muttering dark curses under breath until she was out of sight, before turning to her brother as he picked himself up from the ground, clearly done tanning for the day.

"Was it something I said?"

"Don't sweat it Al," Sokka sniggered as he ducked into the Avat, "She's probably just going through that time of the mouth again. Don't sweat it, all women get kinda bitchy around about now,"
His head disappeared into the gloom, just short of a energy crystal as it sailed by, hitting the frame behind him with a distinct ping.

"Hah!" He pushed his head out of the hatch, a finger pointed to the sky in triumph, "You missed!"
The heavy clang of Alistair's pistol smacking his arrogant friend in the forehead by the handgrip made a much more pleasing sound in the officer's opinion as Sokka fell to the earthy ground.

"Never…mind…Ugh,"

"Stupid stuck up know it all," Katara fumed angrily as she strode purposefully across the island in no particular direction, "He thinks he can just waltz into my life and suddenly make it all better," She scowled down at the plans, "So he managed to build a working prototype in a matter of minutes, so what? I can build one too! A better one! I can…" she stopped as the trees suddenly thinned, stepping onto the sandy beach that surrounded the tiny isle.

By now the sun had disappeared beneath the horizon, the dark sky dotted with the first stars of the night, all glistening on the calm ocean below.

"Oh…who am I kidding?" she slumped onto the soft white sand with frustration and defeat, "I couldn't understand these plans if I tried. I'm just stabbing in the dark. I was so excited, I had something to work on, something advanced!" She sighed bitterly as she traced a single finger in the sand, "I guess I'm just not ready for that kinda thing,"
How long she sat in silence, she couldn't tell. It could have been a few minutes, it could have been hours, but all she knew was something caught her eye out on the ocean some time after her arrival. Something big.

Under the bright moon above, she found it hard to believe she had missed it.

A huge vessel sat off the shoreline, the main hull on it's own easily five hundred metres long, tiny lights dotting the smaller secondary hulls that ran halfway along each side of the ship, six giant 50 cm navel guns, three on each side glinting in the moonlight.

She only had to see the massive flight deck, the ship's island barely peaking over the top of it's own weaponry, to realise with horror the spectacle that she saw.

A G.U.N. Supercarrier.

Many a tale had circulated around of these colossal vessels, capable of holding a small army of a hundred Rangers within it's main hull, as well as all the necessary equipment to efficiently deploy them. It was said to see one was a rare and memorable affair in itself. Too see it and live through it's onslaught however, was an event that would stay with you for the rest of your days.

The non-G.U.N. nations of the world was only thankful that only five of these giant vessels had ever been built.

She watched mesmerised as a pair of Rangers slowly rose from the hanger below onto the Flight deck; stocky metal grey machines, seventeen metres tall had they not been crouched down for take off, with strange heads that looked like a combination of the back of a German helmet and the front a breathing mask, pipes lining it's cheeks as their single red eyes gazed stoically ahead from the thin onyx visors, a rather nasty looking shield bearing three spikes adorning it's left hand shoulder.

G.U.N.'s latest model of Ranger, she realised: The Fortitude.

A snap of twigs behind her brought Katara out of her hypnosis, the electronic scream of the Supercarrier's electromagnetic catapult seemingly distant as she focused on the forest behind her.

"Hello?" She rose uncertainly, sticking the plans down the side of her belt, "Alistair? Sokka?" She slowly approached the wall of greenery, "Come on guys this isn't funny…"

Suddenly a pair of large meaty hands punched through the darkness, grabbing her by the wrists as the owner lurching out of the trees, a perverted grin crossing his features as he bore down on her.

"Well well, what do I have 'ere?" Katara gagged as the putrid scent of stale beer and sea biscuits washed over her, "A pretty little girl out 'ere in the middle of nowhere. Must be me birthday,"

"Sorry," Katara smiled shakily, "don't think so,"
Confusion was quickly replaced with painful surprise as Katara's knee connected with the man's groin, the giant's eyes bulging out comically as his hands went to his damaged manhood, the ground shaking under her feet as he crumbled into a whimpering heap.

"I'm really not having the best of times when it comes to men am I?"

Not bothering to answer her own question, the young girl took off at a run along the beach, memories of Tortuga flashing through her mind as she realised she knew her assailant as one of then men who had chased the three of them through the streets.

"Pirates and Nationalists working together?" she shook her head as she continued to run through the soft sand, away from the pirate, away from the goliath of a ship, "It's so stupid. It must be coincidence…and yet…Oof!!"

With a heavy thump, Katara ran head on into something soft and cool, rough material grazing her cheek as strong arms came round her waist and the back of her head to stop the two of them from falling into the sand.

"Oh Alistair!" Katara breathed a sigh of relief as she let her hands snake their way around his back, holding him close, "We've got to get out of here quick. G.U.N.'s on our doorstep and the island might be crawling with pirates!"

"Well, it's sad to know that pirates are still the perverted bastards they always have been," Katara froze at the soft spoken yet unfamiliar voice, staring into the covered eyes of a G.U.N. Major as he smiled reassuringly down at her, "And as for my men…well…they know better then to attack a defenceless young woman such as yourself. Care for dinner?"

"Are you quite comfortable?"

"If you mean besides the fact I'm cuffed at the leg to this chair, then yeah, I'm great,"

The Major chuckled quietly to himself as Katara poked at the food in front of her on the small wooden table separating the two of them, her azure eyes taking in the surrounds she suddenly found herself in.

The Captain's dining room aboard the Sovereignty (As she had discovered to be the name of the ship,) was surprisingly homely considering it sat inside the metal hull of a Berlin Class Supercarrier. There were no windows as far as she could see, but most of the wood panelled walls had some kind of painting bolted firmly in place, each depicting various scenes of parklands, snow capped mountains and behind the Major himself, a heavily detailed map of the world.

Only the left hand wall was devoid of paintings, a large glass case spanning the length of the small room in their stead, containing models of the ship itself, along with several scale replicas of a Fortitude, Endurance, and a Ranger unit she didn't recognise, it's folded wings reminding her vaguely of an angel in armour.

"Yes I'm sorry about that," The Major smiled as he waved his steward out of the only door in or out of the room, directly behind her chair, "If it were up to me, I'd probably be against it but…well…this is a G.U.N. ship after all, and you are a…"

"Prisoner?"

"Not to me," he smiled cheerfully as he pulled his hat off his head and setting it on the end of his chair, "To me you're an honoured guest aboard my ship, but yes, the rest of the crew do view you as a prisoner, and we can't have prisoners free to roam the ship now can we?"

"I guess not," Katara stared down warily at the steak and chips in front of her, prodding it carefully, "Why are you being so nice? You certainty not like the last nationalist soldier I ran into,"

"Not every G.U.N. Officer is like Admiral Vadeck," the Major chuckled again as he dug into his own dinner, "now there is a man whose had everything handed to him on a silver platter. Only achieved his rank through his connections to the Führer. Had some nice things to say about you though," he carefully set his knife and fork down on the plate, picking up a clipboard on his side of the table as she hesitantly took a small bite out of her steak, "Katara Agura, eighteen years of age, born near Sydney, Australia. Arrested on the charge of being a suspected Ranger pilot and/or mechanic. Last minute note: may have affiliations to the Courier of the Avatar," Katara choked as the Major looked up pleasantly from her file, "The Courier of the Avatar. Well well, imagine that,"

"Must be a typo," she tried to unsuccessfully shrug off the note, "The Avatar and the Courier have been missing for over a century. How could I have any connection to him?"
"Well, the strange thing is, I have reason to believe he turned up again recently," she looked up at her host with a mixture of surprise and uneasiness as he returned to his meal, "Yes, you remember Captain Zachariah Sozin?" She shook her head vainly, "Oh you should. He attacked your village in his search for the Avatar, and guess who came to your rescue? It was all in his crew's reports,"

Katara sighed as she went back to poking her meal, "Would it do me any good to deny it?"

"Probably not," The Major smiled as he rose from his seat, coming round the table to perch himself on it's side nearer his companion, "But I do enjoy the banter. Listen," he placed a hand on her shoulder, "I was wandering if you could do me a small favour. If the reports of Sozin and Vadeck are accurate, then you do have at least some kind of connection with the Courier. In fact, judging by the fact your so far from your homeland, I believe you may be travelling with him," she tensed slightly, A part of her wondering if her captor was a mind reader, "So I was wondering if you would be so kind as to arrange a meeting between the two of us?"

"Why?" she stared down at her plate sullenly, "So you can capture him and take him back to your precious Führer like some kind of trophy?"

"I will admit, Colonel Zhao does have me out here searching for him," The major smiled sadly, "And Captain Sozin well…he has his reasons…regaining honour he thinks he's lost. As for me personally though…Well…right now I just want to meet him. Ask him how he's been, what's it like to wake up after a hundred year nap, that sort of thing. That doesn't seem so bad does it?"

"Why should I trust you?"

"I don't expect you to trust me, not while I wear this anyway," he sighed as he plucked at his uniform, slowly standing up to walk round behind her, "But you know, maybe we could do some kind of deal hm?" she involuntarily shivered as he bent down to her level, his breath unnaturally cool against the back of her neck as he pulled something out of his trouser pocket, "How about a trade? A simple meeting, for something Vadeck unrightfully took from you?"

Katara's eyes widened as she felt something draped around her neck, one hand subconsciously going for the ornament around her neck, her thumb running over the familiar markings on the circle of shell she held so dear.

"My necklace!" the feeling was ripped away from her as the Major brought the object from her neck into her line of view, dangling it enticingly in front of her nose as he made his way back to his own side of the table, "Where did you get that?"

"I confiscated from Vadeck's office on Shangri-La," The Major sighed as he pocked the crude jewellery once more, "That man should really learn to leave what isn't his alone. All I'm asking is a simple exchange. A meeting with the courier, just him and me, no G.U.N. soldiers, not crusty pirates, and you get your necklace back. That's a worthy trade isn't it?"

Katara couldn't actually believe she spend a entire minute considering the offer. She was disgusted at herself for even thinking about taking up a deal with an officer of the German unified Nation.

"I'm sorry," she shook her head as she returned to her meal, "But I just don't trust you to keep your end of the bargain,"

The Major bristled slightly, before letting his shoulders sag with regret.

"I see," he frowned slightly under his blindfold, his fingers steeping as he watched her eat, "That is…unfortunate,"

He rose heavily from his chair to make his way over to an intercom situated beside the display case, allowing a regretful look to pass over his face before pressing the button.

"Ensign Ysara, report to the Captain's Dining Room,"

"This is Ysara. Reporting to Captain's Dining Room. ETA: two minutes,"

The Major nodded, before turning back to his guest.

"Mr. Ysara is an upright man. He will escort you to your quarters for the night until it can be decided what to do with you. Once you've finished your meal of course,"

"You're not just going to let me go?"

"Not yet. As I said, I still want a meeting with the Courier, with or without your help. With you on board, the chances of that happening are greatly increased. Ah," a knock on the door anounced the arrival of the young ensign; a tall young man with neat blond hair and dark brown eyes, "Mr. Ysara, please escort Miss Agura to the Guest Quarters on Deck Five once she's finished her meal. Make sure she's looked after, she is my guest, and I will know if any ahrm comes to her, understand?"

"Yes Major Meridiano,"

"Good, then if you'll excuse me, I'm needed on the Bridge," he smiled at the two as he fished his hat off the table, "I hope you have a pleasant evening Miss Agura. Who knows," he grasped her comfortingly by the shoulder as he passed, "You may even change your mind during the night,"

"Your name,"

"Hm?" The Major turned at the door as he fitted his hat over his dark hair.

She turned to him slightly, "You never told me your name,"

The major smiled again, before turning back to the door.

"Meridiano," she barely heard his voice as he headed out of the room, "My name is Artirius Meridiano,"

"I'm taking that she didn't talk,"

"Oh she talked alright," Artirius smiled sadly at Ty Lee as he slumped into Sovereignty's Captain's chair, his blind gaze turning towards the dark night beyond the Island's large bay window, "The words just weren't the ones I wanted to hear,"

"Well, it's times like these I'm just glad your not Colonel Zhao," The lieutenant smiled wryly, "She'd probably be half dead and on her way back to New Gibraltar by now,"
"Well then, let us be thankful that I am not, nor shall I ever be Colonel Takanori Zhao," the Major returned the gesture, only to frown as he sensed an unfamiliar presence.

"What is he doing here?" he pointed angrily to the Pirate Captain as he skulked out of the shadows, "I thought your men were searching the island for the Courier?"

"We were," the old man's eyes narrowed, "But we only came here for the pans. You got them back, so hand them over,"

"Oh do you mean these?" Artirius smiled faintly as Ty Lee handed him the role of blue paper, "Schematics for the G.U.N.'s prototype Energy Sword? The plans you stole from the G.U.N. weapon development lab in Luxemburg? Those plans?" The Captain swallowed nervously as he nodded, suddenly acutely aware of the number of officers on duty caring pistols on their belts, "Yes well…I don't think so. Not yet anyway. However if you find me my guest's companions and deliver a message to them from me…" The Major smiled reassuringly, "Well…maybe we can work something out,"

"She's still not back yet?" Sokka sighed tiredly, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he lent against the doorway of what had been designated as Katara's room (With Sokka and Alistair sharing the other bunk room.).

"No, her bed's still made," Alistair frowned as he surveyed the tidy quarters, "I never knew she kept her room so neat. Are you sure she's your sister?"

"Hey, my bunk may look a mess," Sokka scowled as he slumped out towards the crisp morning beyond, "But it's really all part of my highly organised filing system. Everything in there has it's own…"

"Has it's own what?" Aang frowned as his friend trailed off, sticking his head round Katara's door, "Has it's own what Sokka? Oh…hey guys,"

The officer didn't like the looks the odds as he stared over a scared stiff Sokka at the motley band that stood in a half ring around Avat's entry hatch, the Captain in the tapping his fingers against his crossed arms with mild irritation.

"'bought time you got up," the old man scowled darkly, "Do you have any idea how long we've been waiting?"

"Erm…" Aang shared a bemused look with Sokka, "Sorry?"

"Aren't you pirates?" Sokka frowned down at the disgruntled pirates, "Don't you usually just do as you please?"

"Believe me, nothing would give me greater pleasure then to run the lot of you through and take what I can," the two young men winced at the Captain's note of sincerity in his voice, "But as is, I'm in a tough spot at the moment, so I've been told to give you this,"

He held out a small piece of paper expectantly, the pilot making out neat handwriting as he carefully took it, half expecting it to explode.

"What does it say?" Sokka glanced at his friend as he quickly scanned over it.

"It says: I have recently come into contact with a friend of yours. Please switch on communication array to 1030 kHz, wavelength 214 m. My best regards, Major Artirius Meridiano, Acting Captain of G.U.N. Vessel Sovereignty," He looked up at the Captain as the pirates began to disperse, "He's got Katara?"

"If you mean that little thief of a friend of yours, then yeah," the old man grunted, "Just answer him quick like, he might have the patience of a saint, but I sure don't,"

"What do you think he meant by that?" Sokka gave his friend a worried look as the last pirate disappeared amidst the trees.

"I don't, know, but I don't want to find out," Alistair scowled as he quickly darted back into the cab towards the cockpit, "Forge set all communication equipment to 1030 kHz, wavelength 214 m, on the double,"
"Already there," The AI nodded as Aang vaulted over the armrest into his chair, "Frequency is that of a large unidentified warship off the north coast of the island," her pale eyebrow rose up in bemusement, "I'm surprised we didn't see it sooner, it's huge!"

"Can we get a message through?"

"It's strange…the channel is open. It's like he was waiting for us to respond. I have audio and video,"
"Let's see it,"

The usual emitter for the map glowed a brilliant blue as Forge nodded in acknowledgment, the colours swirling across the front of the cockpit, before reforming into the dark metal greys and blacks that represented the Bridge of most G.U.N. ships of the line.

And sitting in the centre, was the Captain.

"So, you are still alive," the masked man stood from his chair, indicating to his communications officer to focus the Bridge's camera on him, "I had my doubts you know, and here you are, proving me wrong,"

Alistair's eyes narrowed slightly at his opposition's friendly manner, "You're Major Artirius Meridiano?"

"In the flesh, as it were. Are you Alistair?"

"Katara told you my name?"

"Not directly. We had a…run in around 1700 hours last night. She mistook me for you. Can't imagine why, but I made an assumption," Artirius frowned slightly, "You are Alistair aren't you? The Courier?"

"I am," Aang nodded, only to feel a pang of embarrassment as he noted the sash around the Major's eyes, "Flight Lieutenant Alistair Aang of the Royal Air Force's Black Core,"

"The last of the Black Core I'd imagine," Meridiano smiled mysteriously, "Well…maybe not. With medical advancement as it is today, I don't doubt there may be a few old codgers out there somewhere. But I digress. Video conferencing is all well and good, but I prefer face to face contact. It gives it a more personal touch,"

"It also gives you a chance to capture me," Alistair's eyes narrowed to slits, "Don't take me for a idiot Major. I may be a hundred years out of date, but I know a set up when I see it,"

The Major merely smiled again, "I can see why the two of you get along. You're both very likeminded. Both suspicious of everyone who wears the uniform of the German Unified Nation, but know this Lieutenant," Artirius leaned forwards slightly, "I will be the first to admit my currant assignment is your capture on behalf of Colonel Takanori Zhao, the commander of the forces at New Gibraltar, but I have no intention of following those orders this day. I simply want to talk. Nothing more, nothing less. Just say what I can do to ease your mind, and I'll see what I can do,"

"First I want to see Katara," the officer settled back in his chair as Sokka finally dragged himself to his side, "For all I know you attacked her after that run in and left her for dead,"
"Considering relations between G.U.N. and the rest of the world, I can see why that would be a logical scenario. As is, I do tend to treat my guests with a bit more…decorum,"Artirius turned to someone off screen, "Come on, don't be shy. They won't think any less of you once I explain,"

The two men exchanged confused glances as a young tanned female officer came into view at the Major's side, her head hung low. It only took a few moments for them to realise who the person was.
"K…Katara," Sokka raised a shaking accusing finger to the screen as Alistair felt his jaw drop in disbelief, "You…you joined the Nationalists? How could you!?"
"It's not what you think you moron!"Katara closed her eyes in disgust as she turned away from the camera, a slight tint of red gracing her cheeks.

"Indeed it isn't," Artirius smiled reassuringly as he set his hands upon her shoulders, "I wouldn't be much of a host if I couldn't provide my guest with a fresh set of clothes if she has none to spare. Of course Sovereignty is a military vessel, not a cruise ship, and this uniform was the only thing we had in her size. That and none of the crew wanted to lend her any of their civilian clothes. So, I've shown you she's alive, will you meet with me?"

Alistair studied the image before him as Sokka ran a hand over his face, muttering dark curses of disbelief under his breath.

He had never considered Katara to be a military woman before now, but seeing her in uniform…even a G.U.N. one…intrigued him.

"Lieutenant?"

Aang shook himself out of his thoughts at Meridiano's voice, an air of seriousness coming about him.

"Alright, I'll meet you. Just you, and me, Sokka and Katara. We both take one machine. I'll take Katara's Lumber, and you take one of your grunt machines. What about the pirates? Should they be at this meeting?"

"No, but I doubt that will stop them from coming," The Major smirked, "Very well then Mr. Aang, I shall abide by your conditions. One Lumber and one Fortitude. No more, no less. We'll meet in say…an hour at the northern most point of the island?"
Alistair shook his head, "Make it thirty minutes. The sooner we get this over with, the better,"

Due to the fact the island was longer then it was wide, the northern end of the island gave a fairly undisrupted view of the crystal blue ocean beyond, salt water gushing through the opening into the deep river that divided the land mass in two.

Of course it the fact the massive bulk of the Sovereignty sailed close by blotted out a good portion of what would have been an amazing view, at the fact the pirate ship was pulled up into the mouth of the river did something to dent the atmosphere somewhat as well.

Nevertheless, with Sokka perched atop the Lumber's missile launcher, Alistair found himself feeling unusually tense as he gazed into the single eye of the Fortitude Ranger, it's pilot and his 'companion' waiting patiently by it's feet.

"Nice of you to join us," Artirius raised a hand in greeting as Alastair and Sokka hopped down from the Lumber to the ground, "A part of me wondered if you were actually going to come,"
Alistair ignored the Major as he approached, his focus soly on his young friend which stood at his enemy's side.

"You okay?"

"Aside from the fact I feel like I've been drafted, I feel great," Katara smiled shakily, "Relax Alistair, I'm not hurt,"

"Just like I promised," The Major smiled reassuringly, yet kept a firm hand on Katara's shoulder, "So, now that we're all here, will you talk with me?"

"Depends," Alistair jerked a thumb towards the motley band that had gathered near the ship, "What are they doing here?"

"You got me," Artirius shrugged, "I didn't invite them,"
"We invited ourselves," The Pirate Captain folded his arms as his crew shifted tensely, "The good Major is keeping something over our heads, and we're not leaving without it,"

"You mean the schematics for G.U.N.'s energy sword thingy?" a sly grin suddenly crossed Sokka's face, "And here I was thinking you pirate types were good businessmen. Don't you know who this is?"

"Some guy with a affinity for British memorabilia?" The Captain shrugged as he nodded to a uneasy Major, "That's what he said,"

"Well, he's obviously playing you!" Sokka cuffed Alistair round the shoulder, "This is only the Courier of the Armoured Vehicular All Terrain Assault Ranger!" A confused silence met this proclamation, "THE AVATAR!!"

"You pilot the Avatar?" The Captain stared incredulously between Sokka and Alistair, "But you're so young,"

"Sokka what are you doing!?" Katara hissed angrily as Artirius looked on disapprovingly.

"Hey Katara, I'm just saying it doesn't look like a good business deal from my point of view. I mean look at him!" her brother indicated to Aang as though he were a product on display, "Yes, you could just settle for some fancy glow stick, which would probably fetch you a pretty penny with that Russian guy, or you could go with the Courier, and with him the mighty Avatar Ranger Unit! Think how much good old Julius Sozin would pay to have both in his procession," Sokka's grin widened as realisation and greed set into the pirate's eyes, before hitting the nail home, "You guys would be set for life!"

"Well well then, it appears we have a bit of a dilemma on our hands," The Captain smirked as his comrades drew their respective weapons, "I tell you what, seeing you're outnumbered, we'll cut you a little deal. We take the Courier, the Avatar and the plans, and we let you all live. Sounds fair don't you think Major man?"

"Is this a double cross Captain?" Artirius' scarf folded slightly with his frown.

"Cleaver Major," The Captain smirked triumphantly, "Can see why they put you up for promotion so quickly. What say you then eh? We got a deal, or do we have to you what we did to those pathetic scientist in Luxembourg?"

"What say I?" Artirius smirked devilishly, his grip on Katara's shoulder tightening enough to make her wince, "I say: FORTITUDE: DEFENCE MANOEUVRE GAMMA!!"

The Ranger's single eye suddenly lit up a burning red as four canisters around it's waist expelled a haze of grey smoke across the beach head, several strangled cries of surprise going up as the sun was slowly blotted out.

"Wow," Sokka coughed as he squinted through the gloom, "I did not see that coming. What the…OW!!" The elder brother was suddenly sent reeling as Alistair's fist connected with his nose, "What the frack was that for?"

"You idiot!" Sokka could only squeak as his was pulled by the front of his shirt by a incredibly angrily Alistair, blood dribbling from his nose, "You absolute bastard! What the hell were you thinking!?"
"I thought there was no way we could trust a G.U.N. Officer," Confusion stained Sokka's face, "I mean hello, he just wanted to talk? G.U.N. men don't talk, they shoot stuff and destroy things! At least this way we could escape while the pirates take all the casualties,"
"Yes that's all well and good, but you're forgetting one thing O wise and intellectual one," Alistair dropped his friend on the ground as he brought his watch to his lips, "He still has Katara!

"Avatar! I need you!"

"Stop kicking!" Artirius winced as Katara's foot managed another solid hit to his head, "It's hard enough as it is to get up this ladder without your input,"
"Well if you just let me down, I wouldn't have to would I?" Katara thrashed some more against the Major's shoulder onto which she had been thrown, the blind man cursing quietly under his breath as he continued up towards the Fortitude's cockpit, "You said you would let me go at the meeting! You promised!"

"I always keep a promise," Meridiano slammed his fist against a switch on the Ranger's chest, the entry hatch opening with a pop and a hiss, "Now for crying out loud stop squirming and get in!"

"What are you…ugh!" Katara winced as she was roughly shoved into the cockpit, pain briefly shooting up her spine as her back hit the leather chair, "Let me go now!"

"I am letting you go," she stopped struggling as the words escaped his mouth, her eyes widening as he stared at her with what she assumed was sincerity, "I'm just giving you a bit of protection, that's all. Not that I expect this returned or anything,"

She just stared at him in stunned silence as he fished a small radio from his belt, not even moving as he strapped her into the pilot's seat with his free hand.

"Sovereignty come in,"

"Ming here. What's going on Major? All we see is a huge smoke screen. Did something go wrong?"

"Let's just say that if I every consider teaming up with pirates again, you have my permission to bitch slap me to high heaven and back," Artirius shot Katara a wry smile, "I can't see much but our guest has commandeered the Fortitude and is heading for the pirate ship. My guess is they'll try to cut through the middle of the island down the river and try to escape the other side Swing Sovereignty round and meet it there. We'll catch her,"

"And the Avatar?"

"Where that girl goes, so does the Avatar. The Courier will probably meet up with them somewhere along the river. We stop the ship, we'll get the Courier. Send out Eternal though, I'm going after them,"

"Roger that. Sovereignty out,"

"You don't really expect me to do that after what you've just said do you? Katara regarded Artirius suspiciously as he tightened the straps of the cockpit chair.

"Yes, I do," Meridiano smirked, "Except what I didn't tell Ming is that I also anticipate the pirates to go after their own ship long before you reach the other side. Take the boat, let them have it, then fly off. Sovereignty will take care of the rest," he began pointing out the basic controls, starting with the sticks on either side, "Arm control and weight distribution, accelerator, decelerator, weapon designator on your right, pre-programmed defensive manoeuvres on the right, and start up procedures via the consoles above you. Rifle can only be fired from right hand, understand?" she nodded, "Good. You're gonna need it if you plan on fighting me one day. Until then…"
"Major wait!" he stopped as he made his way to the open cockpit hatch, "Why are you doing this? Why are you letting a prisoner escape?"

Artirius merely smiled mysteriously again over his shoulder, flipping an overhead switch as he darted into the fog beyond the hatch, his voice carrying into the cramped quarters as the door slammed shut.

"You were never a prisoner to me Miss Katara,"

A.V.A.T.A.R.
ARMOURED
VEHICULAR
ALL
TERRAIN
ASSAULT
RANGER
SYSTEM: ACTIVE

"Sokka, get up to the Lumber," Alistair's hands darted across his consoles as Avatar whirred to life, "See if you can't find Katara in this fog. Also, I have the feeling the pirates are up to something,"
"Dude, I am bleeding all over the place!"The lieutenant couldn't help but smirk at Sokka's slightly clogged voice, "Do you really expect me to get that mechanical monkey to walk in a straight line after what you did to me? And have you ever tried to blood out of upholstery?"

"Actually yes, so stop complaining," Alistair frowned at his various cameras, all set to infrared, "Either this smoke is blocking heat signatures, or there isn't anyone down there. Where the hell is everybody?"

"Alistair! The Fortitude thingy!"

Aang barely had time to turn as the G.U.N. Mech's eye glowed a burning red, one hand reaching for it's machine gun mounted horizontal along it's waist as it turned to face him.

"Damn, I knew G.U.N. couldn't be trusted!" The officer cursed as he selected his own energy rifle, "You want a piece of me Major? Come and get me!"
"No Alistair wait!!"

"Katara?" Aang froze in his attack as his feminine friend's voice filled the cockpit's speakers, "Are you alright? Where's Meridiano?"

"He ran off somewhere. I erm…I stole his Ranger,"

"Alright little sis!" Alistair smirked slightly as the smoke cleared revealing the Lumber with one hand up in anticipation, Sokka at the controls, "High five!"

"Erm…Have you ever tried to high five someone in a Ranger before?"

"Hey…why you gotta say it like that?"

"If I could interrupt…"

Across the rear hull of the pirate ship, several large entry hatches blew open across the beach side in a blast of steam, six Lumber Rangers slowly shunted out in two lines of three via hydraulic lift, a dome atop the rear deck cracking open to reveal a rust coloured Endurance with a rather familiar sword attached to it's back.

"Whoa," The Lumber's hand fell limply to it's side with Sokka's awed voice, "I did not see that coming,"

"Well well, look what we have here," Alistair scowled darkly as the Captain's voice came over the speakers, "G.U.N. and the Courier, working together. Imagine that. Still outnumbered though," he chuckled menacingly as the Lumbers advanced, "Come quietly and I promise you won't be gutted,"

"Yeah, how about no,"

Alistair couldn't help but grin as a hail of bullets belched forth from the Fortitude's machine gun, the Lumber's scattering as he brought forth his own onslaught in a shower of energy fire, the pure white beams bouncing off the hull as the Captain's Endurance ducked behind it.

"No don't!" Katara's panicked voice hit home, "We can't destroy the ship. I heard Meridiano say that the Sovereignty was pulling around to the other side of the island. If we can distract the pirates and take their ship down the river, we might be able to get the pirates into a fight with the carrier, and we can leave in the chaos,"

"Are you kidding?" Aang growled in frustration as Sokka's voice broke his concentration, "Sure the river's deep, but we have no idea how shallow it might get inland. What if we run aground?"

"Then we scrap that idea and just run for it, and hope Sovereignty doesn't see us,"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Alistair nodded to himself as he holstered his rifle in favour of the longsword, managing to clip a Lumber by the foot in the same sweep, "Sokka, get on it, Katara keep him covered, I'm all set here,"
"You sure?"

"I'm sure," he smiled reassuringly, before realising no one could see him, "Get going, I'll meet you on the other side with Avat,"
"O…Okay,"
"Taking all six of us on you own lad? That's brave of you," The officer growled as Katara and Sokka took off into air, the remaining Lumbers slowly surrounding him as The captain came out of his hiding place, "but do you really think you can take us on? Especially when I have this?"

There was a screech of metal as the Endurance pulled it's sword from it's back sheath; a massive fifteen metre long cruciform sword, with a portion of it's right hand side missing.

"Wait a minute…" Alistair's eyes widened, "That's a…"

"A energy sword? Very observant," he could almost hear the grin in the Captain's voice as a beam of pure white filled the gap, "You didn't think I'd hand over such a impressive weapon to some Russian guy without building one for myself did you? No, that just wouldn't be good business. With this blade, no one can get in our way. Walls will shatter, Rangers will fizzle and melt. No one will stop us, no will dare oppose us, this blade will make us rich, and no one, not you, not that Major Merderno, and certainly, not his almighty Führer!"

"We'll just see about that!"

"What?"

Alistair shielded his eyes as a wall of burning emerald green exploded into being between him and the pirates, the roar of a ion engine causing him to squint up into the blue sky as his ally swooped out of his dive, Barely making out a bizarre form of plane painted onyx against the azure, it's wings separated into six plain grey bottlenose shaped wings, three on either side, four cannons glinting in the sunlight.

Then, it changed.

Lower rear thrusters extended into long legs and feet, the lower cannons came up and over the nose to come together, forming a rifle, with arms and hands coming back down to it's sides.

Wings folded inward and back to formation like an angels, the blade that formed the nose ached overhead to settle on it's back, allowing for a large humanoid head to extend slightly to form a neck, a V-shaped communications antenna extending fully across the top of it's mohawked helmet as bolt yellow eyes flashed online from beneath it.

"A Ranger…" Aang couldn't believe his eyes, "A transformable Ranger,"

With a tremendous crash, the new unit came back to earth between the Captain and the Avatar, knocking several Lumbers from their feet with the impact, his rifle aimed poised and ready.

"And for the record, It's Meridiano! Get it right!"

"So, G.U.N. and the Courier really have joined forces?" The Captain's surprise was well placed, "What gives?"

"Well, I have been ordered by my superiors to capture the Courier," Alistair shifted his stance slightly at Meridiano's words, "But I never intended to follow those orders this day. If he wants us to fight together to take you down, Eternal and I are always game," The Ranger turned it's head towards Avatar, "What say you Mr. Aang? Just this once?"

Alistair merely shrugged, before turning to face the three Lumbers behind him.

"Why not. Might be fun,"

"Why you little….ah the heck with it!! Kill them all, but bring me the head of the Avatar!"

"Sokka, how we doing?" Katara's voice barely came over the sound of shards of metal zinging off rust ridden walls over the radio.

"I've been better," Her brother sighed with agitation as he watched the bullets fly down the corridor, "He's got to run out bullets some time,"

"Why don't you throw something at him? Usually works for you,"

"Are you comparing me to some lazy, dirty, sex driven scumbag Katara Agura?"

"…Yes,"

It only took him a moment to process her answer, before he sighed in defeat.

"Good point. HEY YOU BIG BRUTE!! I GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU!!"

"What you talking about…Ahh!" The pirate only stopped for a moment before a radio came skimming down the corridor, thrown with such force by it's owner it bounced off the narrow walls, catching the stunned brigand by the ear as Sokka pounded down the passageway at full speed, the larger man letting out a pitiful yelp as a foot connected with his groin.

"Damn…not again,"
"Oh yeah! Whose bad? Oh yeah, that's me!" Sokka grinned form ear to ear as he performed a little nonsense dance, "You know you've been punk'd when you've been punk'd by Sokka!"

"Are you quiet done?"

"No not really. Go Sokka! Go Sokka! Go…hey!!" The young man stumbled as the ship suddenly lurched violently, "What are you doing? I said I wasn't done yet!"

"We can't wait any longer," he picked up the radio indignantly as Fortitude pushed the prow of the vessel back into the water, "At this rate Sovereignty will be halfway around the island, and we have to meet it head on, otherwise this won't work! So get to the Bridge pronto mister!"
"Alright, I'm going," Sokka sighed as gave the pirate another kick for good measure, before heading inside, "Geez if it's not one of you, it's the other…"

"So, where did you get the energy rifle?"

Artirius smirked at Alistair's question as he fought fist to fist with a nearby Lumber, the Courier himself swinging to dodge that massive sword the Pirate Captain hefted around threateningly.

"Let's just say I found it near Guam,"

"Pacific Base?"

"To an extent. I've travelled the world in my lifetime Mr. Aang, I tend to pick up things and use them to my advantage," There was the sound of breaking glass as Meridiano smashed his rifle barrel first into the cockpit, the Ranger engulfed in a flare of emerald energy as the trigger was pulled, "It's what makes me the soldier I am today,"

"So…what's with the blindfold?"

The Major merely continued to grin as he turned his attention to the last remaining Lumber, the machine slowly backing away from the on coming mech, "I guess I just like that mysterious edge,"

"Ah, I don't buy that…ugh!" Artirius looked back as a agitated grunt came over his speakers, his camera panning back just in time to see Avatar's sword shatter as it impacted against the energy beam, the Ranger staggering back as the Endurance stood almost gloatingly over him.

"You can't win lad!" The Captain swung his sword over his shoulder in triumph, "Nothing can defeat a Ranger with this little baby! I don't suppose the Führer will mind if I destroy you for him. I suppose he could mount the head in the gardens of the Stadtschloss in Berlin. That should be proof enough. And with the money I make off that old tyrant, I'll be so loaded I could start my own empire! I'll call it…"

"Heads up! Flying Lumber!"

"Flying Lumber? What kind of name is…"
A screech of metal against metal drowned out the surprised cries of the Captain and his crewmember as Artirius grabbed the Lumber by the cockpit, hurling it into the side of the ancient Endurance.

Taking advantage of their obvious confusion, Avatar once more sprung into action, sparks flying as a roundhouse kick separated the Endurance's head form it's body, the energy sword flying from it's hands.

"My main camera! You bastard! You took out my main…"

The Captain never managed to finish his sentence.

Wasting no time, The Avatar plucked the energy sword from the air before it touched the ground, the giant beam of energy spluttering back to life as he brought the weapon down diagonally across the rusty Ranger's torso.

There was a scream of piercing metal, the mech's armour fizzing and burning as it turned molten, before absolute silence.

Slowly, with grating metal causing everyone alive to wince horribly, the top half of the Endurance slowly slid off, hitting the earthy with a heavy thumb and a puff of dust, before silence reigned once more, broken only by the quiet hum of the energy beam in Alistair's hand.

"So…what happens now?"

The two Rangers stood off over the carcasses of the fallen units around them, the silence becoming distinctly uneasy. Finally, Artirius decided to end it.

"Now…we part ways. This was a battle well won, and for allies to turn against each other at it's conclusion…just isn't the honourable thing to do. Of course when we meet again, and we will meet again Mr. Aang, I'm afraid it will be on opposite sides of the battlefield once again,"

"That's a shame," The energy sword died with a hiss as Alistair holstered it to the Avatar's back, "You and me make a great team. If we'd met a hundred years ago, we could have been great friends,"

"If only life were that simple,"The Major was surprised at the note of regret in his voice, "Go find your friends Mr. Aang. I'll give you a twenty four hour head start. After that, it'll be like this conversation never happened,"

"Understood Major. Until we meet again,"

Artirius chuckled lightly as he watched the Avatar take off into the blue sky, allowing the Ranger to disappear over the trees before contacting his ship.

"Sovereignty, status,"

"Ming here sir," The note of relief in Ty Lee's voice was badly hidden, "We were wondering where you'd got off too. Sovereignty is approaching level with the opposite end of the island. Pirate ship is in range, looks like there's a fight going on. Want me to blast them?"

"Not yet," Artirius smirked as he pushed Eternal into the air, "Wait for my return. I'd rather handle this…personally,"

Katara bit her lip in irritation. as she swept another large hand across Fortitude's body, sweeping the pirates back to the deck as the trees began to thin.

Bullets and daggers barely dented the massive form as every few minutes, Pirates tried to crawl their way up Fortitude's legs to gain access to it's cockpit, the Ranger shaking them off with relative ease, only for a new wave top approached.

"Sokka, are we there yet,"
"Almost,"Sokka's voice betrayed his eagerness to get away, "You know, I really thought we'd run aground somewhere along here, but still…Uh-oh,"

Katara only had to glance at her foreword camera to understand the horror in her brother's voice.

Although

Though far from the island, Sovereignty still completely blocked out the horizon, it's cannons glinting menacingly in the sunlight as it slowly came to a stop, it's starboard side facing the island as a single strange plane like machine landed on it's flight deck.

"We have to get out of here now!" With one final sweep, the latest wave of pirates flew clear of Fortitude's legs, a burst of blue ions belching from her thrusters as she took off from the rear deck, "Sokka, get back to the Lumber quickly!"

"What, why?" Despite his confusion, Katara could hear he brother's heavy footsteps over the radio as he ran towards the exit, "I thought you said we were going to get the pirates and the Nationalists to fight each other. Don't want to miss that,"

"Sokka don't you get it? A Berlin Class Supercarrier is equipped with six 50 cm cannons, and three of them are going to be aimed at this this ship, and with three barrels on each turret,"

"That's gonna mean major destruction," Katara looked up in relief as a familiar shadow was cast across the pirate ship, Alistair waving through the window of the cockpit below as Avat hovered above, "Anyone need a lift?"

Katara couldn't help but grin as she headed for the welcoming open rear hatch, Sokka and her old Lumber not far behind.

"Thought you'd never ask,"

"Captain on deck!"

Ty Lee looked round in relief as Artirius stepped onto Bridge, a coy smile crossing her lips as he settled into the Command chair.

"You took your sweet time," The Major steeped his fingers as he turned to watch the island out of the starboard window, "We saw some kind of aircraft swoop in over the pirate ship a few minutes ago. It matched the silhouette we have of a Black Core Advanced Vehicular Armoured Transport. I was gonna shoot it down but you said…"

"I know what I said," Meridiano smiled at her as he hefted himself out of his chair, patting her comfortingly on the shoulder as he made his way to the starboard side of the command centre, "You were right to follow my orders. No blasting with out my say so. Speaking of which…"

"What should we do about the pirates?" Ty Lee hesitantly joined her superior at the window, "Do you want us to just leave them sir? I mean I know you have a very humanitarian view of the world and all but…"

"They double crossed us Ming," Artirius smirked as a hopeful smile crossed the young woman's face, "No one double crosses the German Unified Nation and gets away with it. I think a lesson in manners is called for. Gunnery Chief, ready starboard guns, full broadside. You know the target,"

"Setting target," the Gunnery Chief nodded as his fingers flew across the console, "Readying starboard side guns for full broadside. Commencing rotation, setting angle," Artirius felt Ty Lee's hands curl around his arm as the groaning of gears resonated around the massive ship, "Target set, all guns ready to fire,"

"I love this bit," Ming sighed as she rested her head on her Commander's shoulder, noting with content he did nothing to dissuade her.

Artirius merely smiled.

"All starboard guns, full broadside. FIRE!!"

"We did it! I can't believe we beat them!"

The Pirate Captain staggered towards his ship, held up by the unlucky crewman that had been thrown at him, a patient smile on his face as his men pulled his beloved ship up to the side of the bay of the southern side of the island, his brigands dancing and cheering up on the decks above.

He had lost a lot of valuable merchandise today. Six Lumbers, his own Endurance. Not to mention both the plans and his own precious Energy Sword. But he still had his ship, and his crew. He could start again if needs be with that alone. He had started off with much less then this after all.

"You've done good lads," The Captain grinned as the gangplanks were lowered, "We better lie low for a while though. No doubt G.U.N. will be after our heads after this fiasco,"
"What you talking about Cap'n?" One of the pirates pointed out to sea with glee, "The Nationalists are right over there see? And Look, they're even about to give us a nine gun salute for helping them with the Avatar problem!"

"What?" the Captain followed his crewman's finger towards the giant vessel, "What are you…"

He managed to catch sight of the ship just in time to see nine barrels ignite with a flash of white light, the faint whistle of flying shells getting louder by the second.

The old man sighed in defeat, watching mournfully as the shells screamed ever closer.

"Aw…shit,"

With a mighty explosion his beloved pirate ship detonated with enough force to send him and his remaining Lumber pilot into the nearby trees, the ship's hull shattering under the force as the sheer shockwave flattened the forests and forced the water onto the land.

By the time the Captain returned to the scene, barely conscious, all that remained was a smoking crater slowly filling with water, and the image of the stern of the Sovereignty sailing over the horizon.

"Yeah…definitely shit,"

"Hey,"

"Hey," Katara smiled over her shoulder at Alistair as he leant in the doorway, "You okay?"

"Thought I'd ask you the same thing," the officer raised an eyebrow as he watched her neatly fold her G.U.N. uniform and carefully place it in her cupboard, "You're not going to throw it away? Sokka thinks it might make good firelighters,"

"Nah. Why waste a good disguise?" she sighed heavily as she slumped down unto the lower bunk, "Never know when I might need to sneak into a G.U.N. facility some day,"

Aang frowned at his downcast friend, slowly walking in and closing the door behind him before sitting down beside her as she twisted her hands in her lap.

"You sure you're okay?"

"I never said I was Alistair,"

"So…what's the problem?"

"Everything," her hands twisted and turned faster and faster, "Ever since I was a little girl, I've always been told exactly what being captured by G.U.N. meant. It meant the thinnest rags and the dirtiest cells at the very bottom of the ship. It meant a roach invested soup that looked like it had been freshly served from someone's stomach and tasted like it too. In mean hour upon hour of torture each and every single day, and even then they wouldn't ask questions until you were well and truly broken. But this man. This Major Artirius Meridiano…"

"What did he do to you?" Alistair felt a slight anger being to well up in his chest, "Did he…you know…" his cheeks pinked slightly, "Seduce you?

"No…It's funny, I expected something like that…but the worse thing he did was give me a G.U.N. uniform as a fresh set of clothes," a wry smile crossed her lips for the briefest of moments, "We had dinner together, in the Captain's dining room and the beds in the Guest quarters…I've never felt anything so soft before,"

"Well…these things were hardly designed for princes," Alistair smirked slightly, "So if he treated you so right, what's the problem? Sounds like a real gentleman if you ask me,"

"That's my point. He was," Katara let her head fall onto his shoulder with a soft thump, "He never raised his voice, he never demanded anything of me…all he wanted was to meet with you and talk. And he was so sincere. I think about Captain Sozin, how brutish and rude he was, just demolishing half the village to try and find you. And that Admiral Vadeck, who tried to bed me. They were perfect examples of G.U.N. officers I had been told about. But Major Meridiano…"

"I guess even within G.U.N. there has to be a few guys and girls who don't fit the bill," Alistair smiled kindly as he slung a arm around her shoulders, "But keep in mind Katara. This was a one off thing. After today…"

"I know," she nodded quietly against his chest, "He told me himself. Now the first meeting's over and done with…we're enemies until this war is over and done with,"

"Well…I guess we better finish it quick then eh?" she looked up at him with puzzlement, "That way, we can all meet up in a bar someday soon and laugh about it,"

Despite the statement, Katara chuckled lightly, "There's nothing funny about a hundred year war Mr. Aang. But I know what you mean…thanks," she sighed with contentment as she snuggled against his chest, "You're a good friend Alistair,"

Aang didn't reply. He just slowly leaned back until the he felt the cool surface of the wall behind the bunk through his tunic, waiting until Katara's breathing reached the slow steady sleeping pace before he finally spoke.

"Yeah," he sighed quietly, not bothering to hide the note of depression in his voice, "Friend. Great,"

A slow sad tune met Ty Lee's ears as she stepped into the confines of the Mess Hall. All around her, various crewmembers sighed and gazed listlessly out across the Hanger as Artirius played his melody, not the blue song form before, but something much more classical, and just as depressing.

"Good evening Sir,"

"Evening Lieutenant," he didn't look up as she approached, blindfolded eyes staring ahead as pale fingers continued to play, "Finished filing your report?"

"It's on your desk sir," Ty Lee never really wondered why the Major always requested reports, especially considering he couldn't actually read them. She raised an eyebrow in surprise as she recognised a certain necklace on the top of the piano, "Didn't give it back then huh?"

"No," Artirius sighed heavily, "With all the excitement, I never got the chance. Now…I don't think I ever will,"

"You mean the chase officially begins?" Ming tried to smile, "Maybe you could slip it to her somehow next time we clash?"

"Maybe," the song came to a close, Meridiano lifting a hand to the necklace, running a thumb over it's carved lines, "Only time will tell,"

"Well, if we've got time to burn…" Ming's smile grew slightly as she hefted the bronze curved instrument she had been carrying onto the top of the piano with a clunk, "You have a song I can play the sax too?"

Artirius smiled. A genuine comforting smile that brought warmth to her heart.

Without saying a word, his fingers began to play once more, a distinctly happier tune, not to fast, but set at a average pace that made the dining soldiers look up from their meals.

Recognising the tune, Ty Lee brought the saxophone to her lips at the right time, her smooth tones mixing with his, the Major and his Lieutenant continuing to play their songs long into the night.

In case it's not obvious, the Fortitiude is based loosly on the Zaku, because you can't have something Gundam influenced without a Zaku appearing in some form! It's awesome!

Well, that's all I got. Better get to work on the next chapter. I should warn you, I've been playing Bioshock a lot recently, so it may influence my writing somewhat :D.

Hope you enjoyed it.

Dearing