If I could be honest for a moment, I have to say I don't like this chapter much. As I read through it, parts just feel kinda...forced. The only reason I really wrote it was because I needed to introduce the New Soviet Union, Pakku, and Yue, otherwise, I would have just skipped it all together.

However, what's done is done, and I've got some pretty good ideas for the other two parts, so best just to get this chapter out the way.

Alrighty, this is the first of three parts of the season 1 finale (I know Avatar's finale was two parts, but the Waterbending Master seems like the real Part 1 to me, so I just made it so in this story), for what it's worth, I hope you enjoy it, but hopefully the other two parts will be a lot better.

A.V.A.T.A.R.
OPERATION: MOSCOW DAWN
PART I

"Are you sure you should be up and about?"

Alistair scowled as he kept his hands firmly around the Avat's Control sticks, his grey eyes focused on the cloudy skies beyond the cockpit at Katara came up beside him.

"I don't like just lying around," he rotated his shoulders achingly, "Not when I could be…doing something…anything,"

"Nightmares huh?"

The officer shot an angry look his companion's way, before slumping back, nodding silently.

"I know what you're going through. For weeks after the raid, all I could see was my mother's face in my dreams, bleeding…dying," Katara squeezed his arm comfortingly, "We just have to live with it,"

"I know, I know," Aang smiled tiredly, patting her hand, "I'm fine really…I just…wish I knew where to go from here. Right now all we've been doing is going round in circles. DO we charge into Berlin and cut down everything in our path? Do we amass a huge army and sweep through G.U.N. territory? Or we just…wait?"

"What we need is a plan Alistair," Katara turned her gaze to the grey skies before her, "but we can't just keep flying around the world until we come up with one. No matter where we go, G.U.N. continues to cut us off at every turn. We can't reach the U.S.A.C. and we could only hide in Africa for so long,"

"I was thinking of maybe heading back to Japan. Maybe Suki would…"
"Alistair, you remember what happened the last time we were in that neighbourhood," she smiled sadly down at him, "I'm sure Suki and the others would be glad to see us again, but do you really want to risk the destruction of their homes again? Think of how quickly Zuko found us?"

"I know, I know," Aang clenched a hand into fist tightly, "But where do we go from here? The west is cut off, we're a danger to the east…and G.U.N. seems to control most of the other points of the compass,"

"Well…," Katara's eyes suddenly widened in realisation, "That's not completely true. There is a Eastern Nation that hasn't succumbed to G.U.N.'s control. They've been holding out for a hundred years, and are still going strong,"

"You're not thinking…oh no," Alistair cringed, "The New Soviet Union? That's all we have left to rely on? A bunch of Communist russkies?"

"They're not communist anymore you know. Haven't been for almost eighty years. And they have managed to keep G.U.N. away from their boarders. Alistair…we can't reach the States, Russia's the only other place we can go,"

She could almost see the cogs whirring in the officer's mind, a career of distrust towards supposed allies clearly weighing down on his mind.

"Alright. Guess we don't have a choice," he smiled wearily, "We're about thirty klicks south of the Russian boarder anyway. After that, it should be about a day before we reach Moscow.

I just hope they like visitors,"

"The New Soviet Union," Zhao smirked at the map behind him as he turned to the assorted Captains and commanders before him, "For too long now the Russians have hidden behind their boarders. Watching as we continue onward toward Washington and inevitable victory. For the past one hundred years we have left them alone, focusing on the States and taking advantage of their apparent neutrality. But even the Führer fears what the Union may have been planning for these past hundred years, and it is his belief that once we have control over the U.S.A.C., the Chancellor may see an opportunity to overthrow our tired forces, and take the world for himself.

Today, we will sooth that fear,"

"And how do you plan to do that?" Captain Leden, a aged but wise old man, scowled darkly, "There are other reasons for leaving the Union Well alone. Russia has been locked in an eternal icy grip ever since the COMET System obliterated the British Isles. It's a miracle anything lives up there at all, let alone one of the last great nations of this world! Forty years ago my old commander tried to invade Saint Petersburg, and to this day I swear my main reason for my tragic loss was due to my forces slipping on the ice!"

"Captain Leden brings up a good point, and it is for his knowledge that he is here," Zhao smiled in amusement, "And it because of your Commander's failure and Saint Petersburg, that the city is not my target.

Our destination is a little more…landlocked,"

Moscow. Russia's shining jewel. A massive walled city surrounded by snow and ice, yet warmed by the energy dome that hung in the sky above.

For aw far as the eye could see, pristine white skyscrapers stood glistening in the combined light of sun and energy, all different shapes and sizes, but all shining like jewels.

And then there was the energy dome itself.

Held in place by the Central Tower, it practically glowed in a light of it's own, instantly vaporising any snow that fell upon it, yet at the same time keeping the heat of the city from escaping into the white wastes beyond the walls, and strangely providing power to any nearby solar powered Ranger Units, even in the middle of the fiercest blizzards.

"I have to say Chancellor Arnook," Alistair shook his head wish a mixture of amazement and grudging respect, "Your city is…incredible,"

The Head of State seated behind the mahogany desk merely smiled. Chancellor Mikhail Arnook was a man whose large appearance seemed more then a front then anything else. Although his muscular form looked slightly out of place in a deep navy pinstriped business suit, his face was warm and kindly, his brown slowly greying neat hair and beard giving off an almost fatherly aura that made Alistair realise why the people of Russia wanted to follow him.

The people on either side of him gave off a slightly different impression.

The man on the Chancellor's right was aged, yet still held himself with dignity. His head was near bald, save for a band of white across the back of his head and a long goatee protruding from his chin. This was a man who clearly enjoyed the military lifestyle, every button and medal on the soldier's sapphire uniform polished and in it's rightful place, the stiff brimmed hat tucked securely under his arm as his bright blue eyes cast a icy stare Aang's way.

On his left however, was a young girl that looked remarkably out of place next to the two older men.

She could not have been any older then eighteen and least, yet her hair was almost paper white, flowing around her shoulders and down her back like a waterfall of snow.

As with the soldier, she held herself high with distinction, but at the same time there was something wholly more graceful about her stance. Her head was slightly bowed, her eyes closed as though in thought, and her pale smooth hands kept delicately folded in front of her cream coloured dress and pale blouse.

Katara, in her jeans, turtleneck and jacket, felt fairly out of place just standing in the same room.

Sokka, in his U.S.A.C. combat slacks, couldn't take his eyes off her.

"You're words are too kind Lieutenant," Arnook smiled warmly as he rose form his chair to join the younger man at the window, "For a while now rumours have circulated of the Avatar's return. Many of us assumed it to U.S.A.C. propaganda, but when our boarder watches reported your request to cross into our territory, their voices were quickly silenced. If there is anything we can do for you to make your stay with us a pleasant one, just let me know,"

"Thank you Chancellor," Alistair returned the smile, "All we really need is a place to stay for a while so we can figure out what to do next, as well as some supplies for when we're ready to move on. Also, if it isn't much trouble, I was hoping you could refit my friend's Ranger for us from nuclear to solar power. G.U.N. might feel it's safe, but I sure don't,"

"Then allow me to introduce my Chief of Staff, General Walter Pakku," Arnook gestured to the soldier, who nodded curtly, Katara freezing slightly at the sound of his name, "With his mechanic teams, I'm sure they'll be able to refit your comrade's machine into something a little more…economical,"

"Walter?" Sokka tore his eyes from the young girl as he tried to stifle a smirk, "That doesn't sound very Russian,"
"It isn't," The General's voice was as hard as his stare, "I was born ninety years ago. My parent's were vacationing in Saint Petersburg from England when G.U.N. whipped the United Kingdom from the face of the Earth. Walter was my father's name, I was named after him. As for your machine, the older the craft, the easier it will be to…"

"I don't want him touching it,"

"Katara?" Alistair blinked in surprise at the coldness of his friend's voice, "What's the matter?"

"I said I don't want him touching the Fortitude," the young girl stared up fiercely into the unemotional soldier's face, "In fact, I don't want him or his men anywhere near my machine!"

"But Katara…"

"No buts!! If you even go anywhere near that Ranger," she pointed an accusing finger at Pakku, "I swear it'll be the last thing you ever see!"

"Katara…" Aang could only watch as his friend stormed out of the office, before turning with confusion towards her brother, "What was that all about?"

"Dunno," Sokka shrugged, "Maybe it's her time of the month or something?"

The officer shook his head, "I think I better go talk to her," he turned to the stunned Chancellor, "I'm sorry for her outburst sir. I'm just as surprised as you are by her outburst. I think just a place to stay for a while and maybe some fresh supplies would be best for now,"

"Yes…Yes of course," Arnook nodded with concern, "My daughter, Yue, will escort your comrade to your quarters, isn't that right my dear,"

As if almost on a cue, the young woman raised her head and opened her eyes, her bright green eyes almost shining like polished emeralds as she smiled at the Chancellor.

"Yes Father," Sokka began to smile dreamily as her musical voice filled the room, "It would be my pleasure,"

Zuko hated Music Night.

In his mind, the entire event was a waste of everyone's time and effort, elements that could both be put to better use running drills or maintaining the Rangers, something his Uncle vehemently disagreed with.

"Think of the men's moral!" he had spluttered, "What is the point of living in this world if you can't stop to sample many of it's fine pleasures once in a while?"

So here Zuko was, locked up in his Quarters, listening to the former General belt out a out of tune song about country roads leading to West Virginia over the ship's intercom, wishing with all his might that he would just shut up.

Surprisingly, just as he thought he was about to snap from the number of off key notes, the song abruptly ending with the silencing of the intercom.

For a moment, the Captain sat in the dim silence of his quarters, amber eyes casting a wary look to his intercom's speakers in case his Uncle began singing again.

Just as he was starting to worry something had happened on the Launch Deck where the shenanigans were usually held, he head the familiar sound of the General's heavy footsteps outside his door, the metal slab groaning as the old man pushed it open to reveal his worried face.

"For the last time, I don't want to play the tuba," The Captain scowled as his Uncle entered his quarters, "I didn't like it when I was a kid, and I sure as hell don't like it now!"

"No, it's no that Zuko," Iroh bit his lip as he stood to one side of the door, "We've run into…well…a bit of a problem,"

"Oh?" the scarred man looked up uneasily, "What kind of problem,"

"Oh nothing important really," the Captain froze as Zhao stepped into the dimness of his quarters, a triumphant smile upon his face, "I'm just taking your entire crew and Ranger compliment,"

"What!?" Zuko stood up so fast his chair fell to the floor with a crash, "What do you mean you're taking my crew and Rangers!? Without them…I can't run my ship…I can't fight…"

"See? I told you it wouldn't be a problem. Well…not for me anyway?" Never in Zuko's life had he ever been so tempted to kill Zhao as painfully and messily as he could as the General smiled pleasantly, "I'm afraid your needs simply come after mine. You see, Russia has been a thorn in the Führer's side for far to long and…well…I need all the man and machine power I can lay my hands on. You can keep the Exo-Suits though. With no crew and no Rangers, I think it's safe to say you won't ever get in my way again, even with those archaic pieces of technology,"

Zuko gritted his teeth angrily, "How…thoughtful,"

"I thought so," Zhao turned to leave as Iroh shook his aged head in dismay, only to stop directly in the doorway, "Incidentally Sozin, what kind of Exo-Suits were provided to you?"

"Shadow class," the words escaped Zuko's mouth before he realised what he'd said, "Probably the most advanced piece of technology on this wreck, seconded by the Dominance of course,"

"Of course," the sly careful note in the General's voice caused a single bead of cold sweat to trail alone the Captain's cheek, "Tell me, General Sozin, have you heard of any news of a mercenary that has been operating in the area? Goes by the name: Shadow?"

"Only rumours," Iroh bowed his head in thought, "Exo-suit pilot, uses a Shadow Class apparently. I don't think he's even real.

"Oh, he's real alright," Zhao smirked over his shoulder, "And I think he's going to get what's coming to him fairly soon. Let me know if you want to take me up on my offer General. You know where to find me.

With his final comment, Zhao continued on down the corridor to the nearby stairwell, leaving Zuko in a form of terror that he had only experienced once before in his entire life.

"So…You're the Chancellor's daughter," Sokka tried to sound nonchalant as he half strutted beside the graceful girl down the corridors of the Central Tower, "That must be…interesting,"

"Yes, very…" Yue smiled slightly at his attempt at small talk, "Interesting,"

"What do you do around here?"

"Nothing important as of yet. My father is preening me to become the next Chancellor of the Union when he is too old to run, but aside form that…" she smiled quietly, "I'm just here to look pretty,"

"Preening you?" Sokka frowned slightly, "Does that make you some kind of…Soviet royalty,"

Yue shook her head, "No, not really. I will have to be elected into office, just like every Chancellor before me, but the Arnook Administration has done much for the Russian people, and civilians have often felt the most safest and secure since my father came to power," she sighed heavily as she stopped beside a large bay window, her emerald eyes staring beyond the energy dome towards a snowstorm raging outside, "Ever since the British Isles disappeared from the face of the Earth, the currents have radically changed the face of the world. Sea levels are gradually rising, Russia and most of Northern Canada are eternally locked under snow and ice, with the wall of cold slowly making it's way across the planet with each passing year.

Very soon I fear…the Earth may not become habitual for humans…or in the very least, it will not be pleasant for us. But that is why my father is so well loved, because he has redoubled our efforts to construct more and more bio-domes like the one over Saint Petersburg to preserve our population. The obvious cost of this however, just like his predecessors, is a general lack of aid to the U.S.A.C. in the Second Great War," she frowned slightly, "If I ever get elected, I hope to balance the two factors out. It is important that we preserve our way of life, but it is also important that G.U.N. be defeated,"

"Sounds like you'll do a pretty swell job,"

"You are very kind," Sokka grinned hazily as Yue sent a butterfly inducing smile his way, the pair slowly resuming their walk, "I wish I had met you sooner Mr. Agura. I find your companionship…comforting,"

"Please, Mr. Agura is my dad," Sokka laughed nervously as he flipped his ponytail subconsciously with one hand, "Just call me Sokka,"

"Very well then…Sokka," she nodded almost gratefully, "And you may call me Yue,"

"Yue…great," his reply was almost dreamy as they approached a fine oak door embedded in the wall opposite the large windows.

"These will be your quarters," the young girl indicated to the door as she handed the dazed teen a small card key, "There are three bedrooms, a kitchen and living area, and bathroom. If you require anything else, please to not hesitate to ask,"

"Oh no I won't," Sokka tried to smile charmingly as she began to make her way back down the corridor, "Hey Yue…I was wondering…" he rubbed the back of his neck nervously as he turned to regard him inquisitively, "Do you want to…do anything later? You know…see a movie…dinner maybe,"
"Oh…I'm sorry Sokka," her smile became almost sad, "but…well,"

"It's…it's okay," Sokka felt a slight tinge of disappointment, "Just forget about it,"
"No it's not that, I…"

"No, really, I get the picture," he smiled understandingly as he opened the door, "I just jumped the gun a bit that's all. Sorry, I understand…really,"

He closed the door behind him before Yue could even give him a reply.

"I really must apologise for Major Meridiano's conduct a few weeks ago," Zhao smiled with feigned sympathy at the two men that sat before his desk, "You have to understand, he is a man of action, and mistakenly believed your ship to be in the hands of his target. I'm sure if he had known that you had managed to recapture your vessel, he wouldn't have blown it to smithereens,"

"Yeah…well," the Pirate Captain leaned foreword into the light, his last surviving crewmember cast wary glances at the masked Major standing at the General's side, "Your officer's a little bit wrong in the head if you don't mind me saying so,"

Zhao smirked, "Major Meridiano is one of the only pilots capable of piloting transformable Rangers. As such, while he has not lost his mind like the rest of his regiment, he does seem to have become…uniquely minded," the large man leaned foreword slightly, "But I am willing to make up for his mistakes, and give you something a little bit extra, if you do something for me,"

"Oh?" the Captain scratched his beard with intrigue, "It must be quite a job with the expenses I need paying for. I need a new ship, a new crew…then there's all the merchandise I lost…"

"All will be properly be refunded if you carry out my request," Zhao's smirk became a wide grin, "Tell me…how much do you know about Captain Zachariah Sozin?"

"Zuko?" Iroh peered cautiously through the doorway into the darkened Bridge, "Are you up here?"

The Command Centre of the Bismarck, usually filled with the soft hums of consoles and quiet murmurs of various hard working crewmembers, now seemed remarkably dark and lonely in the twilight, the ship's scarred captain, his head in his hands, the only person in the large room, seated in his chair.

"The crew were incredibly reluctant to leave," the General's attempt at comfort fell on deaf ears, "They all wanted me to wish you luck for the future,"
"What future?" Zuko's voice was dark and defeated as he rubbed a hand across his face, "Without a crew, this ship is worthless scrap metal, and without Rangers, there isn't any point trying to find a new crew. Besides…who would want to sail and fight under the banner of an exile anyway?"

Iroh sighed deeply. He hated seeing his beloved nephew this way.

"Well…I think I'm going to turn in for the night," he yawned dramatically as he stretched, "Why don't you head for bed too Zuko? A good night's sleep might do you some good, clear your head. Help you plan your next move,"

"I can't," Sozin smiled grimly, "Someone needs to man the night-watch. And seeing as you're going to bed, guess who has that particular honour?"

As stinging as his words were, Iroh knew his nephew was just venting frustration.

"Whatever makes you happy Zuko," he sighed as he gently closed the door, "You know where I am if you need to talk,"

Zuko woke up with a jolt several hours later, a string of silent curses running through his mind as he sat up groggily in his chair.

It was still dark beyond the large windows that surrounded him, a bone white moon nearly completely round sending shafts of dull light across the silent consoles and empty chairs.

"Ugh…Uncle?" The Captain rubbed a tired hand over his face as he blinked weakly in the semi-darkness, "Must of dozed off,"

He sighed to himself as he eased himself out of his chair, his amber eyes casting a morose look at the silent Bridge around him as he made his way to the surrounding balcony, hoping the night air would wake him up.

Outside the air was fresh and cool, a thousand stars blending seamlessly with the lights of a far off African town on the shoreline, the near full moon above casting a stairway to heaven across the still waters.

Despite feeling remarkably down, Zuko couldn't help but smile slightly at the stillness of the night. He couldn't remember a time since he'd left Berlin that the engines hadn't been running, or various crewmembers had been shouting orders and gossip at each other from across the deck.

There was something almost…serene about the whole thing.

That was when he felt something hard and metallic poke him in the spine.

"Well well, what do we have here?" a unfamiliar voice murmured in his ear, "Out for a midnight stroll are we Captain Sozin?"

Zuko glanced behind at his apparent captor, taking in the iron grey beard and dirty clothes before his head was shoved back to the view of the ocean beyond.

"Ah ah, no peaking," the Pirate Captain chuckled darkly as he pressed his pistol deeper into Sozin's back, "Sorry lad, it's nothing personal like. I was hoping to slit your throat while you slept, but I guess me footsteps ain't as soft as they used to be,"

"Who are you?" Zuko didn't try to turn around again, "Who hired you? Whatever he's paying you, I'll triple it!"

"Me? Oh, I'm nothing but a simple man, trying to make a living on this miserable planet," the Pirate sniggered slightly, "And as for your offer, I very much doubt you could afford the reward a certain G.U.N. General is offering me for your head,"

"Zhao,"

"Bingo. Promised me a pretty penny he did to knock you off. I even get you keep your ship too, as long as I keep it one piece. Once I've gotten rid of you, I'm gonna get myself a new crew, bit more merchandise, and soon, I'll be the talk of Tortuga once again! Sorry lad," Zuko only sighed bitterly as he heard a safety catch click, "It's just business…nothing personal,"

A single shot rang out across the night, warm blood splattering across Sozin's cheek from the exit wound deep in his shoulder.

For a moment he wondered how the captain had missed. He hadn't moved, he hadn't even flinched as the weapon had discharged.

As he staggered around, his fuzzy vision caught sight of a headless body collapsing to the floor, Iroh's face passive as he stood down from his aggressive stance, the sword hanging loose in his hand.

"Uncle," Zuko tried to smile through the pain as he stumbled back to brace himself against the rail, "I…you…" he frowned slightly as he suddenly felt the energy leave his body, "I…"

Suddenly he was falling, his foot slipping in the pool of blood oozing from the Pirate's neck and falling over the safety rail.

He heard his uncle crying out in alarm, he saw the darkened hull of the Bismarck fly by his dissolving vision in a matter of moments.

He hit the salty ocean below with a large splash.

He was surprised that the pan seemed to ebb away as he sank below the waves, the warm water enveloping him in a warm embrace as he watched his limbs wave listlessly in front of him.

As darkness clouded his vision, he swore he could almost see his mother smiling down at him, reaching out to him with open arms as the pain fell completely away.

It didn't take Alistair long to find his friend, especially when he noticed the Fortitude was missing from Avat's Hanger.

All he really had to do was follow the sounds of rifle fire.

Although most of the city under the Energy Dome was comprised of residential areas, a small portion of the Southern side had been set aside for military purposes.

Among the warehouses, storage hangers and barracks sat a training arena, a large domed area that reminded Aang vaguely of the Madison Square Garden he had fought his old friend Bumi in not so long ago.

And sure enough standing dead centre, firing blanks at nearby targets, was the Fortitude.

"Katara?" Alistair winced as another round hit it's mark dead centre on the target from across the arena, "You okay?"

The Fortitude turned it's head slowly to regard the tiny human at it's feet, the officer flinching slightly as it's single red eye flashed dangerously, before turning back to the targets.

"It's not a good time Alistair,"

"Okay…When would be a good time?"

"As soon as we get as far away from Moscow and that bastard as we possibly can,"

"Okay…" Alistair couldn't think of anything else to say as he gingerly scampered up the ladder embedded in the Fortitude's leg, "That's not really a good time for me," he pulled down on the emergency pump on the side of the Fortitude's chest, the cockpit hatch popping open with a hiss, revealing the scowling young teen within, "So why don't we stop taking out our anger on the poor targets and you just explain what's wrong with General Pakku?"

Katara stared stonily at him for a good few minutes, before letting her shoulders slump.

"Pakku…is a rich snob," she sighed as her friend sat down on the edge of the hatch at her feet, "And a name…that isn't too fondly heard of back in my home town. A long time ago…one of our little group was actually engaged to him. The two of them were deeply in love…apparently, but Pakku's pride seemed to get the better of him,"

"So…this is all about some…Pride and Prejudice scenario?"

"Kinda," she smiled softly for a moment, "See this…member of our group wasn't exactly rich, and Pakku, even though he was due to marry her, was incredibly rude about it, never letting her forget that he was of a higher class then she was. Eventually she got so sick and tired of it all she just left him without saying goodbye, just stepped onto the next transport out of Russia and never looked back. She never saw him again, but he broke her heart, and that stuck with her 'til this very day,"

"Ouch," Alistair tried to smile reassuringly, "Well…maybe he's had time to digest what he's done. You know, maybe he feels bad for how he treated her…"

"Hardly,"

The officer nearly feel from his perch as Katara swung the Fortitude violently at the sound of a new voice entering the conversation, the bizarre form of a Soviet Ranger stomping out into the Arena shaking everything around as it stood off against them.

Tall and hulking, Alistair's first thought was a large scale model of Katara's Lumber; it's limbs large and thick, the aircraft like cockpit clearly standing out against the emerald green machine.

Closer inspection however revealed the cockpit to be partly melded into the chest, so the pilot now appeared to be almost standing up, the transparent canopy giving a far wider view of the surrounding battlefield.

The Ranger also seemed to lack the ape-like structure of Katara's Lumber, the higher positioned cockpit and thicker body giving it a more humanoid appearance.

Finally, a pair of large gatling guns sat perched on the massive machine's shoulders, complementing the assault rifle it held in it's beefy hands nicely, and giving it a wholly threatening aura about it.

"So, you're from her lot are you?" Pakku's voice rang clear across the arena, "I always wondered where she'd got to after she left me at the alter. I suppose the cess pits of Australia would be fitting place for her to end up!"

"You take that back!!" Katara's eyes narrowed to slits, "You take that back right now or…"

"Or what? You'll fight me? Please. You think a Fortitude can go up against the Lumber Mk. VII, the most advanced Ranger Unit in the Soviet Army? You don't stand a chance,"

The young girl scowled darkly, her teeth bared, her hands squeezing the control sticks so tightly Aang swore they were about to come off.

"Alistair…get off my Ranger,"

"Katara?" The officer could almost see the anger washing off his friend, "Are you going to be…"

"Alistair…off my rig now, before I throw you off,"

Aang merely swallowed thickly before scampering down the side of the Fortitude and up into the surrounding stands.

"Alright you crusty old man," Katara's voice carried across the arena, "You insult my family, you insult homeland, and you insult my machine!" the cockpit hatch closed with a bang as the Fortitude brought it's weapon to bear, "You want a fight you pompous old bastard!? COME AT GET IT!!"

"I'm just heartbroken to hear about your nephew," Zhao bowed his head to hide the smirk that crept onto his face as Iroh stared mournfully into the cup of tea before him, "Just…devastated,"

For a moment, silence reigned in the cramped war room, only the earthy growls and grumbles of the massive ship around them broke the quiet between the two Generals and the blind Major that stood at Zhao's side.

Iroh had barely spoken a word since Artirius had been sent to tow him and the Bismarck back to New Gibraltar. The usually jovial old man kept his head hung low, one hand constantly resting on the crate turned coffin that held his beloved Zuko's body.

It had been a brief ceremony, conducted in the Sovereignty's tiny chapel on their way home. Only the Command crew had attended, before the body was buried at sea, as was tradition.

Then the call came to divert straight to the frozen wastelands of Russia. A skeleton crew was assigned to Zuko's old ship to return it to New Gibraltar, while the rest, Iroh included, continued to make their way to the Rendezvous point.

There, the entire ship's crew had been transferred to a more suitable vessel, the Dues Ex Machina, the flagship of Zhao's land fleet.

Now the three of them sat (or in Artirius' case stood) in the Deus' War Room, the quiet making Zhao twitch slightly in agitation.

"The Führer will not be pleased," Iroh's voice finally broke the silence, his tone cracked and despondent, "Although an exile, I'm sure he will be angered when he learns of who was responsible,"

Artirius smirked slightly as Zhao tensed.

"You…you know who killed him?"

"YES! PIRATES!!" the old General's fist slammed down hard against the table, his tea slopping out of his cup onto the polished ash in the process, "They obviously thought the ship was abandoned. They took us by surprise. If only I'd gotten to them sooner…"

"So…they're dead eh?" Zhao's massive form relaxed slightly, a small smirk passing across his face for the barest of moments. Zuko was dead and so were the pirates, meaning he wouldn't have to make good on his agreement as a bonus, "Well…perhaps it was for the best. I take it then, by your presence, that have you reconsidered my offer?"

"I have, and I accept," Iroh nodded grimly, "It will be an honour to serve as an officer under your command in your conquest of the New Soviet Union," he rose his cup slightly in toast, "To the German Unified Nation,"

"No my friend," the General rose his own cup with a deadly grin, "To victory!"

"Hey I got you message," Sokka pushed past the assembled masses to where Alistair stood watching in awe, "What's going…whoa,"

The combat area was in tatters. Stands and targets lay broken and burning across the cratered arena, the two Rangers still battling on, apparently trying to violently kill each other with rubber bullets and training lasers.

Sokka swallowed thickly as the Fortitude's rifle seemed to finally run out of ammunition, the spare clips it usually carried on it's shoulder shield now lying empty and discarded across the tarnished stage, "Please please tell me that isn't Katara in there,"

"You're ammunition is depleted. Surrender now, and I might show you mercy,"

"MERCY!?" The Fortitude's shield rapidly spun to a horizontal level as a cruciform hilt of a five metre long sword was ejected in a blast of steam, "I'm just warming up you backstabbing…"

"Hey, I didn't say anything," Sokka scowled darkly as his comrade held up his hands in defence, Katara successfully charging into the Lumber's torso, her sword coming down on the rifle as Pakku tried to fend her off with his gatling guns, "What's up with her anyway? I've never seen her so aggressive! She mentioned something about a girl, and Pakku, and then we started talking about Pride And Prejudice…"

"Wait…Pakku? You mean he's that Pakku?" Alistair jumped as Sokka slapped his forehead hard with a groan, "Oh of course! I should of known. I just didn't put it together, I was too busy checking out Miss Yue, because you gotta admit she is the hottest thing this side of the equator…and what a figure! and her personality…"

"Sokka!" the brother jumped as the officer scowled darkly, "What's up with Katara?"

"Oh. She's upset, because Pakku's old girlfriend is Gran Gran,"

"What?!"

"I know, it's creepy isn't it? Old people love, yuck!"

"No wait…she said it was just someone form the village. She said something about Pakku being prideful and…"

"Yeah…it kinda goes a bit deeper then that," Sokka rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, "You see…"

"You still don't understand, do you!?"

Sokka winced slightly as the Fortitude expertly sliced a gatling gun from it's shoulder, the two Ranger's now locked in bitter struggle as Pakku successfully tried to stop Katara from impaling his cockpit.

"You know what? Maybe I'll just let her explain," he tapped Alistair's watch with a nervous finger, "You might wanna summon your big alter ego though, just in case,"

"What exactly am I supposed to understand?" the entire arena held his breath as the General's voice struggled to be heard over the squeal of gears and gyros, "I gave Katharine everything! I took her in, I gave her my love and my admiration. And she exploited it. She left me standing at the alter, surrounded by my friends and colleagues! Do you know the embarrassment I felt that day? How their laughter still echoes through my dreams?! I gave her everything and she just threw it in my face!"

"You don't understand do you?" the Fortitude seemed to gain the upper hand as the Lumber's legs began to buckle, "It was because you gave her everything that she ran away! You kept her caged up like a pet bird, only showing her off at parties and the like! She couldn't live like that! How could anyone live like that!? She had to leave, if not for herself, then for the life she carried inside of her,"

Even though no one could see his face, in didn't take a genius to figure out the shock that must have passed across the old man's face.

"What…what do you mean…?"

"Katherine Agura is my Grandmother. She couldn't bear to see her unborn child become something like you! A high horsed pompous git who never quite saw beyond his own nose! So she ran, and gave birth on the beaches of Australia! She gave birth to my father, who married and eventually had me! I am the granddaughter of Katherine Agura, so guess what that makes you…GRAMPS!!"

"She was…"

The Lumber's legs and arms finally gave way. The sword smashed through the cumbersome arms and down the shoulder into the torso, narrowly missing the cockpit by a hair's breadth.

With a pathetic groan the broken Ranger crashed to the ground in a crumpled heap, it's remaining limbs splayed against the broken concrete.

And as the dust settled and the assembled crowd watched in awe, the sound of an old man sobbing echoed across the arena's speakers.

Like any other warship of her size, the Dues Ex Machina's Launch Bay was a massive cavernous area, always bustling with people shouting orders at each other punctured with the loud noses of machinery and moving crates, the eight Rangers within her metallic embrace (Six Fortitudes plus Artirius' Eternal and Zhao's repaired Colossus) watching on quietly from their respective alcoves.

Amidst this ordered chaos, Iroh shuffled slowly along the edges of the massive hanger, his eyes darting towards any potential spies he passed as he made his way towards a wall of crates near the back of the busy area, a loaf of bread and a flask of water in his aged hands.

"I'm sorry I took so long," he smiled carefully at the young armoured man that sat in the shadows, "This is all I could get you I'm afraid. Artirius seems suspect something, so I have to be careful,"

"This is more then enough Uncle," the helmet of the Shadow Exo-suit slid back, a grateful smile crossing Zuko's lips as he took his Uncle's merger feast, "You've already done so much already,"

"For you, it is no trouble at all," Iroh smirked as the former Captain wolfed down his meal, "No nephew of mine is going to stow away on a ship without some backup! The plan is working perfectly. Zhao doesn't suspect a thing. It's clear he was the one who sent the pirates to assassinate you. Once we reach Moscow, his mind will be divided, and then will be the chance to strike,"

"Zhao will pay for what he did to me," Zuko scowled darkly as he drained the flask with several deep gulps, "I swear it Uncle,"

"I know you do," the young man failed to realise the simple on his relatives didn't quite meet his eyes, "I have to go now. I'll come back to check on you later,"

Sozin merely nodded before activating his suit's helmet once more, Iroh checking to make sure no one was around before silently heading back for the Battleship's bridge.

Neither of them noticed Major Artirius Meridiano as he sat on the edge of his Ranger's cockpit hatch, his masked eyes watching the old man depart before he continued on with his unit's maintenance.

It was kind of pathetic, seeing an elderly gentleman cry.

He sat there, slumped over in the remains of his Ranger, silent tears rolling down his wrinkled cheeks, seemingly not caring much for the assembled crowd of officers and soldiers that gathered apprehensively around him, only looking up as Katara picked her way through the audience to see him.

"I…I never knew," her features softened slightly as his cracked voice broke the silence, "I just thought…all these years…why didn't she say anything? I could of changed! I would have given anything for her…done anything for her…"

"Maybe that was the problem," Katara sighed as she knelt down before him, "Maybe she didn't like being waited on hand and foot. Maybe…all she wanted was your love. Because she did love you, I know that much. And it broke her heart to leave you…especially when she was carrying your child, but she couldn't live the life you gave her…she was too strong, too free spirited for the life of a nobleman's wife. And I think…deep down…you knew that too. That's why you're so angry with yourself,"

Pakku didn't reply. He merely nodded slowly, before hanging his head in shame and regret, fresh drops of salty moisture falling across the remains of his Ranger as the gathered men and women around them gazed upon the scene with amazement and awe.

"Hey,"

Yue jumped as a familiar voice broke her train of thought, a small smile gracing her lips as Sokka came up beside her on the balcony overlooking the city.

"Hello," she nodded in welcome, "I'm glad you got my message. How is General Pakku?"

"Heartbroken, but that's more then can be said for his Lumber," Sokka chuckle, "A total write-off. I think he's got more personal things to think about at the moment anyway. So…what did you want to talk about?" he frowned as she turned away from him, as though embarrassed, "I mean…you did call me up here right?"

"Yes,"

"So…what's up?"

"I wanted…to correct you," Sokka's eyebrows hiked up in bemusement as she turned her gaze back to the city below, "You seemed to misunderstand…a few things,"

"Misunderstand? Oh…you mean about earlier when I…" he felt his face pink slightly at the memories of barely a few hours before, "Oh no, I completely understand. Really,"

"No…I don't think you do?"

"Nah, it's not that hard to figure out. You're the daughter of the Chancellor of the New Soviet Union, I'm just a lowly kid from the backwaters of Australia. Like I said, not hard to figure o…"

His eyes widened to the size of saucers as she silenced his words with her lips.

For a moment he didn't know what to do, his whole body seemed to go numb as she pressed her body up against his, cold hands gently cupping his face as he hazily felt his arms wrap around her slim waist.

He just hoped this balcony was as secluded as it felt.

The need for air broke the moment, Yue resting her head on Sokka's shoulder, her paper white hair gently grazing his chin.

"Or…maybe it's not as simple as that,"

She felt him smile against his chest, "No it's not,"

She slowly raised her left hand into his field of vision, a thin golden band with a trio of tiny diamonds glinting in the light of the energy dome.

"My father has arranged a marriage to one of his comrade's sons. It's really just an alliance of families…it will make the New Soviet Union even stronger in the end but…this is why I was so hesitant to accept your offer before,"

Sokka frowned at the ring and until she lay the dainty hand that wore it back against his chest, "And…what about now?"

"I…I don't know," a tear stained his shirt as she buried her face in the crook of his neck, "I want to uphold my father's wishes, I want to make him proud of me, and make a good wife to the man he has chosen to be my husband, but this…" a small sob escaped Yue's lips as she clung to his shirt, Sokka's arms pulling her in tighter into his embrace, as though to shield her from the thoughts that plagued her mind.

"How can something that feels so right…be so wrong?"

They were an unstoppable force.

An entire battle fleet, over one hundred vessels strong, massive land warships, irregular L-shaped, three massive cannons, two on either side of the vessel's 'island' on mounted platforms, a third sat at the rear, taking up the last quarter of the aft section the island did not glinting in the sunlight while numerous Anti Air turrets twitched at the slightest movement, missile launchers already loaded and ready without the target city even in sight.

Zhao sat with triumph on the Bridge of the Deus Ex Machina, Artirius standing on his left, Iroh on his right.

All around him, the General could feel the power at his finger tips, from the low rumble of the engines below his feet to the coordination between the former crewmembers of the Sovereignty as they pushed his mighty vessel onward in a cloud of billowing snow that combined with the hundred others.

"The time is come," all eyes turned to Takanori Zhao as he rose from his chair, a triumphant grin overcoming his face as the triumph of his nearing victory enveloped him, "Signal the fleet. All ship's go to full alert…

Commence Operation Moscow Dawn!!"

Like I said, I'm not entirely happy with this chapter, but it's done now, and we can move on to better things.

I'd like to thank NullChronicler for giving me an idea for what the Katara/Pakku fight should be about (Because Pakku couldn't get away with being sexist in 2045!) Thanks a lot!

I've already made a start on Part II, so I may have that done either by the end of September or sometime during October. The main reason it's taking so long (aside from my hectic life constantly getting in the way) is because I'm actually juggling it with three (yes three!) other unpublished stories: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Zaft's Archangel (A what-if story involving the 603rd Technical Evaluation unit from The Path to Bloody Valentine capturing the Archangel while Zala and co steal the Gundams), MechQuest: The Cronicles of Lore (A novelisation of the online RPG I hope to actually publish with Artix Entertainments blessings), and Mobile Suit Gundam: Project Battalion (A Original Gundam series that pits mobile suits against Virtical Tanks from Steel Battalion). The problem is is I keep getting ideas for all four, and I keep having to jump between them before the plots go away. Anyway, because I'm actually uploading chapters for this fic, it's the top of my work list, and I should be done by November at the latest. when I finish though, I'm probably going to take a month off to focus on my other stories.

Alright, I'm done rambling. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and with any luck, Part II will be out soon