All there is to see is darkness. His eyes hurt as they adjust to the low light and his muscles still ache. As he stands up he immediately notices something is wrong. He can barely stand, bars and cold walls surround him in a barely lit room. He touches the wall and goes cold. They feel like metal (something that is already odd for him) but strange, unnatural. He looks around for an exit but there are none in sight. The room is empty except for some smudges which look like blood stains. They tell a story of misery and torment, something that he would soon be acquainted with if he couldn't escape. Remembering what had happened before Phoenix realises that the soldiers that attacked the village must be responsible.

Is there anyone there? He shouts as loud as possible through the bars.

A guard approaches him from the darkness shouting at him in a language he can not understand. Right now Phoenix knew he was completely helpless and backed away getting as far as possible from the guard.

"I know you cant understand me but I think you ll get the message. You aren't getting off this ship alive. I lost some good friends on your planet to scum like you. And now your going to get cut up and dissected so we can find out how you work." He said scornfully while enacting what he described. "And we are going to enjoy it."

There is a scream which interrupts him from a nearby cell followed by whimpering and moaning. "Xaier shut that person up, I'm sure we can lose a couple."The screaming continues until it is stopped by a short burst of gunfire, followed by a brief silence.

"Please be quite we do need some of you to survive the night, he chuckles to himself and walks off to patrol the dimly lit corridor. Phoenix no longer has to wonder where he is or about the blood in his cell.

"This sucks," whined Jin for the seventh time in the last hour. She'd been travailing for less than a week with Toph and Haru and she was already sick of it. Having to walk for several hours on end was the last straw.

"Please be quite," replied Haru fed up with her moaning.

"But it does. We have to go around the whole world to find someone who hasn t been seen in years," replied Jin, showing the true cause of her bad mood.

"I finally know how Zuko feels," Toph quietly remarked to herself.

"But it's true," Jin continued, not noticing Toph's remark. "The earth king getting desperate. He could be strengthening the army or help the fire nation but instead sends us after the twice lost avatar."

"You can't say that Jin, he's just doing what he thinks will protect people," replied Haru.

"Do you mean the earth king or the avatar?" She asked.

"Both of them. I'm sure Aang wouldn't disappear for no reason, he's not like that. And the earth king believes this is the best option," said Haru, only half believing his own argument.

"He sent us after a mysterious person who disappeared off the face of the planet and you don t call that desperate?" Said Jin who was enjoying the argument more and more.

"I admit it may be difficult to find him," said Haru, practically admitting defeat.

"Ha! I knew you agreed that this mission is pointless," she said in triumph.

"But if we do find the avatar then he'll be able save us all," Said Haru thinking of one last thing to say.

"And what makes you think we can't look after ourselves?" Just opposing what ever Haru said at this point.

"Because they will never stop," said Toph.

"What was that Toph?" Asked Jin surprised by her interruption. These arguments were not uncommon but they were more like petty squabbles. Toph usually just kept quiet, it created less trouble and they normally enjoyed them, if it causes no harm why stop it?

"We need all the help we can get. In the desert we should of been obliterated. We won because we are the very best of our nation and we had the element of surprise. The average soldier won't stand a chance against these people. The avatar is the best chance we have of victory.

"Are you sure he can beat them?" Said Jin, now completely serious.

"I hope so because if he can't then none of us can."

"Permission to enter commander?" Asks someone outside my office.

"Enter" I reply and now I find out it is Garro Trobar, someone I met as earlier on in my career and saw great potential for both his courage and loyalty. He had so much passion for the Imperium that he would of been a good commissioner, I think they even asked him to become one but he declined, he would rather receive orders instead of giving them.

"Commander I have great news! A large amount of adamantium and manganese have been found along with deposits of rhenium and vandium." He says this with a smile on his lips. It nothing, just odd to see a happy soldier.

Good. It will be able to fuel the Mechanicuim's forges.

"I never ordered scans to be applied on the planet. How did you get these results? I ask wondering who went on without my permission."

"It was Akbar sir. The rules say that he can scan for resources if you are out of reach. Your permission is only advised and not necessary. I think that it was a good choice because now we know this planet has several valuable resources," he said happily.

"Yes your right they will be very useful for the mechanicuim's forges."

"First the S.T.C. now this, I think your the Mechanicuims lucky charm," he says and we both laugh. It has been a long time since I ve heard a joke from one of my soldiers. Even through several years of service he still has his youthful attitude and optimism.

"Well tell Akbar that he did a good job but next he should ask me. You can now leave." He leaves and I'm left uneasy but not for the reason I would think. I would normally have complete control of this entire fleet and some one doing something as important as that is risky but that isn t why. His youthful attitude is out of place here. Maybe belief can keep one sane in the brutal life of a guardsmen.

He did do well and nothing went wrong so it is alright.

I guess I m overreacting. I speak into the vox. "Tell the doctors that they can begin when I arrive." I will know what these things are because they are special. I mean different.

"Get up now!" The guard shouts to Phoenix and gestured him to move. Phoenix gets up and lets them approach him. They smack him against the wall and put him in handcuffs. He counts a total of three guards. Only two of the escort him away. He waits for the first opportunity to attack knowing that he had no hope against three of them. Two guards lead him away as one holds him and the one behind keeping his gun at the ready. After a couple about a minute they move around the corner Phoenix takes his chance.

He swings the guard holding on to him into the wall and as the other one comes around the corner he kicks the gun out of his hands. swinging round he elbows the first guard in the face. The other one tries to shoot him with a pistol but misses and hits the hand cuffs. Phoenix uppercuts him and then uses the gun against his other captor, still on the floor in pain and shock.

It lasted only several seconds but it was exhausting, he was still feeling effects of the tranquilizers. "At least I got rid of the handcuffs," he said to himself, thanking his luck even though he would of just shot them off anyway.

"It came from over there!" He heard being shouted around the corner. He couldn't understand it but he knew he was discovered.

He avoided their fire by staying out of their sights, made easier by his head start and the lack of straight corridors. Every time they got close to firing they met another corner. The guardsmen may have had the best weapons in production but even they can t shot something they can't see.

He was a naturally gifted runner and after two minutes he has created a decent gap between him and them. Even so he doubted his chances and had very little hope of escape. Suddenly the corridor splits off into three different paths and without stopping he took the path on the right into the first room he sees.

Sprinting for that long had took its toll. It is a very small storage room which is barely lit and has a single cupboard at one end. Phoenix hides in the cupboard to recuperate his energy and hope not to get seen. It doesn't take long for him to get disappointed as a single guardsmen walks in. The tension is unbearable. He walks around the enclosed less than a couple feet from phoenix. Phoenix holds his breath, the merest movement would give away his location. Finally the guard looks at the closet intently. He sense something out of place. Phoenix watched from the other side though a small gap. They both ready them selves for what was on the other side.

"Ahha! Huh?" The guard had opened one of the doors and sees an empty cupboard. Phoenix managed to hide behind the other door thanking his good luck. Luckily the guard goes in closer and then phoenix attacks. He disarms the soldier quickly and promptly, uses the gun against it's old owner as a club which knocks him out cold. Phoenix then stole the uniform and put it on. If he couldn't run then he would blend in with them.

He leaves the room and walks past several guards. He hears voices but keeps walking. They get a bit louder. He hopes they aren't talking to him as he turns to face them. They stare straight at him. He runs. He runs and wonders wether he's had good or bad luck overall. He rounds another corner but hits someone. They both fall to the ground and phoenix grabs him points the gun he stole off one of guards at his head. Phoenix has the commander captive and his bodyguard waits for he opportunity to strike.

"I know you can't understand me but if you come any closer I will shoot him. Your not that quick," he said, hoping it was true. The blank thought intensely. This person was quick and quiet enough to get close to the commander but it was an accident. He has the upper hand. For now.

"Leave!" Shouts Phoenix and pushes the gun barrels further into the commander s head.

It had been a long time since he had been so close to death and he didn't like it. "Let him go. Save me later but don't risk my life."

The blank backed away and Phoenix started to run with the commander as fast as he could. Then darkness.

"Uuugh!" moaned Phoenix on the floor. The lights had been shut down and the blank disarmed him in an instant. He was on the floor paralyzed and in pain but definitely alive.

"Holy Terra that was close!" Gasped the commander, being at death's door a moment before.

"Are you okay? Do you need any medical assistance?" She replied.

"No I'll be fine but I'm going to go to my quarters and rest. Tell the doctor they can start without me."

"Should I finish him off?"

"He's still alive?" He asked in surprise and amusement. "Actually keep him alive. He managed to escape, evade capture and hold me at gun point. There must be something we can do with him, it would be a shame to waste such a warrior. Take him to the specialized cells."

"Anything else?"

"I want you to pay more attention," he says with anger in his voice. "I was held at gun point in my own ship. The reason you're here is to protect me. Remember that the next time you are with me. Come straight back after you've told them to start." He walked away and the blank did the same. After a minute he had a thought. Maybe those warriors are worth fighting.

"Toph I want to ask something."

"What is it Haru?" She replied.

"Where are we going? We've been following you for a few days but you never said where we were going."

"We're going to Sokka's house. He was Aangs best friend," Toph
sighed remembering the bond that once existed between everyone. "I think he might be able to help us on our search."

"Its been ages since I've seen Sokka. It'll be great to catch up," said jin.

"This isn't a social call. We find out what he knows then we leave," Toph replied harshly.

"Did you two fall out, you sound as if something is wrong," said Haru

"I bet it's a lovers quarrel," whispered Jin to Haru and they both started to laugh.

"I'll ignore that. Compose your selves we've got important work to do."

Toph knocks on the door of Sokka's house with a slight hesitation. The door is answered unnaturally quickly and Sokka is shocked for a second to see such an old friend appear at his door step.

"Sokka we need to talk," said Toph as if to a random stranger.

"I'm glad to see you too. Haru and Jin isn't it?"

"Has it been that long Sokka?" Asked Haru.

"I'm sorry it's been such a long time and a lot has happened. What do you need?"

"Sokka we need your help to find the avatar." There is a moments silence then the sound of a door being slammed shut. There is another moments silence.

"Sokka!" Toph shouts several time and nearly brakes the door in two. "Lets us in this is important. The world is at stake!"

The door opens slightly. "The world?" he asks quietly hoping he misheard.

"The whole world is at risk if we don't find him," Toph said, finally convincing him.

He opens the door reluctantly and lets them in. "I will hear what you have to say but if I don't like what you have to say I will get rid of you."

"Don't worry you'll find what I have to say is very important," Toph said with the same harsh tone.

Jin sensed the tension between the two. As soon as Toph and Sokka looked at each other Toph had been on guard and defensive. Even her stance was more like she wanted to attack Sokka then talk. "Um, do you have any tea?" She said hoping to change the mood.

Sokka seemed to like the prospect of tea more than discussing the avatar and was more than happy to oblige. "Of course. Iroh taught me some great recipes, any one else want some?"

"No thank you I'm not thirsty," Haru answered politely.

Toph answer was shorter. "No."

"Iroh's tea is very good, your loss," Sokka said in a slightly better mood.

"Sokka we came to talk about the avatar not about your tea!" Toph said on the verge of shouting.

Sokka stopped and looked down at Toph. They were both fully grown but Sokka had always been taller. "I know you want to find out about where the avatar is but I won't help you."

"I can tell when your lying Sokka, even if you don't want to deep down you it is the right thing to do and you will help us. you can lock yourself in this mansion and hide from the world but you wont let people die."

Sokka sat on his couch and told the others to do the same. "It all started when Aang and Katara were fighting the Firelord. When Katara first found Aang she didn't know what to feel but by the end she knew exactly what she felt. She loved Aang and he loved her. After the war they fell only more in love and after a couple years they had kids."

"What!" Interrupted Toph, completely shocked. "Aang and Katara had children and you never told me!"

"Toph it was complicated, you don't know what happened," Sokka replied trying to keep calm.

"Then tell me!" she ordered and tried not to show how sad she felt.

"I was but you interrupted me. Now if I can continue. Katara had triplets but what they had done was wrong, no avatar is allowed to have children, it would upset the balance so she was forced to give one child to each nation."

"You said she only had triplets," said Haru.

"I think that is part of the problem. The air nomads are practically gone, with Aang still being the only one. After the war he spent months trying to find survivors and I think thats what he's been doing ever since."

"Do you know where those children are or not?" Asked Toph trying to finish this quickly.

"They should be late teens by now. However I only know the exact location of one of them. One is at the south pole in the southern water tribe. I know another one was given to someone in the fire-nation. I do know where the last one is. Iroh has him."

"Wait why does Iroh have the earth nation baby?" Jin asked, slightly confused by everything she was hearing.

"Thats not the point!" Toph shouted, back into a rage. "I worked with you and I was your friend! Why didn't you tell me, who else did you tell instead of me!" She was on the verge of tears.

"Barely anyone. Only me, Iroh and Katara. Not even the foster parents know," Sokka said trying to calm her down.

"But why! Your not giving me answers!"

"I don't know!" Sokka shouted, fed up with Toph. "Alright? Aang took them away from Katara without even giving reason. I told you everything Katara told me. I kept it secret because she made me promise and I couldn't deny her that request."

"I was your friend! I wished that when I came here I could say I'm still your friend. Unfortunately you've proven me wrong."

"You don't think this has effected me to? My sister was devastated and Suki left me to hunt criminals! I lost everything!"

"Before you met the avatar you didn't have anything! You lived in an igloo in the middle of no where! Now you live in luxury!" Toph had gone too far.

"Get out of my house," Said Sokka, finally fed up with Toph's insults.

"Fine I've got what I came for." Toph, Haru and Jin leave while Sokka just looks at the floor in sadness. Jin leaves last and before she does she says two words. "I'm sorry."

Sokka once had a family and had friends from every nation. He has lost everything.

Jin may not know Sokka, having only met him once before but she still feels sorry for him. "Toph do you think you were right to say what you did?"

Toph ignored Jin and said "we now know who has a child of the avatar and we must go to Iroh and talk to him."

"Toph you didn't answer my question."

"We were once friends and now we aren't. There's nothing to discuss," she replied trying to change the subject.

"You can't just change the subject and avoid it, that's not the earth bender way," said Haru.

"I'll admit I'm angry. We were once the best of friends but now we've all changed and I just can't stand to look at him anymore. A poor water bender now living in a fire nation mansion? He's betrayed everything he is and I can't believe I was ever his friend," she said without admitting how sad it had made her.

Jin and Haru felt Toph's sadness even if she couldn't admit it was there. They knew she would eventually have deal with it and they knew the results would be tragic.

"You are to begin."

"Where did you come from?" The surgeon asked turning round to see the blank right next to him.

"The commander is busy, you are to begin and give him the report when you are done," she said in her lifeless manner and then left as quickly as she came.

"She is a strange one. I would love to cut her up and see what's inside of her. Maybe one day I'll get to," he said licking his lips. "Shut the doors and lock the place down. I will have complete silence until I am done. Understand?"

"Yes sir!" The two guards say as they locked the door. It was at least a meter thick and nothing short of a multi-melta or lascannon could get through it.

The room was 20 by 20 meters. It was well lit, not leaving a single shadow and had some of the best technology the Imperuim had and was given as another gift from the mechanicuim. There were several bodies at one end of the room, with more ready if needed. They were alive just unconscious since delicate surgery is very difficult when the patient is screaming. He would only do that if he was bored. As well as the surgeon two guardsmen were in the room, in case anything went wrong and to help the surgeon with any work he would ask.

"I'm used to more of an audience to see my work but I guess you two will do. It seems that if the commander isn't here then no one else wants to be. Now lets get working."

The process took hours, it almost seamed as if no progress was being made at all. The first body was just used for basic anatomical knowledge. The organs are all the same with the perfect human form, albeit with some minor changes. Muscles and skin are naturally stronger and their lungs are more powerful but nothing heretical or alien. The second body was used to confirm the results of the first and it was in order. The next four brought nothing new to light. He just muttered, kept dissecting and analyzing with both his own knowledge and the mechanicuim's machines. At any time there were at least three machines plugged in checking blood types, toxins, brain activity and a host of others.

"That it! The key!" He shouted in triumph.

"What is it?" Asked the guard on the left wondering what he had found, being left with only random mumbling throughout the process.

"What did I tell you!" The surgeon shouted back, completely changing his tone. The guard stayed still, this wasn t the first time he had been screamed at for asking a question. "I said to be silent! Your opinion is worthless! Now as I was saying they may look the same but there are some major differences between us and them."

His sudden change in tone worried the two guards and lead them to question his mental state. Lucky they would not have to listen to him for much longer.

"Their genetics vary greatly between us and them, by that information alone they could be considered alien. They function like us, breath, digest and reproduce like us but it is here in the brain where they are different," he was starting to lecture the two guards with zeal.

"Their brain is completely different. There are some sections that aren't even in our heads. They are completely neutral in terms of warp energy just like the Tau. Unfortunately these creature are too far from our gene code. They look normal but we ll have to contact the inquisition on how to proceed. We can't be in an alliance with an alien race."

The two guards look at each other and nodded. "We can't let you do that."

"How dare you even talk to me you worthless piece of filth." He shouted straight into the guards faces. In return they smiled and one of them smashed his rifle into the surgeon's face.

"You are the scum. You are just a pawn in our game that has to be sacrificed. You have no idea of this planet's importance in the greater scheme of things. What happens here could change the course of the entire human race. If you contacted the inquisition then it would all be over," he mockingly explained to him.

"You can't talk down to me!" The surgeon replied on the floor with blood dripping down his face.

"Oh but I can. I am Garro Trobar, agent of the alpha legion and you have lost your usefulness."

"I won't beg," he said defiant and egotistic to the end.

Garro looked at the surgeon lying on the floor helplessly. He pulled the trigger and there was a loud crack then silence. "This is a damn mess Nate," he said to the other guard. "Go to the commander and tell him that the gene code is in line and that these people are naturally strong, so they'll be good soldiers. Say that they move the elements through old technology. It is imperative that he does not find out the true nature of their abilities. Do what ever you can to stop any involvement of the Inquisition. He has no idea how important he is."

Author's note:

I could swear this chapter is cursed. Since the last chapter three of my computers have broken down for one reason or another (power lead, screen failure and because it wanted to). Anyway I think this is my longest one so far and I've put more thought into where I'm going with this story. Thanks for reading and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism or even praise is much appreciated. Thanks to all of you who have been reading and hope you liked it.