Introductions

Date: Januray 14th 2552
Location: UNSC Army Base, Acton, California, Earth

Colonel Joseph Simmons was not a happy man. CENTCOM have decided to send the UNSC Navy more funding, leaving the UNSC Army only enough to get by. And instead of catching up with his paperwork, he's at 201st B Company's HQ where Lucy, his AI,  wants him to see 'someone that requires his immediate attention'.

“So who's our guest, Corporal Reyes?” Simmons said to the young solider accompanying him to the holding cell.

“We don't know, sir,” Reyes replied, “Lucy's been attending to her. But she's positive that our guest isn't from around here.”

What the hell does that mean, thought the battalion leader. He pressed on. “And how was it that she ended up in our company?”  

Reyes answered without delay. “A couple weeks ago, there was a disturbance in the Central Library. People were running for their lives, claiming that a 'fire woman' was going to burn down the library. Needless to say, police and firefighters were on the scene. Unfortunately, the 'fire woman' blew down a wall and headed for the streets. Police tried to stop her, but she proved to be, and I quote, 'too damn quick and packing heat'. After that, I, along with the rest of 2nd squad were asked to assist the police. Fire Team Bravo was sent east to the Pershing Square while Charlie, my Fire Team, was sent south past the  abandoned Metro station. My team spotted her and we got tied down  firefight.”

“What the hell was she using?” asked Simmons, amazed that one person tied down a team of his men, “Grenades? Rifles? Flamethrowers?”

“None, sir,” Reyes replied, “She produced her own fire.”

“I'm sorry, what did you say?” asked a stunned Simmons.

“She was producing her own fire,” repeated the corporal, “Like in the comics, sir.”

“And just how did you manage to get Miss Fire Starter here?” asked Simmons, annoyed.

“She caught a couple bullets, compelling her to run.” said Reyes, “We fired off a few more rounds at her legs, causing her to fall face first in the street. Once down, we ran up and pumped her full of sedatives from our med kits. Lots of them.”

That's not how the military handles problems, thought Simmons. “Wouldn't it been easier to just kill her?”

“At the time, we thought she could have been one of ONI's secret weapons,” the corporal answered, “The last thing we wanted was to be shipped off to the middle of nowhere because we killed off one of their pet projects.”

Fair enough, thought Simmons. “Is she safe to talk to?”

“Lucy gave the OK,” answered Reyes, “Though my sarge thought it was best if someone accompanied you. Someone who has...dealt with her.”

Simmons was confused until he noted the burn scars on the corporal's face and hands. Not wanting to stare, he continued to walked towards the holding cell.

The door to the cell looked like it was for a bank vault, not a holding cell. Just how powerful was this woman, wondered Simmons.  

“She speaks English, so you should have no problem understanding her or vice versa,” Reyes said.  Unlocking the door, he added, “Lucy will meet you inside as well. After you.”

Simmons entered the room, unsure of what to expect.

The room was shaped like a large cube with a smaller cage next to the furthest wall. Next to the cage stood a small holographic emitter. The bars of the cage were the same metal used for deep space ships, designed to withstand the most extreme of temperatures. Though some of the bars looked scorched, he doubts, or hopes, that the guest won't break out of it. And inside the cell sat a young lady with long black hair and gold eyes, staring right at him.

So this is the fire lady, thought Simmons.

“I'm sure Lucy warned you of my arrival,” said Simmons to the 'fire lady' as he approached the cage, “My name is Colonel Joseph Simmons of the UNSC Army, 15th Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade. And you are?”

“Azula, Princess of the Fire Nation, and I demand to be released!”