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Future Industries airship JHX-2-3

Approximately 3 kilometres southwest of Zaofu

Captain Nan Chong-Yol stood on the bridge, with his hands clasped behind his back. They were on the last leg of their journey from Ba Sing Sae and he was looking forward to getting back to Republic City. A former officer in the United Forces, he was used to being away from home for extended periods, but what he really wanted a hot bath and a few nights in his own bed. He was interrupted in his musings by Tae-Hyun, a thin-faced man who was seated at the communications post, one hand pressed to his headset.

'Captain,' He said, without looking round. 'I'm picking up some odd signals...'

'Let's hear it,' Chong-Yol said and Tae-Hyun flipped a switch on his console.

'Unit 42, responding to a 10-37 at junction of 4423 and 67-A... Acknowledged, Delta-47. Commence checklist for lightspeed...President Lindberg will address the people of the Federated Territories in just over an hour...This is a police control. This is not an exercise. Please place your hands in the yellow circles...'

'Stop all engines, Si-U' Chong-Yol said, glancing over at his pilot, a grey haired man with calloused hands and a serious expression. 'Tae-Hyun, contact Ms Sato...'

##################

Asami Sato was sitting behind her desk, with a cup of tea next to her, reviewing the latest reports from her research division. Raven-haired with porcelain skin, she was dressed in a dark grey suit jacket and trousers. She had just finished the last report, sitting back and massaging her neck with a groan, when the intercom on her deck buzzed.

'Yes, Sun-Ji?'

'Ms Sato, I have the Captain of JHX-2 on the radio...'

'Put him through,' Asami said and the intercom crackled.

'Ms Sato...'

'Good afternoon, Nan,' Asami said. 'What can I do for you...?'

'Ms Sato, we've picked up some strange transmissions from around Zaofu. I'm transmitting a sample to you, now...'

The intercom crackled again and Asami leant closer.

'...all units, 10-55 in progress in Sector 62. All available units to respond...come to Phloston Paradise for a vacation that you'll remember forever...this is Ruby Rhod, your main man, coming to you live at five...'

'...thank you, Nan,' Asami said. 'Continue with your schedule. I'll take it from here...'

'Yes, Ms Sato,' Nan said, Asami switching channels on the intercom.

'Sun-Ji? Radio ahead to the harbour and tell them to prepare my boat. I need to go to Air Temple Island...'

##################

Republic City is one of the largest cities in the world, a modern metropolis of high-rise buildings and cutting edge industry, home to over a million people. However, in this bustling city, there is a place that is a reminder of a much earlier time. In the middle of Yue Bay sits Air Temple Island, a secluded monastery of an ancient order, the Airbenders. Near the top of the monastery is the Meditation Garden, where two people are standing. One is Master Tenzin, a tall, bald-headed man dressed in orange robes. The other is a dark-skinned young woman with short black hair, wearing a light blue tunic and dark grey trousers.

'I can't believe it's been nearly 3 months since Kuvira's attack,' she said, as she leant against the railing, looking out over the city. 'Although, it's not like a giant robot is the strangest thing this city's seen...'

'President Raiko's been working hard to organise the restoration, Korra,' Tenzin said. 'He's even donated some of his personal funds...'

'First decent thing he's ever done,' Korra muttered, just as an orange-robed Air Acolyte climbed the steps to the Garden.

'Master Tenzin,' He said, bowing deeply. 'Excuse the intrusion, but there is a boat approaching the harbour...'

##################

'Hello, Master Tenzin,' Asami said, as she descended the steps from her boat to the dock.

'Good to see you again, Asami,' Tenzin said, inclining his head as Korra stepped past him to enfold her in a hug.

'Hey,' she said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips. 'Couldn't wait until tonight, huh...?'

'No,' Asami said, with a quick grin. 'However, there's something I need to show you...'

##################

'...unit 10-47, requesting back-up at Golden Plaza... orbital control to RS-4. Do you have visual on the target...?'

'These messages were detected from around Zaofu,' Asami said, as she switched off the recorder.

'What do they mean?' Korra asked and Asami shook her head.

'I don't know. But, they're not broadcasting on any frequency used by the United Forces or any of the major cities...'

'So, what? Should we tell someone? President Raiko? Or General Iroh?'

'So far, we don't know anything,' Asami said. 'We need to find out more...'

'I agree,' Tenzin said. 'We need to investigate these transmissions and Zaofu will make an excellent base of operations...'

'And, how are we going to get there?' Korra asked and Asami grinned.

'I have an idea...'

##################

'Here we are,' Asami said, flipping on the lights to illuminate the hanger where a slender, sleek airship sat. The nose was long and pointed, two swept back wings curving alongside the smooth hull.

'The Renaissance,' Asami said. 'She's completed her final tests and I've been waiting for a chance for her maiden voyage. A trip to Zaofu would be a perfect test and it'll give us a cover story for why we're there...'

'Agreed,' Tenzin said and Korra grinned.

'Looks like Team Avatar is back...'

##################

Mako stood in the centre of the charred room, while two armoured police officers stood guard outside the door. With their domed helmets and dark grey metal armour, they were an intimidating sight. Behind him, the police photographer moved quietly around the room, the flash of his camera bulb occasionally illuminating the smoke blackened walls. Tall and brooding, Mako was dressed in his dark grey uniform, the gold emblem of the police force emblazoned on his breast.

'What do we know, sergeant?' He asked, turning to the bald-headed Officer next to him, standing at attention with his helmet tucked under his arm.

'The room is...was rented to a Mr Lamont Belloso. According to the owner of the block, he was a clerk at the Republic City bank...'

'Did he have any enemies?' Mako asked and the sergeant snorted.

'I'd say that was a fair conclusion, sir,' he said and Mako grinned.

'Good point,' he conceded, just as one of the officers called from the door.

'Sir. There's...someone to speak to you...'

Mako glanced over his shoulder to see Korra standing in the corridor.

'Finish up here, sergeant,' Mako said, turning and ducking under the black and yellow tape across the door.

'Hey...'

'Hi, Mako,' Korra said. 'What...happened here...?'

'...arson case...'

'...oh...what about the guy who lived here...?'

'He's still inside,' Mako said, glancing over at the blanket in the corner and Korra paled.

'...oh...'

'Yeah. Anyway, I'm guessing this isn't a social call...'

'Mako...'

'Hey, no. I didn't mean that. We've both been busy since Kuvira's attack. So...what's up...?'

'We've...picked up some strange messages from near Zaofu. We don't know what we're going to find, so...'

'I'm in,' Mako said. 'I'll need to speak to Chief Beifong, though...'

'Thanks, Mako,' Korra said. 'Meet us at Future Industries tomorrow morning...'

##################

'I need to go to Zaofu for a few days,' Tenzin said, as he sat down at the table opposite Pema. Next to her sat Ikki, Jinora, Milo and Rohan, all dressed in the same yellow and orange robes.

'Tenzin...' Pema began.

'It's important, Pema,' Tenzin said and Pema pursed her lips.

'I know, Tenzin. Of course you have to go. And we're going to come with you...'

'It could be dangerous, Pema...'

'I'm your wife, Tenzin. I'm not going to hide away in this Temple for the rest of my life...'

'It's safe here, Pema...'

'It wasn't last year,' Pema said. 'Or when the Equalists attacked...'

'...alright,' Tenzin said, turning to his children. 'Pack what you need, everyone. We'll be leaving in the morning...'

'Yahoo,' Milo said, charging out of the room, followed at a more sedate pace by Jinora, Ikki and Rohan...

##################

Korra felt a flash of nostalgia as she stepped into the pro-bending arena, the roar of the crowd surrounding her. For a second, she had a flashback to walking into the arena for the first time with Mako and Bolin and she grinned to herself.

Seems like only yesterday...

With an effort, she shook herself out of her thoughts, as the voice of the announcer cut through the cheers.

'What a game this is turning out to be, folks. The Tigerdillos have put up a fierce defence, but it looks like the Fire Ferrets have this one in the bag...'

Even under the bulky gear and helmets, she could recognise Bolin as he stepped forward, launching a rock disk that knocked one of the two remaining Tigerdillos into the water. Their waterbender followed up with a perfect headshot that sent their last player stumbling backwards off the platform.

'And, there we have it. The Fire Ferrets win the match...'

##################

'So, let me get this straight,' Chief Beifong said, as she sat back. Her grey hair was pulled back into a tight bun and she had a faded scar across her cheek. 'The Avatar wants you to accompany her to Zaofu to discover the source of these strange signals...'

'Yes, Chief,' Mako said, standing to attention.

'...alright. On behalf of the Republic City Police Force, I'm authorising you to investigate...'

'...thank you, Chief...'

##################

'You were great out there,' Korra said, as she followed Bolin into the locker room.

'Thanks. It feels like when you, me and Mako were...'

'It's okay, Bolin,' Korra said. 'We had a great season and it's not like I could have gone pro...'

'Yeah...'

'Anyway, I need your help. We've picked up some strange signals from around Zaofu and we're heading out in the morning. Can the team manage without you...?'

'Sure. We've got a new sponsor and we rotate players every few games, anyway. Right now, we're just playing exhibition matches. The championship doesn't start for six months...'

'Thanks, Bolin. Meet us at Future Industries tomorrow morning...'

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.