Dim blue lights flickered overhead, casting their eerie glow onto the walls. The brown stone was pitted and rocks jut out at awkward angles. Boot heels clicked briskly on the dull metal floor, echoing along the long dark corridor. The youngest guard sneezed from the brick dust. Tycho trifled with his pocketwatch, flicking it open and then closing it with a sharp snap. The chain jingled in time with his easy gait. Only the soft pop and loud click of the pocketwatch told Mesari that he partner was nervous.

Though, she admitted, probably not as nervous as me. She exhaled, eyeing the triad of guards who escorted them through the underground labyrinth. She and Tycho had come of their own accord, but she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that they were prisoners.

"Any of you gentlemen have a light?" Tycho asked, reaching gingerly into his pocket and drawing out a cigarette. He rolled it between his forefinger and thumb for a brief moment while one of the guards fumbled a matchbook from his vest. Tycho nodded his thanks to the guard, striking a match and taking a long drag from the black cigarette. He exhaled casually through his nose.

"You're going to have to put that out when we get there," growled the eldest guard. His hand flexed on his baton, his brow creasing with annoyance. Tycho barely paid him mind, taking another drag with his eyes closed.

Ahead, the corridor narrowed. The eldest guard went first, followed by Tycho and Mesari, and the other two brought up the rear. They don't want to turn their backs to us, Mesari thought, noticing how the guards watched her hands closely.

Abruptly, the group stopped. Mesari, nearly receiving Tycho's shoulder to her nose, balked into the guard behind her. He yelped, jumping back into the stone wall. Blushing, Mesari mumbled an apology. A door in the wall opened, washing the corridor with light. The eldest guard glared at Mesari and motioned for her to follow Tycho inside. She scooted though the doorway, ducking as far away from the guard as she could.

The room was plain and well-lit. The only furniture was a fully-stocked bookcase and a wide table, the latter of which was littered with papers, reports, maps, and Equalist propaganda. At the head of the table stood a broad-shouldered, sallow-faced man. He nodded curtly.

"Master Tycho, Mistress Mesaraus. Welcome," he said, replacing a thin report marked with the Ba Sing Se crest.

"Good morning, General Rafe," Tycho replied. The General regarded them for a moment. He had steely eyes under a dark, hard brow. He reminded Mesari of her father – cool and calculating. He studied them for longer than she was comfortable. Tycho flicked his pocketwatch once.

"You're both waterbenders?" The question surprised them. They nodded.

"Either of you ever been to the Southern Water Tribe?" They shook their heads. Both Mesari and Tycho were city-born, though Tycho was Southern Water Tribe on his mother's side.

"The fee?"

"Briefing report first," Tycho growled. General Rafe lifted another report, this one without a crest. He crossed the room and extended it to Tycho, who handed it off to Mesari. She flipped though it for a few tense moments.

Equalists reorganizing, the Avatar missing, rumours that she was hiding down with the waterbenders in the south. This was a deep-cover mission. Expensive, especially since it would require both Tycho and herself. Possibly even a third. Possibly long-term. Expensive. Very expensive indeed. Mesari's lips curled in a cruel smile.

"Two thousand," she whispered to Tycho, slipping the report back into his hands. His blue eyes twinkled as she did.

"Ambitious, isn't he?" he replied quietly, smirking. Rafe craned to hear them, his dark brows furrowed.

Mesari cleared her throat.

"You've got quite the operation planned," she probed.

"A ship," Rafe began, "Bound for the Southern Water Tribe and full of waterbenders who had their bending stolen. All of them brimming with the hope that a tribal healer will bring back their bending."

"A noble disguise," Tycho mused.

"A very good one. All it needs now is operatives," Rafe snorted, "The fee?"

"Two thousand." Tycho's voice was firm. The General looked outraged for a moment and Mesari shrunk back, trying to hide subtly behind her partner. The men squared off, Rafe crossing his arms over his chest and Tycho cocking his head to one side, sliding his finger over the cover of the report. He took a step back and moved to tuck the folder under his arm.

"Fifteen hundred now and the other five when you return," Rafe bargained, his steely eyes flashing. Tycho set his jaw, musing. He ran a hand over his short crop of brown hair. It was a fair price, especially since the tedious points of the plan were already done for them.

"Done." He stepped forward, extending his hand. Rafe seemed surprised, but pleasantly so. He shook hands and then clapped Tycho on the shoulder. Mesari regarded the general coldly. He and her partner spoke business for a moment, deciding where the cash drop was to be made and when. Then Tycho turned to leave, pulling Mesari in his wake. As he slid out the door, Rafe called Mesari's name.

"The Avatar is the primary objective," he said, his tone dark, his steely eyes glinting, "But there may be a United Forces general or two with her. I need them too." A smile crossed his lips. Mesari shivered, her brow furrowed. She swallowed a lump in her throat and disappeared from the door. Tycho waited with the guards, cocking a brow at her.

"What was that?" he asked. She shook her head.

I have no idea.

Hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter. It's mostly just set-up, so forgive the boringness. Chapter 2 will be more fun! =)

-Val