Chapter I

The first time Asami saw Kuvira was when the Earth Empire's new leader, formerly known as Earth Kingdom, marched into Republic City with her army a year ago.

It was a display of power.

Her army counted numerous soldiers, all wearing the same green uniforms, marching in perfect coordination through the streets of metropolis, carrying Earth Empire's banners. Their arms and legs were moving in one synced motion, boots hitting the ground with rhythmic thumps, and to someone with an expert eye for engineering, they looked like a well built and oiled machine.

The infantry was followed by tanks that were also painted in green shades, representing colours of the young and already powerful empire. In the same fashion were displayed mecha tanks and suits controlled by drivers who were hidden safely in metal shells that were capable of destruction.

Little kids on the sides were admiring those big machines that they had only seen in movers. They were waving at the soldiers, completely oblivious to what was really going on. Many other people were joining them, welcoming the brave leader and her army that brought peace to Earth Kingdom after it succumbed to chaos and got overrun by bandits.

And then there was her. In the middle of the procession, in a nicely decorated open-air luxury Satomobile, approaching the City Hall was the person who rebuilt and united all the states into one empire. She was standing, one of her hands behind her back, the other one was holding the front window to keep her balance, occasionally waving at the public who were cheering her, shouting "All hail Kuvira, the Great Uniter", and sometimes even flashing them a smile.

When the parade finally stopped, the army separated into two columns, leaving space in the middle for Kuvira to finish the last part of her victory march towards the City Hall on foot. She stepped out of the car and every single soldier saluted her as she walked past them, lowering their arms in unison once their leader stopped on the top of the stairs next to the president of United Republic, with whom she shook hands and exchanged a few words before turning around to face the public. Seated in the front rows of the courtyard were the council members, chief of the police and other people whose names were known among public. One of those people was Asami, daughter of Future Industries' CEO Hiroshi Sato. As one of the main providers of weapons to Earth Empire's army he and his daughter had the privilege of welcoming Kuvira to the city.

"Miss Sato?" a voice brought Asami back from the memories. She hadn't noticed she was leaning on the airship window, looking at the mountains going by while the ship was approaching Zaofu, home of the metal clan and also Kuvira's main residence.

"Yes, Yoshi?" she addressed the girl that was a member of the air-ship crew and straightened herself up.

"We're almost here. Your father wants you to join him," Yoshi said.

"Thank you. Tell him I'm coming," Asami replied and watched as the woman bowed her head and left the room. She looked through the window once more. They were flying over Zaofu now, a beautiful city made of metal and consisting of six sectors that were connected by rails, enabling citizens to travel from one part to another in a matter of minutes.

Asami had always wished to visit the city but under different circumstances. This was a business trip and as the future CEO of her father's company she had to attend most of his meetings. Especially the ones where he was dealing with world leaders like Kuvira.

Sighing, she took her jacket that was hung on the chair and put it on, untucking her long raven hair from it while approaching the command deck, where her father was having a conversation with the captain of the ship.

"Ah, there you are," Hiroshi said happily when he noticed his daughter had joined them.

"Hello, Miss Sato," greeted the captain and bowed his head slightly and Asami returned the gesture.

"Everything good, captain?" she asked, a hint of tenseness in her voice.

"Yes, everything is perfect. We'll be landing shortly," he replied.

"You sound worried, sweetheart," said Hiroshi, his voice warm and caring, and walked closer to her. His hand took a gentle hold of her shoulder.

"You know how I feel about this, dad." She looked him in his eyes with a sad expression on her face, giving her everything to convince him to change his mind about the business meeting.

"Asami … We talked about this." He pulled his hand back and sighed, suddenly looking older than he was. "I'm a business man and this is business. I'm making this deal with the Earth Empire's leader."

"But you're giving her even more power, dad. What she's doing isn't right!"

"Please, not now," he pleaded, his voice growing frustrated and his fingers started massaging his temples.

She didn't stop though. That was her last chance to try and change his mind. "Do you even see what's happening? Things are getting worse by each passing day, people are disappearing for no reason, there's no freedom, we aren't allowed to speak about problems, we aren't allowed to disagree … Do you know what happened to some of our workers who refused to join her army?"

He shook his head.

"Well, maybe you should start paying more attention because four of them were taken by the SP and we haven't heard about them since then."

"The intelligence agency?" he asked with surprise in his voice.

"Yes, the Special Police agents took them away. These people are getting bolder and giving them weapons is only making them more aggressive. They're taking people for interrogations for the smallest of reasons and from what I've heard, not many return. And … Most of them are non-benders, dad," she almost whispered the last words.

"It's even more important to keep cooperating with her then! That way she'll see that we, non-benders are just as good as benders – capable of doing great things and if nothing else this deal will protect us," he raised his voice, throwing his arms into the air.

"We've given her enough already! Mecha tanks, mecha suits, air ships!" Her voice was growing louder with every word. "And what about other people, huh? Who'll protect them? We live in repression, a … A-a dictatorship! And if you thi-"

"Asami, enough!" he yelled and that made her stop. His hands were clenched into fists. His expression was furious and Asami almost looked away, the weight of his gaze being nearly too much for her to bare. She didn't give in though and for a few moments they were just glaring into each other's eyes intently, until the sound of someone clearing their throat broke the silence.

Asami and her father had almost forgotten hey weren't alone in the command room when the captain spoke. "We're landing, sir."

Hiroshi let out a sigh and straightened the invisible wrinkles on his jacket. "This conversation is over, Asami. Do not ever bring this up again." The tone of his voice made it clear that those words were final and with that Asami turned around and sat down on the nearest seat, bucking up her seatbelt angrily.

The airship landed soon after that. With a heavy heart, Asami left her seat and followed her father through the corridor that led to the ship's exit. Before she reached him though, a hand around her wrist stopped her. She turned around to find out who invaded her personal space and was about to object when she realized it was the captain. The man's expression was unreadable but his eyes betrayed him. They reflected fear.

"Captain? What's the matter?" she asked and for a moment she looked at his hand that was still clutching her wrist. He realized that too and let go of it before gathering his composure. She had known him for quite a long time and she was sure she had never seen him like this before.

"Miss Sato, I just wanted you to know that you're right." He was talking quickly and quietly, as if he was afraid that the words he was speaking would get him in trouble. With every passing second he seemed more unsettled.

"Right about what? What are you talking about?"

"Well, about what's really going on in the Earth Kingdom," he answered. The way he named the state didn't escape her attention. That piqued her interest and she quickly glanced around the corner and saw that Hiroshi was talking to one of the ship's officers, the door behind him still closed. "About the SP taking people away?" she whispered.

"Yes, that and much more. A lot has changed but not for the better. There's more and more oppression, censorship, misinformation, supervision. People are not just being interrogated. I heard you say many of them are never seen again after they've been taken. That's because they are sent away to some camps or are forced to join the army. And not just that – before that happens they are beaten and tortured for inf-" He stopped mid-word and looked away, shutting his eyes tight.

Asami looked at him in shock. She knew things weren't good, but hearing they were that bad sent a shiver down her spine. "Tortured for information? On what, captain?"

He looked like he wasn't going to continue but then he took a deep breath and whispered: "People aren't tolerating this anymore."

It took her a second to realize the meaning of his words. People aren't tolerating this anymore. They're going to resist the system, she thought.

"Are you one of those people, captain?" she asked and he nodded in response. I guess I'm not alone in this.

"Miss Sato." It was Yoshi's voice again. "It's time to go," she said and looked at the ground when she realized she interrupted something.

"I'm coming," Asami replied, looking at the girl to let her know she was dismissed. With her gone, she looked back at the captain. "Thank you for telling me this. Rest assured that this … Matter is safe with me," she said.

"Thank you, Miss Sato," he replied. He was about to turn around when something changed his mind. "Oh, and Miss Sato?"

"Yes, captain?"

"You shouldn't talk about this with anyone. Your father is one thing, he loves you, but … Just don't trust anyone."

"I understand. Thank you."

He smiled briefly before turning around and returning to the command room. Asami stood there for a moment, looking at the man walking away, his words flying around in her mind. It will do no good thinking about this right now. I need time to think about this, she thought, forcing herself to shut the thoughts off and went to join her father who was talking to a young man with black hair, dressed in a green uniform who apparently served as an escort for them.

"And this is your daughter, I presume?" asked the man when he noticed Asami approaching them.

"Yes," answered Hiroshi, beaming at his daughter when she stopped and stood next to him. No matter how many fights they had gone through, he always showed how much he was proud of her. "Asami, this is Lieutenant Hong Li, Kuvira's representative."

The man offered his hand and Asami accepted it, holding it firmly. Her father had taught her that the grip on someone's hand could tell you a lot about a person. If you squeezed it too softly, people would think you're meek and submissive. If you squeezed it with too much force, you would be thought of as someone aggressive. And you wouldn't want that. Show them you're confident, that they can't play you. A good handshake is a good first impression. So, keep it firm but gentle, he always said. That was what she did.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, lieutenant. Thank you for having us," she said with a tiny bow of her head.

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Sato," he replied. "I'd like to apologize on behalf of our Leader," he continued after releasing Asami's hand. "She's attending an important meeting considering some matters of the state so she isn't able to welcome you to our city personally. I'm sure you understand." She's probably planning how to get even more control over our lives, Asami thought to herself.

"Yes, of course," said Hiroshi. "She's a talented, strong, young woman," Asami didn't miss when he glanced at her after saying those words. Even though she was upset with him her heart swelled with pride.

"And I must say I admire the way she's handling everything." The moment was quickly over, Asami almost groaned and rolled her eyes at that, but luckily managed to restrain herself from doing it. If what she knew what could happen to people who disagreed with the system was true, she couldn't afford to show how she felt about the Earth Empire. Especially there, in Zaofu, the heart of Kuvira's monopoly.

"I'm sure she will appreciate your compliment immensely once she hears it from you. You're a successful man yourself and your words have a great value." The Lieutenant smiled and stood proudly. To Asami he looked like her father complimented him and not his leader. "Well, I think it's time to show you where you'll be staying while visiting us. My people will take care of your things and make sure they'll be waiting for you at your place."

He led them to one of the monorail cars that were nearby. In contrast to the rest of the Earth Empire there were no automobiles in Zaofu. Transportation there was based solely on the huge monorail network that was very effective and reliable.

"We've prepared you a guesthouse that's situated near the Leader's estate," explained the lieutenant once they settled in the monorail car which was different from those that were used by general population. It was comfortable but simple because it was never used for long journeys. "Once you've settled, you'll be invited to a dinner party that will be held in one of the courtyards."

"That sounds good. We'll be happy to accept the invitation," said Hiroshi. "And tomorrow we get down to business?"

"Yes, in the morning …"

Asami's mind drifted away as the two men started discussing the schedule. She found herself looking through the window and she couldn't help but be amazed by what she saw. Zaofu really was one of a kind. The whole city was practically made of metal. All six sections were surrounded by petal-like panels which were closed during the night, making the compound one of the safest places in the world.

As expected it didn't take long to reach their destination. Soon, they were driving through the main sector's centre. It was a modern place with innovative architecture and Asami caught a sight of the statue of Toph Beifong, mother of Zaofu's founder, Suyin Beifong.

No wonder Kuvira was considered one of the most powerful people in the world. With her army, technology, influence and a fort like this, it would have been madness to even think about trying anything. That was probably one of the reasons why other nations sat quietly and did nothing when United Republic was annexed. It would have been a fruitless attempt, starting a war that would have been lost the moment the first shot was fired. !

"Well, here we are," said Hong Li when the monorail car started slowing down. "What do you think about Zaofu so far, Miss Sato?"

"I think it's amazing," she replied honestly. She really did like what she had seen so far.

"Yes, it is something special, isn't it?" agreed the lieutenant.

"We'll see more of it tomorrow," Hiroshi assured her because he knew his daughter well. She had a special gleam in her eyes when she found something interesting. And this city was one of those things. "We can take a walk around the place tomorrow or have a tour."

"There would be no problem. If you need someone to show you around, just say the word and I'll take care of it."

"That's really nice of you, Lieutenant." Hiroshi stood up and took Asami's hand into his own, leading her outside of the car. "Then we can have a game of Pai Sho in one of the gardens. I hear they're beautiful."

"That sounds wonderful, dad," she said but couldn't manage to smile.

It took them a minute to reach their guesthouse where Hong Li let them know about the details regarding the dinner party. Then he bid them goodbye and left them in care of the servants who showed them their rooms, where their suitcases were already waiting for them, and the rest of the house. Of course, the house was as meticulously built as the rest of the city. It was luxurious and spacious with huge windows to let the sunlight in.

Settling in her room, Asami laid down on her bed and closed her eyes for a minute. Tonight, she was going to see the Earth Empire's leader again. The cause for all this anguish and misery. "All hail the Great Uniter." She spoke those words out loud, remembering them being shouted by Kuvira's soldiers in unison when their beloved Leader finished her speech a year ago after marching into Republic City.

"Ugh, what a bunch of koala sheep," she muttered under her breath as she stood up and started pulling her clothes off to take a bath.

A long evening was ahead of her.