"Our last battle with Kuvira was a grueling one, and I understand that we as a city have lost a lot. From property damage to loss of life, there's so much that we can't replace. But as a community we've made bounds of progress in a short time. Where the total restoration and soon expansion of the city is still in the works, myself and Miss Sato ask for your continued patience as we work to rebuild this city to make it better than it was before." President Raiko spoke in front of crumbling city hall. His makeshift microphone, placed in what looks like a steel beam metalbent into a stand just for the occasion, made his voice distort slightly but was still very audible. The crowd was very visibly exhausted. Most gathered taking breaks from their uprooted daily lives of recovery and repair, working to return things to normal. Some were still covered in dust and dirt from bending their properties just to make them work in the meantime.
Asami, dressed in her casual skirt and blazer, stepped forward as President Raiko stepped aside. Asami opened a small red folder as she began to speak. "I'm Asami Sato, head of Future Industries. I'm here with the status on current projects as well as the projected progress of the completion of city restoration and expansion. I'd ask that if you have any questions regarding any of the construction or reconstruction of the city that you'd please hold them until the end of the presentation." Asami spoke tightly as her green eyes swept the masses, making eye contact with different areas of the crowd. She peeked down at her notes before speaking again.
"Reconstruction of residential areas, roadways and railways have our priority. Following those are area businesses and cultural landmarks such as the Harmony Tower, Central City Station and City Hall. Residential reconstruction has begun in the Dragon Flats borough and stands at about seventy-two percent completion. The area should be finished in about two weeks time." The crowd murmured as expected. Asami paused allowing citizens to comment amongst themselves before peering down at her notes and starting again.
"Railways leading out of the city are nearly complete so that any wishing to leave Republic City to stay with relatives while the city undergoes construction are welcome to do so. The major highways, as you know, are open to public traffic. Construction will continue into downtown residential areas and inter-city railways and highways. Anyone, especially earthbenders with the metalbending ability, who would like to volunteer are welcome to join by contacting any of the areas' supervisors." Asami paused shortly to assess the mood of the crowd, anticipating the kinds of questions she would receive after her presentation.
"All damaged landmarks such as the Harmony Tower and City Hall will be repaired once all businesses and residences are declared operable areas. The spirit wilds, which now is a new spirit world portal, will remain untouched. A park will be built around that area and will be appointed Menhu Park. Construction of the new park should commence within the first few days of landmark repair." Asami made sure to make eye contact between checking her notes.
"The Future Industries factories will be fully restored as the need arises. We are now operating at about eighty-two percent which at present is keeping us on schedule to complete full city repair by the end of the year by the latest. We are currently on an accelerated path to complete repairs in approximately four to five months. After the city is complete, further construction will proceed on Future Industries factories to aid in the expansion of Republic City both to the east and north west." Asami closed her folder with a slight sigh. "Are there any questions?"
Hands flew up, reporters unsheathed notepads and pens. Cameras started flashing furiously. The barrage was dizzying but Asami held her composure as she chose a hand from the crowd.
"Why is it that you're rebuilding the boroughs first? No one lives there but thugs and criminals." The question elicited a choir of 'yeah's'.
"The boroughs are a low income housing area and have been in dire need of renovation for years. Living conditions there are way under par and something needed to be done." Asami answered. "We expect the crime rate to drop tremendously once repairs are done as the 'thugs and criminals' will now be comfortable enough in their own homes to not need to take from others." Hands flew up again as she finished. Asami selected another.
"Miss Sato! What's it like dating the Avatar?"
"I am only taking questions regarding the construction project on Republic City." Asami's brow lowered a bit in frustration as she chose another person.
"This isn't exactly a construction question but a question for President Raiko and Avatar Korra. What exactly is being done to prevent a calamity like this from happening again? This city had been under attack three separate times in the last four years, twice on a large scale." This time the crowd was silent. All eyes were shifting back and forth between Korra and Raiko. Korra stepped forward, standing beside Asami.
"We're doing our best to solve conflict all across the Earth Kingdom. Prince Wu and I are heading out to Ba Sing Se tomorrow to put a new democratic system in place, just as we have here in Republic City. Also, from what I understand, Future industries is making it their business to sturdily reinforce every building they lay hand on in this city. But if another threat arises you can rest assured that myself and the Air Nomads will do all we can to protect you as we have done before." Korra answered firmly.
"And what a great job you've done!"
"The city is in the worse condition than it's ever been!"
"I don't feel safe here anymore!"
"We should start an army!"
"Yeah! An Army!"
"Army! Army! Army! Army…!"
The crowd chanted angrily as Korra folded her arms with a deep frown.
"We've got enough to rebuild with limited workforce as it is! We can't just start an army." Korra protested.
"I don't see why not." Raiko added. "We could do rush repairs to restore Future Industries and build barracks in the expansion."
"We're already dealing with rebuilding the entire city, if we add anything more there's no telling when we'll finish." Asami grumbled, placing a hand on her hip.
"The people have already made it clear that an army would make them feel safer. We've been let down by the United Forces a number of times because they couldn't get here on time. We can deploy right from the city in the event of another crisis." Raiko turned towards the people, using their momentum to help his case.
"Were you even listening? Future Industries is too busy rebuilding the city to even start thinking about an army. They're doing all they can with what they have just so we can get things back to normal." Korra barked as she snapped her finger out in the direction of the city. Korra turned to the crowd taking a breath before speaking again.
"Listen, I understand this has been a very rough few years and all everyone wants is to feel safe in their own homes again. But our priority has to be in getting you all back in your own homes. So for now, I ask that we hold off on raising an army until we can repair what we have right now. If anything other trouble arises then myself and the Air Nation will come to your immediate aid. Asami even has a few more working hummingbird units that we can use." Korra spoke softly yet with confidence. "We just ask that you continue to be patient with us as you have. Thank you."
Korra stepped back, settling between both Raiko and Asami as cameras began snapping once more. Reporters were calling out to the three of them for responses. President Raiko narrowed his eyes, his face folded in frustration.
"What gives you the right to make a decision like that? This is my city!" Raiko hissed.
Korra folded her arms. "My job is keep order and maintain balance. I can't do that if you're planning on raising an army in a broken city because the citizens brought it up. The army can wait until the city is rebuilt."
"You think you have me fooled? You're trying to show off by standing up for Miss Sato in front of the press. This is all to impress your new girlfriend." Raiko growled.
"Don't you dare bring my personal life into this!" Korra approached Raiko, placing a hard finger on his chest. "I've never made any decisions regarding this city based on any of my relationships, including this one. Asami is already working night and day rebuilding your city even after she just buried her father, the last bit of family she had left. Now you want to add more work by trying to start an army in the midst of all this. It's crazy!"
Asami grabbed Korra by her upper arms gently pulling her back. "Let's just put the idea on hold for now and finish what we're doing. We could talk more about this after you come back from Ba Sing Se." Asami turned a pouty Korra around, pushing her away from the microphone stand. "But she is right." Asami glared as she walked Korra away.
Asami could feel Korra's muscled arms still tensed from the 'conversation' with Raiko. Asami could almost see Korra's lip poked out even as she steered her along the downtown streets. Music filled the air as it seemed every block had a radio playing to help raise the peoples' spirits as they work. Even actual spirits floated by to enjoy the music. The ground rumbled from the occasional earthbending to rebuild foundations and walls of the buildings that still haven't received much attention. People were moving to organize what they could before Future Industries construction robots came to help. Downtown was still in pretty bad shape even after a month of minor repairs. Walls of restaurants, shops and homes were still crumbled and missing pieces. Gaping holes were in just about every roof and awning. People have come in to do what they can to make temporary fixes to most to the buildings. A few of the businesses had even started opening their doors again. The streets had been repaved where gigantic craters once were. Gravel lined the streets from the earthbending used to fix them but there was so much commotion back and forth that the area wasn't exactly wise to drive through.
"Are you okay now?" Asami giggled, dropping her grip from Korra's arms. Korra turned immediately folding her arms.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Korra mumbled, her bottom lip poked out.
"Come on. Let's go get some tea and put this behind us for now." Asami grinned. Korra glanced at Asami, finding it harder to pout. Her arms unraveled. She dropped her hands, resting one on her hip. Her mouth curled into a smile.
"Sure." Korra sighed as she and Asami continued down the battered Republic city streets. "It would surely be good to take my mind off of everything right now. But it is kind of hard to ignore."
"Yeah, it is." Asami tucked her folder away inside her blazer. "But it'll pass like everything else."
"Yeah, you're right. Things seem different this time. Like things will actually be okay. I guess you're my good luck charm." Korra smiled.
"You're so suave, Avatar Korra." Asami purred.
"I try." Korra laughed.
"Hey, I don't want to reopen old wounds but was Raiko right when he said you were trying to impress me during the press event?" Asami asked with a raised brow.
"N-no not at all." Korra stammered as her face reddened. "You're overworked, you don't have enough people working under you yet. You hardly even had time to mourn your father. And, they act like Cabbage Corp isn't even a thing anymore."
"Raiko and I spoke about that. Cabbage Corp makes their stuff cheap. I told him about how we escaped the Earth kingdom airship and he made the decision for us to be in charge of the construction. The city would fall apart on its own way before an attack if we let Cabbage Corp do anything." Asami turned the corner to the main roadway. Korra paused to choose her words as Satomobiles and a handful of Cabbage cars whizzed by. The streets were busy but still moved smoothly since the main roadways were opened to traffic. The pair walked along the sidewalk to their parked Satomobile half a block down the road.
"Hey, Asami?" Korra spoke quietly, grabbing Asami's hand before she approached the car. Asami turned, looking her in the eye. "Raiko, was right. I did make that decision because of you." Korra kept her tone low, softly massaging Asami's knuckles with her thumb. "I've noticed you've seemed kinda stressed lately and you're nearly always working. You're doing a great job with the city and I know building this army would be a stretch for you. I just wanted Raiko to take it easy on you. You deserve a break."
"You don't have to worry." Asami reached for Korra's other hand and gave them both a squeeze. "I'm used to working this way, every job /i've had to do since taking over the company was stressful. What you did was sweet but you might've gotten back on Raiko's bad side again."
"I'm always on his bad side." Korra growled. "I just hope it kept me on your good side."
Asami leaned forward, pressing her red lips to the Avatar's. She broke it with a smile looking into Korra's icy gaze. "You're always on my good side."