Ch 2 Planes and Tarrlok
"Holy shit."
The lights turn on, and I see a long line of, what appeared to be, MiG-29s. I notice that a part of the underground base is still dark. I walk forward and turn on more lights. Staring me in the face, was a Su-37 Terminator. Looking to the right and left of the super-fighter, I noticed a few more Terminators.
It's just like Battlestar Galactica. They have 40 of the old Mk 2 vipers, and a dozen or so of the new Mk 7s.
Meanwhile, Tenzin came home, and was told to find me. "Anyone down here?" Tenzin asks.
Not getting an answer, he walks forward, and is witness to a long line of advanced fighters.
Tenzin kept on walking down hanger deck, eventually finding me, sitting in one of the fighters, lounging about.
"Hey Tenzin. Did you know this was down here?" I ask.
"Yes. I was told about this project. An airbase underground, especially under the temple, considering where the temple is situated." Tenzin said.
"I'm reading up on a manual for the Su-37 Terminator. This plane, and those behind it. The others lined wingtip to wingtip are MiG-29 Fulcrums." I said.
"What's your name?"
"Jackson."
"First or last?"
Sighing, I tell Tenzin everything. "My name is Ezra Jackson. I just woke up here in the city hours ago. I'm not supposed to be here. I… I'm from a different time dimension, or something like that. You understand?" The look on Tenzin's face said no.
"No. I don't. And before you ask me, I've looked into the documents about the spirit world. There is nothing about different times, dimensions, or whatever you call it. If what you say is true, which I'm having the hardest time believing, you're stuck here." Crap. I think. "We're having dinner in a few hours. Want to join?"
"I'll drop in to get some food, but that's it. And let me know when it's ready. I'll be busy. One more question. It looks like this place is highly furbished, ready for a world war. Where is everyone?"
"Not here. This project was planned years ago and the base created, along with the planes. But the budget was cut, and this place was abandoned." Tenzin said.
"Pity. These planes are very maneuverable and deadly. Especially the Terminator. A good fleet and Republic City has the most powerful air-force in the world. Man, if only the Russians made them in mass numbers. They'd be untouchable for a while. If their economy held." I said.
"Russians?" Tenzin asked.
"Country on earth. It's a very long story." I said.
"I'm sure it is." Tenzin said.
"You've no goddamn idea." I darkly said.
Tenzin headed back into the temple, leaving me with the fighters. I counted 40 of them. Just like Battlestar Galactica.
"How did Asami know about it?" I muttered to myself.
It then occurred to me. Asami is going to be the future CEO of future industries. Her father is grooming her to take over. So she must have caught some word of his projects.
Resigned to my fate, I started examining a MiG-29. I reach into my pocket, and lo and behold, my Ipod was in my hand. I looked, dumfounded. Shrugging my shoulders, I put the headphones inside and start listening to Queensryche. Song, Eyes of a stranger. It somehow fit. Okay. You just ran into Mako, Asami, Pema and Tenzin. From what I can remember from the show, Tarrlock should be coming in a few hours to recruit Korra for his anti-Amon squad. Snorting a thought comes to mind. Bull. He wants special forces in play, he needs to call the police, or the military. Having a politician start their own private army, is a bad sign. It's like the Gestapo, or the KGB. Political military-police.
"FUCK!" I yelled, a thought entered my head. This program was a prototype. Hiroshi wanted to create weapons for Amon and the equalists. This was a cover up.
"It's just like the Soviet Union flying their planes near the boarders of NATO, in preparation for WW3!" I yelled, realizing the implication.
Meanwhile, Pema and Tenzin were talking about their 'guest.'
"It's interesting. Ezra appears out of nowhere, from a different world, called Earth. And he knows those planes real well, the names and capabilities. He hinted that the Terminator is extremely lethal." Tenzin said.
"I wouldn't worry about it. You said the project was abandoned years ago, so few know about it. But I wonder how Ezra knew about it. And he's an interesting person. Angry and cynical. When we talked about the base, he figured someone would attack it, and the temple." Pema said.
"He and Chief Beifong would get along fine. Both have one thing in common. Paranoia."
"Yeah. He also said he doesn't get along well with others, and is only concerned with his job."
"Should we introduce both to each other?"
"You wanna do that, go ahead. Your funeral."
Hiroshi Sato is an equalist. I can't let him get a hold of the planes and weapons. Checking around, I noticed that most, if not all of the planes and accompanying missiles and bombs came from the fire nation. Few came from Future Industries. Then again, building a military is very hard. Easier to have another country help build it with you. Don't have to worry about that. Wonder if Zafou can supply us with weapons and supplies. Immediately, I put the brakes on that thought. Lin hates her sister right now. That's a disaster waiting to happen, and I'll be in the middle. Just rely on the fire nation.
Korra came back to the temple, not wanting to meditate, but to celebrate that she was a pro-bender. Tenzin, needed to tell Korra about the secret base.
"Korra, we need to talk."
"Tenzin, I'm staying on the fire-ferrats, and that's final." Korra declared.
"Something else, Korra." Tenzin looked, making sure the doors were closed, and no-one was around. "We have an air-force base, right underneath the temple. There's a door leading to it. I'll show you where it is, but don't under any circumstances go through it. I cannot stress it enough."
"Okay. What's the big deal?" Korra asked, intrigued.
"We have a soldier at the base, Ezra Jackson…Lets say he's another Lin Beifong. From what little I talked with him, he seems to be a bit odd. Nothing too bad."
Korra groaned. She dislike Lin, and now Tenzin told her that another, probably worse, version was in the temple, under her feet. To add to the fact that Tenzin was constantly drilling on her airbending, and, god forbid, meditating, she wondered if staying at the pro-bending tournament wouldn't be such a bad idea. Right now, she was seriously considering it.
"Tell me I won't have to run into him a lot." Korra pleaded.
"You won't. He plans on staying in the base. I think he wants to have as few friends as possible for now. However, he'll come up for dinner. Doubt he'll stay." Tenzin reassured.
Later, Tenzin and his family were sitting for dinner, when Tarrlok came in, trying to have Korra join his task force. Korra refused. "I'm assembling a task force that will strike at the heart of the revolution and I want you to join me." Tarrlok declared.
"Really?" Korra asked, surprised.
"I need someone who will help me attack Amon directly. That someone is you."
"Join your task force, I can't."
So let it be written, so let it be done, I think, as I head to the kitchen. From what I heard, Tarrlok was about to leave. I enter the kitchen, calling for the councilman.
"Tarrlok!" He looks at me, confusion and surprise on his face, on everyone's face for that matter, as I was wearing a full anti-gravity suit, helmet on arm.
"You're making a task force, to fight Amon, right?"
"Yes. You interested?"
"No. Tell me, how big a threat do you think the equalists are?"
"Not too much right now. Couple strikes, should take care of them." Tarrlok said, a smug look on his face.
"Couple strikes. So not too big a threat right now." I muttered, and Tarrlok nodded in agreement.
"That's what that the equalist are to you, a dumbed down cartoon, dreamed up by some asshole on main st, just to sell soap. Let me tell you something!( starts pacing the dining room) The equalist soldier, is a combat veteran. Armed with extensive hand-to-hand training, capable of using anything object as a weapon. He can survive underground, off of shit for food, and lie in misery, you couldn't imagine! He or she doesn't care if they get wounded or killed. As long as they're taking you down, that's all that matters." Glaring at Tarrlok, I finish up. "Think of them however you want. But do not fail to disrespect your enemy's desire to put you and your task force into an early grave. Understand?"
"I get the message." Tarrlok flatly replied, not wanting to listen.
"One more thing. Only the enemy is your teacher. Only they will teach you how to fight. They will show you your weaknesses, their strengths. You will also figure out your strengths, their weaknesses. Take my advice to heart. For now, Amon and the equalits are your teacher."
I grab a plate, some food, and walk away. Everyone stared as I walked to the base. Tarrlok soon left. A deep silence occurred. "Well that was something." Meelo said, trying to break the silence.
