Chapter 4

The docks were dark, but for those who had no eyes the pier was as clear as day. While Dai Li secret agents guarded all corners of the building they couldn't catch a glimpse of a Shirshu prowling the scenes. Riding atop the beast was June and Lu looking for a point to entry.

"The place is locked tight," said Lu. "Getting passed those goons will be tricky."

"Remind me why we just don't take them all out," debated June. "They wouldn't stand a chance against Nyla and me."

"We got to play this smart Juniee," he advised. "We need to gather evidence to clear my name; it's the only way we can really bring these guys down."

"Why should I care about clearing your name?"

"Because it's your name too June," he said with a smirk.

"So, how are we going to get in there without those guys noticing?"

"I got an idea."

"Shirshu on the loose," called the voice of Lu. Outside the dock entrance Nyla was busy running a rampage while the Dai Li agents tried to calm the wild beast. She whipped her tongue out; she scratched and clawed as more Dai Li flooded to keep her calm.

"That pet comes in handy," said Lu as he and June quietly headed toward the unguarded door. "You sure she'll be alright?"

"Yeah, Nyla has handled worse than this bunch." She followed Lu as she snuck into thru the back door and made there way into the warehouse.

Inside they found more Dai Li patrolling and helping move large stone boxes filled with illegal Fire weapons. They loaded them off into a large cargo freight readying to move out to sea to parts unknown throughout the world. Not just regular weapons, but gallons of blasting jelly and even old Fire Nation tanks. It didn't matter to June and Lu as they crept around the compound they simply headed toward the warehouse office where two men were chatting about the operation. One was the Lead Dai Li agent while the other was the Operator of the facility. They listened as they talked unaware they were being eavesdropped.

"Remind me why I'm paying you people," said the Operator. "You should have had the target in her weeks ago; his very presence could jeopardize the operation."

"The last shipments are almost ready for departure," said the Dai Li. "Once we get rid of this contraband, there won't be any evidence left to convict."

"Just make sure these shipping manifests don't fall into the wrong hand," he handed him a scrolled document.

"I'll make sure they are probably disposed of after the deal is done."

They left out of the makeshift office and headed toward the cargo freight, while June and Lu made sure to keep there eyes on them and the manifest in his hand.

"I think we hit pay dirt Juniee," he said. "All we got to do is get that manifest away from that goon."

"Now I have an idea."

"Hey guys, you looking for me," said Lu as he revealed himself to the Lead Dai Li and the Operator. Both were shocked long enough, for June to do some fancy whip work and snatch the manifest from his hands with a quick wrap and snap. She looked back at there twice baffled faces as the manifest fell in her hand all according to plan.

"Thank you boys," she said making a run for it.

"The manifest," called the Operator!

"That's the least of your worries," said Lu standing before him. He raced his fist while the Operator quivered in fear. He raised his fist ready to land the first strike, but before he could his hand was stopped by the Lead Dai Lead who was protecting his investor.

"Get the girl, grab the manifest," he instructed the rest of the agents.

"Boy buddy did you pick the wrong fight." The force of the Earth was no match for the awesome muscles. The very pull that the Dai Li exerted on his rock glove was used to pull him forward into Lu's other fist.

Meanwhile June was busy handling the other Dai Li agents dodging flying fist and finger shards that shot out like a barrage. June was proficient with her whip and she used it to deflect the barrage of stones that came her way. A whip in one hand and her whip in the other, neither she were willing to part with from her vice grip. Even when it seemed they had the upper hand by taking away her whip, she used her fists which were much harder and quicker. When all of her opponents were down and the door out of the warehouse was open she left them with these words.

"Don't quit your day job." Then she left with the manifest leaving her father to handle his own fight.

Lu was busy handling the Lead Dai Li agent while he protected the Operator. Lu was always there just barely blocking the Lead Dai Li who shot fist and foot against him. The Dai Li was fast, but Lu was strong. Strong enough to grab his flying fist and propel it right back at the agent propelling him forward into a large pile of crates.

"Come on is that the best you got," he mocked?

"There's more where that came from," said the Operator from behind.

Lu turned behind to find that he had assembled the rest of the Dai Li agents in a line behind him. They surrounded him in a death circle he was severely outnumbered with his stamina of age weighing against him. It didn't matter if it was a hundred to one he wouldn't give up the fight, but at these odds and the Operator promising double wages to the man who took him down his situation was looking grim.

"Alright, who wants to go first?" He put up his fists ready to fight to the last.

Before he got an answer, there was a low rumble growing to the size of a quake. The wall exploded as a great beast burrowed into the building with tooth and claw against the grain. Riding atop this mighty creature was June, having returned to the fight. She rode the Shirshu like she had for years and now it was time to show off her true skills. Nyla whipped her tongue as June cracked her whip in a furious brawl storm. Her father helped too, using fist and foot, until all the Dai Li were paralyzed and the Operator was tied up with her whip.

"Where do you think you're going," she said stepping off to savor her catch.

"Hey, didn't your father tell you not to interrupt a fight," he said to his daughter?

"Yeah, but my old man isn't too bright in his old age," she said.

"Good point kid," he said with a chuckle. "I call this a good job. We got the evidence the perpetrators. All we need to do is get these guys over to Ba Sing Se, that's the best place to make a deal for there capture."

"How to you expect to haul all these guys," she asked? "Nyla can't carry them all."

"…I think I know another way."

They took the freight out to sea, loaded with all the goods. Only below in the brig Nyla was sleeping next toe tied up prisoners lock in there cage. In her jaws was the key to the cell, but every time they seemed to inch toward them she would get up and snarl. They were trapped with no way to run or defend themselves from the beast that guarded them. Up on deck, June and Lu were steering the ship at sea headed toward Ba Sing Se.

"I hope your pet likes those new chew toys," said Lu. "I just hope she'll leave something left barter with the Earth Army once we make port."

"Nyla knows better that," she said. "You know you hold your own pretty well for an old man Lu."

"Like I said kid, I'm retired from this line or work," he said with a sigh. "Once I get my name cleared I'm going to see about getting me some legitimate line or work."

"Then I take it you won't be wanting your share of the bounty?"

"I may be old, but I'm not senile Juniee."

"Not yet anyway," she said overlooking the dawn of a new day. Together they were like father and daughter once more, instead of rivals. It was a big catch they were hauling and they were doing it together. Probably the first and last time they would ever do something like this. "Lu, there's something I've got to tell you, and I think now is the time to say it."

"What's that?" he asked expecting something warm and sentimental.

"Stop calling me Juniee before I break those feathers out of your hair."

"Ha-ha-ha, can do kid…can do."