Sokka, fake beard fully in place, accompanied Suki and Jen through the back streets of the Fire Nation Capital. The three of them dressed as Fire Nation citizens. "Remember," said Sokka, "I'm Wang Fire. Suki is my wife, Saph. Jen, you're my cousin Brush. We're just everyday Fire Nationers."
"I'm still not clear on why we're talking to this Chit Sang. If he runs the black market, shouldn't we get some soldiers in here and beat him into telling us how to find Kyoshi's belongings?" asked Jen.
Sokka explained, "Chit Sang is Fire Lord Zuko's best-kept secret in restoring the Fire Nation's economy. He was imprisoned at the Boiling Rock when Zuko, Suki, my father and I made our great escape. Without his help starting a riot, we probably wouldn't have gotten out of there. His time in prison made Chit Sang a great leader and organizer. After the massive worker's strike, a lot of people had lost their jobs and wanted to keep working, but they refused to support Fire Lord Zuko. Chit Sang helped organize a black market that let people continue production without paying tax to Zuko. The workers who hate Zuko would be furious if they knew that he was personal friends with the traitor prince. Point is, Chit Sang knows about every shady deal out there, and most of his friends are Ozai-loyalists. If anyone is selling Kyoshi's stuff or assembling an army, odds are that Chit Sang knows about it."
The group arrived at Chit Sang's bar. Chit Sang's bodyguard recognized Wang Fire as a respected client, and immediately let the three pass. Despite his wealth, Chit Sang continued to dress humbly, and his accommodations were comfortable but simple. "Hey, Wang. Hey, Saph. I don't recognize your friend," said Chit Sang.
"This is my cousin, Brush Fire," said Sokka. "She works with Saph."
"All right," Chit Sang said. "Let's go into my back room so that we can talk business." The three followed him into a private, soundproofed room. Once the door closed, Chit Sang asked, "So, what's going on, guys?"
"Kyoshi Island has been attacked by Fire Nation criminals," explained Suki. "They have stolen Kyoshi's personal possessions, and we believe that they will be trying to sell them. Has anyone been organizing a rebellion or trying to find buyers for Avatar artifacts?"
Chit Sang said, "I don't think there's been a week that's gone by since Ozai was defeated without some idiot trying to organize the Fire Nation's armies for war. These past weeks have actually been really quiet. It's as if nobody's trying to organize an army anymore because the army has already been organized. Whoever did it must have some serious pull with the Fire Nation. As for selling Kyoshi goods, I haven't heard anything at all. These guys must have been contacted by a buyer before they made the plan."
"It doesn't sound like you're being very helpful," said Suki.
"One thing I can tell you is that around the time it got quiet, there was a new factory built on an island just outside the Fire Nation. They're really secretive, even for criminals. They're supposed to be producing metal pipes for plumbing, but their production has been pretty lousy," said Chit Sang.
Jen said, "If the criminals on that island might be planning something, shouldn't we just go to the island in force? I don't really see any need to be subtle here."
"If there's one thing the Fire Nation's militant nationalists have been good at," said Sokka, "it's avoiding capture. If we use force, they could just scatter and rebuild. If we know where they are, I think we should try to find out as much about their plans as we can. Chit Sang, do you think you can help me get a job on that island?"
"I'll see what I can do. One requirement they have for working there is that you have to have served in the war," said Chit Sang.
"That shouldn't be a problem," Sokka said. "Private Wang Fire was in the Fire Nation Capital on the Day of Black Sun. The Fire Nation wouldn't have had such an overwhelming victory if it hadn't been for his actions. That story has the benefit of being true."
"Sounds good. I should be able to get a job for one person. More than that might be pushing it. Come back in a week and I'll have it all set up," said Chit Sang.
Sokka turned to address Suki and Jen. "If I'm going to beat the guy who took my sword, I'm going to need to make sure that my skills are good enough. If we're going to be spending a week in the Fire Nation, I know exactly where to spend it. Let's visit Master Piandao."
