Korra eased herself out of the drivers seat of Lin's speedster, she had gotten better at driving but the drive up to Zaheer's mountain prison had been a nerve racking one. For one, she dreaded seeing the man that had destroyed her for years. Two Lin's constant glare ever since Korra ground a gear was a like being looked at by death itself. She looked at the massive doors to the underground prison as the sun finished rising over the mountain they were carved into. While her last visit hadn't been all too hostile, this was the man who had assassinated the Earth Queen, tried to kill her father, and herself. Worse than that for years Korra had wished that they had succeeded, the poison had left her near paralyzed and spiritually destroyed. It had been sheer hell recovering from the attack, and Korra had decided long ago she'd never completely get over what Zaheer did. "I'll do the talking, just try and stay calm." Lin adjusted her sunglasses and began to stroll towards the door, her metal armor clanking quietly as she did.

Okay maybe I deserved that. Korra thought, but she had to admit, she had almost left to interrogate Zaheer a few nights ago and didn't know if she would've stayed calm. Korra nodded to the White Lotus guards who nodded back and opened the stone doors without word. They rarely had visitors and knew in advance when they planned to arrive. "I'll be calm." She said to Lin as much as she did to herself. The interior of the prison was a spartan one, it had been converted from an old temple for the singular purpose to hold Zaheer. She followed Lin down a cavernous room with different statues on either side, the guards used it as a break room. There were two stationed at the door leading to Zaheer, and several more who listened to the radio on the only table in the room. Her heart sped up as they began the descent down the stairs to Zaheer, He's in prison, he's powerless now. She fought to keep her breath from coming in sharp gasps as her heart reached a pounding beat. They reached the bottom of the stairs and the stone door to the elevator loomed at her like it was holding back a deadly venom. If anything goes wrong I can just bloodbend him in half. Korra stopped in her tracks. "Uh, Lin, maybe you should go, I…I don't want to see him."

Lin raised an eyebrow but understood, she had helped Korra up the stairs to the air temple in a wheel chair years ago, and personally seen how destroyed Zaheer had left her."Sure thing kid, I'll let you know what he says."

Korra sat down on the last step crossing her arms trying not to give away the fact she was freaking out. She shut her eyes and tried to calm down as the elevator arrived and took Lin away. She couldn't help but imagine Zaheer being twisted and contorted at her will, slowly beginning to feel as if he had no power, no control, as he began to die. Her heart beat slowed ever so slightly.

I

Lin patiently waited for the elevator to stop and the massive door to raise, she knew Zaheer had been in prison for almost four years now but she prepared herself for anything. She stepped forward into the massive cell and her heart began to race. Zaheer was lying motionless on the ground, still chained in place. "Zaheer?" She asked, this reeks of trap, She slowly extended a cable across the room and tapped Zaheer on the chest with it. When he didn't move she grabbed his foot with the cable and tossed him back and forth. It was common for prisoners to play dead in order to get a guard within striking distance. This was one of the less painful ways to check if they were faking it. She retracted the cable and formed it into a sharp blade, carefully she began to approach Zaheer ready to attack. Something's wrong, he wouldn't just die, theres no sign of struggle, no vomit so there wasn't poison involved, no blood. She approached and knelt by his side quickly checking the pulse on his neck. "GUARDS!"

I

Korra practically earth bent the door to the elevator out of the way and charged into the cell expecting a hostage situation and fully ready to end it. She stopped when she saw Lin crouching by Zaheer's body. "Lin?"

"He's dead, no obvious wounds," Lin answered Korra, and turned to the guards that had arrived with her. "How secure is this prison? Because it seems to me like you have a pretty big problem!"

"Chief I assure you, he was fine when I brought him his breakfast!" The guard to Korra's right answered. "The only visitor he has ever had was Avatar Korra a year ago. No one has gone in or out except the guards for meals."

Korra slowly walked towards the motionless body of Zaheer, she should be feeling shocked and maybe even terrified that someone had killed such a fierce enemy. She completely ignored the medical officer who rushed past her. She loomed over her enemy and stared into his empty eyes. She didn't know how to feel, but she couldn't help the feeling of satisfaction creeping over her. She spit on Zaheer and walked out without waiting for Lin.

"Korra!" Lin didn't know whether to be furious and yell at her or chase after her to comfort her. "You two handle this, I'll radio the station." She rushed after Korra who had already sent the elevator upwards again.

I

Korra's blood felt like it was on fire, she stormed out of the prison walking blindly past the guards. She reached Lin's speedster and practically ripped the door from its hinges, she crashed down into the seat and slammed the door shut. She could feel it again, that satisfaction of knowing Zaheer got what he deserved. The only thing that would've made it more satisfying is if she had been the one to do it. Revenge isn't the answer Korra, Her inner Tenzin tried but failed. She hated it, she wanted Zaheer dead and now that it finally happened why shouldn't she feel happy. She lashed out and punched the metal dash board denting it, rage masking the pain in her hand. She punched it again and again until her hand began to bleed, why am I not allowed to take revenge and get closure when Zaheer and bastards like him can destroy our lives at will!

Lin ran up and momentarily forgot about the Avatar and only saw the massive dents in her dash board. "How does your hand feel kid?"

Korra blinked tears away and looked at her bleeding hand. "Fine. Can we just go?"

Lin sighed and got into the driver's seat beside her, she had an idea of what Korra was feeling. Every time she had an officer die in the line of duty, she personally made the trip to the next of kin and informed them. Watched as the news ripped the family's hearts in half, and when her metal benders finally captured the killer all she could feel was rage. "Korra, you don't feel bad about him dying…and I don't blame you. For all he's done I was surprised you hadn't killed him."

"I wanted to."

"You're right to, but you can't let it consume you," Lin rubbed her keys in her fingers. "I've been there, I've done that, you chase this feeling of fulfillment under the guise that it'll make you feel whole again. In the end you just end up feeling like a monster."

Korra pulled her knees to her chest and hid her head, she knew Lin was making sense, but it was more than just a feeling of fulfillment. It dawned on her what she really would've done if she had left the night Asami stopped her, she would've killed Zaheer, and it would've felt amazing.

Lin started up the engine and began to drive away, damn it, what would Tenzin say… "I think there is an old Air bender saying about revenge, how did it go…Oh, revenge is like a two headed rat viper, when you take your enemy out you're being poisoned yourself." Lin sped away and grabbed the radio to inform the station that Zaheer had been killed.

Korra sat still a steely eyed glare fixed on the blood prints her fist had left on the dashboard, she watched it glint in the rising sunlight and realized something. I've been poisoned before.

I

Mako rolled over his head pounding with a headache, he sat up as soon as he realized he wasn't in his own bed. He looked around the room, and he remembered how last night had ended. When he had entered the room last night he was concentrated on Ren and nothing else, now he looked around the room for the first time in the light. The room looked almost like a hotel room, very neutral with almost zero personal affects. Then he saw the mannequin dressed in full tactical gear with dao swords on the wall behind it. While he now had an intimate relationship with Ren, it was clear she was dedicated to the Kyoshi. He stood up and scrounged for a pair of underwear, her dress and his clothes had been thrown almost torn from their bodies onto the floor. He finally found something to wear when he heard it. The sound of a fight going on. He threw on his underwear and rushed out of the room. "Ren?" He yelled as he rounded the corner of a small hallway leading to a surprisingly small kitchen and living room. He relaxed as soon as he saw her.

Ren gave the punching dummy one more solid punch to the rubber face, she wiped the sweat from her forehead and gave Mako a friendly wave. "Morning."

Mako raised an eyebrow, Ren was boxing in what amounted to a swim suit, but the dummy did seem to be taking a beating. "Early morning cardio?"

"Always, say what you want about the Group but we're all experts." She wrapped a near by towel around her neck after mopping her brow. "Sorry but I'm not a cook, just a killer." She said light heartedly. "But I do have some left over breakfast from…its probably still good."

"It's okay, I'm not too hungry, I actually feel pretty hungover."

"Rookie," Ren smirked as she strolled from the punching dummy to the small kitchen opening the fridge. "I enjoyed our date Mako." she said searching through the various containers of leftovers in her fridge.

"Me too." I really did. He thought as he grabbed the only stool in the kitchen. He realized that there was only one stool, only a few glasses, and one coffee mug. The whole apartment had been set up for only her, with no consideration for guests or friends. "We should definitely do it again." He ventured but felt a bit hurt when her muscled shoulders dropped.

"I'd like to Mako, I really would," She nervously rubbed her bicep.

"But?"

"I'd prefer to keep this…distant." Ren said immediately taking a drink of milk to shield her emotions. "Oh…okay." Mako said obviously insulted.

"Don't take it personal Mako." She offered him a glass of water but he refused.

"How else am I supposed to take it?"

"You're a really nice guy Mako, an incredible bender, and a great cop, but the Group is more than a job to me. I can't get distracted in the long term." Ren started to unwrap her fists. "I've tried in the past, and it just doesn't end up working,"

Mako made a face, despite his splitting headache he hadn't had a night as good as last night in ages. "Can we at least try?"

Ren took a sip. "I…don't know Mako."

Mako looked at his feet, "I'm going to get dressed, I should get to work," He watched Ren for a reaction and saw the slightest twinge of sadness before it was shut down.

Ren sighed, eventually you'll need something other than the group you bitch... She thought but couldn't fight a feeling of regret. She went over to the counter and sifted through the mess of mail and finally found what she was looking for as Mako reentered the kitchen. "Look, I hope you don't take this as a rejection, but I do want to help, here is our Guru's card. He can at least help you get some sleep."

Mako wanted to burn the card but the possibility of getting rid of the nightmares was too good to pass up. "Thank you," He bent in and kissed her immediately remembering the fiercer kisses they'd exchanged last night. "I hope you change your mind." He left for the station leaving Ren alone in her kitchen.

I can't She thought before tossing her glass against the wall shattering it.

I

Mako's headache was still raging when he reached his desk, the office was alive and buzzing with different detectives working hard on different cases. He hadn't even had a coffee yet before a beat cop strolled up to his desk. "Can I help you?" He said with a twinge of distain.
The cop saluted. "Lieutenant detective, a message from council man Tenzin."
Mako nodded away the salute and snatched the message away from the cop, ripping it open, he wondered what was so important that Tenzin would message him directly. He read the transcript of Jinora's message. Lok, "Okay so I have a name to go with…" If I can get a rook to sift through the criminal water bender files I just might get lucky. 'If you want it done right, do it yourself' his inner Beifong reminded him. He sighed and slumped his body down onto his desk dislodging a mountain of paper work as he did. He didn't move until the whole office went silent. His ears perked up and he listened to the net radio in the office.

"Beifong to station,"

"Chief this is station"

"Get me CSI to the mountain prison, we have a murder to investigate."

Mako feared the worst, he rushed and snatched the radio away from the cop handling the transmission. "Chief, Mako here, did Korra…" He let his finger slip off the transmit button.

"Negative, suspicious circumstances involving the death of Zaheer, the Avatar was not involved."

He gave a sigh of relief and handed back the hand mic to the operator, he almost wanted to hop on his Satocycle and rush to the prison to investigate. But he had an assassin to find, the name and nationality was at least a starting point. He sat back down at his desk and wrote down his plan of action. So far he had two leads, a mysterious airbender, and a water bender named Lok. He rubbed his neck, and settled in for the day, it was going to be a long one.

I

Kya brought a tray with a full water tribe breakfast down the hallway towards Asami's room and knocked gently on the door. She had slept in late, barely waking when Lin had left for the day, but she had made sure to make up for the late wake up by being productive. While her mother had influenced her culinary talents, her father's vegetarian background lent a hand as well. The tray held a kale and possum chicken omelette with a side of noodles with various veggies thrown in to a broth. "Wakey wakey,"

"Come in." a groggy Asami responded.

Kya maneuvered the tray into the handle opening the door and smiled as she saw Asami sitting up right, not beaming with happiness but it was clear that she was improving. "Made your favorite."

I can't deny Kya's cooking skills, no matter how awful I'm feeling. She put on a brave face and tried to take the tray with her good hand almost tipping it before Kya set it down on her lap. Asami had to adjust her bad hand with her good hand but was able to grip the knife and use her good hand with the fork. "Thank you Kya." She took a bite and didn't have to force a smile, she couldn't quite figure out why, but whatever Kya cooked it was always excellent. "Are you going to stay here today?"

Kya sat on the edge of the bed and shrugged. "Haven't really gave it much thought, is there anything you want to do today?"

Asami finished chewing another bite before flexing her legs underneath the covers, they hurt less than the previous days and she wondered if she could manage to walk finally. She thought back to Kya's message the previous day, she was dying to get back to work. The prototype still sat in a smoldering mess in the R&D department. I can hold a wrench…I think. "That depends on how much you can help me."

"I'm all yours."

"If I can manage it, I'd love to check on my prototype down at headquarters."

Kya considered, "I think we can manage it, but eat up, you'll need your strength, I'll get the car ready."

I

Asami made it to the car on her own, but the long drive down town and to Future Industries HQ left her needing a wheel chair. Thankfully Kya was enough help and then some, she had brought the wheel chair and helped Asami into the building with zero fuss. She sat in the elevator as the floors dinged by with Kya standing behind her. "I can't thank you enough,"

"Its the least I can do," Kya answered honestly. "You've given me a place to stay while I'm in the city…and you brought me and Lin back together."

Asami smiled, at least I can still help fix some things. "I'm glad you and Lin are doing well, she does seem happier, drinks like a fish still, but definitely happier."

"She's been drinking ever since she lost her first partner," Kya recalled less than fondly. "It's Lin, flaws and all she's who I want."

"That's so sweet…" Asami smiled, the elevator dinged for the final time and the doors opened to reveal the research and development labs. The damage from her battle had swiftly been cleared but repairs would take longer, however the lab personnel valued effectiveness over aesthetics. As hired workers repaired the ceilings, walls, and floors from various sustained damage the whole floor was alive with noise of various wrenches, tools, and motors running in their respective test chamber. "I missed this." Asami wished she could stroll through the labs and look in on her favorite developers, but for now Kya pushed her down the hall. There were a few employees that noticed as she rolled down the hallway, each bowed in respect. She politely smiled, usually she'd nearly scold them for being so formal but she was too weak to protest much. "It'll be test chamber eleven." She sighed and realized it was obvious which one eleven was, it was cordoned off with police tape and the door had been bent across the hallway. The clean up crew did a decent job but the wheels of Asami's chair still hit a few chunks of rocks and rubble. Asami motioned for Kya to stop as they reached the control panel of the test chamber, the now shattered window framed the burnt prototype. Asami's heart dropped. Her attackers had injured her, but nearly destroyed the prototype. She reached forward on the control panel and pressed the intercom button which thankfully still worked. "Sato to front desk, get me Engineer Jade to test chamber eleven as soon as possible."

Kya rested a reassuring hand on Asami's shoulder. "It's beautiful."

Asami shrugged. "If its salvageable. If it isn't it'll set me back months." As if summoned by magic a short woman with jet black hair appeared in the shattered door way.

"Mrs. Sato! I'm so glad to see you back in action."

Asami smiled, action is hardly what I'd call it. "Glad to see you too, Jade this is Kya,"

Jade gave a polite bow and quickly looked over the prototype. "I've looked over the blueprints and your notes, your last recording indicated a fuel leak?"

"I hadn't tracked it down before…well it's somewhere deep in the fuel system, close to the enter fuel injector." Asami knew that Jade was her best engineer and was following along closely. "The original fire scorched most of the fuel lines, I don't know what other damage was caused." Asami looked down at her bad hand that still pulsed with pain. "I wish I could lend a hand but you'll have to do most of the work."

Jade nodded and quickly moved to the chamber. "Just tell me what to do."

Asami smiled, she had begun to doubt that a trip to the research and development department would help at all. However, seeing her charred prototype and a willing assistant at hand gave her a rush of importance and purpose. "Then let's get started."

I

Korra stormed into the kitchen an ran her bloodied knuckles under some water, she cleaned it but didn't begin to heal them. The stinging and throbbing from her knuckles kept her from freaking out, it was a pulsing reminder that she could feel something other than rage. She flexed her hand stretching the wounds and only stopping when she could barely stand it anymore. She looked around the kitchen wanting to destroy it, Kya had been at work, there was a neatly stacked pile of pans and plates. Asami, Asami will know what to do. She left the kitchen quickly jogging up the steps and down the hallway to her room. "Asami?" Korra opened the door without waiting and saw the bed empty, her shoulders fell.

"Kya and her are out, I think they're at Future Industries," Lin called from down the hall, she had only stopped to drop off Korra before heading to the station but had to grab a few things.

Korra slumped against the door frame dismayed, the phone began to ring. "Lin can you get that?" She was in no mood to act civil on the phone. "Beifong here." I can't stand it anymore. I need to go to the gym and punch things for a while, or something, anything!

"Korra, Tenzin is on the phone."

Literally the opposite of what I need right now. She however owed Tenzin more than she could ever repay, so she moved to the phone in her and Asami's room. "Tenzin?"

"Korra, I heard what happened to Zaheer, but that will have to wait, there's an urgent situation at the northern refugee camp, they might begin to riot."

"What?" Of course they have. "Why?"

"They're angry about the conditions of the camps, lack of food." Tenzin paused. "Its a refugee camp they're bound to be upset about something. A few air benders and the police are there trying to hold the peace but it isn't working. We need you."

I'm not really in a peace seeking mood right now… "I'll be there as soon as I can." She stormed out of the mansion and jumped into the drivers seat of Lin's speedster. "You'll need these." Lin tossed her the keys.

"I'm sure you're already tired of people telling you that violence isn't going to help. But just take this slow, masses of people don't reason well." She jumped over the door into the passenger seat.

"Avatar, is there something wrong?" Ren strolled up to the speedster from her position on guard.

"There are some refugees who are apparently starting to Riot," Korra started the engine almost ready to dismiss Ren.

"Then you'll need us."

"Excuse me?"

"I'll leave four to protect the house, the rest will follow you, we'll be watching over you." Ren said motioning to a few Kyoshi who were so well disguised in the grounds of the estate that they seemed to appear out of thin air. "You won't even know we're there unless you need us."

"It's not really necessary." Korra said, sounding more annoyed than she wanted to.

"We are supposed to guard and protect the estate and the people it in. I won't take no for an answer."

I don't need your protection! "Fine." Korra floored the accelerator and guided the speedster around in a skid out of the gates of the mansion.

"What did I just say!" Lin yelled over the growl of the exhaust.

I

Mako raised a megaphone and cleared his throat, he was standing on a police barrier at the main entrance to the largest refugee camp near the outskirts of the city. The day had started off pretty badly but steadily got worse, it was easily ninety degrees out and the massive crowd in front of him seemed to be unconsolable. "We are awaiting shipments of food, bandits attacked the supply line and it was stolen. Metal bending officers are personally handling the next shipment and should be here by the end of the week."

"End of the week?"

"We haven't had any food for two days!"

"Fuck you!"

Mako sighed as the barrage of insults and questions from the crowd hit him all at once. "Look we're trying our hardest to get food to you all."

"That's not good enough!"

"Yeah!" a bunch of crowd members screamed.

This is not going to end well. Mako raised the megaphone again but he was interrupted by a Sato speedster screeching to a stop outside the gate to the camp. He saw Korra practically fly out of the drivers seat. She was clearly pissed. "Look, everyone please stay calm we're going to find a solution. We just need a little more time." He passed the megaphone off to another cop and hopped off the barrier to meet Korra. "Hey Korra."

"Mako, how bad is it?" Korra's anger was subsided by the throngs of people angrily shouting and chanting. It was a stark reminder of how many people had been displaced when Kuvira had nearly leveled the city.

"Not good." Mako answered before getting distracted by the rumble of five Satocycles pulling up alongside Lin's roadster, he picked out Ren immediately, however the tactical gear and war paint made her more aggressive looking than before. He snapped out of it. "A group of bandits took out a supply train of food and medicine early this morning. It was the third one this month." He gave her the gist of a longer briefing he'd received in the morning.

Korra sighed, so let me get this straight, there is no way to actually help them immediately, only try and stall them until more supplies get here. Korra hopped up on the barrier and snatched the megaphone from the cop who was being yelled at nonstop. "Everyone listen up, I know you've been in this camp for months now, and I know supplies have been scarce, but I will personally track the stolen supplies down and bring them back to you. All that I ask is that you cooperate with the police and act like responsible citizens of the United Republic." The murmuring crowd slowly subsided. I can't believe that actually worked… "Thank you for your cooperation,"

Lin was behind her waiting for her to get down off the barrier. "Can you actually back that up?"

"I don't have a choice now," Korra said dismayed. "It'll keep them calm for a while at least. She spotted Tenzin's sifting through the crowd of police officers around the perimeter fence. If she was going to go after the stolen supplies she'd need his air benders for air support, she waved him over. A few bandits heads to knock together, just what I need, how hard could it be. "Tenzin, do you have any info from the nomads guarding the supply lines as to where the stolen shipments have been headed?"

"They've always disappeared quickly, but there is a bandit stronghold to the east of the major supply line. We've been wanting to raid the place but its out of Lin's jurisdiction and the air benders don't have the numbers." Tenzin answered, she seems…off somehow. He couldn't quite put his finger on it but something about her just breathed angry.

"Damn it." Korra thought through her options. "How many air benders can help me?"

"We only have about ten in the area, and they're strictly for defense not offense, you know that Korra." Tenzin said giving his beard a stroke, I need to have a word with Lin about her.

Korra looked back at the roadster and spotted the satocycles surrounding it and sighed. "How many bandits do you think are there?"

"It's a large camp, easily fifty possibly more." Tenzin realized Korra was still planning on attack. "Korra, an attack would be aggressive and dangerous, you'd need an army to even have a chance."

"I know just where to get one."

"You're not thinking of asking Ren are you?" Mako asked annoyed by the idea.

"The Kyoshi have a whole group here, they can spare the people, we can take out the bandits get the supplies back and send a damn good message."

"I don't know if that's such a good idea Korra." Mako said more because of the Kyoshi Group's reputation than for his new found problem with Ren.

Lin considered, it might be a good way for her to get all the anger out of her system, and as long as she doesn't kill anyone and gets the supplies back it could be a win win. "I think it's a fine idea."

Tenzin and Mako both turned to her, "You do?" they asked in unison.

"I'll get Ren involved." Korra walked back to the roadster and looked around, she finally spotted one of they Kyoshi appearing out of a crowd. It was like watching a pack of wolves begin to move in for the kill, one by one they all closed the distance.

"Leaving so soon?" Ren asked strolling up to her satocycle.

Korra looked at Ren's warpaint, it made her look like a demon out of a play. "You said the Kyoshi are the best in the business right?"

"Sure are" Ren answered confidently. "I need as many as you can supply, a large group of bandits stole a supply train worth of food and medicine. We're going to get it back."

"How many are there?"

"Around fifty."

Ren smiled making her warpaint appear even more sinister. "When do we leave?"

I

Kya gently arced Asami's roadster into the driveway as the sun began to set behind the city highlighting the estate in an incredible orange glow. They had stayed at Future Industries for hours, Asami's assistant with close instruction had disassembled most of the prototype into pieces. Kya was amazed at the level of complexity, and happy that Asami seemed to involved with the process of fixing it, even if she wasn't strictly hands on. She put the roadster in park and looked over at the comatose Asami. She gently shook her shoulder waking her up. "Sleep well?"

Asami yawned. "Who knew overseeing the work could still be exhausting."

Kya exited the car and grabbed Asami's wheel chair beginning to set it up. "Your assistant seemed very capable." Asami nodded and stretched her neck.

"Thankfully, I still wish I could tear into it myself but the schedule matters more, I hope she can finish the rebuild before the end of the week."

Kya opened Asami's door and helped her out into the wheel chair, she got her settled just as the mansion's door flew open and Korra stormed out. "Korra?

Where are you going?"

Korra froze, she had hoped to leave before they had gotten back, it was easier to say good bye in a note than in person. "The supply lines into the city got attacked again, a whole train car full got stolen and the refugee camp on the north side of the city is out of food."

Asami heart skipped a beat. "You're going to get it back?"

Korra kicked a bit of gravel with her boot. "Yeah."

Kya was shocked. "You can't go alone!"

"I'm not going alone, don't worry about it," As if on cue a menacing hum filled the air as a large airship floated into view behind the mansion, the Kyoshi had taken old Fire Nation war ships and made improvements refurbishing them to suit their needs. The old Fire Nation symbol was replaced with a minimalistic logo that resembled a picture of Avatar Kyoshi. Hardly subtle, but this was a vehicle for an all out attack, not a covert operation. "I'm going with them."

Asami was distracted for a moment, she knew Future Industries had worked on the Kyoshi Air ships. The Fire Nation war ships were relics, but heavily armored, they had installed much faster engines, a platinum skin, reenforced the bow, and equipped the cargo bay with lifting points and equipment. "Korra…are you sure about this? It looks like you're going to war."

"The supplies are being held by some bandits, the Kyoshi will keep them busy while we secure the supplies." Korra answered. "I'll be fine." She came over and knelt beside Asami's wheelchair as the airship came directly overhead. "Be back before you know it."

Kya looked sternly at Korra. "This is hardly a peaceful solution to the problem." She's using it as an excuse to use her anger.

"I don't have a choice Kya, the refugees nearly rioted today, they're running out of food and medicine fast-"

Asami placed a hand on Korra's chin. "Just be safe," She leaned in and kissed her.

Korra was taken aback at first but melted quickly into the kiss which was somehow both chaste and longing at the same time. She didn't want to stop but she broke their kiss and hugged her gently. "Love you." Korra stood and motioned at the airship which deployed a cable with a platform attached ready to reel her in.

"I love you too."

As Korra stepped onto the platform and began to rise towards the airship, Kya's shoulders dropped, she needed to talk to Tenzin about Korra. I know she has handled anger before but…if she can't this time around, a blood bending Avatar, something so evil being wielded by someone so powerful can't end well.

I

Ren was waiting for Korra as she ascended into the cargo bay, she reached out for the Avatar's hand and helped her step onto the ship. "Welcome aboard,"

"Glad you could arrange this on such short notice." Korra said before observing just how much Ren had arranged. The cargo bay held a few weapon racks and two large benches facing each other on either side all filled with Kyoshi warriors, surrounded by a staircase lining the bay. Damn I really am going to war.

"ON YOUR FEET!" Ren barked and the Kyoshi sprang to their feet. "Avatar Korra has tasked us with a mission, you know your rolls and you will do them well, the spirit of Kyoshi lives on in her. I expect nothing but the best from all of you, be precise, be swift, be deadly. Tonight we fight with Kyoshi herself!"

Korra was surprised at just how loud the women in the bay cheered at Ren's short speech, but it was clear they were all motivated. When the cheering stopped she realized she should say something. "I appreciate you all volunteering for this, you have lived up to your reputation as Kyoshi and I know this mission will be in the best hands."

"Warriors, its about a two hour flight, get your rest and be prepared for war." Ren turned to Korra. "The bridge is up this way, I'll brief you more on the plan there." Ren led Korra up the large metal stair case that surrounded the cargo bay. Then through a door into a hallway lined in pipes and a few other doors. "Our scouts are already emplace, they deployed as soon as you offered us the mission. They've radioed back their intel." Ren spun the wheel on the door at the end of the hall and pulled it open motioning Korra inside the bridge.

I knew they were good but damn. The bridge consisted of a large window lined with different controls and a massive wheel manned by a Kyoshi. Other than that there was more instrumentation and a massive map on opposite walls. The map hung over a table with documents and a smaller map laid out on in. She quickly looked over the map on the table. "This is the bandit camp?" The map was very detailed with guard locations and even the location of the supplies. The camp was situated outside of an old Fire Nation outpost, the outpost itself used to store the stolen supplies, and outside the front gate there was the main camp. It all sat inside two spurs of a mountain.

"Sure is, our recon element is pretty good, they radioed us the details and sent a messenger with the map they sketched for us. "Intel like this is why we're so well prepared."

"How many bandits?" Korra asked looked over the other documents on the table.

"Your estimate of fifty was a little shy, there seems to be about sixty when there isn't a raiding party out." Ren sifted through a pile of paper for the exact report. "Sixtyish they said, with a mix of mainly earth benders and a few fire benders here and there."

Korra thought back to the cargo bay holding the Kyoshi warriors, there was maybe thirty of them."That's like two to one odds isn't it?"

"Trust me, the odds are not in their favor." Ren pulled out a folded map from a pouch on her tactical vest and laid it on the table. "The air ship will be the main diversion, it will come from the north." She pointed towards what seemed to be the front of the camp. "First squad will deploy on gliders at phase line alpha. Once the airship directly over the camp second squad will jump in. They'll do the most of the fighting, with air support from first squad until they're out of gliding room, at which point they'll join the ground effort." Ren looked at the Avatar who was following along intensely. "Meanwhile, the airship will continue to fly over till the old Fire Nation outpost where our intel says they're holding the train car full of supplies." My squad, you, and myself will move to secure the supplies fighting off any enemy. The Airship will deploy its lifting cables. We can connect the train car on all for corners and lift it straight up and out. Then the airship will turn around and begin to retrace its path across the camp, cables will drop, first and second squad will exfil on the cables, we'll have gotten aboard when the train car is secure."

Korra scratched her head, the plan seemed excellent, but plans don't always go according to plan. "Is there a backup plan?"

"The recon element has overwatch, they've got long range weapons that'll be able to help at least if something really goes wrong." Ren assured Korra. "Now, lets get you suited up."

I

Korra had fought her fair share of fights and then some, she was no stranger to fighting, but even she had a few butterflies in her stomach. She sat in the cargo bay of the airship packed onto the end of the benches holding the squads of Kyoshi warriors. Ren sat right next to her, in similar tactical gear. What Ren had seem to mean by "suiting up" was packing on about forty pounds of equipment and armor. Korra had a radio inside a pack on her back with a hand mic attached, while at first she objected, the instant communication during the operation was essential. Ren had also given her a vest to wear, which consisted of a form fitted piece of ceramic to protect against bent projectiles. Attached to the vest were an assortment of grenades, some explosive and some blinders to disorient enemy. Red for explosion, white for noise, Korra reminded herself and breathed out trying to keep calm. She adjusted the pack on her back as Ren stood up.

Ren looked at her watch, the airship would near its maximum altitude, with no air bending Kyoshi the higher they got the longer the glider crews were effective. One, two, three, annnnd… "HIT IT!"

Korra watched as immediately the two kyoshi standing by the side doors opened them and one by one Kyoshi warriors equipped with gliders jumped out into the night sky. She ran through the plan once more in her head. The gliders, then the main attack, then my part to play. Ren sat back down next to her looking like a demon in her face paint and black armor. "How much longer till its our turn?"

"Not long now," Ren steadied herself on the bench as the airship began to dive. She hated this part, she had complete trust in her crew but it just didn't feel natural flying straight towards the ground. She concentrated on the mission at hand, after the dive it'll be two minutes till phase line delta. She looked at her watch that was illuminated in the dim red lights of the cargo bay. Even the hastily arranged plans had to go like clockwork. She counted down the last minute and stood up. "GO GO GO!"

Korra watched in awe as the red lights of the bay turned green and the massive cargo bay doors built into the floor dropped open and all most all the remaining Kyoshi jumped out. They were close enough to the ground not to need cables. Immediately she could hear a battle erupt, beneath the airship, even over the steady drone of the engines. Ren motioned to her, and Korra joined her at the edge of the bay floor. The airship had regained some altitude but they could still make out a battle going on. The Airship was equipped with massive floodlights that were trained on the bandits, which kept them almost blinded and the Kyoshi in the shadows. Fire bender bandits lit up the shadows with volley after volley of flame while earth benders used the flames to target the Kyoshi with massive rocks. Slowly but surely they Kyoshi advanced, dropping bandits left and right gaining ground. The front line erupted in a series of explosions sending bandits flying.

"That was the gliders doing their job!" Ren yelled excitedly.

Korra wondered how many bandits, if any at all had survived, but shoved the thought aside as the battle continued. She saw the massive wall of the old Fire Nation outpost begin to pass underneath the ship.

"That's our cue!" Ren yelled and grabbed a cable that hung from the ceiling passing it to the Avatar and grabbing another for herself, three other members of her squad stood ready to follow them down. "NOW!"

Korra attached the cable to her vest and leapt out into the open air immediately falling fast towards the ground. She could see the interior of the outpost below her, and immediately saw bandits waiting for her. She launched a fire ball at them which they moved to dodge. The ground came up to meet her with a hard landing. She quickly disconnected the cable and scanned for bandits. The floodlights of the airship illuminated the outpost's courtyard high ground on both sides and at least a dozen bandits who immediately began to attack. Korra bent a wall of rock for cover as several small boulders came flying towards her. She lashed out and sent chunks of the rock flying to where she assumed the bandits were. "REN?"

Ren blocked a fireball with her swords and dove behind Korra's cover. "Two and twelve o'clock!"

Korra bent the whole rock wall she was using for cover into the air splitting it in half and sending two chunks flying into the directions Ren gave her. She followed them up by a one two punch of fire on two open bandits. She saw the other members of Ren's squad quickly jump into the fight. The Kyoshi with a pair of war fans rolled under a mid air boulder and smacked the metal fans into the bandit's knee then followed with a strike to the throat. Another with a katana was blasted back by a ball of flame but quickly returned the strike with a grenade. The explosion was massive almost knocking Korra off her feet and leaving her ears ringing. A third Kyoshi seized the moment and rushed the remaining four bandits with her sword quickly dispatching them with short but lethal swipes. Korra snapped out of it and looked around the court yard for the supplies. "Where are they?"

Ren's heart was racing as she dislodged her sword from a bandit's neck. She immediately looked around the court yard and spotted two massive doors. They belonged to a separate single story building that must've once been a stable. "In there!" Ren yelled over another grenade explosion.

Korra rushed to the doors, as soon as she saw the metal frame to the thick wooden doors she bent them straight off their hinges sending them flying. Immediately she saw the massive train car, the bandits had ambushed it then bent massive slabs of rock underneath to bring it away from the tracks. "ITS HERE!" She ran up and opened the cargo door of the train car and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw crate after crate of supplies.

Ren brought the last of the bandit's down with a hard chop to the ribs with her sword and sprinted to the shed where Korra stood. She looked at the roof of the shed, then to the airship. "Bend the roof away!"

Korra obliged, immediately taking a horse stance and ripped the roof away with two quick motions of her arms. She turned to see Ren signal the airship, which quickly lowered four thicker cables. The rest of Ren's squad ran to meet the cables as they hit the ground, throwing them over their shoulders they ran them towards the train car. She moved out of their way as the Kyoshi latched the cables onto each corner of the car where the wheels were once connected. Ren signaled the airship again and the cables slowly began to tighten and the train car groaned and began to screech its way across the stone floor of the outpost. Korra bent the far corner of earth beneath the train car upwards sending the car sliding faster across the yard. Slowly the cables began to retract and the car rose into the air.

"Time to go!" Ren waved to her squad who obediently followed her to the Avatar's location. "You should come along with us more often Korra!"

Korra smirked and took a deep breath before shooting the Kyoshi into the air towards the rising train car on a pilar of earth. She quickly launched herself into the air and rolled onto the metal roof of the train car. Her armor and radio pack making in a tough landing. She nodded to the Kyoshi and Ren who were standing at each cable as the airship began to turn back to the field. Then her radio crackled to life for the first time.

"Third squad, request immediate assistance! All gliders are down, and we are pinned down by a lava bender and bandits"

Korra looked to Ren. "Make sure this gets back onto the ship!" She leapt off the train car blasting fire from her feet sending her over the fast approaching wall. Immediately she saw, as the airships's spotlights revealed, the situation was worse than the radio call had led on. Where the camp and field once stood was now spotted with massive pools of lava. The few earth bending Kyoshi had set up a defense of boulders with the rest huddled inside. Korra shot a blast of air at the ground and rolled landing with a thud but quickly hopping to her feet.

The lava bender had set himself up on a cooled hill of lava firing boulders over the Kyoshis' defense. Six or so bandits were edging closer under steady Kyoshi arrow and bender fire. They hadn't noticed her. Lava bender first, then the others. She bent an air scooter beneath her and shot across the lava pool between her and the Lava bender's hill. She had just made it to the base before He noticed. She launched two arcs of fire aimed for his head and feet, he jumped and ducked through them bringing his fist down on the earth turning it from cooled rock to lava again. Korra leapt into the air on a blast of air and landed close to the Lava bender. She lashed out for his knee with a kick which connected. he cried out in pain but lashed out with a massive closed fist connecting with Korra's armored stomach. She felt the blow even through the armor. She launched two quick rock strikes which he quickly turned to Lava and fired right back at her. Okay, let's see how good you are. She lunged and punched sending a powerful shot of air at his chest quickly knocking him back. She followed with a one two punch of fire blasts. She ran forward and bent the earth beneath him upwards making him fall backwards. She didn't see him return fire with a rock the size of her head. It connected square in her chest sending her crashing backwards.

Her head painfully smacked the ground, before she realized it the Lava bender was sprinting towards her armed with two orbs of glowing lava. Everything slowed down as she raised her hand, you'll pay for that! She raised her hand and could feel the liquid in his body as he began to get closer. She could feel his heart pounding in her hands. The lava bender's chest suddenly erupted and a large chunk of metal flew into the ground in front of him. Immediately he crumpled to the ground, the orbs of lava falling away harmlessly. Korra looked at her outstretched hand, then back at the Lava bender, then at the metal chunk in the ground. Her skin began to crawl as she recognized what it was.

"Korra move to assist!" Ren yelled through the radio.

Korra snapped out of the shock of what she saw lying in the dirt and sprinted towards the remaining bandits, there were five of them. She quickly hurled boulders, knocking three of them away. She began to bend a ball of flame big enough to burn the last two when they tensed and fell to the ground revealing arrows deep in their backs. The battle was over. As the cables began to drop Korra looked around at the destruction She and the Kyoshi had caused, the bodies of bandits were strewn everywhere and the pools of lava were beginning to cool. We got what we came here for. They just got in the way. She told herself as a cable lowered from the airship, she thought back to the Lava bender. It had to be the Kyoshi who used that…thing, no one else is in the area. She hopped off the cable and spotted Ren kneeling over an injured Kyoshi, she absorbed the scene in the cargo bay. A few Kyoshi were lying down obviously badly hurt, another group slumped on the benches tending to minor wounds. The battle had taken a lot out of them, she turned to see the train car safe and sound hanging close to the ceiling of the bay, she knew the Kyoshi would view it as worth it. She looked back at Ren, normally she'd tackle her and end up screaming demanding that she explain what the projectile was and why they used them. As far as Korra saw it however, Ren was the main reason the whole operation had taken place. Ren had earned the right to explain why the Kyoshi and Raiko's assassin used the same weapon.

"Korra?" Ren asked.

Korra snapped out of her train of thought. "Ren, how are your warriors?"

"They'll be fine, a few were badly hurt but nothing fatal, this ended up being quite the successful operation."

"I couldn't have done it without you all." Korra looked at the hilt of Ren's dao sword which was coated in blood. "I need to ask you something, privately."

Ren looked bewildered but shrugged. "Sure thing, come with me."

Korra followed Ren up the staircase towards the bridge, she stopped and turned. "I want to thank all of you, your assistance to me and to the Republic City has been invaluable!" She watched as one by one the standing Kyoshi bowed silently.

"It's their pleasure to follow Kyoshi into battle, Korra."

Korra bowed back and began to follow Ren again, watching the hilt of her sword shine with the blood in the dim red light of the hallway to the bridge. She thought back to the feeling of the Lava bender's pulse in her hand, she shivered. She thought back to the power she had held over her enemy right up until the projectile had ruined it all. She didn't realize how fast her heart was beating until she reached the bridge. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She followed Ren to the map table. "I need to ask you about some of the weapons I saw down there."

Ren thought about it as she dropped her radio pack off her shoulders and began to take off her armor. "What specifically?" "The Lava bender I was fighting, he was taken out right before I—before I could finish the fight," Korra finished.

"By a long sharp metal chunk?" Ren said placing her gear underneath the map table and sitting on the table top. Korra nodded. "Yes." She watched Ren's face for signs of lying. "That was our recon team, the smoke from all the lava and fire prevented them from taking out the Lava bender earlier. Once you distracted him they finally could see enough to get a clear shot." Ren explained.

Well she isn't lying. "Ren…something like that weapon was used to kill President Raiko."

Ren crossed her arms. "You don't think it was any Kyoshi do you?" She said clearly offended.

"No! Of course not, but none of the police or anyone around town has seen anything like it before." Ren nodded. "We call them long range spears, or LRS," A shock ran though Korra's body. "Did Asami develop them for you?"

"No, all our Future Industries equipment is on the more technical side, we make our LRS in house. An old Kyoshi warrior thought it up and we decided to test it out." Ren shrugged. "Trouble was not everyone can bend metal, so we ended up making them out of platinum with either a bit of water or earth inside."

Looks like I just found a good ole' fashioned lead. "We need to get this info to Mako as soon as we get back to Republic City."

"Roger that," Ren immediately walked over to the pilot. Korra watched and felt as the airship noticeably sped up, the whole airship seemingly shoved itself forward. Ren's gear clanked as it fell over underneath the table. Korra crouched down and pushed it back into place, she saw the sword hilt again, still gleaming with blood. Without even realizing it she reached her hand out and grabbed the hilt. Pulling back her hand she could feel the sticky consistency of the dark red blood on her hands. She leaned quietly on the table looking at her hand in the more intense light of the bridge. She held her other hand up and made a swirling motion with her fingers. The blood obeyed and moved off her palm, it was like she was watching someone's life float in between her hands. She stared intently moving her fingers back and forth, watching the blood twinkle in the light as it moved slowly through the air. She sighed, feeling more relaxed than she had the whole night.

I