Gosh, ender-jones. :D Thanks! I hope I meet your expectations.

I agree. This part of LoK's history is something I've always meant to explore, because somehow you go from Korra restoring everyone's bending powers (presumably) to President Raiko just showing up, and the whole Equalist matter is just... left there. I'm glad I got myself around to doing it.

So who's coming up next? You're going to have to tell me who you guessed. :D Thanks again for reading, everyone, and as always, especially for commenting.


Bonds V: Captive Audience

Lin entered the interrogation room in the Republic City Prison, clipboard in hand. Again she affected a mood of wanting to do business, just as she had with the others. "Good morning…"

"Good morning," said a man at the table. "And thank you for the tea."

Lin had thought through how she would respond—respond, not react—to how the man played things. Before he had been unmasked he had been proud, intelligent, seemingly open and cooperative, the model businessman and citizen. In combat his genius had proved far more infernal, resulting in the destruction of General Iroh's fleet, the routing of the City's police, and the capture and loss of the City itself. Sitting here now, his hair wasn't as well-styled, his clothes now prison tans instead of the stylish business suits he had worn before, but he was still neat, clean, and very much in order. His face was calm, and he wore a small smile.

Hiroshi Sato.

Your move, his eyes said.

"You're welcome," she replied just as calmly. She pulled the chair back near her and started to sit down. "I wanted to ask you some questions—"

"I'm sure you do." Lin stopped, half-seated. Hiroshi went on. "Who are the Equalists, what do they want, what would they change if they had the chance…" Hiroshi's smile grew, and not in a pretty way. "I'm sure you have lots of questions."

"I do." Lin finished sitting down. "I think those questions are understandable, given circumstances."

"Tell me why."

Lin raised an eyebrow. "Why what?"

A pause.

"Why I should help you." A wily look gleamed in Hiroshi's eye. "I think that question is understandable, too—given circumstances."

"I don't suppose offering you better conditions would help you cooperate."

"Hardly." A cynical sneer came to his face. "I am a convicted prisoner. My cell, my clothes, everything I have is searched every day at random intervals to see if I am hiding something from you." His expression lightened. "It's almost as if you fear me."

"Given everything you've invented, Mister Sato, the Republic City Prison has every right to be careful." Lin couldn't help that from coming out, but she couldn't leave that statement unanswered. "You are kept from the others so no one can give you something to help you escape. You and your cell are searched so you cannot build something to help you escape or cause other mayhem. I would think that would be quite clear."

"As I said… a convicted war criminal. Condemned for life, for 'crimes against the Republic'." The hardened cynicism returned. "So why should I help you?"

"You're right. By all rights, you shouldn't." Hiroshi leaned back, smiling, his point made. "But I am more interested in who you are, Mister Sato," Lin continued. "And how you got that way."

"Meaning?"

"You aren't a bender, Mister Sato, which is like most of the people kept here. Unlike most of the people here, however, you are an Equalist. Why?" Now Lin leaned forward. "What made you change?"

Hiroshi couldn't believe his ears. "What?"

"Yes. With all your wealth, your improved position… you started with nothing and built Future Industries from nothing. You were successful. Respected. A leader in our community, by any measure. What made you—"

"What made me change?"

Lin remained calm. "Yes, that's what I asked."

The anger in Hiroshi's glance was almost physical; for a moment, it looked like he would explode. And then he did explode—in laughter. "Are you serious? My traitor of a daughter could tell you why! Why don't you ask her?"

"Perhaps… but I'm asking you. Why did you change?"

The laughter faded quickly, Hiroshi looking at Lin in disbelief. "I'm suspecting you know part of the answer already, or at least you should. Unless the intelligence-gathering part of your police is still so un-intelligent that you have no clue whatsoever."

"Yes… we do know some of the answer." Lin looked uneasy. "Your wife."

"Yes." His face turned into cold metal. "My wife. And even for someone as married to your job as you are, you should realize what that means."

Lin let that pass. "But why would you turn on everyone? Why would you turn on the City? On everyone that tried to help you?"

"When there was no one that helped me?" Hiroshi gritted his teeth. "Who helped me, Chief Bei Fong? Who? Not your investigators. They saw only another gang crime, with a murder in the middle of it. They barely did anything to find out who did it."

"We knew from the start that it was the Agni Kais—"

"Oh, yes, the Agni Kais. Firebenders robbed our house. Firebenders killed my wife. It was the Agni Kais. Elementary deduction. But what did you do? Really? What did any of you do?" He leaned in toward her. "Never mind the fact that we weren't benders ourselves. Natural prey for the Firebending Triad, wouldn't you say? Poor Fire Nation nationals, just starting to make good? Just starting to make some money in this 'town of opportunity'? The perfect targets for extortion."

"But why didn't you say something?" Lin broke in. "Surely someone—"

"We—did." The glare returned. "We did say something, and we were dutifully told the police would investigate." Hiroshi glared even harder. "You did nothing."

"We were doing something, Mister Sato," Lin said crisply, feeling prepared. "We were investigating the Agni Kais during that time."

"Were you? Then did you investigate how the Agni Kais were shaking down people in the Dragon Flats Borough? Did you investigate how they were demanding extortion money from nearly every business there?" Hiroshi waved away Lin's answer. "No, don't bother. I do know. I know because I investigated."

Lin glared. "With help from Amon, no doubt."

"No." Another hard look. "That was long before Amon revealed his existence. But I learned then that it pays to know more about your enemy. I thought my enemy was the Agni Kais. I didn't expect to include the police."

"So you investigated us."

"Yes. And the more I learned, the more I found I was right to do so." Hiroshi leaned closer. "Why didn't you go after the Triads, Chief Bei Fong? Was it that benders mattered so much more to you? Were you afraid of them?"

"I'll ask the questions, thank you," Lin said stiffly. "And for your information, we have always gone after the Triads. When criminals cause trouble in the City, we are inclined to go after them. Believe it or not."

"Oh, really?" Hiroshi's lip turned up. "The last time I remember your police going after the Triads, it was when your mother went after Yakone, forty-three years ago—in cooperation with the Avatar, no less." Lin started to interrupt, but Hiroshi interrupted her. "No, no, wait a minute—I tell a lie."

"Well, that's a surprise." Lin folded her arms.

"It was when the new Avatar, Avatar Korra, came to town, and did your work for you by stopping up a Triple Threat gang." Hiroshi laughed. "The only difference being that with Yakone, Avatar Aang helped with the arrest—but with Avatar Korra, your men turned and arrested her! For doing what should be your job!" He laughed some more. "One of the few times in recent memory that benders have arrested benders!"

Lin brought her arms back down to her sides. "I'm sorry I don't have the full catalog with me of all the times Republic City Police have gone after the Triads, Mister Sato. The fact is—"

"I'm sorry you didn't bring your catalog of facts, too." Hiroshi smiled. "You bring your facts, I'll bring mine. For example: Why did the Equalists find such a following so easily if indeed you were pursuing the Triads?"

"That's a good question." Lin smiled at him. "Why don't you tell me the answer?"

"Do you mean to say you need me to?" He matched her smile. "Don't the facts speak for themselves?"

"What facts, Mister Sato?"

"The fact that the people of this city found no justice in your justice system. The fact that they no longer felt protected by you, no longer felt that your law protected them, no longer felt your system was fair. No longer felt that benders could peaceably live side by side with them, that the law and you would always discriminate against them!"

"So instead of working alongside us to fix the problems you saw, as any loyal citizen would have done, you decided to become a vigilante. Working outside the law."

"When the law was written by benders, for benders, and worked to protect benders? Wouldn't you?" Hiroshi brought his hands together on the table. "Tell me, Chief, I'd like to know: isn't Triad activity lower now, much lower, now that the Equalists have done what they have?"

"It is—at the price of innocent people's lives being disrupted, their livelihoods being lost, or even losing their lives, yes."

Hiroshi's eyes narrowed. "How innocent were my wife and I? How innocent were all the other people who came here, all the other non-benders? What about them?"

Lin had no answer.

She really wished this had come up earlier, somehow, so that it could be discussed rather than debated, but right now, she was tired, irritable, her emotions were roiled, her pride enflamed, and she didn't feel or see any way of walking things back at this point to try and talk about it. Anything she said now would indeed be used against her. It was time to end this.

"I don't know," she said. She pushed back the chair and stood. "Thank you, Mister Sato. I may have more questions for you later. Enjoy your 'retirement'." She turned to leave.

Just before she reached the door, Hiroshi called out, "Say, Chief, one last question. About all the other non-benders from the Dragon Flats Borough, the night they cut the power: if you know they're not Equalists, why do you keep them locked up here? You could let them go—you have the authority."

Lin stopped. Then turned.

"Because to do so would undercut the authority of the Republic City Council. And that is something I am not prepared to do."

Silence. Only a smirk in reply.

She again turned for the door.

"What would your beloved Avatar Aang think of that?"

One more time she turned back, knowing full well that was what he wanted. She didn't bother coming back to the table. "Given that I have devoted my life to this city, to its people, and to the work that Avatar Aang started," she said coolly, "and that you chose to turn your back on this city and attack it and its people, I think I know full well what he would think of it. And you."

Hiroshi's smile was cruel.

"If this oppression is what you've devoted your life to, Chief Bei Fong…then I think I know what Avatar Aang would think of that. And that you've gotten exactly what you deserve."

o o o

Lin went back to her office feeling tired, bruised, and disappointed. I went into that meeting meaning to talk with him, and in the end I wind up drawn into a fight with him. She shook her head. Lin, you blockhead.

The blocks went by in a slow panorama as she drove back to police headquarters. She was actually glad for the traffic; it gave her a quiet space to think. And to regret, out of Hiroshi's sight. So much of what he said… it's not just Equalist propaganda. It's true. Not that I could admit it to him… She grimaced. Not that I could admit it to him the way things unfolded. Or could I ever? Admit it to that arrogant… manipulating… corrosive…uhhhh!

The traffic lights changed just in front of her; she barely caught it, and she brought her Satomobile to a screeching halt. Thankfully the drivers behind her were paying better attention and avoided a collision, but it still brought her a chorus of honking horns—which cut out quickly when the drivers saw her car's police markings and lights.

Another grimace. I probably deserved that.

When she reached her office, though, it offered no solace; the quiet left a vacuum for accusations.

I can't get a job, Chief! Why? 'Cause I'm not a bender! I can't go out anymore without getting questioned by police! Why? 'Cause I'm not a bender! My family and I were living here in Republic City before this whole Equalist business got started, loyal as the day is long, and this is what we get? What did I do to deserve this? Really, Chief? Why?

You bring your facts, I'll bring mine, Chief. For example: Why did the Equalists find such a following so easily if indeed you were pursuing the Triads?

How am I supposed to make a living without a job, Chief? How can I get a job if people won't trust me? And why won't people trust me because I'm not a bender? I'm honest as you are, Chief! Why? And all we did that night was speak our minds. Isn't that what this city is supposed to be about? And now we can't do that because of something we never had in the first place? And never will?

I'm not even an Equalist! I never was! I never will be! Not my friends, not my family, none of us! And this is how we get treated for being loyal?

If this oppression is what you've devoted your life to, Chief Bei Fong…then I think I know what Avatar Aang would think of that. And that you've gotten exactly what you deserve.

Deserve…

Deserve…

Lin, sitting at her desk, rubbed her face… then picked up the phone and dialed.

"Councilman Tenzin, please… yes, I'll hold."

She sat there for a moment, waiting, trying to gather together what she was going to ask.

"Tenzin? It's Lin. You had made an offer recently… I'd like to take advantage of it. …Yes. …Yes. I need some time—thank you. I'll see you shortly."

She hung up the phone. On her way out she stopped by her secretary's desk. "Cancel my appointments for the day. I'll be back tomorrow."

The officer nodded. "Understood, Chief. We'll see you tomorrow."

With that, it was back to the Satomobile, and then to the docks. She took the Air Acolytes' junk across the bay to Air Temple Island.

She had thought about taking one of the police motor launches across—the motor's rumble would have thrown up a screen of white noise between her and everything else—but right now, all she wanted to hear was the wind. The sounds of the City itself frustrated Lin's hopes somewhat, but they diminished as they drew closer to the Island. It was a return to an earlier time. A more peaceful, more… ordered time.

She sighed.

Avatar Aang… Fire Lord Zuko… Toph, her mother… all their friends… all of them had fought to end the Hundred Year War, to bring peace to the world… and far more than that, to heal wounds that had been decades in the making. Lin had been a part of that later on, had been witness to it. The peace that the Avatar and his followers had sought was peace for the Four Nations—not just for the benders of the four peoples.

Hiroshi Sato, in his prison, had indicted her of treason against her own ideals, and the jury of the people from the Dragon Flats Borough had rendered a clear verdict.

The junk docked at Air Temple Island. Lin nodded her thanks to the Air Acolytes and went ashore.

How fair had Republic City been to Hiroshi Sato and his wife? Not to mention how many countless, nameless others, even now?

Lin came across Korra practicing her newfound Airbending skills with Jinora and Ikki. The children waved and greeted her. "Hey, Bei Fong!" Korra yelled. "Ya gonna teach me Metalbending one of these days?" Korra… brash as ever.

Lin looked over her way. "As soon as you master Earthbending, kid."

Korra screwed up her face in a frown, and one hand went on her hip. "Whaddaya mean, master Earthbending? I mastered it even younger than you did!"

Lin kept walking and turned away. "Whatever, kid." That stunned Korra; she didn't know what to say to that. For once.

Tenzin met her soon after.

"Would you like any company?" he asked.

"No," she replied. "If you don't mind… just some time alone."

"Of course."

They walked to a wilder, less-visited place on the island, on one of the shorelines facing the city. There was a little hillock there with tall tan coastal grasses that had been allowed to grow wild, and at the top of the hillock was a plain white four-sided pole.

"If you need anything, let me know," Tenzin said.

"I will."

Tenzin touched her hand, then walked away.

Lin came closer. Written on the white post in simple black ideograms was "Aang, friend of Gyatso, husband of Katara, father of Bumi, Kya, and Tenzin." The post was off-center from the top of the hillock, suggesting that there was room for one more, when the time came.

There was a certain irony in Aang being buried here, in land that had once belonged to the very nation that had all but exterminated his people. That too, though, was part of the Great Reconciliation: Aang allowing his ashes to be buried here, not cast on the winds of one of the four great Air Temples but here, in peace, and honor, in land that had once belonged to the Earth Kingdom, had been taken by force by the Fire Nation, and now belonged to all in the form of the United Republic of Nations.

A country whose very name now seemed to contradict itself.

Lin went to her knees. Tears welled up in her eyes and flowed freely, spilling down her cheeks.

As she'd grown up, Aang had been one of two men who had been an uncle to her, someone who had looked out for her, led her, cared for her. His dreams had been hers, in many ways. Now, in the wake of Sato's accusations, she felt helpless, lost… ashamed.

Oh, uncle… what have we done?

Her head drooped.

What do I do now?