Ch 10 Ba Sing Se
Wash walked thru a grass field, sniper rifle in his hand. He heard the sounds of children laughing and found himself looking thru the scope at a schoolyard. Slinging the rifle, he felt compelled through the school and into the boy's bathroom. No-one seemed to notice the heavily armed and armored soldier.
Wash noticed a kid approach another kid from behind. The first kid grabbed the second one, and shoved his face into the mirror. He fell to the ground, screaming in pain and horror, as blood pooled out. The first kid turned, and Wash saw his younger self.
"Why would you do that?!" Wash shouted, grabbing his younger self.
"To get my revenge. He deserved it." Wash's younger self said.
"Are you nuts? Revenge?" Wash asked, putting his younger self down.
"He's not the first one you got your revenge on." Azula's voice said. Wash turned around and pulled the trigger on his pistol. Wash looked down, and saw Azula's body, no-longer moving.
"Isn't that right, Agent Washington?" her voice coldly said.
"Wake up, Wash." Simmons said.
Wash quickly woke up, his eyes wide opened from the nightmare.
"You okay, buddy?" Tucker asked.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Wash said, as Sarge pulled him up.
"We're on our way to the inside of Ba Sing Se." Katara said.
"Can't wait to see what the city is like." Tucker said.
"They can be all my friends." Caboose said.
"I hope they got plenty of food." Griff said.
"I'm pretty sure they do have plenty of food, Griff." Simmons said.
"Don't jinx it. We can still be attacked by some giant exploding fire nation spoon. Or find the city's been submerged in an ocean of killer shrimp." Sokka said.
"Have you been hitting the cactus juice again?" Toph asked.
"I'm just saying weird stuff happens to us." Sokka said.
"Join the club." Sarge said.
Toph soon became irritable when the train stopped at the station.
"Back in the city, great." She said.
"What's the problem? This place is amazing!" Sokka said, having a great birds eye view of the city.
"Just a bunch of rules and walls. Just wait. You'll get sick of it in a couple of days." Toph pointedly said.
"So now we find the king and tell him about your top secret information." Tucker said.
"That's the plan, but be prepared for an extended stay." Wash said.
"Lopez, Donut. You two head back to the ship and load up a pelican to the brim with anything deemed essential." Sarge said.
As the two sim troopers left, Wash became aware of another presence. Turning around, he saw a woman standing still, with a very unnatural smile on her face.
"Something's wrong with her." Ursa said.
"She just looks very friendly." Caboose said.
"No, Ursa's right. There's no way you can maintain a smile like what without some facial discomfort." Simmons said.
"Hello. My name is Joo Dee!" the woman said excitingly. "I have been given the honor of showing the Avatar around Ba Sing Se. And you must be Sokka, Katara, and Toph. Welcome to our city."
"Does that mean we get to see the king now?" Sarge asked.
"The earth king is very busy running the finest city in the world." Joo Dee said.
Wash soon found himself inside a large carriage with team avatar. The red and blue soldiers walked alongside them. The whole scene was unnerving, like they were royalty escorted by heavily armed body guards.
"This is the lower ring." Joo Dee said.
"This place looks like shit!" Tucker said, bringing his rifle to bear.
"Hopefully, the reset of the city isn't that bad." Wash said.
"What's the wall for?" Katara asked.
"Ba Sing Se has many walls. There are the ones outside protecting us, and the ones inside of us that maintain order. This is where our newest arrivals live, as well as our craftsman and artisans, people that work with their hands. It's so quaint and lively." Joo Dee said.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Ursa gloomly said.
A man looked at them from an alley, showing his sword. Tucker brandished his plasma sword in response.
"You might want to watch your step." Joo Dee said.
"Sarge, you get the feeling like we're walking into a trap?" Wash asked.
"I got the same feeling too. Like we're being herded into an ambush." Sarge said.
Wash looked outside and saw a slum. He'd seen the same situation many times during the covenant war. Refugees would be huddled into places of shelter, but thanks to lack of resources, the outcome always turned bad. And then the UNSC would be forced to abandon the planet, and leave the refugees at the mercy of the Covenant.
"Out of sight, out of mind. Old, but damningly effective." Wash muttered.
The tour continued in the middle ring of the city. And Wash just wished Joo Dee would shut up. She kept on saying how the city was great, when it clearly wasn't.
"And this is the middle ring, home to the financial districts, shops and restaurants, and the university."
"Yeah, we met a professor from Ba Sing Se University. He took us to an ancient underground library where where we discovered information about the war that is absolutely crucial for the earth king to hear!" Sokka shouted.
"Isn't history wonderful? Look, here's one of the oldest towns in the middle ring, Town Hall." Joo Dee said.
"Is she deaf? She only hears every other word I say." Sokka said.
"It's called being handled. Get used to it." Toph said.
When the tour was over, two houses were given to the large group as a gift to defending the city. Red team occupied one house, and everyone else occupied the other house. Wash and Tucker laid out where to put the weapons and equipment, converting the house into a makeshift command center.
"The Pelican will arrive at night, and deliver the weapons and ammunition we need. I hope the Dai Li don't catch wind of it.
"I know. That's kind of creepy, those guys hiding in the shadows. I got a bad feeling about them." Tucker said.
"It's more like the Stasi of East Germany, than a regular police force. Aang and his friends are going to search for their Bison. They won't find it during the day. You and Sarge divide the weapons and equipment. God help us if it all goes to hell." Wash sighed.
"Amen to that." Tucker said.
Wash ran across the buildings, as he kept a watchful eye on the group and their surroundings. At the moment, Wash looked thru his DMR scope and watched as the kids, tagged by Joo Dee, were talking to what appeared to be a student, or a teacher, in front of Ba Sing Se University. He watched as Sokka loomed over him, probably asking him about the war.
The person meekly glance upward, and saw Joo Dee. Wash saw as she shook her head. Exhaling his breath, he put the cross-hairs on Joo Dee's head, finger caressing the trigger. Wash saw movement and saw the student quickly stand up and walk away. He tripped and spilled his scrolls. Quickly gathering them up, he ran towards the school, occasionally looking back.
"And you." Wash muttered, putting the scope on Joo Dee again, watching her wave, while still having the creepy smile. He wondered what set the student off. But his suspicions, plus conversation with Tucker made him realize that Ba Sing Se was far from what he heard before.
Wash ran back towards the house, taking alleys and backways so he wouldn't be discovered. Walking inside, he put the DMR aside and took the scope off the sniper rifle.
"So, what'd you find out?" Ursa asked.
"A lot. This city is a hell-hole. The Dai Li appear to be watching everyone, maybe us." Wash said.
"The kids are talking with someone." Ursa said.
Wash slightly opened the curtains and looked thru the scope. He saw team avatar walking to an older man, who's head was peeking out from the door.
"What's got you so riled up?" Wash muttered, as he saw the man slam the door.
The kids walked inside, and into Wash's questioning.
"What did he tell you?" Wash asked.
"He said to stay away from the Dai Li." Aang said.
"I don't understand. No-one will talk about the war." Sokka said.
"Isn't it obvious? The higher ups of the city don't want the people to know about the war. So they use the Dai Li, among other methods of control, to keep the people in check. Remember the third ring?" Ursa asked.
"Those were refugees. Kept away from the inner parts of the city, so they couldn't talk about it." Wash said.
"This is bullshit. Lets talk to the king about what's going on." Tucker said.
"That may be difficult." Ursa said.
"How?" Tucker asked.
"The king will be heavily surrounded by guards and agents. And that's even if we know where he'll be held." Ursa said.
Wash headed to the red team to tell the about his findings.
"This place really doesn't sound like a slice of warm pudding now that we're here." Sarge said.
"Great. We came, we saw it sucked, and we're leaving." Griff said.
"As much as I hate Griff, I'd have to agree with him. So I'm just going to grunt ambiguously. Ugh." Sarge said.
"Too bad. Me and Tucker are already ferrying in weapons and supplies from the ship. If we can get the earth king's support, there's a chance of ending this war." Wash said.
"What makes you think we can get to the earth king?" Simmons asked.
"I don't know. I don't know." Wash sighed, tired from the ordeal.
Heading back to his house, Wash entered his room and closed the door. Removing his armor, he lay on the bed, exhausted. First, he brought down project freelancer, was almost killed by the Meta in the process. Then, he crash lands on this strange planet, and has to help in the war against the fire nation. If it wasn't for the fact that he was already hardened thanks to the Epsilon AI killing itself in his head, he would have lost it a while ago. Probably back in the desert.
"You tired?" Ursa asked, entering the room.
"Exhausted. I just want to sleep." Wash said.
That night, the pelican drop ship hovered over the house, and supplies were dropped via zip-line towards the house.
"Hurry up with the supplies, lets go!" Tucker said.
Tucker and Donut had to work fast, as Tucker feared they were already attracting plenty of attention. Most of the supplies went to red team, as history on earth showed that guns and kids did not work. And most of the food went to blue team, as Donut advised Tucker to do so.
The morning came, and Washington woke up early. With everyone else asleep he went into the living room and put his DMR on the table. Wash cleaned his rifle inside and out, knowing full well that cleaning your weapon made sure you were going to have a higher chance of survival.
Moving the wire brush down the barrel, Wash went over his thoughts of team avatar. The kids were good fighters, and living in a war had a tendency to harden a person really quick. The fact that they still maintained their sanity and morals showed Wash how mentally fortified they were.
Ursa… she'd been thru plenty of shit as well. Having been banished from her home and living under the threat of being captured and killed by fire nation troops. The fact that she divulged such damning information to him told him that she trusted him. It was not something a person would do if they were panicking and in a desperate situation.
Wash grinned as he remembered Ursa nailed him in the balls real hard with a surprise kick to the groin. He mentally noted to teach Ursa hand to hand combat, and make sure to avoid such another strike. So far, no-one except him knew of her true origins. And he was going to make sure it stayed that way.
"Hey, Wash. What are you doing up so early?" Ursa asked.
"Cleaning my rifle. I was drilled over and over that if you take care of your equipment, it will take care of you." Wash said, as he put back his newly cleaned rifle.
"I was just thinking. I'd like you to teach me hand to hand combat." Ursa said, sitting next to him.
"You must be psychic, because I had the same thing." Wash said.
"This is something. The hard-ass freelancer trying to joke." Ursa said.
"Don't say a word. I want to maintain my image as a no-nonsense badass." Wash said.
"Would a no-nonsense badass observe me while I was taking a bath?" Ursa asked, catching Wash off guard.
"Wait… I… How did you know?" Wash asked.
"You just told me. Right now." Ursa said.
"You got me there." Wash said.
"But I remember you saying, 'Maybe I can start a family with Wash.' Anything about that?" Wash pointed out.
"It means she's into you, Wash." Toph said, catching both of them off guard. Team avatar and blue team were lounging around in the room. How Wash didn't notice their presence was something that stumped him. Katara came inside with a piece of paper in her hand.
"There's a way for us to see the king." She said.
"How are we going to do that? One does not pop in on the earth king." Toph said, mimicking Joo Dee's voice.
"The king is having a party tonight with his pet bear." Katara said.
"Who the hell keeps a bear as a pet?" Wash asked.
"You mean platypus bear?" Aang asked.
"No. It just says bear."
"Maybe a skunk bear." Sokka said.
"A what?" Wash asked.
"What the fuck is that?" Tucker asked.
"Armadillo bear?" Toph offered.
"Yeah, that's my favorite kind." Caboose said.
"Caboose, do you understand what's going on?" Tucker asked.
"No." Caboose said.
"Just, bear." Katara said.
"This place, is weird." Toph said.
Moments later, Katara's enthusiasm returned.
"The place will be packed. We can sneak in with the crowd." Katara said.
"That's the worst idea I've ever heard, of all time. Seriously. This is going to fail." Wash said.
"Wash is right. All of you, will be spotted a mile away. You won't get close enough to the king, let alone be admitted to the party. This is the king we're talking about. The guards and Dai Li won't let any random person inside. Perfect opportunity for an assassination." Ursa said.
"Ursa's right. I was on a black ops mission for project freelancer, similar to this. I was ordered to assassinate a high ranking official. Spoiler alert, it failed. Breaking in would be suicide, and trying to meet the king and get out before the Dai Li capture us, is suicide and a bunch of kittens dying." Wash said.
"Where the kitten's okay?" Caboose asked.
"This is not going to work at all." Wash said.
"Yeah, I'd like to get back to the part of the kittens." Caboose said.
"Toph, you were raised in a high society household. You can teach us." Katara said.
"Yeah, that's true, but you guys weren't trained in it. And it's a little too late." Toph said.
"I'm learning all the elements. How hard can it be?" Aang asked.
Aang then proceeded to wrap himself in the curtain and made an act of being a high ranking member of society, followed by Sokka. Ursa and Wash facepalmed themselves at the same time.
"I'm heading out." Wash said, standing up and putting the rifle on his back.
"What for?" Tucker asked.
"If you guys are seriously considering this op, I'm going to get some intel." Wash said.
Wash came back later that day, and pulled Ursa aside.
"I have a plan, and I need your help to enact it." Wash said.
"Count me in." Ursa said.
"I got tickets, but they're expensive so I only got two. My plan, is me and you pretend we're husband and wife. The Avatar and his friends, are our children. Hopefully we can bluff our way past the guards." Wash said.
"I'm in, but what about the red and blues?" Ursa asked.
"They'll come as well. However, they won't be able to get tickets so they'll go in as busboys. I scouted the building where the party is being held." Wash said, opening a piece of paper and showing it to Ursa.
"We go in at the front, while the red and blues go in through the back, probably where the servants will be offloading the food and drinks. Once we're inside, we stay low and avoid detection. We meet with the king, and tell him about the eclipse." Wash said.
"What if it goes south?" Ursa asked.
"Worst case scenario, we fight our way out." Wash said.
Wash gathered the sim troopers, and told them of the upcoming mission.
"We're going to meet the earth king, but we don't have enough tickets for everyone. You guys will have to go as busboys. Enter thru the back, disguise yourself, and meet with the us inside." Wash said.
"Aw man. Does this mean I won't be eating the food?" Griff asked.
"Griff, we're about to meet the earth king, and if it goes south, we'll be fighting our way out. And you're concerned about food?" Simmons asked.
"I have needs, Simmons." Griff said.
Before they left the house, Wash put on a suit and observed himself in the mirror. He felt naked without the armor he wore, the protection and brute strength the armor afforded.
"Hello, handsome." Ursa said, approaching Wash from behind.
Wash turned around and observed Ursa. She was wearing a red dress that hugged her figure in all the right places.
"Hello, beautiful." Wash said, and pulled Ursa into a kiss.
That night, the operation was in full swing. Wash stood in line with Ursa at his side, and team avatar in front. Approaching the guard, Wash showed the ticket.
"Alright, go in." the guard said.
Once inside, Wash let out a breath he was holding. He observed the hundreds of people who got inside the party. While his instincts kept him alert for any threats, he overrode his instincts by trying to calm down, so he wouldn't attract any attention.
"Wash, is that you?" Tucker asked.
"It's me, Tucker." Wash said.
"So what's the plan?" Sarge asked.
"We lay low. Once we see the king, Aang moves in. If it hits the fan, we grab Aang, and fight our way out." Wash said.
"Holy mother of satan." Griff said, as he spotted a table with lots of food.
"Let him eat. We need to stay undercover, remember?" Sarge asked, earning a quick look from everyone.
"We're boned." Wash said.
Joo Dee came and approached the large group, apparently frightened.
"What are you doing here? You have to leave immediately, or we will all be in trouble!"
"Not until we see the king." Sokka said.
"Tell us. Why should we be in trouble?" Ursa asked.
"You don't understand." Joo Dee said.
"Then make us understand, because we're not leaving until we meet with the king." Wash said.
"Who runs the Dai Li?" Simmons asked.
Joo Dee seemed to fall apart under the questions. Fortunately for her, a high ranking official comes to her rescue.
"I'm Long Feng. And I need to speak with the Avatar and his friends." Long Feng said.
"You work for the King?" Katara asked.
"Yes. I'm his advisor." Long Feng said.
Trusting blindly, team Avatar followed Long Feng into another room.
"Wash, I have a bad feeling about him." Ursa said.
"Me, too." Wash said, and went to grab Sarge.
"Sarge, looks like we'll have to break them out." Wash said.
"About time we get some action around here." Sarge said.
"Please make sure Donut didn't hear that." Wash said.
"Right on that." Sarge said.
The two hugged the wall and approached the room where Long Feng was. Putting their ears to the door, they listened to what was going on inside.
"He's your puppet!" Toph shouted.
"Who's the puppet?" Sarge asked.
"Quiet." Wash whispered.
"Oh, no. His majesty is an icon, a god to his people. He can't sully his hands with the hourly changes of an endless war." Long Feng said.
"Son of a bitch." Wash muttered.
"But we found out about a solar eclipse that will leave the fire nation defenseless! You can lead an invasion and…" Sokka started, when Long Feng stopped him.
"Enough! I don't want to hear your ridiculous plans. It is the strict policy of Ba Sing Se that the war not be mentioned. News of an escalating conflict will throw the citizens into a state of panic. Our economy would be ruined. Our way of life gone. By silencing talk of conflict, Ba Sing Se remains a peaceful, orderly utopia. The last one on earth." Long Feng said.
"You can't hide the truth from these people forever." Katara said.
"I'll tell them! I'll let everyone know!" Aang demanded.
"Goddamn it, Aang." Wash muttered.
"Until now, you and your friends have been honored guests. But from now on, you'll be under watch. If you mention the war to anyone in the city, you'll be expelled. I understand you're looking for your missing Bison. It'd be a shame if you failed to complete your quest." Long Feng said, having team avatar by the balls.
"Now Joo Dee will show you home." Long Feng said.
…
Minutes earlier
Ursa watched as Wash went to talk to Sarge. Her instincts kicked in. She knew that Fire Lord Ozai was paranoid, and often had his on security force. Watching Sarge and Wash crouch near one door, she slipped past the large crowed and tails a Joo Dee agent. Grabbing the agent, she slams the woman against the wall, knocking her out.
"Come on, Ursa. You've done this before. You're an actor." She muttered, as she put on the Joo Dee clothes, changed her hair and leaned against a door, hoping it was the right door.
"Now Joo Dee will show you home." Long Feng said.
Ursa walked through the door and approached the group. Her smile hurt, but she had to bear through it.
"What happened to Joo Dee?" Katara asked, not recognizing Ursa.
"I'm Joo Dee." Ursa said, motioning for the group to leave, where Sarge and Wash were waiting. Long Feng turned around and faced the roaring green fire.
Ursa grabbed one of the cups of tea laying on the table, reached inside her robe, and pulled out a small flask. Upturning the flask, she poured in the liquid inside the cup and handed the cup to Long Feng. Long Feng drank the cup and promptly collapsed, knocked out.
"Joo Dee?" Sokka asked, as Ursa walked towards the group.
At that moment, Sarge and Wash kicked the doors open and came in, silenced pistols in hand.
"What happened to him?" Sarge asked, looking at Long Feng's unmoving body.
"I knocked him out." Ursa said.
"How'd you do that, Ursa?" Wash asked.
"I'm very good with chemistry." Ursa said.
"Good move to impersonate one of the Joo Dee people." Sarge said.
"Yeah. Good move." Wash said, reminded of agent Carolina.