Wow, you guys actually didn't respond negatively to the ending of the last chapter! I'm surprised, I expected to be cussed out at least once xD
Some quick notes: Now, as I stated earlier in the story, I am planning on writing books 3 & 4. Hell, I've already written part of a chapter for book 4! Seeing as I've already used Change for book 2, I needed a new name for three. The name of the third installment will be called Dangerous 3: Rift. I have big plans for that story (okay, HUGE plans), and hope to start writing drafts soon.
Last! Korra might not be back for another chapter. There's no doubt that I'm going to skip everything that happened during Beginnings (because we ALL know what happens and that doesn't need to be rewritten) save for a small scene after she regains her memories.
...
~Asami~
"Shit..." I muttered, my hand closing in a fist.
"Hold on, I'm almost done." Kuvira said, wrapping the bandage around one more time.
It had been an hour since Korra left and I was past scared. I was worried with all of my life. The imprint had gone dead about half an hour ago, I couldn't feel her emotions.
"There." Kuvira said, securing the bandage. "Try not to move too much."
"Thanks, Kuv." I said, standing from Korra's bed.
"No problem." Kuvira said, then looked at the blood stained covers. "So, what happened again exactly?"
"Korra found out that Mako told on us to the President and went off." I said, easing my way around the truth. "It was an accident."
I collected the covers and the torn shreds of clothing. The clothes I'd have to throw away and I'd wash the blankets at my house. Kuvira had brought me one of her shirts to wear. My shoulder complained with every move I made and I almost laughed at how I could understand Korra's injury a bit more.
"I know you're lying because of the torn shreds of clothing, but I'll let it slide just this once." Kuvira said.
I sighed. "Trust me, you'll know the truth later."
"She's lucky it was an accident." Kuvira said. "Avatar or not, I'd still kick her ass for hurting you."
"I think there's more to it than we know, Kuvira." I said and gestured for her to follow me outside. "Korra hasn't been herself since that fight with the spirit during the Glacier Spirits festival. Her anger was out of control."
"So, what? You think she's possessed or something?" Kuvira said.
"Not possessed, but I think that spirit did something to her." I said and got in my boat. Kuvira got in the driver's seat. She wasn't so worried about the boat she stole to get to the island.
"Like what?"
"I don't know. But I hope she's alright." I looked down. "I can't feel anything from her."
"She'll be fine. Korra will be back before you know it." Kuvira reassured me.
~time skip~
"So, let us get this straight." Opal said, pausing me in explaining what happened. "Mako told about your plans to send the United Republic to help the South, Korra freaked the hell out, and then accidentally attacked you, then ran?"
We were gathered in my living room, sitting around the table on the couches. The blankets were in the washer and I was holding my shoulder tenderly, my teeth clenched a bit.
"That's the gist of it, yes." Kuvira said.
"Why would Mako tell on you guys, though?" Baatar Jr. asked.
"His job was probably threatened." Bolin said. "You know how much he loves his job. Makes him feel important outside of Team Avatar."
"That's not an excuse." Kuvira said. "He could've risked getting fired. I would have."
"You would have." Bolin said. "Mako doesn't think like that."
"Who's gonna talk to Mako?" Baatar said.
All their eyes turned to me and I sat up, frowning. "Why me?"
"Because you're the sensible one." Opal said it like it should've been obvious. "I'm not good with this stuff."
"I'll end up kicking his ass." Kuvira said.
"And I just don't want to." Bolin said.
"I don't talk to Mako like that." Baatar said.
"Not to mention, it's his fault Korra went feral on you." Kuvira said.
I blushed and sent a glare at Kuvira. "Shut up." I sighed heavily and scratched my head. "Fine, I'll go talk to him. Drive me to the station, Kuv?"
"I can do that." she said and stood up. I reached into my pocket and tossed her the keys, which she caught easily with one hand.
"We'll be back in a bit." I said as we left.
Just as we reached my car, my phone rang. I took it out of my pocket, turning on the screen. Kuvira looked over my shoulder and chucked. "Speak of the devil."
I rolled my eyes and answered the phone, trying not to sound too harsh. "Yeah, Mako?"
"Asami, I'm glad I reached you." Mako said. "There's a problem."
"I'd say there is." I said, getting in the passenger seat of the car. I hissed in discomfort. Kuvira started up the car and pulled away from the curb.
"Asami, I know that you're mad at me because I told Raiko but we need to focus on your factory right now." Mako said. I figured he would know we would find out.
"What about it?" I asked.
"Your shipment's been stolen."
~time skip, Police Station~
Kuvira parked the car in front of the station and I got out, turning to find that she was doing the same.
"Thought you didn't want to risk kicking his ass." I joked mildly, quirking an eyebrow.
She shrugged as she came around the car and followed me up the stairs. "Not like anything interesting is going on at your house."
"That's true." I said.
We entered the station and headed to the offices, seeing Mako looking at a picture outside of the interrogation room where Lin, the captain, and two more officers were. "Is it true?" I said.
"I'm so sorry." Mako said, looking up at us. "Your entire shipment was stolen."
This was perfect. First, Korra disappears then the one shipment that could help save Future Industries is stolen. I allowed myself to forget about Korra for a minute, reminding myself in the back of my mind that she was the Avatar. She'd be fine no matter what. Even if I couldn't sense her emotions anymore...
"Without that sale, I don't know how much longer I can keep my company going." I said, breaking my thoughts. "What am I gonna do?"
"Don't worry, I'm-" Mako paused and narrowed his eyes. "What happened to your shoulder?"
"That's not important right now." Kuvira said, and I knew she was thinking what I was. Korra was fine.
Mako raised an eyebrow, but dropped the subject. "Anyway, I'm gonna find whoever's responsible. Chief Beifong is about to question the captain of the ship." He pushed the button on the intercom and we could hear Lin and the captain.
"I know it's been a long day, but walk me through what happened." Lin said.
"We were ambushed about thirty klicks away outside the harbor." the captain said. "We never heard them coming."
"This is the third attack at about the same location." Lin noted.
"Yep, and smack dab in the middle of Republic City's jurisdiction which means more trouble for us." one of the officers, Lu, said. He stroked his mustache. "All this stress is gonna turn ol' back beauty gray."
"I think that mustache is the least of his worries." Kuvira whispered, and Mako and I laughed a bit.
"It's gotta be the Northern Water Tribe." Lu, the other officer, said. "They're trying to stop supply lines to the South."
"I agree." Lin said, them looked at the captain. "Is there anything else about the attack you can remember? Anything unusual?"
"There is one thing." the captain said. "The bombs exploded in a way I've never seen before. It was like they were being detonated remotely."
"Like the ones at the cultural center." Mako said and headed towards the office.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"I need to grab some evidence." he said, just as Varrick walked in.
"Asami, I heard the news." he said.. "I can't believe they took my fifth favorite fleet in the Varrick Industries fleet! Named her after my mom. Rest in peace, Rocky Bottom."
Kuvira gave me a look and snickered softly. I rolled my eyes. "Without the money for that shipment, Future Industries is almost broke."
Before Varrick could speak, Mako entered the interrogation room. "Chief, I think there's a connection between this attack and the one on the cultural center."
"What do you think you're doing?" Lin asked him aggressively.
"Solving this case." Mako said. He turned to the captain. He held up something in his hand. "Did any of the people that attacked them have one of these in their hand? I think it's a remote detonator."
"If was too dark to see anything." the captain said.
"Mako!" Lin said.
"Chief, I don't think the people who attacked were Northern Water Tribe." Mako said.
"Of course they were Northern Water Tribe. They were waterbending." Gang said.
Mako held up a picture to the captain. "Was he one of the guys that attacked?"
"No, I don't recognize him." the captain said. My heart sank.
"Oh, this is embarrassing." Gang said.
"Nice try, Rookie." Lu said.
"Mako, leave." Lin said.
"Chief, I know it's a long shot," Mako said. "but I have an idea how we can catch these guys-"
"Now!" Lin said angrily.
Mako frowned and clutched the picture tightly in his hand, turning and leaving the interrogation room. Kuvira and I followed him outside.
"This is bullshit." he muttered under his breath.
"Forget about therm, what's this idea of yours?" Kuvira said, crossing her arms.
"A sting operation." Mako said. "I was thinking we'd set up a bait ship, take it out into open ocean, and capture whoever attacks it."
"Let's do it." Kuvira said. I started to object, but Kuvira grabbed my wrist and looked at me. "Don't you think this'll be an opportunity for a break?" she said, raising an eyebrow.
I pulled her aside and glared at her. "You really want me to go do a sting operation when I don't what's going on with my girlfriend?" I hissed.
"'Sami, this will be a perfect opportunity for both of you to clear your minds and relax." Kuvira said. "I'm sure Korra would understand. She knows how important Future Industries is to you."
I frowned and sighed. "Fine. You're right. We need time."
"When am I ever wrong?" Kuvira said smugly as we walked back to Mako.
"Okay, how do we do this?" I asked him.
"It's not that easy." Mako said. "For the plan to work, we need the police and Beifong already said no."
"We can pull it off, the three of us." Kuvira said.
"I don't know. I don't want to go behind Beifong's back. If she finds out, I could get kicked off the force." Mako said. "That, and we need a ship."
"You need a ship?" Varrick said, coming out of the building. "I have a ship. I want in on whatever you're talking about. I love being in on plans."
"The less you know the better." Kuvira said.
"Perfect! I love not knowing things." Varrick said.
"Okay..." Kuvira said then turned to Mako. "Well, there you go. You got a ship. Still wanna bail?"
Mako looked at us and chucked. "Alright, I'm in. Let's get these guys."
~later on~
We met up at the Future Industries warehouse, stacking the rest of the boxes into the boat at the harbor. I stood in the opening, looking at the mechasuits and biplanes. I was thinking about how, despite Mako and Kuvira being fully capable of fighting whoever attacks us, I was out of the game because of my shoulder. It still throbbed. Of course, I had my glove just in case.
Mako came up behind me. "The ship is loaded up with the dummy crates." he said. "Let's get this sting operation going."
"Not yet, I think we need more manpower." I said, looking at him.
"You have me and Kuvira. How much more manpower do we need?" Mako asked.
"I just... want to be prepared." I said.
"Well, what about Korra? What better manpower than the Avatar?" Mako said.
I paled and looked down. "Nah, I, um, think she's still mad at you. Wouldn't be a good idea."
"Are you okay?" he said.
"I'm fine." I said, taking a deep breath.
"Okay, well, I think I know who we can ask for help." Mako said. "Wanna come with?"
"Yeah, sure. Let's go." I said.
I followed Mako to my car, telling Kuvira that we'd been back later. I handed Mako my keys when we got in and he started the car up. We drove in silence, me being too deep in thought and him too focused on the road. I didn't mind, I preferred the quiet when I was stressed.
Mako pulled up in front of the TripleThreat Triads' Headquarters and I sat up, staring at the door the door.
"Um, are you sure this is a good idea?" I asked.
Mako got out and I hurried to follow him. "No, but it's our last resort." he answered as he knocked on the door.
The faceplate slid open and the doorman stood behind it. "Hey, Mako. Whatever you think we did, we didn't do it."
"I'm not here on police business." Mako said. "I'm running an off-the-book operation and I thought the Triple Threats would want a piece of the action."
"How big a piece?" the doorman asked.
"Why don't you let us in and we can discuss it." Mako said.
The doorman narrowed his eyes and looked to both sides before unlocking the door and opening it. Mako and I entered, following the doorman to a back room.
"Hey, boss, Mako's here and he's asking for help." he said and returned to his post.
"So, Mr. Law and Order needs our help." Viper said. "What's in it for the Triple Threats?"
"Asami and I are personal friends with the Avatar." Mako said. "We can convince her to give Shady Shin his bending back."
"Sounds good to me, boss." Shady Shin said, but Viper glared at Mako.
"What about the rest of us?" he questioned.
"I've got vehicles." I said, thinking fast. "All top of the line and brand new. They can be yours if you help."
Viper smirked. "I think we've got ourselves a deal."
...
I cut this chapter a little short because I think I'm getting to the end faster than I'd like. I have a minimum of chapters I want to reach. I don't want to get to my big finale too soon!
And sorry for the late chapter, I spent the weekend out of town.