Chapter 14: Asking The Impossible
The morning dawn had long since come and gone when Issuma finally began to stir. She slowly began to sit up while rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
'So the sun is up already', she observed looking out her window. 'I must have been more tired than I thought.' Not wanting to waist any more time, she got up and prepared herself for the day.
Once she was ready to head out, she found a basket of fruit on her front porch. "Well, that was kind of them," she noted. Grabbing an apple, she slid the basket into the house with her foot and shut the door.
Not knowing how things would go on this sunny day; Issuma knew she had to meet up with Aklark first. As she walked down the trail to his house, she ate her apple and admired the beauty of the island as well as the craftsmanship of a few dwellings that she passed by yet with all of her silent admiration, she saw no one out and about to notice her. Within minutes she was at his door.
(Knock, knock, knock)
"Aklark, it's me Issuma. Open up!"
No one answered. Suppressing the urge to be suspicious, she turned on her heal, tossed the core of her apple into a bush, and headed down to the town square. As she reached more level ground she looked around for the blue and white clothing of her friends. Not seeing anyone, Issuma continued to walk passed the shops until the view of the ocean could be clearly seen. Smiling, she changed her course and headed straight for a path that lead down into the small beach. It wasn't long before she was able to relax again. Standing in front of the calm ocean waters of the cove stood the men and women from both ships. As everyone began to wake, they had all gone outside and instinctually went to the water's edge to gather. Water was a source of strength for them all which in turn gave them a sense of peace along with it.
Issuma approached her fellow captain with a slight smile.
"Ah, I see our last member has finally awoken," Aklark said with a jokers grin.
"Forgive me if I needed to recharge," she jabbed back. "And you can wipe that stupid grin off your face."
Both of the captains had a great respect for the other and were just playing around. Issuma was known for being an early riser so her sleeping in was a first.
"So fill me in. What's going on?"
"Well, Master Kinzoku had stopped by when there were a few of us out here and offered us some breakfast. I told him the fruit they provided was more than enough for now. He told me we were welcome to explore the immediate area until lunch… which I believe will be in about three hours or so."
"So everyone is just sitting tight here till then?"
"… at the moment, yes"
Issuma looked around again. The ocean was at her back and she could see that this new and strange village must have made their start upon these shores. Yet, as she scanned the various homes and shops it felt more as if she was surrounded by an unseen enemy and she didn't like it.
"I'm going to take a look around," she decided.
"Can I come?"
Issuma turned to find that Nanuk had approached her from behind along with a lovely young woman by the name of Anernerk whose name meant Angel.
"We would like to see some more of this new place!" Anernerk exclaimed. "This is after all our first time outside of our frozen city. Let's see what an Earth Kingdom village is like!"
Issuma placed her hands on her hips and stared down at the sand in thought. She had planned to do more silent observation rather than open cultural exploration but her fellow sister's had a point.
"Please Issuma," Nanuk asked again.
The two women watched as Issuma dropped her stance and sighed.
"All right"
The three of them left their surrogate family and headed back up into the apparent heart of the community. Nanuk and Anernerk spent an hour walking around and exploring the square commenting, oohing, and awing over every house, shop and carved post! Issuma on the other hand smiled and nodded when the conversation was directed at her but in truth she was observing the strangers around her.
Manny of the people offered her a smile and even a few offered her a warm greeting, however she got the distinct feeling of distrust or an overall wariness that she couldn't yet define.
'Why are these people acting like they've never had a visitor in their lives before? My grandfather never described it like this. Why am I so on edge?'
Then the memory of Amarok secretly eyeing the Earth benders attack on their vessels from the sidelines appeared in her mind's eye and she remembered like a slap in the face that these people WERE different. They admitted that they saw them as a threat yet they were treated like guests. Nothing added up.
"I think it's time to head back girls," Issuma finally decided, looking back in the direction of the ocean.
Anernerk heard her but was fascinated with the fairly large rectangular building up ahead and approached it. "Sure thing, I just want to see what's in here..."
Issuma turned to see what she was referring too and looked in horror as she watched the young woman walked inside with Nanuk following close behind out of curiosity.
Issuma then went in order to retrieve them, after all they hadn't been invited in, yet when she stepped inside she stopped dead in her tracks next to her friends.
The three Water Tribe women were standing at the forefront of three rows of bed rolls filled with various men and women who were clearly sick.
"This must be like one of those... what do you call them... hospitals," Issuma concluded.
Anernerk then immediately walked over to the nearest man and knelt beside him.
"Hello, my name is Anernerk but you can call me Ann." She smiled down at the man who had opened his eyes for her. "May I check to see how you are doing?"
He nodded weakly but she got the message.
Issuma and Nanuk watched as she took her small pouch of water from her waist band and proceeded to bend it, placing her hands one on his forehead and one on his chest to try and see what was wrong.
"What Are You Three Doing In Here?" An elderly woman came down the center isle from a back room and cut a path directly to the trespassers.
"Get away from him! What do you want?"
"Our apologies," Issuma began quickly; her heart was racing. "Your Master Kinzoku had given us permission to explore the-"
"Well not in here you're not! This building is off limits."
Nanuk tugged on the fabric of Ann's shoulder so she'd get up.
Ann complied, standing to leave. "Our apologies," she said with a bow, and they all walked out quickly with the door slammed behind them.
"What on earth was her problem?" Nanuk wondered aloud.
"I don't know," the older woman responded sharply. "Ann, could you tell what was wrong with that man?"
"Yes, he was just ill with a foreign type of flu I think."
Issuma whispered as a couple walked by, "Is it treatable?"
Ann thought for a moment as they continued back, "I believe so. I think I was able to help him out quite a bit."
"You already conducted a healing session with him?" she clarified.
"Yes, sorry was I not supposed to?"
Issuma sighed again. Their relationship with these Earth Benders was already on shaky ground to begin with. She just didn't know how they would respond to their Water Bending.
"There is no sense in worrying over what's done. Let's just get back and I'll update Captain Aklark."
"If you want I can talk to him," Nanuk volunteered; she was after all his twin.
"No thanks Nanuk. It's best if I talked with him directly."
She nodded in reply and they left the village behind them.
It was now time for the noon meal but those members of the Water Tribe were nowhere to be found in the dining room. Kinzoku wasn't surprised in the least and headed down to the beach. Sure enough they were all still there and he could tell everyone was still on edge just as before. 'If only Honjin hadn't fallen ill as well... I'm sure he would have been a great host.'
The Water Benders saw him coming now and the group fell quiet. Kinzoku internally sighed and continued towards them while nodding to two Earth Benders who had been sitting under the trees watching the foreigners.
Just as he neared the crowed he stopped and turned. Issuma and Aklark watched in anticipation as an elderly woman came bustling down the road towards Kinzoku.
Aklark watched as Issuma beside him tense at the sight of the old woman. Issuma knew their relationship with these Earth Benders was now going to change. The elderly woman was the same one who had driven Nanuk, Ann and herself out of their hospital. She watched intently as they shared a few words then the woman departed. Kinzoku stood for a moment in thought before continuing on his way down to the shoreline with a smile on his face... he was always one to smile.
"Good afternoon," the Fire Bender began the moment he reached the sand.
"Good afternoon," the two Captains echoed.
Kinzoku's smile faltered at the sight of their faces. One showed guardedness and the other masked fear. He had just received the most wonderful news that one of their farmers who had fallen quite ill was now doing unbelievably well and that it was all thanks to a Water Tribe girl. Kinzoku wanted to thank that girl on the man's behalf but clearly such conversation would have to wait.
"I was hoping to meet you all in the dining room for lunch before we start." Kinzoku decided to say.
"We feel more comfortable here," Aklark informed rather honestly.
"I can understand that…"
Silence then fell between the three of them; Kinzoku knew he wasn't doing that well of a job being the Island's representative. Honjin should have been here but he was sick, hell almost half of their community was sick. In truth, their people were in crisis and no one had planned on visitors arriving amidst the epidemic. Now Kinzoku had to handle the situation alone with those more qualified either in their beds struggling to survive or locked away beneath layers of rock to preserve a secret that he now had to find a way to share with their new members but only once he had their trust… something he couldn't see on getting without telling them. He was at a loss of what to do… he had only ever been a blacksmith and a father.
"What now?" Aklark asked pulling the older man back to the present.
"I'm not sure to be honest," the Fire Bender reveled with his warm smile.
"Not sure?" Issuma repeated.
"Forgive me. I'm not the most… qualified so to speak. I am a Blacksmith… or was; I've gotten a bit old and don't work as much."
"Wait, you're a Blacksmith… then why are we talking to you?" Aklark almost wanted to demand to the taller man.
"Because… the others who would have greeted you are ill, which by what I have heard a few of your young ladies already have discovered."
"I do apologize for that intrusion," Issuma was quick to offer.
"On the contrary, I would like to thank the woman who intervened. I do not know what sort of herbs she used but the man she tended to has been healed."
Kinzoku watched as the two Captains looked at one another, Aklark nodded in affirmation, then they returned their gaze back to their host.
"It wasn't herbs." Issuma informed as she sensed Ann drawing closer to her.
"Then please tell us what it was… we have had two deaths already," he sorrowfully asked although for the sake of his position he resisted the urge to fall to his knees and beg for the remedy for his son's sake.
"We will gladly tell you… IF you tell us what is going on. Why are we being held here on this Island against our will. We have somewhere we need to be and you are delaying that journey." Issuma was not about to give up her only trump card.
Kinzoku's smile was a sad one but he turned away to beacon the two Earth Benders who were standing watch to come to him. Quickly they both ran over causing everyone else to tense and change their stance for a fight however once they arrived at Kinzoku's side the unexpected was asked.
"Hiba, could you do me a favor and Earth Bend me a seat, my legs are acting up again and oh while you are at it can you make ones for our guests; we will not be heading to the dining hall just yet."
"Ah, sure thing," Hiba replied. He felt kind of cheated with how un-urgent the request was.
"Wait we-"
Issuma was cut off as the two Earth Benders raised up all 27 Water Benders, creating a small amphitheater around Kinzoku. As the rattled bunch found their bearings again; Hiba stomped the sand and created a small pillar for a stool.
"Thank you Hiba, that will be all for now."
The two Earth Benders took the not so subtle hint and turned to walk away and back to their unofficial posts. Kinzoku then eased himself down into the rock and then looked up… all of the Water Benders were still standing which was no surprise to him.
"Please sit; there is no need for hostility here. I do apologize for the secrecy we display but there will come a time when you will understand."
It took a moment but Aklark took the seat created for him and soon the others followed suit. It was only Issuma who held her stance a bit longer before finally taking a seat.
"Now what shall I do?" Kinzoku began. "I have a secret that is so important that if anyone outside of our Island would discover it, it would mean our destruction and the elimination of one of the world's most precious treasures."
"Then why did you keep us from leaving?" Aklark asked.
"Because no one can ever know that this Island is inhabited."
"But we didn't know it was until your people ambushed us." Aklark continued.
"It is something we cannot risk. If anyone sets foot on this Island we must respond as if you did."
The pair sat in pure confusion; attempting to put all of the fragments together.
"May I ask a question?" Kinzoku then asked.
"You can ask whatever you like… whether we answer it is entirely our prerogative." Issuma stated; clearly not wanting to change the tone of their conversation just yet.
"In all of my years I have never met a Water Bender before. I have only been educated about your people. In fact there are only a few people left who have ever met one. However, you must for give us on a lack of current knowledge... we don't have much contact with the outside world since the start of the war. My question is this, what are you all doing here this far south of your frozen tundra? A place where I can only assume you're safety from the Fire Navy is assured."
"I don't see how that is relevant," Issuma honestly answered.
"Please humor me." Kinzoku needed to see what he was up against. Breaking your ties from the place of your birth was a pain he was all too familiar with and knew such a thing needed to be handled carefully.
"Well that's actually quite a long story in itself," Aklark began. "You may not know this but our people have been under attack from the Fire Nation for the past 25 years now. During that time our people have held on to the tradition that our women are not allowed to be trained to fight, rather they umph-"
Issuma elbowed her partner so he'd remember that she was keeping their healing abilities a secret from the 'Earth Bender'.
"Right, anyways with the war finally at our doorstep, it was unimaginable why the rules were not changed."
"There was also the issue of arranged marriages," Issuma cut in. "But basically it boiled down to the fact that some of us wanted the freedom to choose and to fight, and we were not going to get if we stayed."
"So, you left?" Kinzoku clarified; he couldn't believe his luck.
"Yes, along with several other ships."
"Wait, there are more of you?"
"Yes, but you don't have to worry about them. They took different routes." Issuma informed.
"We are all headed down to the South Pole. Rumor has it there is a world filled with ice just like our own. We are planning to rendezvous there with all of the other ships and start a brand new city there."
Kinzoku's spirits then sank again. It was too good to be true to have them want a new life, but all in all it was better than if they had wanted to go back.
"This secret of yours," Issuma began again. "What are you planning to do? The way it looks from here is you don't want anyone to know this Island is inhabited which means we can never leave and I imagine you would have already told us that except the fact we are Water Bender's poses a problem for you because even if you destroy our ships WE can still leave if we want to. I'm sure vessel's made of ice can just as easily get us to the mainland so we can commandeer a new boat. Feel free to stop me at any time if I'm wrong."
Everyone sat on edge in waiting to hear his reply. Kinzoku's old golden eyes stared straight into Captain Issuma's blue ones; she had hit the nail on the head. "You are correct."
All at once whispering became rampant behind the two Captains till Aklark stood and turned around to rebuke them, "That's Enough!"
The gossip ceased so he took his seat once more.
"You are correct," Kinzoku began again. "Your crew poses one of the greatest threats our Island has ever seen. As long as the war continues we cannot risk you being captured by the Fire Nation and revealing our secret to them or by default some outside bystander overhearing such a rumor and therefore causing the same result."
"But Master Kinzoku, we don't know what your secret is." Aklark reminded.
Kinzoku just shook his head. He hated this.
"So, that it?" Issuma asked. "Are we just to accept that answer? That is unacceptable. How could you even ask us such a thing as to accept this Island as our new home- giving us our own houses of all things! We have friends who are praying we all make it safely to the South Pole! What, are we just suppose to let them believe we've been killed or something? You haven't experienced the pain and sadness of war. We will not bring that feeling of loss to our brethren for such a weak reason as yours."
"You're wrong," Kinzoku softly answered.
Issuma crossed her arms waiting to hear his rebuttal. She was harsh because she had to be. She was representing her crew and had to be fearless.
"You are very mistaken if you think the war has no effect here this far East."
"Oh really, well you will have to enlighten us."
"My eldest son is named Honjin."
The two Captains were once again confused. Kinzoku knew he was confusing them but it simply reminded him of how he felt back when his beloved Kokoro was hiding her secret from him.
"He is an Earth Bending Master and I am very proud of him. He is remarkably kind and would have been your host had he not been sick, but as amazing as his Earth Bending skills are, I myself can claim no credit for it."
Issuma and Aklark along with the others were trying to follow his story but he was about to throw them off yet again.
"39 years ago I lived in the Earth Kingdom, on the mainland. I was born there and had been taught to be a Blacksmith like my father was. However, that changed when I was exiled from the country because of the start of the war."
"Why would the war force you from your home," Issuma was intrigued enough to ask.
Kinzoku looked down before answering. Despite all of the years that had past, the pain of being rejected was all too easy of a thing to remember. "Because I am a Fire Bender" he replied.
The soft salty air seemed still as the Water Benders computed the new knowledge given to them.
"I don't want to alarm any of you, which is just another reason I wish my eldest son could be here."
"If you are lying to us…" Issuma started.
Kinzoku took offence and stood causing the two Captains to do likewise.
"I do not make it a habit of lying. I have spoken plainly that we have a secret but I am a man of integrity." With that he stretched out his hand and made a small flame appear in his palm. The two naturally took a step back but he had already extinguished the flame.
"I was forced to leave my home. Exiled to a country I had never been to! All of my friends had abandoned me and I am only now thankful that my parents had died before hand so that they never had to face the pain of having everyone you care about turn their backs on you. No, I was blessed to crash on to these shores or else I would have had to face a far harsher fate just for being born a Fire Bender." Kinzoku's heart was racing and hadn't been that worked up in a long while.
"Forgive me, but I can't assume you are of good character," Issuma logically answered, hoping the situation would soon deescalate; seeing the flame should have put her in a panic yet she was surprised how calm she felt on the inside.
Kinzoku then saw that he had generally spooked his guests and was instantly regretful, so he sat back down.
Issuma looked back at Aklark; neither of them felt like sitting however, standing over the elderly man didn't seem right either so they too sat back down again.
Kinzoku was rubbing his eyes trying to figure out what to say now. He wasn't sure if things were going good or bad.
"Look, I'm sorry for what you have been through, it's certainly not something I would have thought of, however it's not an answer to why we can't leave. All your story shows is that you've been hurt by the war and nothing else." Issuma was trying to understand for his sake as well as their own but it wasn't enough.
"This is true," Kinzoku said as he stroked his short white beard. "I then offer a compromise. I will escort you two alone to a more private location where I will reveal the secret we have been hiding from you and in the mean time; please will your people heal our sick? We've never been hit this badly before and we don't have anyone who is fully qualified as a physician." Kinzoku could see they were mulling the idea over. "Please, for my sake… save my son."
Just as Issuma was going to speak Ann stood up at her side. "I would gladly help your people"
"Anernerk!" Issuma explained.
"Please Issuma, let us do this. Regardless of what's going on here these people need us. We have mastered the art of Healing… now let us use it."
Issuma stood and looked around her. Several of her people had determined faces; clearly touched with Kinzoku's plea despite the fact he had mentioned that they couldn't leave. Issuma then turned back to the Fire Bender with the last bit of her stubbornness melting away.
"You are lucky our people have a heart for others," she said and after getting a nod from her partner she answered, "We will go with you and do as you have asked."
Kinzoku couldn't help but let a few tears fall. He had been so worried about his son and his neighbors that the whole situation had been taxing on his heart.
Standing Kinzoku turned and beckoned the Earth Benders back over. "Hiba, I will be taking Captain Aklark and Captain Issuma with me to meet with the remaining council. The others have volunteered to assist in healing our sick throughout the island. They don't know our secret as of yet but please show them to those who need them and do not worry about me. Any questions?"
Hiba and his partner scanned the group, "No, we will go right away."
"Good, good," the elder turned and began to walk away. The two Earth Benders leveled out the ground causing the dark skinned group to stumble about for a moment but once they were on the beach once more they began to walk towards their guards in disguise.
Aklark and Issuma followed Kinzoku towards the edge of town at the base of the mountain. They didn't feel the need to chit chat and were soon standing in a shallow cave that led to nowhere.
"So, is this where you wanted to talk?" Aklark asked a bit skeptically.
"Not exactly… It's all right to come out. The three of us will be going in."
It took a moment but then four disguised Earth Benders jumped down from the wall, shed their rock skin and surrounded the Water Benders.
"Now that you have displayed your show, can you please open the door now?" Kinzoku was tired of being on his feet.
Without further semantics two of the Earth Benders took their stance and with a thrust a door in the cavern wall appeared.
"My thanks," Kinzoku said as he entered into the darkness. "Hurry up you two if you don't want to be crushed by the rock," Kinzoku called.
The two Captains broke free from their doubts and fallowed him in yet the sound alone of the rock being sealed behind them would leave any man unnerved. Light finally began to appear as they emerged from the dark tunnel and found themselves staring at Kinzoku who was speaking with an older man. The man was wearing unusual clothing and had a blue arrow on his forehead. They then noticed that the empty cavern behind the two Island dwellers was filled with men and women flying on gliders to various levels in the mountain. Needless to say they were dumb struck.
"Captain Aklark, Captain Issuma, this is my good friend Master Pasang. He is the Head Councilman on the whole Island as well as one of the finest Air Benders in the city." Kinzoku said with a hint of pride. The two men had long since become close friends.
"Master Kinzoku flatters me when he himself is a Master Fire Bender."
Aklark couldn't believe it. "Wait... you're said-"
"That I am an Air Bender, yes just like those you see flying behind me."
The two Water Benders just couldn't believe their eyes. Out of everything they had feared or imagined… a hidden city of Air Benders had not been one of them.
"Kinzoku, how about you go and visit your wife, while I speak to our honored guests," Pasang offered. "She is with Zhibde at the moment."
"Thank you, I think a visit would be wonderful, that is if our guests don't mind."
The two elder men turned their attention to their awe struck visitors.
"I don't think they will mind," Pasang concluded. With that the two Masters nodded and Kinzoku parted ways; taking a small path that wound along the wall of the underground canyon.
The entrance to their hidden city opened up into a large half circle balcony that overlooked most of their world. Houses had been made on several levels spanning both up above them as well as below them. At the very peak of the expanse, hundreds of amber crystals hung up above giving the city false sunlight. It all seemed very rugged but clearly it was the start of a miraculous city.
"This is amazing…" Aklark wondered aloud. "I thought Fire Lord Sozin had destroyed all of the Air Nomads."
Pasang nodded in affirmation of the tale. "It is true. With no warning or regard to his former friendship with Avatar Roku, Fire Lord Sozin slaughtered my people. Those hidden here are the only survivors with the exception of Avatar Aang whose whereabouts are still unknown."
"So the Avatar hasn't been here?" Issuma asked while working to choke back the tears that threatened to fall.
"No child, I'm afraid not."
"Well now at least I understand why your people have been acting like they have," Aklark deduced. "They have been protecting you"
"It's more than that," Pasang revealed. "More than just our lives are at stake but the very balance of the whole world."
"That's right," Issuma recalled. "Even if the Avatar shows up and the war ends; once the Avatar cycle returns to the Air Benders there will be no one left alive to be born."
"That is correct."
Issuma couldn't emotionally fathom the whole situation. Aklark placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder although he was just as overwhelmed.
"Now you understand," Pasang stated. "You and your people can not leave this place. It does not stem from anger, hatred or fear but from the fierce love that has developed amongst all who have survived. Love that has grown a strong desire to protect those lives here. You are not alone in your loss or pain but rather you have arrived to the only place in the world that has never seen battle but has been the most affected by it."
"This is nuts," Aklark muttered.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
"No," Issuma cried as she shrugged Aklark's hand and moved away. "We can't let the other think we've been killed or captured! It's too cruel. Is there no other way to stop the spread of pain?"
"What others are you referring to?" Pasang calmly asked.
"We were to meet up with several other Water Tribe ships in the South Pole… we were going to build a city together. We were going to be free."
"Freedom is found in more than one place which I am sure you will one day see for yourself, and as for your friends… I believe there might be a way to send them a message. However, it will only be one message and I am not certain if our messenger will have the strength to return to give you the peace of mind that your message has been received."
Tears were flowing free now from Issuma's deep blue eyes as she unwilling came to grip with the reality that she would never see her friends such as Kanna again. Pasang's heart broke at the sight of her tears… it was just one more painful burden that he would carry inside.
Issuma eventually had had enough of her crying and wiped away her tears with one swift Bending flick of her hand. "Alright, I understand. This is our home now."
"Issumatark-"
"No Aklark, we cannot bring even the slightest of risk onto this community."
"I can't believe this," Aklark yelled. "Maybe YOU are ready to give in but I will not, not for the sake of MY crew."
"Stop it Aklark. We cannot be selfish like the Water Tribe Chief is. We cannot be like them. We must ever be changing like the tide. We may have thought our journey would take us to the frozen continent in the south but destiny has brought us here. We cannot afford to turn our backs to it as long as the war exists."
Pasang had never met this Captain Issuma before but he felt immensely proud to know her; she showed great courage in the face of change.
Aklark never noticed his stubbornness before but now he could see it clearly. They were in an impossible situation being asked the impossible of them and he was being closed minded.
"Your right. None of us wants this but I'm sure you all don't want to do it either… you have no choice."
"On the contrary we all have a choice… it is just that all those that live on this Island have already chosen."
Kinzoku then approached into the emotional scene. "I don't suppose they have rejected us and we now have to kill them," Kinzoku asked rather jokingly. He could tell by their teary smiles that they had come to the stage of acceptance.
"No, we will not have to kill anyone today." Pasang replied back with a chuckle.
"Have you had to before?" Aklark asked.
"No, but we didn't want there to ever be a first," Kinzoku said in all seriousness.
"Well, what do we do now?" Issuma asked. "It's not like we had a plan for this."
"We will return to the outside, have some long overdue lunch, and hash it all out. And if we are lucky, Honjin will join us and answer some of those more technical questions." Kinzoku informed.
"Honjin?" Pasang asked. He hadn't had an update on his condition.
Kinzoku's smile was big and he turned to Issuma prompting her to answer.
She smiled, "All of our people are using their Water Bending skills to heal those who are ill… we have such abilities."
"I can't not believe I had forgotten such truths," Pasang wondered aloud; he then bowed. "You have my thanks."
Kinzoku bowed as well and the honor was enough to make the two Captains a bit uncomfortable but they said their goodbyes to the Head Councilman and the three turned to leave knowing without a shadow of a doubt that they had a lot of work cut out for them.