Chapter 29 – Lin's Gambit

Lin, Kuzo, Nomu, and P'Li sit in the backroom of one of the Resistance's cafes. While drinking their coffee, they sorted through mounds of paperwork. Some detailed the plans for the evacuation for the residents. Others explained how the demolition operation would be carried out. And of course, there were various messages from spies and informants all over the city.

"Ahhh!" P'Li yelled as she tossed a bunch of papers into the air.

"You understand you must pick those up."(Kuzo)

"Ughhhh."(P'Li)

"Thanks for that. I was actually going to do it, but since you did it first, it's kind of like you did it for me. Now I don't have to pick up my papers."(Nomu)

P'Li threw Nomu a dirty look and a made certain gesture.

"Are you sure we can't just blow everything up and just—"(P'Li)

"Everything has to be well timed. If we don't carry it out efficiently, we'll be suppressed before all the factories go down, and it'll all be for nothing."(Lin)

P'Li slammed her head against the table like a student given too much school work.

"Grr…. Why can't we just take over the city and use it to make weapons to fight off Baro or Ozai or whoever when they try to attack?"(P'Li)

"We do not possess the designs for the weapons."(Kuzo)

"We can steal them!"(P'Li)

"Hahaha~ Kuzo isn't allowed to steal. His wife would kill me."(Nomu)

""Wife?""(P'Li and Lin)

"The designs, as well as the engineers, are in different cities, and under tight security."(Kuzo)

"Is it really that hard to get it?"(Nomu)

"They're practically world treasures… Anyone with more protection would probably be only the Shogun and the Phoenix King…."(Lin)

"Yes. The designs are hidden and many are even burned. While the engineers that can build the most modern weapons are extremely sparse. It would require the most skillful of specialists to retrieve the knowledge…"(Kuzo)

*Bang*

They all looked at Lin who slammed her hand on the table.

"Kuzo… hear me out…"(Lin)

She began explaining her plan with barely controlled enthusiasm. At first, Kuzo could only frown skeptically. But as Lin explained more and more about the benefits and possibilities, the more the Avatar sank into cognitive thought. He began probing all the angles, repeating the possible backlashes and weaknesses in his mind.

"What do you two think?" Kuzo directed at P'Li and Nomu.

"It's risky… A foolhardy gambit than a plan. So many things could go wrong in any one of the phases and the whole thing goes sideways."(Nomu)

"It's not the safest thing to do…. I mean the risks don't outweigh the profits or anything, but you know. Hahaha! I feel a little guilty for saying this, but it sounds more exciting that way."(P'Li)

With her usual habit of slamming her fist into her hands, P'Li smiled widely.

"I am for the operation!"(P'Li)

Lin and Kuzo both nodded, and then looked to Nomu.

"In all honesty, I don't really have the right to weigh in since I'm still new to this military strategy thing. Plus, it's not like I've ever met your spies or seen them in action. Are they really that good?"(Nomu)

"They're some of the best of the White Lotus."(Lin)

"The success rate would be high… My concerns lie within the profit outweighing the price."(Kuzo)

"In that case, it feels fifty fifty to me. I'm going to go with a no vote."(Nomu)

"Understood. With Nomu abstaining, Lin's operation has the majority regardless of my vote. Send word to Mei immediately. There's no need to go through all the proper channels. Just get word to her as quickly as you can!"(Kuzo)

"Got it!" P'Li began writing a letter at furious speed.

"Another letter must be sent requesting Sokka and Ty Lee's assistance with the transportation."(Kuzo)

"I'll take care of that!"(Nomu)

"Lin Beifong. I wish to make an amendment to your plan. It might be best not to tell anyone besides Bumi, of our true operation."(Kuzo)

"What? Why?"(Lin)

"Because I plan to leak the evacuation operation as well as the demolition strategy to the city council. You still have subordinate Dai Li agents in the town hall, correct?"(Kuzo)

"Yeah, but why would we leak…They'll station more soldiers at the walls, and factories… Town hall will be exposed!"(Lin)

A malicious grin cut across Kuzo's mouth. It was the sly expression of a trickster.

"Rejoice, Lin Beifong. We will be taking this city after all."(Kuzo)

All four of them smiled.

"Begin preparations!"

(A day later, Mei is playing with Asami Sato in one of Phoenix Landing's rebuilt factories)

*Thuk*

*Thuk*

*Clang!*

Two knives had been driven into the dummy, while one had failed and bounced to the floor. Little Asami pouted at the poor performance.

"Remember, you have to throw from the elbow," Mei lectured her. "Now, go and retrieve them."

Asami nodded and ran to the target dummy a fair distance away.

"When you said 'playing' I didn't think you meant turning my daughter into a killer."(Hiroshi)

"Oh, I'm sorry. Would you rather have her not to be able to defend herself? I'm doing my best to protect you and your daughter, and one of the most effective measures of doing that, is making sure you guys can protect yourselves."(Mei)

Hiroshi sighed and refastened his face mask. He continued welding the machine he was working on.

"Mei."

Anda had appeared with her usual routine of bringing everyone tea. She passed Mei a small scrap of paper. An odd premonition hit the spy immediately.

It's not the usual style or paper…

Mei unfolded it.

There's no code! It's unencrypted? Did it not go through the proper channels?

If so then…

Mei's suspicions were confirmed as she read the instructions.

There's no longer any need to hide ourselves… This is happening a lot sooner than planned.

She looked at Anda who nodded resolutely. Mei then turned to the Satos, who were busy in their own worlds.

"We'll leave tomorrow night," Mei whispered.

Anda nodded and walked away.

Mei looked down at the small piece of paper one more time.

It simply read,

BRING SATOS TO OMASHU.

Mei eyebrow lifted.

"Omashu"?

(Location Unknown)

At a campsite, Sokka was cleaning his sword and boomerangs. Across from him is Ty Lee who is reading the letter sent by Nomu.

"Omashu? Not New Ozai?"(Ty Lee)

"That name brings back memories…"(Sokka)

"Yeah…It was the place where we all met for the first time."(Ty Lee)

"And fought. Oh, how ironic it all is. We're even meeting up with Mei."(Sokka)

"Team Non Benders, hahaha~"(Ty Lee)

Sokka chuckled, but still felt uneasy about the plan.

"Will Mei be able to get them out on her own? We're supposed to meet with them halfway, but maybe we should consider helping with the escape too."(Sokka)

Ty Lee shook her head.

"I doubt we have that leeway. I'm sure Mei will try to escape even by tomorrow. Besides, in the last letter, she mentioned Azula's most able spy was with her. I'm sure it'll be fine."(Ty Lee)

"Oh! The one who collects all the best intel but has the worst hand writing!"(Sokka)

"Don't be rude! It's not that bad. Apparently, she was really close to Azula and Kuzo. I can only wonder what kind of person she is."(Ty Lee)

"Someone with bad literacy…"(Sokka)

"Anyway! We should get ready. Things are going to get even crazier now."(Ty Lee)

"The Rise of the Third Power…" Sokka muttered as he sheathed his sword and boomerangs.

"…Omashu."(Ty Lee)