The Demon of Sato Manison
Ma Ko Chouw rose from his bed and downed the glass of water resting on his nightstand. It was stale like the water he drank for the first fifteen years of his life. He still was sleeping in one of Asami´s guest rooms because that was necessary. His girlfriend was a late worker, who disturbed his sleep quite frequently, even if he was in another room. Furthermore, he never had experienced the luxury of an own room before. Even if he was used to visiting Asami, permanently living in Sato Manison was a new and strange experience. It was astonishing to see all this velvet, gold, marble and other terribly expensive materials around him, arranged and shaped by the hands of artisans. Having servants also felt weird and kind of wrong. He had slept well this
night, his mutilated arm radiating a pleasant, tingling numbness. So the weather wouldn´t change and today would be another sunny and dry day of early autumn. The young man rose looking at hand painted tapestries that depicted the historic battle of Terayama in a stylized traditional style. Why a bloody scenery like this adorned his bedroom in the first place was quite unclear. But since this guest bedroom was the one closest to Asami´s bedroom he had chosen it.
He smiled when he thought of the milky white skin and the rounded hips his lover most likely still curled up into a large variety of sheets. It was astonishing to see how much better Asami was feeling, somehow Tenzin had brought her steely attitude back to life. Still they both had nightmares about the invasion, about the equalists, or the buffalo flats but these feelings weren´t guiding their lives anymore. He guessed Korra finally had gotten over her trauma´s too. His little brother had invited him to a "grand celebration" which was to be held in about three weeks. Interestingly Bo Lin had told him nothing about the reason for the fancy party he was going to throw. He smirked, Bo´s little surprise was already ruined since Kya had told people about his wife´s pregnancy and people – to be precise a quite bubbly avatar – had told him. Despite of this Ma Ko had not visited his brother since he was eager to find out when he would tell him. Somehow it left a strangely bitter taste to find out that his brother was becoming a father before him. Wasn´t he supposed to be the big brother who experienced everything first? Could happy go lucky Bo Lin handle so much responsibility? No, you´re not giving yourself a headache about this, he scolded himself. He surely would not be able to be a good father – how should he?
Not only did he have the child unfriendliest working hours a man could have, he also had nobody who could serve as an advisor. Luckily Asami wasted no thoughts about children yet, they were young and Mako wanted to find out if they worked out properly before even thinking about something as binding as a child. He washed himself up and dressed in a casual suit and a white, high collared shirt. He left the room and hurried over to his lover who indeed was groaning sleepily. He frowned, why were coal pen smeared blueprints strewn all over asamis nightstand and floor? Usually Asami was obsessed about order, like most engineers she even sorted her coal pens according to length and thickness! "good morning baby." He greeted his girlfriend. Asami liked pet names, especially if they weren´t classy. "ummhh. Come and cuddle." She was quite seductive with a bared shoulder, and the long black hair strewn across the pillows, while wiggling around like an overgrown toddler. "It´s already close to midday. Your butler might get annoyed at you." Mako still disliked the strict old man who behaved himself like Asamis grandfather. The stiff geezer still called him Mr. Chouw and even Asami was called "little mistress" at best. That was especially fitting, since Asami was more than a head taller than the old fart. "Nwahh" even if her sleepy growns were heart wrenchingly cute the young man did just settle himself on her bedside.
"You´re running a company – you know that your secretary is working since about four hours, do you?" Ma Ko responded. It was marvelous – his orderly and organized girlfriend actually had turned out to be quite the late and messy sleeper. On the other hand – she worked after nightfall, at ungodly hours Ma Ko would be hard pressed just to keep his eyes open. "Shut up…" Asami grumbled annoyed and buried her face deeper in her pillow. Mako grinned as the door was opened in a fluid movement and the old pest entered the room. "GOOOD MORNING LITTLE MISTRESS!" the old man boomed, obviously ignoring Ma Kos presence. "It´s time to greet another beautiful day." He trumpeted and drew back the curtains. The daylight was flooding the room and Asami blinked sleepily. The old scoundrel even opened the windows. She sat up and slid out of the bed without looking at the butler or her lover. The young woman grumpily disappeared into her bathroom, where the sound of running water could be heard instantaneously. "Good morning Mr. Chouw." The old man responded in a much more civilized timbre. "The maids have already prepared a breakfast, you may join as you like." He stated politely as ever.
"Yeah – I´ll do that." The young man responded. Asami always spent eternities in the bathroom, so the officer left the bedroom and headed downstairs. The butler was of course following him since a fragile ninety stone cop definitely would be hard-pressed opening brass hewn Tanaka-doors. "Are there any news concerning the plains?" the young man asked Bak. Like most butlers, the old man was well versed in current politics and read at least two newspaper a day. He had served other families in the kingdoms, attended the imperial manservant academy in Ba Sing Se – maybe some of his former classmates were serving tea to the infamous princes of the Ling clan! There was meaning behind the saying "If a lord beats his manserf a lord may be served by peasants" Ma Ko assumed. No matter how much time he spent reading people, captain Chouw had no idea what the old man was thinking and where his loyalties dwelled – most likely nobody did know that. "Oh – some tiny bird told me some quite frightening things." He responded in a strained and friendly tone. "A royal tax collector slaughtered his escort and betrayed the government! He openly joined the rebellious Ling clan, can you imagine something like that!" the old man sounded a tiny bit upset. Ma ko just let out a strange noise. Even if he hadn´t visited a fancy private school he knew that tax collectors were the incarnation of the earth nation government, just like the public security agents.
The nations were indeed fallen in disarray, if even the most loyal of its servants started to betray the new order it was questionable how the ling clan should be stopped. Actually, it was questionable if there even was somebody in the nations who WANTED them stopped! "Damn." Ma Ko muttered under his breath. He knew the propaganda of these nationalistic supremacists quite well. "Home under the crown…Make the empire great again!" was their slogan directed at the United Republic, which still was referred to as the occupied colonies! "Do you know more Ba Tan." He was serious. Also, he was worried about Korra – even if she was the Avatar, she was endangered if she kept on touring the kingdoms. People had murdered Avatars before and he was terribly afraid that he would have to bury another friend soon. Why couldn´t the Kingdoms be located on the south pole, or an even more remote location? Then they could just ignore them – like the rural tribes on the shores of Shinji! The young man sighed in frustration. Republic City had turned out to become a cultural and economic center of the nations, the leading beacon of technology and progress and sadly that led to his home being targeted by all kinds of scumbags. Still Ma Ko wondered if it was right to mingle in the other nations affairs, if it wasn´t Korra who was wrong.
Who were they to decide that a democracy where women were equal in front of law WAS better than a feudal society? How could they expect people to throw away their centuries old traditions and follow their path? A path that was far from well-trodden! Even IF the Republic stood on the high ground of morality they had to be rational – for Koh´s sake! It was NOT rational to rub salt in every other nation´s face on a regular basis! Ba Tan had started narrating something but the young man had spaced out for a moment, still the old butler was too polite to address his lack of interest. "What furthermore worries me is not the fact that armies are gathered in the planes of Chu Da. It´s the fact that said armies don´t consist out of regular, conscripted soldiers but the rebellious scum that has infested the south for decades!" Mr. Tan referred with a grim look. Ma Ko was rather ill informed about ancient politics, especially if foreign nations were involved. He was a cop and even if he was Asamis boyfriend that didn´t mean they talked politics in the rare time they could spend together. "Are you talking along the line of forgsquirrel crazy cultists or along the line of pillaging mercenaries?" The young man felt a deep frustration and hatred towards these idiotic lordlings who were planning to engulf the world in flames for an idiotic chair of jade and a hilarious looking crown. The old man laughed a high-pitched cynical laugh.
"I´m talking of Bu Shin´s – bloody war demons, veterans of the cannibal wars, drug addicted Wu-Dang practitioners, rapists and mass murderers! The ling´s pardon pirates, highwaymen and other scumbags if they join the army!" He clenched his teeth. "I just wonder how in the heavens this Shing Quan Ling thinks he can control even a tenth of his men once they are armed and well-fed!" he griped. "Of course these scoundrels are highly efficient killing machines but even an IDIOT has to know that they won´t stop killing and plundering just because a Ling sits on the jade throne!" Ma Ko was gulping dryly.
"Where do you know all that from Ba Tan, your source has to be close to the Ling Clan – do you know who is behind this family's sudden ambition?" Ma Ko wanted to know. He too had mighty friends and like hell he would sit idly by until these madmen were lighting up his city! Ba Tans face showed genuine puzzlement. "Now – that you bluntly ask me Mr. Chouw… Everybody is talking about the Lings that and the Lings this but…They´re not speaking of the head of family Ling Shing Quan or some of his sons in particular." He responded thoughtful. Ma Ko himself actually had another feeling in his guts. "For me that somehow smells like Dai Li." He muttered absentmindedly, a bolt of unseen electricity shot through the servant's body. "Now – now Mr. Chouw, you shouldn´t believe paranoid drunkards." Tan chided him, but Ma Ko had seen what he had seen. "Luckily the pairlament of the firenation is at least enhancing the border´s defenses. That´s more than this useless airhead Raiko does!" Tan growled. Chouw sighed. The president of the United Republic, elected for the fourth time by the council, still believed that good words and contracts would keep the Ling clan at bay. It almost seemed as if somebody inside the Republic wanted to quell any forming resistance! The plains of Chu Da only appeared in small, privately published newspapers, while they were completely absent from the radio stations or the republic times.
With his newly appointed job he wasn´t able to meet up with somebody besides Asami on a regular basis – his former Captain and present Chief excluded. Ping Hungshu was trying to strengthen the rights of the riot squat into a self-defense force with military grade equipment and encampments. Still the high Council and many officials were trying to silence him since they were afraid that the great nations might take this signal of aggression as an excuse to invade the Republic´s territory. The bloody merchants didn´t have it in their blood to lead a nation – damn he sounded like a member of the Agni Kai, Ma Ko reprimanded himself. Oh damn – he really had to get the weekly schedules supervised and furthermore there were twenty-five cases that he had to supervise in the organized crime division. Supervising, even the word made his mood turn sour. Working a case was good honest work, you talked to people – secured evidence and tried to prove theories. If you were successful you got an arrest warrant and everything was settled. Even working the badge, patrolling the streets and prying drunkards apart had its perks…
As a Captain most of these little privileges were taken care of by your juniors – in Ma kos case his seniors as well – and you had to sit behind a wooden desk and stare at illegible scribbling day in, day out! At least he wasn´t Chief of police. Ol Cap Hungshu was quite annoyed about his new job as well, while his assistant and former partner Horishima was more than enthused by this change of tides. Ma Ko was wondering, why the young woman tied herself to an old womanizer like Hungshu. Even if their ties were strictly professional – which he assumed – she was damaging her reputation. The established police force he was serving in was turning conservative and bureaucratic – people of the old guard, like Ping Hungshu, Mochee or even a Toph Bei Fong would have a very difficult standing today. Even HE had difficulties because he didn´t work "the book" but did what he thought was right – at least when he could afford to do so. In the meanwhile, he had entered the red dining room, one of five in the mansion, where the maids had already prepared a quite voluptuous feast. The young man wasn´t very hungry, so he only took two boiled eggs, some noodle- soup and a small salad.
"I know that Raiko is an idiot, I guess that's the reason the big nations made him president." Ma Ko replied to a startled looking Tan. Obviously, the old man had thought the conversation was finished. He graciously poured Ma Ko some tea. "Well – if rock comes to stone I might be of some assistance Mr. Chouw." The old man smirked mirthfully. Suddenly he didn´t look like a nice old butler anymore – he seemed outright creepy. "O-Ok?" Chouw responded while chewing on a mouth full of lettuce and bean sprouts. "As the personal assistant of Hiroshi Sato I may have…hidden some things from the less official factories – to lower the casualties." He responded nonchalant. How come that Ma Ko had the quavering feeling this old bastard was lying about the casualty part… the young man still sat there, his mouth agape. "WHAT!" he blurted startled. Tan sighed "Please close your mouth Mr. Chouw, I don´t want to see your lettuce." He lectured him as if they were talking about the weather. Ma Ko obeyed silently, he was too baffled to respond anything. "Nevertheless, bullet-throwers, grenades and motor-gliders will not be of use to untrained personnel. You need trained people which currently are rather – lacking!" Tan responded. "they even were lacking during the equalist uprising and I highly doubt that anybody of the former initiates will expose his identity, even if a full pardon would be given." The old man trailed off.
"Actually, I plan on taking things in my own hands, and you – may be of great help." Tan was kneading his bony hands. Ma Ko instinctively frowned, he hated being somebodies' pawn, not lastly because he had been played for a fool quite often – especially in the murky shithole he referred to as the "old days". "I´m all ears." He didn´t sound eager at all. "Chrm.. I know you don´t trust me Mr. Chouw – I just hope you understand that I´d never let any harm befall the little mistress." Tan responded seriously. Ma Ko never had put any real thought into the relationship between Asami and her butler, which seemed to be as mistake. His girlfriend still was doing some kind of womanly magic inside the bathroom, was she summoning Hung Wa the porcelain maker? That would explain the exquisite tan of her almost porcelain-like skin. The Butler wasn´t taking a seat, which made this talk even more awkward – conspirators were supposed to hunch together in dark corners! "Actually, there are a lot of high ranking officials who feel the strong arm of the fire nation parliament, as well as the southern embassy… .and they really don´t like it." Tang responded. Chouw wasn´t terribly surprised. He respected Korra´s father. But the man wasn´t a good Chieftain, even though he was damn popular. He lacked a vision for the future – something his idiotic little brother had more than was good for him. Because of this the Chieftain listened to everything his advisors, mainly rich traders, told him. The south tried for years to take over the industrial trade from the Republic using quite underhanded techniques that only benefitted semi-native companies like Varrik´s large company agglomerate.
"Yeah – but the south actually is the thing that keeps our bulk goods distributed, isn´t that so?" Ma Ko asked naively. He couldn´t imagine the republic harbor without watertribe ships and sailors. "It´s not about the trade itself, it´s more about - fair competition being ENFORCED." Tan responded. "I´m talking about the red Monsoons, the dog-soldiers and their interesting entrepreneurships in the harbor district. We both know quite well that the southern water tribe lost its fangs with the passing of Hakoda the defender. We need to make sure that they stop influencing the decisions made here. And they do so a lot, even going as far as using the name of Master Katara." Tan cleared his throat. "That´s hilarious, I mean – Korra´s da…the Chieftain just declared that the will of the people has to be respected. And he cited a speech of Lady Katara from…" Ma ko fell silent as he noticed the pure mirth dancing across the old man's face. "My..my…just how naïve a fool are you Mr. Chouw.." he shook his head. "If you´re loyal to your friend's father, then be a man and say it." The old man almost mocked him. Ma Ko furrowed his brows in anger. "I´m NOT serving anyone besides this city!" he snapped. The old butler´s eyes darted to the brand new, mechanical clock adorning the wall.
"Then prefer to fool yourself Mr. Chouw…." The old man trailed off. "I´ll prepare the tea for the young mistress." Suddenly he seemed like the gentle, good-natured grandfather Ma Ko had taken him for. It still was somehow creepy – as soon as Asami walked down the stairs the old fart had prepared her white tea-flower. Ma Ko disliked the "delicate fragrance" of white tea, to him it tasted like hot rinsing water. Asami seemed to like it – well, she was a frail woman after all. He grinned, she definitely would have smacked him with some hard item if she had heard his thoughts. "So – we´re awake now?" he asked his lover. "Hmpf…" she grumbled, still a bit sleepy. Her make-up nevertheless was perfect, like every day. "Have to give a conference with the council." Asami mumbled while Tan filled her rice bowl. Ma Ko knew she was working herself up into a fit. This conference was quite important – Tenzin had worked weeks on end to arrange the meeting.
Asami was going to hold a speech in front of the whole council, not just the four nominal heads. She was explaining them how bullet throwers worked and was presenting a manufacturing scheme which should be founded by the republic. The main problem was that Asami herself wasn´t backing her own task. It had taken Tenzin half an hour to convince her and the monky airbender could be VERY convincing if he wanted to. In the end a rather pissed Asami had consented, mostly because he too had been siding with Tenzin. Even if this new weaponry was dangerous and would, without any doubt, lead to more death than arrows ever had – they couldn´t risk the ling clan to get their hands on these weapons while nobody else did. Because if they did, there would be barely anything in the world that could stop them. "You´ll ensnare them – and it´s the right thing to do Asami." He stopped himself from blurting on about them having no choice. If he did that she most likely would just get sassy and show him she had a choice. At least that was what Korra had done, when they were a couple and Ma Ko did not think it was the right moment to check out if Asami was tuned the same way.
They chatted about the weather and the upcoming radio program, neither Ma Ko nor Asami were great mover fans, since the movements seemed quite artificial and the storylines were so shallow they weren´t even funny anymore. "You should leave Mr. Chouw, if you want to start your shift on time – that is." Tan responded sticking out his head from the hidden niche in which he was standing whenever Ma ko and Asami were dining. This was another quirky and creepy custom of the rich and famous he would never get accustomed to. Weren´t these people embarrassed to spread out their intimacy in front of numerous servants? At least Asami had drastically reduced the maid staff since he moved in – maybe he could get this old fart away from the mansion as well. Tan was a dangerous man, as he had noticed earlier. The butler was perfectly on time, his inner clock had to be as precise as Asamis praised pocket-watch. "Yes, thank you Tan." Her responded. "I´ll leave the rest to you." He responded while kissing his girlfriend on the cheek. Asami frowned and tried to drag him into a more private kiss. He struggled decisively.
He had been a street-rat and especially because he had been he wouldn´t – stain – a woman with a public kiss. That was especially true for the woman he loved. Ma Ko rose, while the vile old bastards' lips were twitching in silent laughter. As Asami looked down on her boiled eggs his lips moved silently. "Are you loyal to this city Mr. Chouw?" he formed the words so prominent than one could assume he was speaking colloquially. Ma Ko grit his teeth and left the room. There was a tiny pang of doubt wriggling in his chest. Maybe – just maybe he indeed had been a naïve young boy who believed things were right because his friends did them. He definitely would have a some olongs today. He would doublecheck all harbor related crimes himself. It would be best if he got back on the street and scouted out the bustling black market himself. It had been too long Ma Ko Chouw had been chained to his desk. It was time he let the beast roam again, a boyish smirk settled on his features. He loved playing detective, especially if he got to deceive some dimwitts in the process.
He just hoped Asami had not noticed the discussion he led with her manservant. If she found out that even Tang, the last strand of family left to her, was a scheming equalist with a private spy-network that could quite well shatter the hollow shell of self-esteem he had helped her build around a guilt-stricken heart. He didn´t want to think about that anymore, he had to run some investigations before Bo Lins stupid garden party! While he had been very close to simply ignore the numerous invitation cards, letters and telegrams his annoying little brother sent Asami had been adamant. Ma Ko sighed, he would never learn to outright say NO to a woman! At least he wouldn´t have to spend the evening next to Oh Pals family. These people were creeping him out even more than Asami´s extravagant mansion. The most bearable was Su Yin´s eldest. The pale young man with the strange haircut at least was silent and didn´t state the fact that he was a BEI FONG in every second sentence. That was what these strange twins did – boys that couldn´t do anything besides dominating a sport only popular in the city their mother owned! And their mother – Ma Ko could understand quite well why the Chief had ignored her presence for more than twenty years. That woman was like the sun bathing in her own light and what was even worse – she actually wanted to tell HIM how life worked! Ma Ko sighed and walked to his motorcycle. He pulled out the small crank lever and started up the V2 engine. He then drove off, floating through the bustling traffic of republic city.
Chouw was wiping his Face, his whole body was damp from sweat, due to his intensive paperwork. His head felt slightly blurry as he eyed the still half a span high heap of reports waiting for his signature. His boys had been busy – especially in the harbor district it seemed. These people seemed to be smuggling anything. And as Tan said, the description – tall, dark skinned man with foreign accent – appeared in almost every report related to the harbor district. Mako rose and faced the detailed city map adorning the wall of his office. Having an own office was one of the few perks of being a captain. He heard a knocking sound on the door. "Enter." He snapped, slowly his tone was becoming like the Chief´s. He felt a stinging pain in his heart whenever he thought about Chief Bei fong. She was more to him than a boss and it bothered him that he never had deemed it necessary to tell her that. Now it wasn´t possible to tell her anything anymore. They only could talk to a gravestone sitting atop an empty casket. The young man shook his dizzy head and focused on the present. He was at work! "Captain Chouw." The inspector saluted. Ma Ko nodded in agreement and pointed to a chair on the other side of his cheap looking steel desk. The police force really overdid it with the whole metal worship thing. They even had a shrine dedicated to their house god… Ousen the steelbreaker…the idol looked outright hilarious! Like a tiny man with huge mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. His ears were also ridiculously big! "inspector Nishi, how can I help you?" Ma Ko responded. The former firenation soldier was at least thirty years his senior – which made being his superior a tiny bit awkward.
Luckily the older man was a very correct officer who would never dare to question a superior's orders – even if his superior was a green sponge like Ma Ko. "I´ve made some progress in the Ashk-Ask…ah mother of faces… I just can´t spell these wet names! The illegal import of frozen Penguin livers on pier sixteen." He responded grumpy. "I wanted to inform you on the stop, since the further course of action is out of my competence." He narrated. Ma Ko nodded. "I appreciate that Inspector. Please begin." He asked the officer. "Well, fact is that we were able to intercept a delivery of penguin-livers creatively stored inside frozen macarels. We arrested the culprit – a well-known small-time thief, smuggler and drug dealer of southern descent." He narrated. the man obviously disdained everything associated with the water-tribes, especially if it concerned the southern tribe. Even if it infuriated Ma Ko that many people viewed the quite modern southern society as a barbaric illiterate tribe, which large part of the southern watertribe still were, he kept his mouth shut. "Which is nothing special in the harbor district. The Askramraq are a tribal gang." He responded. Actually, the Askramraq were the southern watertribe equivalent of the Yakuza, with the exception that they often involved civilians in their businesses. They were ruthless men worshipping the savage blue wolf, a deity most pleased with raiding, pillaging and feasting excessively.
Well, if one looked closer the "savage- wolf- sons" weren´t as violent as their forefathers. They had adapted and conducted crimes that paid off better than piracy. "Yes – I always said that´s a mistake to bring these savages into our republic. People who can´t even read aren´t suited for democracy! How can they do anything besides turning to crime, it´s just a natural thing for them to do." The officer rambled. "Whatever." Ma Ko interrupted a tad too snidely. "Back to the case inspector, I don´t have all day." He reprimanded his subordinate. The older man snapped to attention. "We questioned the subject and proposed a deal if he informed us about his superiors. Of course, a wet would accept the deal and he informed us about the structures about the structure of his organization in the city." The inspector looked very content for a haggard, sunburned man close to his fifties. "I´ve prepared a small map that summarized everything for you." He responded eagerly and handed and orderly drawn flowchart to Chouw. The drawn structure strongly differed from anything Ma Ko had seen or experienced up to this day. Instead of a clear, military like hierarchy, with soldiers, enforcers, counselors and chapter leaders the Askramraq didn´t have a leader! They were organized in crews supposedly consisting of less than ten members which were led by a raider.
The crews did run their own businesses and paid a, surprisingly small, fee to the feast-hall which was the spiritual center of their cult. The leaders reported their activities to the feast-hall and met there for celebration. The major decisions made for the whole of Askramraq were made there it seemed. Nevertheless, no more information was evident from the chart. "Quite strange that this heap of unorganized scumbags can hold their ground compared to the Agni-kai or the triple threats. But I suppose that has something to do with the thing they call Brodir strid onr strid." The inspector explained that the single crews could call all other to their aid at once without any money being spared. It was the kind of loyalty that fitted more into a warband than into a criminal syndicate. Obviously internal disputes were settled with strict and bloody duels, which reduced the casualties of internal struggles drastically. Furthermore, every crew could do what their leader deemed right. "That´s the reason we didn´t have them on our tables properly, I´m very sorry for this sir." The older man finished, while a thoughtful Ma Ko was scratching his clean-shaven cheeks. He waved his hand dismissively. "Mistakes are made. It´s not that I would´ve known more about this subject." He admitted.
"But why would making this information public be out of your competence?" Ma Ko asked dryly. "Well…. these penguin livers directly were connected to a private party organized by….Varrik son of Varrik." The officer had lowered his voice to a whisper. "Furthermore, said culprit also told me that Varriks father was a very prominent raider." Ma Ko almost broke out in loud laughter. Varrik – a hard boiled criminal? That was so hilarious it could be straight out of the newest Noatak mover! "What is so funny about that captain? Just because Mr. Varrik himself may be a charming celebrity that doesn´t have to mean there are no burning coffins under his nails." The old man stated. He was right, and Ma Ko wouldn´t have been surprised to learn that Varrik had washed red monsoon money in his youth or bribed officials on numerous occasions, but being a member of a violent warrior cult? That was something he simply could not picture in his head. But of course, this was something that surpassed on ordinary officer's competence, or to be more precise – his guts! "I understand. You were hesitant to make a visit and ask some questions – am I right?" Ma Ko asked rhetorically. The long served official nodded in shame. "I…await your orders captain." Inspector Nishi seemed relieved that he no longer had the responsibility of this case in his hands. "Do you wish to accompany me?" Ma Ko asked while taking up the golden Badge that rested next to his ink-bottle. "If you need my assistance I´ll gladly be of service captain!" the old cop declared with a loud voice. Nishi was one of the tidy officers. Ma Ko nodded.
Declining such an offer would only lead to ill blood, even though the inspector wouldn´t be much of a helping hand. A man like Varrik could sell a rotten squirreltoad-liver as a high prized aphrodisiac to begin with! The two men left the organized crime division and made their way to the Republic tax office which was located half a block away from the police headquarters. If somebody knew the daily routines of Varrik son of Varrik it was the tax officials. The man´s companies had been in the red-book of the tax office since many years. Actually, Korra had told him about Varriks continuous battle against the tax officials. There had been a certain pride in her voice – even as the Avatar she still was a daughter of the people. And the people despised anything related to bureaucracy and taxation. In the south there were no taxes, the people donated money to the state in public auctions, which quickly escalated into street festivals! But that was something that would never work in any other place of the world! The tax office definitely was a place that would make Korra feign a stomachache. The building looked as inviting as the headquarters and sported a similar wide entrance with long rows of wooden banks.
There were twelve information desks that provided guidance for the businessmen and citizens that had to deal with the taxation offices. Inspector Nishi was well known at the financial office, since his wife worked here. Ma Ko marveled that he somehow managed to memorize all these facts about his thirty subordinates. "I´ll go and ask Mr. Long who´s dealing with Varricks enterprises, just wait a minute captain." The inspector strode off and Ma Ko waited obediently. He would let the inspector take the lead for now, since he had no idea of the inner workings of the taxation office. While the old man idly chatted with an earth nation official Ma Ko was humored by the loud cursing of a finely dressed businessman. "You damned pentapusses are sucking me dry! That´s my last yuan you´re taking!" he huffed. "Shall I sell my children to the whorehouses, is it that what makes you rotten lackeys happy? But if – if I were a good for nothing FIRENATION spawn I´d be greeted with bows and a bag of gold from this so-called state of FOUR nations!" the official obviously was scared, since such a behavior wasn´t something occurring on a weekly basis. Two of his colleagues rose from their desk and closed in. The younger men should be able to take care of a fat, middle aged earthnationer, shouldn´t they? "But I – I see just ONE nation doing all the work while the other THREE reap all the PROFIT!" the man raged. "Lister Mr. Wu, either you leave right now, or we´ll file a…" "You spineless parrotleeches dare to threaten me – ME! Do you know what I DID FOR THIS CITY!" the guy was totally blowing his top, his head was es red as a plumato and even the other clients of the taxation office were staring at him with awe, disgust or a silent joy.
"I built flats for hundreds and what´s the thanks! One hundred thousand yuan of tax? Back in the homeland they acknowledge a merchant's success and here -HERE the hard working are PUNISHED! WHERE´S THE JUSTICE IN THAT PEOPLE! WE are the natives of this lands and we´re treated like TRASH!" Ma Ko had enough, especially since this ignorant rich bastard was one of the damnable Ling sympathizers! One or two of the businessmen nodded approvingly, while the majority of the people was disgusted by the undignified behavior of Mr. Wu. Ma Ko had never heard his name before, so his service towards Republic City could not have been very big. The young man did not notice that inspector Nishi quickly finished his talk and hurried after his superior. Ma Ko was angered so he simply stomped up to the stubby and loudly ranting gold-toad. The elderly official seemed relieved as he saw captain Chouw approaching. The young man already had flashed his badge. The younger men, slim scholar like figures, tried to gently push Mr. Wu towards the entrance of the building. It was to no avail, since the enraged man swatted their hands away like a fuming child. Mako grabbed the fleshy hand that almost hit his face. The businessman was startled at the strong grip. "What whoreson dares…" he fumed, tore himself free and turned around with a surprising speed.
He abruptly was silent as he almost kissed a golden badge. "Uh..ehh…good evening Officer." He stammered, suddenly quite docile as he shrunk under the young man's smoldering gaze. "Would you please repeat what you just called me?" Ma Ko asked while he tried to challenge the merchant. He would love the excuse to teach this pathetic fool a lesson. "Please excuse me sir, you know…I´ve had a very stressful day. Problems with my property." He tried to weasel himself away. "Well…if you aren´t well mannered enough to repeat what you called me to my face…" Ma Ko was short of blowing steam out of his nostrils. This cowardly shorty tried to fool him, even if there was no way anybody could be fooled in this situation! "Captain!" inspector Nishi interrupted him. "Thank you for your interference Captain Chouw." The elderly official thanked him, while his juniors bowed politely and stepped back. The Captain was not thinking straight, most likely because he remembered the high price they had paid for this cities peace. A price nobody would know about – that men like this cowering fat swine dared to openly side with despicable scumbags who threw war grenades at children! Ma Ko struck. His fist colliding with the fat man's chins like a flash. He didn´t notice the pain that shot through his knuckles at the impact. The merchant was knocked out cold by this one strike but caught two more until he hit the floor with a loud thud.
Ma Ko snarled and the Official was short of wetting himself. The strong arm of inspector Nishi grabbed the fuming young man who still was consumed by rage and grief. "That´s enough captain." He responded baffled, while struggling with Ma Ko for the brief second it took for him to regain his composure. The man was bleeding like the cow-swine he was, served him right! "Mother of faces." The young man stammered. "He obviously was resisting his arrest." Ma Ko spit out in disdain. "We all know this man is an unpatriotic coward." Another businessman voiced his consent to the harsh treatment, while people were whispering. Damnit! Ma Ko had really lost control, that most likely would get him a rightful scolding, if not even demotion or a disciplinary process. After all Mr. Wu could afford his lawyers and excessive violence during duty was a serious stain on an officer's reputation. "Get a grip on yourself Cap." Nishi hissed and bowed down to help the groaning man back on his feet. The man was cursing. "I´ll obliterate you! My layers – I want to speak with my layers at ONCE." He blurted while blood was oozing from mouth and nose. "Oh? Yes – well then WE have to file a report about the things you said to these polite and well-mannered tax officials." Nishi responded in a cool tone. Ma Ko still was glaring at the merchant. "That´s a given." He added in a gravelly voice. The official just smiled the polite, neutral smile of the earthen nations. The man added some colorful curses Ma Ko did not understand. The official paled and looked as if he feared the young officer would conduct murder in broad daylight. He relaxed as he noticed that Ma Ko held no such intentions. "I apologize for dirtying your floor." He responded with a court not and pointed on the few drops of blood that were adorning the polished stone tiles.
"You´ll accompany us outside! Then I´ll bring you to a healer – Mr. Wu." Inspector Nishi led the whimpering and fuming man outside, while Ma Ko stared at his bloodied knuckles. "Are you alright captain Chouw?" the official asked. He snorted, while he still felt as if he had just returned from buffalo flats. "Yes – I´ve overreacted but men like Mr. Wu make me lose my head. Do these people not see what happens in the nations!" he responded with a hint of despair in his voice. The official nodded solemn. "do you know who manages Varriks companies?" he asked the man. The official furrowed his brow at the sudden change of topic. "That´s the reason we came here before this bastard made a scene." Ma Ko responded, while the official cleared his throat to inform him about his ill-mannered speech. "I could say you just should look out for colleagues who look extraordinary pale and have dark rings under their eyes." Mako was short of smiling about the statement of the deadpanning man. "you just need to enter floor 24 b, offices twelve to sixteen. The poor colleagues have been assigned to this task and the spirits may spare me from it." The man responded while tossing imaginary salt over his left shoulder. "Thank you very much." Ma Ko responded and bowed politely. He still had no idea where to go and inspector Nishi still was not back. How could it take so long to drop this scumbag into a carriage and be done with him. Now he tried to find a board, or some kind of plan for the building. The official's eyes were sparkling in merriment as he eyed the frowning young man, who obviously was clueless. "May I help you." He offered politely, while Ma Ko sighed internally. The man was not much older than Ma Ko himself. "You have quite the eloquent right hand." He smiled at Chouw.
The officer fought a blush, he had behaved quite embarrassing. His jaw muscles were dancing under the slightly brownish taint. "Could you please point me towards floor 24 b." he responded flustered. The young man nodded eagerly. "Of course, piece of cake. Head down the main hall. You see the information desks, right?" Ma Ko nodded. "You take the fourth staircase, there is a badgermole inlay leading to the Shu shrine as well. You walk upstairs until you reach the second story. You exit the staircase on the right, which is the b side. Then you search for door twenty and open it. The offices there are what you seek. But may I inquire why the captain of the organized crime division wants to have a talk with financial officers dealing with the blue waves trading incorporated?" he obviously was a nosy guy. Ma Ko wasn´t caught off guard. "Oh – actually that is more of a private matter." He lied smoothly. "You may have read that I and miss Sato are on – rather friendly terms." He responded with the outlines of a smile. The whole tabloid reporters of Republic City had been running rampant as they had caught a whiff about him and Asami being a couple again. In fact, they had published the whole thing before they themselves had spoken about their feelings – it was kind of embarrassing to admit that he only had mustered the guts to confess after reading the headline of a certain tabloid newspaper.
The official still was staring at him like a lost puppy. "so, it IS true." The man mumbled to himself. "and since Varrik kind of – helped us out with keeping things hidden until – chrm…for example avatar Korra got the news from US, I owe him something. So we´ve been thinking about arranging a surprise party for him, but since he´s even busier than Asami." Ma Ko paused, wondering about the nonsense he was blurting easily. "Well, we need to grab him when he is not preoccupied with one of his uncountable incorporations, shareholdings and heaven knows what!" he smiled a bright smile. The official seemed quite pleased with his open talk. "Oh yes – I can imagine that this is quite a difficulty. But don´t worry Mr. Chouw – a merchant's taxation official knows him better than his wife does!" he responded. Ma wondered if that was true in Varricks case – he couldn´t spent much time with his former assistant. How a woman could marry her boss was something Ma Ko didn´t understand. That just screamed cheap floozy, but since he wasn´t much better – with Asami being a millionaire and all – he just kept things to himself. "Well – I´d love to have longer chat but I actually have to keep going." Ma Ko apologized.
"I´ve set a briefing in about half an hour." He lied. They bowed politely and Ma Ko hurried through the hallways. Luckily the description was so picturesque he easily found floor 24 b. As he opened the entrance door he expected a floor but was met with a huge office that contained close to twenty desks, which were all occupied with clerks. The amount of paperwork stored in big shelves was impressive and looked more like a library than like the taxation documents of a single person. He wondered if Asami also had such an office fussing over her businesses. The officials were working idly, some of the even chatting while operating their abaqui. As he entered a tiny bell announced him and a sudden jolt went through the people, some of them even cringed visibly. When they recognized him the office started buzzing with questions. Obviously, they had expected somebody else. Most likely one of Varricks numerous lawyers or bookkeeps, Ma Ko assumed. He just stepped up to the first desk, where a young woman was seated. She was the most common girl Ma Ko had ever seen. Her face was neither feminine, nor masculine. Her hair was pulled into a timeless bun, while her official robes also were of a plain, decent green. As were her eyes. She also was neither tall, nor fat or small. Her voice however was warm and deep like a hot spring – Ma Ko almost stared in awe as she greeted him.
"Y-yeah…." He still was startled. The woman smiled, baring two rows of slightly crooked yellowish teeth. "what do you wish captain Chouw?" she asked while gracefully placing the brush she had been working with on the brush-bench. "Well Miss…chrm…I want to surprise Mr. Varrick since – just say my love life owes him big time." He actually felt a bit queasy with this lie – what if the newspaper published this story and Asami caught a whiff of him telling nonsense to the media? The official eyed her accurately trimmed fingernails, obviously she was a shy, proper behaving, earth-nation girl. Asami always put on a cold exterieur but he simply could not imagine that all the dirt the media had smeared on her in the past years was something she just rubbed off. She was cracking jokes about the petty insults smeared on the wall surrounding her home but Ma Ko himself was furious. He would have sent officers to beat the crap out of the scoundrels that were doing this if Asami had not forbidden him. In her opinion that belonged to the freedom of speech – sadly the law was on her side as well. Captain Chouw waited as an impolite silence stretched between them and the other clerks stared at him in wonder. The young woman blushed slightly and finally found the valor to break the silence. Her colleagues were listening eagerly and some middle-aged women were outright gawking at the young people with suspiciously glinting eyes.
Most likely these ladies were consuming way too much romance novels and tabloid papers, Ma Ko thought grumpily. "How exactly may I be of assistance to you Captain? I um… control the books of the Varrik and Varrik mover incorporated and the subsidiary companies associated with it. I´ve seen Mr. Varrik maybe twice in the seven years I´m working here." She responded rather shy. Ma ko was a tad disappointed, on the other had it would have been too easy if this lady would have been able to help him. "Of course,…" he cleared his throat to subdue his outright stupid assumption. "Well, I just thought you might have an idea who does know his daily schedules." Ma Ko responded. The girl was furrowing her brows and lost herself in thought. "Taiji – does Varrik still operate the blue waves foundation for supporting sons of Varrik son of Varrick?" she responded. Ma ko let out a yelp of surprise. The guy was doing WHAT? He had a foundation for his illegitimate children? Some of the officials were chuckling behind risen hands. Damn, he was making a fool out of himself, wasn´t he? One of the elder women was shaken from her almost giddy drooling. "Y-YES." She responded a tad too loudly and politely hurried over. She was quite chubby and looked like the incarnation of a middle-aged housewife. "So sweety, what do you want to know?" It took some seconds until Ma Ko realized he actually had been called "sweety". "Well Madam. I actually want to know where and when I have a chance to have a chat with Varrick son of Varrik without flashing my badge at least twenty times and ruining deals worth more than my whole worldly possessions." He responded. "hmmm." The woman hummed.
"I could help you out, under one condition…" there again was this terrifying, dreamy glint in her eyes. "Being?" he almost snapped. The woman let out a chuckle. "It´s high time that this little Liling get´s to see something besides books and novels. If you take her out for dinner I´ll serve you Varrik on a silver plate…I´m talking about a real dinner, not some ramen on a street corner" She responded in an adamant tone. Ma Ko gulped dryly. Liling, which was blushing in even deeper shades of red was stammering incomprehensive things, some male colleagues were grinning broadly. "Uhm…so you´re asking me to go on a date with your colleague – even though I have a girlfriend as you might already know from the press?" he quirked his left eyebrow. "Well, not that I´d mind." The Captain responded casually while the woman stifled a dreamy sigh. Liling almost tried to hide herself under her desk. "You´re definitely too handsome for a single woman…" this displaced housewife actually touched his shoulder while purring something along the lines "If I were twenty years younger…" "T-TAIJI – PLEASE STOP THIS!" Liling whimpered "You´re embarrassing me!" the display was almost comical. A stinging pain surged through his right arm, his biceps twitched and Ma Ko grit his teeth. "I´m a gentleman, you can be at ease Miss Liling." He responded while trying to save his face. One of the officials was laughing loudly at his statement. Ma Ko didn´t care, he wanted to know where he could get to his shady businessman. "T-THANK YOU MR. CHOUW…B-BUT I actually have a f-fiancé who´d be very upset if I w-went." She trailed off silently while her colleague suddenly started flaring like a sun.
"Y-You're engaged – OUR little girl is engaged ladies!" she squealed delighted while Liling turned from white to red and back. "TELL ME MORE sweety…Who´s the guy…Is it Shil Sho from floor ten? He´s such a cute boy, and so easily flustered – just like you my sweet elderberry!" the eager lady had already taken a seat on Lilings table. "HEY!" Ma Ko yelled. Everyone was silent. "I´m not interested in other people's fiancés so would you Mrs. Taiji please tell me what we agreed on?" he asked loudly. "Oh – what a strong voice…." She swooned. "I´ll call him over when you like. Mr Varriks foundation is – questionable – at best. He himself is the one administrating the foundation, while it is his money that flowes into it. The benefactors of this money are largely unknown, I guess there is one child which actually gets some of that money! His home also is the foundation´s facility et cetera, et cetera." The woman explained waving her hands through the air in flurry patterns. Ma Ko was shocked. Varrick, who called himself a patriotic republican was blackmailing the state with obscure financial tricks! And his little brother called such a slimy scoundrel his friend! He definitely would have a serious take with Bo on this garden party. He forced himself to continue a polite smile, while the woman continued. Liling seemed to have regained her composure to some degree, even though she still looked flustered. Actually, that wasn´t the best case, it was far from it. Ma Ko would not be able to intimidate Varrik in the rooms of the financial office. But how could he…yes, that was a good idea!
"That´s very nice of you Mrs. Taiji, but the present I´d like to make Mr. Varrik – it just doesn´t fit in these rooms. You know, Mrs. Sato and me have searched for something adequate for quite the long time. What kind of present do you give to a man who already has everything money can buy!" he responded. The woman responded at once. "The thing you can´t buy… right Jiling" she squealed in delight while her colleague flinched visibly. Ma ko was getting the chills, was this how women talked about romance? "Well – I´m not planning to propose sodomy to Mr. Varrik, in fact – we thought about a new yacht, since he loves yachts." He explained while even Mrs. Taiji was silenced for a short second. He cherished his small victory. She giggled. "Oooh, Captain Chouw, you´re such a bad boy." He again felt queasy. If a woman his aged had talked to him like that he might have felt great, but with a woman who could´ve been his mother… this was outright creepy! He simply ignored her words. "Could you make up an excuse for him to meet with you somewhere – like Chatnuk noodlery on quay sixteen?" he asked the woman. She was a bit startled. "O-Of course I could. Y-You would gift him a – a yacht because he played matchmaker?" she blurted shameless. Half the male officials already had left the room, while Taijis female friends were all fired up. He was not going to be caught off guard again. "As you alredy stated, there are some things in life you can´t buy." He responded truthfully.
Again, these terrifying glittering eyes – he was lucky that Asami didn´t stare at him like that. Taiji sighed dreamily, while captain Chouw wanted to storm out of the room. "Of course, I can do that for you." She even had the impertinence to softly pinch his cheek – was he a little boy? Liling smiled silently, while he felt indignated. "Whatever." He muttered annoyed. "Would this evening be good – after the eight hour at Chatnuk noodlery, right?" she repeated. Ma Ko nodded. "Thank you very much Mrs. Taiji." He responded still startled by this strange office lady.
Authors note: Dear Readers (if there are still some left) I apologize for the extremely Long delays, but I had an extremely stressful time in the real word. Work,Work Work and some personal losses, so yeah…. more important stuff to attend to. I hope the updates will become more frequent in the furure but I can not promise that. Have a nice day.
