"Thank you, Fire Lord Izumi." Suyin said, as soon as the Fire Nation Navy escorted them to the coast of Earth Republic, the Beifongs hopped onto the maglev. She couldn't afford to waste more time; therefore, the Great Uniter made her call on the train, "yes, that will be appreciated. We will be meeting them at Zaofu."
"Fire Lord Izumi had agreed to send a technical consultant to help us building a navy." After Suyin hang up the phone, she informed the news to her family, "also an engineer to work with developing weapons for our airships."
"That's great." Bataar spoke, "the Fire Nation is the most technologically advanced country in the world. I'm positive that their engineers will be valuable additions to our research team."
"Their next goal will be Ba Sing Se," Kuvira changed the topic, "with only Wing and Wei and the Northern Division, it is currently the least defended city. I wouldn't be surprised if the avatar take advantage on that. We need to bring reinforcement as soon as possible. I will radio the Special Forces right away: they will meet me at Ba Sing Se."
"Me, too," Suyin responded, "but before then master Tenzin and I still need to discuss with Zaheer about rescuing Jinora from the Republic City. We will rendezvous at Ba Sing Se."
"I'd better stay at Zaofu," the nonbender said, "I will be working with the Fire Nation technicians."
…
The Red Lotus had agreed to stop their campaign against the Earth Kingdom's reign. "I am well aware of our opposing ideology, and the fact that the woman I love was killed by one of your officers," the anarchist leader told the Great Uniter during their meeting last week, "but right now the world is facing a greater danger: the avatar. I think we would both agree we will be fighting against the avatar. She is the enemy of our organization and a threat to your regime. For now, our interests align." He knew he had yet to gain Suyin's trust, so after knowing Tenzin's eldest daughter was captured by the United Republics, he offered his help in the rescue operation.
Right now, Zaheer, Ghazan and Ming Hua, along with Tenzin and Lin were going undercover in Republic City, trying to locate where Jinora was being held.
According to Tenzin, the young airbender was capture by the city's police, but given that the avatar has been working with the president, it is unlikely that she will be held in a regular prison. The airbending master decided to visit Air Temple Island, he wanted to pick up some gliders, as it will be required during their operation. Not only can these gliders being folded into a staff and yielded as weapons, with the help of a glider and airbending, airbenders can perform prolonged flights, which will be a great way to retreat after they had rescued Jinora.
Ming Hua froze water into a large piece of ice, and with the help of her waterbending, she carried the team across the sea. When their feet touched the solid land, they were stopped by a group of metalbending police, "What are you doing here? Leave the island immediately." The officer ordered.
The ex-Chief of Police and the master airbender didn't expect the island to be heavily guarded. They decided to investigate further. The captain immediately recognized them, "Freeze! You are wanted criminals of the United Republics and you are now under arrest."
"Freeze?" said Ming Hua, the armless waterbender, "for sure!" She summoned a huge wave from the sea, engulfing the metalbenders and then solidified the water into ice.
On the meanwhile, Gahzan sparred into action, he lashed out his fists, melting the earth underneath the metalbenders instantly. The officers screamed as their metal shoes conducted the heat of the lava, hopping with their feet. With another series of hand movements, the lavabender buried them under the melting earth.
"We're attacked by a group of skilled benders! Requesting back up!" one of the officers called on his radio. In a matter of seconds, another platoon of officers appeared on site.
These people are not metalbender, they dress in dark grey tactical suits, helmets and goggles that emits strange green lights. They were equipped with shock gloves and electrical batons, as they switched on the battery, sparks of electricity emit from the tip of their weapons and the centre of their palms. "The Equalists…" Lin said, her skepticism towards Asami's collaboration with the anti-bender organization had proven to be true, as the new president had obviously recruited them into the Police Deputy. The officiers threw a couple of smoke grenades, blocking the team's vision. Then, without further due, they started their attack from all directions.
Gahzan cursed as he was forced into a melee combat with the opponents, these people were as quirky as foxes, he thought, with his vision now being obstructed, he couldn't use his ability to lavabend as in close quarters it risks injuring his teammates. In fact, they nullified their advantages as benders altogether. He was surrounded four to one by his enemmies, barely avoiding being hit by their weapons.
Zaheer was having a much easier time, as the only non bender in the team, he was fluent with martial arts and Chi-blocking. He evaded the incoming attacks of shock gloves with ease, and then retaliated with striking the pressure points on their opponents' arms and legs, leaving them falling onto the ground, incapacitated. As soon as he neutralized them, he ran to assist Ming Hua.
The waterbender had the hardest time dealing with the nonbenders, as impure water acts as a perfect conductor of electricity, she could not attack with her water arms. She was about to get hit on her neck by an electric baton when Zaheer came to the rescue.
Lin was fighting beside Tenzin. She, too, had to be careful with using her metal cords, as it also conducts electricity. However, she had an easier time than the waterbender since her metal armour can distribute the electrical current evenly throughout the body. "Tenzin! Blow the smoke away!" she shouted at the airbending master.