Note: Itallics indicates flashback
Somewhere in the Earth Kingdom, three years ago.
It was a rare moment of idleness for the group so they had agreed to take full advantage by enjoying a relaxing, uneventful afternoon at the lake nearby their campsite. Some guards were frolicking in the water while others were sprawled around, taking naps under the comforting shade of the trees, relishing the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that follows the successful completion of a mission and the momentary peace earned by it. Kuvira's group was the advance party of a larger contingent which was scheduled to meet an even larger group of soldiers comprised of garrisons from different provinces of the Earth Kingdom. Her group had managed to take Ba Sing Se with mostly the forces they had mustered out of Zaofu and loyal Earth Kingdom troops that refused to desert. However, to stabilize the rest of the nation as tasked, they would need more reinforcements, all that they could obtain. Her current strength now was constituted of a combination of her guards, Earth Kingdom Army elements, and new recruits volunteering to the cause. She suspected that many of the volunteers had come attracted more by the prospect of three square meals, clothing, equipment, and training than patriotic zeal but for the task at hand, the end result was the same. Somehow, she as the appointed commander would have to turn this diverse group into a cohesive force of professional, disciplined troops entrusted in bringing back order and stability to the nation.
The afternoon heat and humidity had made her drowsy. Sweat was beading over her forehead. Her armor laid neatly stacked at her feet along with her boots and she was now at ease wearing just the inner layers of her green tunic and pants. Her back was leaned against a large tree while her head rested comfortably over Baatar's shoulder. He had decided to forego the relaxation that his group had favored and instead kept himself busy with work, reviewing maps and writing letters to supporters and allies while occasionally glancing at his side to enjoy the unusual sight of an unguarded Kuvira. But for her, today work could wait. She anticipated quiet moments like this would be far and between in the days to come so they should be fully enjoyed while they were still available.
Even before she could finish the thought, as anticipated and dreaded, R & R was interrupted by the frantic screams of a group of villagers approaching their campsite who claimed to be from a nearby nondescript village. They had heard rumors that a group of soldiers had camped nearby and had rushed in seek of assistance to finally be rid of bandits that had accosted them for months, raiding what little and less they possessed.
"I should be back soon," she had assured Baatar as she finished donning her armor, discreetly placing a kiss over his lips. "After dealing with rogue Dai Li agents, bandits are a welcome change of pace," she added with a confident smile. Ten volunteers eager for action followed her, leaving in the newly procured jeeps from Republic City with the villagers.
Soon they found themselves at the village and calling it a village was too generous of an assessment. It was more a collection of hovels spread over dusty, narrow streets. The village's name had faded long ago on the frayed welcome sign. There was barely any sign of what livelihood supported it, located away from the better farming lands, forests for lumber, or roads that eased commerce between towns. How it eked out its meager existence the captain couldn't determine, but it was certainly a prime example why her country was in dire need of attention and modernization. Human beings should not live each day overwhelmed by the uncertainty of not knowing how they would obtain their daily sustenance, or frightened by the prospect of roaming bands of thieves. She hoped her efforts would soon put an end to both.
"So the rumors were true then. The liberators of Ba Sing Se in the flesh! But from the rumors I had expected a woman as tall as Kyoshi and as thick as a badgermole followed by hordes of fearless combatants!" The booming, unpleasant voice of an oaf of a man commanded the newcomer's attention. Evidently this was the bandit's leader judging by the commanding pose and the rather flashy clothing he sported, contrasting sharply with the modest clothes worn by the villagers. The bandit went to address the villagers who were trying to hide behind the vehicles.
"This is what you cowards have brought to fight me? A girl and not even a dozen soldiers? To face the Scarlet Serpent daofei?"He slicked the end of a long jet black mustache with fat fingertips as he glowered contemptuously at the arrivals.
More bandits approached closing in on their leader, surrounding him for behind while looking menacingly at the metal clad soldiers. It was a sizable group of about twenty to thirty, all displaying the same unpleasant sneer as their leader. From some of the huts, the panicked faces of the villagers could be seen peeking from the windows in cautious anticipation. For how long this band had been terrorizing this place the captain wondered as she remained composed, carefully assessing the current situation. Her forces were better trained and equipped but the marauders had the numbers advantage and knowledge of the field. She opted to diffuse the situation. Perhaps the realization that they had sucked this poor village dry and having to face her forces could avoid unnecessary violence. Lieutenant Colonel Gamn from the Earth Kingdom forces was approaching for their rendezvous with his Eastern troops so eventually the bandits would be dealt with and apprehended. She would be giving them a chance to stand down and stop pillaging, something she knew Colonel Gamn would certainly not do.
"Word has come to us that these villagers feel you have abused their hospitality and you have extended your stay for far longer than they would have wanted. Leave this place now and no harm should come to any of you, as long as you vow not to steal again," Kuvira addressed the bandits in an amiable, reassured tone.
"Bold words from the girl! Whose gonna make us? You?" the large man guffawed and his cronies followed suit.
"If you don't comply, you will leave us no choice but to force you to surrender," the captain replied with the same even, calm voice but underneath the silk the steel could now be perceived in her inflection. Her guards had already assembled into battle formation behind her, alerted by the subtle yet evident change in her voice.
"Come try to get us then!"
Upon hollering this, the man shot repeated volleys of fire against the metalbender, which she easily sidestepped with grace and speed, replying with her own metal cables wrapping around his left wrist, robbing him of the momentum of his attack. A second cable wrapped around his right leg and with a sudden pull, she managed to unbalance the big man off his feet, making him fall hard against the ground with a loud noise. Even with the superior numbers, the battle was woefully stacked against the bandits and before they could muster an effective defense, it was over in a matter of minutes, her well trained and disciplined guards easily disposing of the opposition. Many had fled in panic once they saw their leader literally bite the dust and the lieutenants who stuck around in an effort to aid him were captured with little difficulty.
Once the threat had been neutralized, the inhabitants of the village dared to leave their homes and went to narrate the dire situation the bandits had put them through. Kuvira had just finished a radio transmission providing a status update to their camp when she noticed from the corner of her eye a haggard looking woman desperately dashing towards the vehicles. Misery clung unto her, noticeable in the ragged clothes, hair in disarray and sunken cheeks. She didn't look like she had a decent meal in days.
"How can we help you?" the captain greeted her.
"I don't need help but my daughter…" her voice broke momentarily. "She has been very sick and what little my family had left of food and medicine these thieves took it away."
Instants later Kuvira was inside a small house. Several pairs of eyes stared at her expectantly from the largest room in the house. The sounds of choked sobs from a darkened corner made her stop all of a sudden, a heaviness setting inside her chest. They had arrived too late, she realized sorrowfully. The girl's mother also heard the crying and erupted in tears of her own as she embraced a man with a grief-stricken expression in his face. The metalbender approached carefully and knelt beside the child's parents. Resting over blankets over the floor she saw the girl. Her face was pale and gaunt, the body small and fragile. She didn't look a day older than six but malnutrition could make older children appear younger than they really were. She felt a lump rising to her throat.
"I…I am so sorry…"
The man approached her, grief, pain and rage etched in every line of his weather battered face, fists balling against his sides.
"Those men out there…they're not men. They're worse than beasts. We pleaded with them to leave us with only food enough to take care of the little one. They wouldn't listen. They feasted outside so we could all see them while we starved and my daughter languished here hopelessly." His head turned to face the small body and tears bathed his cheeks.
"This…this was an unnecessary cruelty! They could have taken what they needed and spared my child." An infuriated, pained expression settled on his features as he directed a hard glance towards the captain.
"They should receive what they have sowed." Kuvira knew his words were aimed at her and she understood the true meaning behind them. She took a last look at the innocent life that had been carelessly snuffed away by man's greed and before leaving, she placed a reassuring hand over the man's shoulder.
"Justice for your daughter will be delivered," she promised the grieving father. Upon saying this, her steps led to where the leader was kept as a sharpened blade reached her right hand, the metal gleaming ominously on her fingers.
Later at night at the campsite, as Baatar observed her sitting quietly with over a small rocky promontory overlooking the lake, her features still reflecting the same withdrawn countenance she had when the group arrived, he wondered what had really happened at that village. All of the guards made it back without a scratch. Supplies were sent in a haste to the village and Colonel Gamn's forces were alerted of dangerous thieves heading their way, but only Kuvira had returned with blood stains on her uniform and a darkened glimmer on her eyes.
