Hello! Thank you for choosing to open up this little fic here. This is just the Pilot for a series I am looking to write. Based around Mako post Book 4 and graphics novels. A return to the Republic City Police Department as a Detective. A Noir story set in more matured Republic City. Taking inspiration from Raymond Chandler, Dragnet, and a video game by the name of L.A. Noire. Please leave any feedback as I would love to see any suggestions and potential ideas. All to help improve this story.
I do not own the Legend of Korra.
This is the city. A city at the edge of this world's ever changing values. A symbol of peace and prosperity where all who se
ek it, may reside in its warm embrace. Born out of the ideals of two former enemies, who sought to create prosperity.
Where benders, non-benders, and spirits live amongst one another in harmony. Or well what some consider harmony. All throughout the vast network of vines which parallel and intersect the streets.
Fog lays across the bay and the city. Streetlights illuminating the hazy air as satomobiles and trolleys move about. Unphased by the weather. Glancing from the hills of Uptown the sight seems ominous. But those beacons of light which illuminate from the street, from the buildings, and the spirit portal break through the fog. With mist growing on the windows I pressed on down the road. Winding past estates, guarded by walls and gates.
The gilded houses of the Uptown, a symbol of the wealth of those who struck it rich. Though a giant bullseye for the cunning thief. In particular, one who happened to frequent the neighborhood. Striking at the houses of business owners and politicians. That's where I come in, I'm a Cop.
Pulling up to the residence of Cabinet Member Kaito I parked just behind the small line of police cars lining the road. A barricade set up and manned by an officer, guarding the open gate which leads to the 2 storey villa. Approaching the officer I gave a nod.
He looked towards me with a straight face. The facade he put on for the public. Though he seemed to soften up after seeing me. Giving a calmer expression as he moved aside the wood barrier to let me through.
"Mako, you're a little late. Lao's inside waiting for you. Better hurry, I swear he's about to blow a gasket at Kaito." He said.
Passing by the gate I turned back for a moment. "Sorry about that, traffic swamped me in. But I wouldn't blame him, he hates politicians. Perhaps even more than I do." Turning forward with a chuckle I made my way to the villa. The door was open with the occasional officer stepping out with a box of evidence.
Making my way through the front door I took my hat off and adjusted my hair and coat. Tucking the fedot into my hands I walked towards the living room. Guided towards it by the sound of a real angry soul. A real hound chewing into some poor innocent sap about responsibilities and failures. How I pitied the Head Detective so.
"I swear on my good name that I will have your hide on this Detective! I'll bring it up with Beifong, and perhaps Moon. The RCPD should never have allowed this to happen!" Rang a higher pitched voice from the man.
Silk pants and a jacket, the man could have slid right there on the marble floor. CM Kaito was known around the hills as quite the extravagant man. Unsurprising enough that he would be a victim of a high value heist.
Chief Detective Lao, hat in hand and the other hand going up his forehead in an anxious response. The man was tired and his ears bleed from the screaming of the CM. "Mister Kaito, I assure you that the RCPD has this under control. We will find the individual who stole your possessions and we will return them back to you promptly. I will be assigning one of the City's finest detec-" Turning to the entrance he gave a small sigh of relief as he put his hat back on. "Well look at the timing. Mako you're late but I suppose it can't be helped. Why don't you… introduce yourself to the Cabinet Member while I radio back to HQ."
"Sounds fine, Sir. I'll take it from here." After tagging out, Lao hustled it out of there. Leaving myself with Kaito alone. "Well then, Mister Kaito. Let's get right to business, take a seat here and we'll go over the details."
Kaito was still fuming though upon seeing that I assigned the detective, he seemingly calmed down.. Being a part of Team Avatar did have its benefits, though for the most part I never used that card much.
"Ah, thank goodness Detective. Thank you, please go and take a seat wherever you'd like. Hopefully we can settle this matter fully."
We both sat down in plush couches. Retrieving my notepad I pulled the pencil from the rings and turned to face Kaito.
"Alright Mister Kaito, please, try and tell me how this all started. When did you notice these items were missing."
"Well, it started just this morning. Last night I was attending a benefit in Midtown for a charity. So by this morning I was quite groggy. After freshening up for the day and before I set off for City Hall, I stared at barren walls and shelves along my house. Paintings I have obtained along with vases and statues from the reign of Azulon. All gone. Not a spec of debris or dust."
Writing the details down I nodded and pressed on. "If possible Sir, could you put a price on all of the items as a whole?"
Kaito pondered for a moment. Soon opening his mouth. "At best, my entire collection would be around… 200 Million Yuan."
The price tag was a jaw dropper. That much in a punch of paintings and stone. Writing the detail down I nodded and continued.
"Now Mister Kaito, I understand you would have given the officers here a list of the items stolen. But I would like you to name any high value items. This may help us track down any leads if they do pop up as pawned items or in other areas."
"Yes… Amongst the collection I had was some panels which detailed Love Amongst the Dragons. Carved and painted by the great artesian Huan Mei. Aside from that there was a royal vase, dated to at least the time of Avatar Roku. A porcelain vase with jade fixtures."
"Thank you, Sir." Closing my notepad I stood up and pocketed it. "I'll be taking a look around the Villa if you don't mind. Once I'm done the officers and I should be out of your hair. You can contact Headquarters for any further updates or if you have any tips."
"Of course Detective. I do hope you'll be able to retrieve those items. They are of utmost importance to me and my wife." A bright grin was plastered on his face. Hell I swore that I could see a tint on it.
Nevertheless I bowed to him slightly as I departed and made my way around the villa to inspect the areas where the stolen art once was. Barren walls which seemed to be lacking doned the house. Little markers laid by the crime scene photographers littered about.
Making my way through the hall I came to the entry point for the thieves. A metal latch on the inside was bent. Allowing the window to be opened with ease, not to mention silently. 'Metal Benders…'
Taking the note down I finished my sweep of the villa and exited out to my car. Slipping in I pulled away from the scene and headed back down the road I came. Bound for Headquarters to put in an inquiry to Police Records. Perhaps a metalbending con was out again or it might be a new guy on the job.
Either way I was going to get to the bottom of this. Wouldn't want to get my ear torn off by Beifong. Much less by Zhu Li.