Chapter 15 a path of lead

He was eying the warehouse lazily, but on the inside Mako Chouw was boiling. The young man had cropped off his hair and wore a short wiry beard. His clothes ware smelling so bad that even the squirreltoads stayed away from him. His face and hands were smeared with a secret mixture of clay, ash and vinegar, also he was carrying a crumpled tincan with him. In this can a small fire was smoldering; he was roasting the remains auf a squirreltoad. Mako was bad at acting, so he usually LIVED is disguise, which made it far more realistic. He actually was sleeping in the streets for a week and so he automatically fell back in the routine of his childhood. He even owned a burned-out opium pipe now. Furthermore, he was looking so poor that not even the inhabitants of the dragonflats felt the necessity to waste more than some thrown pebbles on him. Nevertheless, he had some nasty bruises, annoying little brats!

Actually, an official had stubbed him into this direction. The man was from the earth nation, and such corruption incarnate. Nevertheless, he was a decent fellow, it was just that he didn´t know what bribing meant. Actually, Song-Il-Han was the opinion that it was an official's duty to spread information equally to the public. Song-Il-Han had explained him that somebody had opened a Manufacture precision parts in the north of the buffalo-flats, the eastern counterpart to the infamous dragon flats. The rather respectable businessman, namely Kuang Ling from Ling Enterprises had spoken of giving perspective to the socially disgraced but not evne I-Han had believed him. Mako of course had drawn conclusions, Kuang Ling emerged from the Ling family, which had gained tremendous wealth over the last thirty years. They had started up as ranch owners in the eastern earthen kingdoms. But they had invested in trains when everybody thought these things were limited to Omashu. But now these people were laying railroads all over the four nations, Mako was wondering. Maybe he would see the time were a man could travel the world in 80 days.

Still these guys had been closely related toward the old monarchy, which led to them loosing most of thein earth nation property under Kuvira. How much they had regained was out of Makos knowledge, but he was rather sure that Kuang Ling was making very profitable deals with criminals. If it were the Dai Li he was searching for was another question. Lastly it was the most promising tip he had gotten out of his various contacts. He had burned all his savings on this and so he just HAD to be lucky. He was sitting in this run-down entrance since dawn but the only suspicious things he had seen today were a lot of young watertribe girls going to work in said factory. The whole thing seemed to be rund by watertribe gals, northern gals to be precise! Nobody had less knowledge about technology than these people, and just 2 out of 10 were able to write and read properly. It seemed Mr. Ling was needing motivated hands who were not understanding what they were doing. Also, it was strange that the Terras had given heavy protection for the route these girls travelled to work. Interesting was that the soldiers did not as much as look at the girls, which was an almost unbelievable behavior for this kind of thugs. They must have gotten very strict orders, because otherwise they would at least be clapping some girls' butts.

Right now, they were in the middle of the early shift and so the steets were surprisingly dead, except for the soldiers who were playing mahjong and other board games. They weren't even carrying soju bottles. Mako was staring at the building; he could not do anything besides watching until they closed the manufacture. And even than it would be extremely risky to take a peek, mostly because they would translocate the machines as soon as they found out somebody was suspicious. Inside the whirring of engines could be heard, while a rugged looking steam engine spew whitish clouds into the heavans. The screeching sounds indicated that metal was worked without too much heat. He could not hear the typical sounds of welding or smithing the classical way. Even if the terra guys had noticed him hours ago they payed no heed to the hobo who obviously must be on a heavy trip. The women streamed out of the factory in surprisingly clean, blue overalls. These was not greasing fat, no charred spots. Yes, this definitely was a tooling factory. Mako played with the thought of abducting and questioning one of the girls on her way home but discarded the option. It was too risky if she told her protectors what happened, because they would draw conclusions. Actually, there was no path besides overpowering one of the guards on his way home or braking into the facility.

While the time was flowing by terribly slow Mako worried about Asami. He had contacted Korra after leaving and hoped the Avatar was taking care of the poor thing. There was a stinging, but jubilant feeling in his chest whenever he thought of Asami Sato. This was most likely not friendship. It was not usual to feel the urge to kiss your friends and tear their clothes off to make them feel save – right? But he had fucked it up the first time, he wouldn´t put Asami through the same kind of misery again. How should he be sure that it was not just a whim, when he was facing these feelings for less than a month? Also, he wondered if he just "loved" Asami because she was weak and battered now, somebody who needed a strong shoulder to keep her upright. What would happen if she became the independent, strong person she had been three years ago? Would he still love her? Would he be able to deal with something like that? He blinked as the sun shone in his eyes.

He had counted the workers, twenty-eight per shift, so it seemed. Mako resumed his musings about Asami, he was wondering if there was something between them. Asami liked him, and sometimes she had touched his shoulders, or his arm. She had done so when it was not necessarily polite to do so, and that was a rather direct hint in his opinion. Asami was no particularly cuddly woman after all! Am I imagining things? That was the question that burned in his head and made his chest ache. His eyes focused as he realized that the doors of the Warehouse were opened again. Most of the triad men had left the street and walked up to the man who was lazily leaning against the open door. He was tall and wiry. His hair was shortly cut in military style. He also was wearing a well-fitting green suit, while his whole pose radiated danger. He was the kind of man that made grown thugs cower, even the chest huffing terras behaved like well-bred coonies and hastily started carrying heavy crates out of the warehouse. With rattling engines vans appeared in the street. Because the street here was nothing but compressed dirt wheels stirred up dust clouds that made Makos eyes go teary, he also coughed furiously.

The men were yelling. "Get moving assholes." Some man yelled. "Careful with the babies, that´s some dangerous shit in there!" somebody else snarled angered. "Y-Yes SIR!" a thug responded. The cars were still running as the dust cleared and Mako was able to see something. They were dark delivery vans without the typical republic plates. Since no other nation had number plates for their cars this was not making anything easier. Also, people form outside Republic city were not bound to use the plates so they weren´t helpful at all. Finally, the vans were filled with crates, the doors closed and the vehicles moved again, dust shrouding them in a brow cloud. The men were furiously coughing, while the guy in the green suit had already disappeared. The Terras closed the doors and wrapped heavy chains around the gates, then they gathered in a crowd. Laughter and curses could be heard at most of them walked away, just two obviously pissed guys remaining besides the doors. Makos heart sped up. This was far too good an opportunity to be true. Or had his disguise been spotted and they were setting up a trap?

His eyes darted around, while his backside was prickling from a whole days' worth of sitting on hard stairs. He tried to rise but his legs knotted themselves as he was tumbling around like a drunkard. He was wheezing because his legs weren´t reacting properly and felt like lifeless clay. The feeling would come back fast enough he hoped. The thugs of course hat noticed the stumbling man, who was cursing under his breath. They started laughin. "Eh idiot – walk on yer hands and I´ll give ya a shim." One of them offered. "Come on Shin, don´t screw with mooneaters, you know what poor wenches they are. Just look at my ma." The other guy responded in false pity. "Yer Ma´s a wench but surely not poor – moon, free cocks each day – man being a woman must be awesome." The guys shared a hearty laugh. Mako tumbled around, while his legs slowly regained their usual feeling. The thugs obviously were bored and so they swaggered in his direction. The street was empty, not that anyone would have bothered if these guys cut his throat right now.

"Eh hobo, you´ve got some moon for us heh?" the broad-shouldered terra enforcer asked. His underling, slightly slimmer built, was smirking deviously. "Uh – oh I don´t have some flowers – wouldn´t I be stoned right now if I had?" Mako whined. He was good at playing a coward. The Underling chuckled. "Bad for you, guess I´ll just kick the stuff outta you." He responded and stomped on the floor, a cobblestone rose and cracked. The remains of it forming rough gloves. "Hey- hey sorry sir. I´m sorry. Please spare me!" Mako yelled. He needed time, a bit more time until his legs were stable again. "Why should I spare a worthless shithead like you. Nobody´s gonna care when you go whoops fucktard." He laughed and delivered a front kick. Mako stumbled and hit the floor. He yelped even if the fall itself did not hurt. "get up asshole. It´s a shitty warm night to wear armor." The guy yelled and kicked at him Again. Makos Chi simmered trough his chest. Strength, fire was surging through his arm as he gripped the guys boot and brought him on the floor with a leg swipe. The other man snarled "you sonuva…" Mako barreled into the guy's stomach head first. His feet still a bit numb. He gripped his thights, lifted the man and slammed him onto the ground.

His muscles were tensing under the tattered robes. He rolled aside as cobblestones were smashing on the street. The earth bender was not bad, but lacked the strength of a real bender. He was a fighter though. Mako was grazed by a sharp rocky egde. His upper arm hurt as he closed the distance between himself and the guy. He muscles were tensed as a stonepillar shot up and shook his whole frame as it embedded itself in his chest. He nevertheless struck. His hands forcefully closing off the veins leading into his opponent's head. The Man went down. Mako evaded a low kick of the enforcer who hit the pillar at full force. His shin broke with a loud, splintering sound. The man crashed as he tried to follow Mako. His bone sticking out of his leg. He yelled in pain. Makos heavy boots hit his head forceful. He could not even yell as he fell unconscious. His comrade tried to get back up but the younger Man grabbed his head and smashed it onto the rocks. Even though the Rocks cracked he smashed him back into unconsciousness. Mako feverishly searched the pockets of the men. He undressed the bender and changed the clothes, then he took the money they carried along with the key to the warehouse.

A hobo totally would steal from a man he overpowered, the guys should not even think that he had taken a peak in the warehouse. He then tied them up with their own sashes. He had to be fast. He ran over to the warehouse and opened the heavy padlock hanging between the chain links. He opened the door and slipped inside, lighting a small flame in his hand. There was the small of steel in the air. He looked around, the shabby warehouse looked like a brand-new production line of Asami´s just that it was much smaller. He took a closer look at a belt grinder. He was not surprised to find the stamp of future industries. Also, the new lathes looked suspiciously like the stolen ones. Mako was looking for unusual parts, but he just found some strangely shaped wooden parts which almost looked like the shaft of a crossbow. Well, that WAS what he was searching. He had been right. These Dai Li obviously HAD found what they were searching for. Most likely they just wanted to sag in future industries as well… He muttered a curse. He would need help to get these people dealt with, he would need everybody he could get in the short time window he had.

So, he hurried outside and locked the doors again, he even fastened the padlock at the same place. He returned to the still unconscious men and threw the key on the street, then he hurried off. The young man had just disappeared in a side alley as he heard a roaring satomobile approach. Soon afterwards loud yelling started. Puh – he had been lucky and so he aimed for airtemple island. Maybe Korra knew some people who could help him. Maybe Bo would lend him a hand, though he highly doubted that. Maybe Tenzin could lend him the money to hire bounty hunters, that the chairman could do. Or, no it would be better if he went to Asami. Yes – if Asami could catch the terrorist even she had to admit she "redeemed" herself, right? Damn it, his belly hurt. As the adrenaline was leaving his veins he felt the impact of the stonepillar, as he felt the searing pain of the shallow cut in his arm. Damn those bastards. Mako strode on fast, he ignored the sweat that was streaming over his back, he breathed roughly and needed to halt for a few times.

Sato mansion was located outside of Republic city. Since the City had grown around the once famed Kantu Hills, the rich and mighty had translocated to the shoreline south of republic city. Shibara Beach was nothing less than a line of palaces, so to speak. The houses there were the most luxurious in the world, so Mako thought, and of course Sato Manison was located there. He never found out if Asami kept the Manison because it was exspectet of her or because she really did love it´s exclusive features. He himself actually felt uncomfortable in the gigantic house with it´s parklike garden. For a steetkid like him it was something almost otherworldly, even if he had been there often. Luckily Shibara was not protected by patrolling securities. Because of the even larger lawns the people employed their own, private secutiry, which was as heavily armed as the police. The coast street that wound ints way towards the fishing villages spread around Republic City was brand new, made with something the firenationers called tar. It was something that remained in the course of fuel production, if Mako recalled correctly, now in the summery heat the blackish stuff was so hot it would burn your feet if you walked barefooted.

Still the street was highly frequented by fish-traders and workers, who streamed into the city from the outlying villages. So even a badly dressed man like Mako could walk here without being arrested, or torn apart by reindeerdogs and catogators. Mako had reached the estates of the industrial bigshots, which hid behind solid walls and fences, which looked like they were erected to protect cities. Furthermore, the mansions were shrouded by small groves. Interestingly the parks were roamed by large amounts of small spirits, which had gained quite the bit of popularity due to their cuteness. Even now some kind of chickenlike, pink fluffball ways following Mako with huffing movements that somehow resembled a bouncing rubberball. He himself could not feel something besides creepiness looming in these gigantig, green eyes. "Hush – just get lost." He grumbled while fastening his stride. Luckily the little spirit soon lost its interest in Mako, it jumped into the basket a young woman was carrying. The girl of course started cooing the little thing. Mako finally spotted the familiar, almost twenty feet high brick wall, which separated Sato Manison from the rest of the world.

He walked up to the door and rung the electrical bell. Asami had all kind of cutting edge technology implemented in her home, the bell was just the beginning. A gatekeeper left the small cabin and looked though the platinum-bars of the gate. "Good evening, I´m Mako Chouw." Mako stated the obvious, even if he looked dirty he still looked like himself. The man frowned at his short scruffy looking beard. "You actually are. What happened to you Mr. Chouw?" the man asked him. Mako had never asked him for his name, he now realized. "Oh – job happened, you know. I have to speak with Miss Sato as fast as possible." He responded almost too eager. The man furrowed his brows. "I´ll announce you." He responded and returned into the cabin. "Miss Sato does not want to see you." The man responded. What? Mako grit his teeth, why was Asami acting childish just when he needed her to behave like an adult for ONCE! She had had so many other opportunities where she could have behaved childish all she wanted! "Sir, this is urgent. I need Miss Sato´s help, it´s about a project of her father." He played his trump card.

"Orders are orders Mr. Chouw. I can´t make an exception for you – I need this job!" the gatekeeper replied scratching his head. "I know my boss is giving strange orders in the last couple of days, but that doesn´t change the fact I have to obey them." He responded. Mako was fuming. "And if Asami said you should jump from the lighthouse you would - or what?" he snarled. "Come on, that´s just a pathetic excuse, furthermore I could return with a badge and a hand full of constables. You´re just doing Miss Sato a favor." He grumbled. The gatekeeper smugly twirled his mustache. "Could you?" he shot back. "Good Mr. Chouw. I could simply send you away and overhear somebody climbing the wall in front of the second yellow rhododendron, where the iron spikes shall be changed tomorrow…" the man trailed of while approaching the gate. "Of course that is just possible if something would dull my ears." He smiled innocently. That sly bastard – Mako cursed inwardly. But he knew that Asami had a bunch of security men that could deal with him. And if the gatekeeper called them things would turn ugly if she really did not want to see him. Mako sighed and pulled out the stolen money. "I guess I found your purse on the street. You really need to watch your money better old man." He responded dryly. The gatekeeper smiled.

"Ooh there it is, and I searched it since this morning. Thank you so much Mr. Chouw. You really are an honorable man." The servant praised him. Hypocritical asshole, Mako grumbled under his breath as he walked along the smooth brick wall. Mako flexed his fingers, seven years ago this wall would have been a piece of cake for him but since his cursed accident things looked differently. His right hand could fail at any time, also he had not trained his fingers properly. Why should he? He wasn´t a burglar anymore, so he simply could use doors! "Agni bless me." He sighed, while he started breathing rhythmically. In and out, in an out – while his inner flame started flaring up. He wove his arms and jumped, four jets of hissing orange flames scorching the ground. The flames propelled him upwards, while his strength was seeping out of his arms, ten feet, fifteen feet – and finally e hovered above the wall. There indeed were no iron spikes and so he could grab a hold as he let his flames go and dragged himself over the wall. He jumped down, while fire hissed out of his limbs. Nevertheless, the impact was bone rattling, also he smelled burnt leaves. The beautifully blooming bush in front of him looked quite scorched. Mako coughed and left the bush fast. He then walked towards the mansion. Two of the securities were sitting on a bench besides the big koi pond.

They were wearing electrocuting rods and heavy platinum armors. Each suit costed a small fortune – Mako knew that first hand. He had tried to buy such a thing for work! "Hey." He greeted cheerfully. The men looked up and nodded in his direction, being a security usually was boring as fuck, especially with somebody like Asami. The girl never had taken a bodyguard with her, so the whole job was about protecting a meticulously trimmed lawn and a modern palace! And since Mako had visited often lately the guys weren´t even annoying him with questions. He simply could enter the front doors of the mansion, which wasn´t even locked up. As he entered the pompous looking entry Mako felt even shabbier than before – he really was out of place here! Mako got out of his dirty boots and was disgusted by the smell of his own feet. He looked around because he should find a servant. Otherwise he could spend some hours on searching Asami, who was somewhere in this huge house. And since she most likely wanted to avoid him he could not solve the problem with yelling.

He decided to enter the blue saloon, where Asami usually waited for her guests. Most likely her butler would hang out there, because he thought this room to be his living room. Mako entered and indeed the old man almost jumped from the blue couch, placing the small book on the table without making a noise. He frowned at the poorly clad intruder. "Who in the heavens…" he started angry and walked up to Mako. As he approached him he noticed the familiar features. "Oh…Mr. Chouw – you´re welcome!" he greeted politely bowing. "You need a bath and some – befitting – clothes." The old man responded and gripped Makos robes. "Tang.." he started. "No buts – Miss Sato doesn´t want to see you Mr. Chouw. If I were to ignore your entry you have to look different from a common thug." The man responded firmly. Mako groaned "Tang – it´s about the squirelltoad – I need Asami´s help – NOW! I don´t have time to play dress up!" he hissed. The butler did not even react – stoic old bastard! He simply tugged on his sleeve like an impatient brat! Mako rolled his eyes – even if the old geezer wanted make him to take a pedicure that would take less time than searching the whole mansion for himself! This thing had close to seventy rooms, after all.

Tang led him towards the service elevator. The drove up and he was lead into one of the guest baths, where the old man poured him a bath and hurried of to get some clothes. Mako threw away his clothes and dove into the warm tingling bath that was good for his worn body. His stomach had turned into the colors of the rainbow, even sitting up hurt like hell. Luckily there was nothing broken he thought while clenching his teeth. He scrubbed himself with the sweet-smelling lavender soap. The water turned a muddy brownish color. He then rose from the bath, toweled himself and waited for Tan, who indeed returned with a well-fitting amber robe. Mako usually disliked robes, because he was a trousers man – but for now he would deal with it. Asami loved him wearing robes, because he looked like a "permanently pissed fairytale prince" she had stated once. "Why the heck do you have my sizes Tang?" he asked frowning. The old butler replied "I´m not authorized to answer this kind of personal questions Mr. Chouw." Then he again took the lead.

Hey walked upstairs until they reached Asamis working room. The mansion still looked rather- torn up – with wall claddings missing and stuff laying around everywhere. "Miss Sato is in there – I advise you not to make any ruckus." The butler deadpanned. "I´ll try – it´s not me who is making a ruckus nowadays Tang." He responded sighing. For a short second there was sadness and understanding in the old man´s eyes. "Please don´t be too harsh to the young mistress Mr. Chouw." He pleaded. Makos arm twitched. He could not promise something like this – it seemed Asami needed to get some sense slapped back into her messed up head. But otherwise, Mako Chouw had never been less sure on what to do. Well at least he could not remember an occasion. He gathered his strength and entered the room. Asami was wearing loosely cut white kimono and looked out of the window. "Tang – please leave me alone. I have to prepare myself for the arrest." She responded with a melancholic voice.

Arrest? Mako´s heart beat spiked. What hat she done to herself again? He just closed the distance. "What kind of arrest?" he asked worried. Asami tensed. "Why did Lin do this to you – couldn´t she send somebody else?" Asami asked sad and turned. Mako gasped. She looked beautiful, like some ethereal beauty straight of a tragic fairy tale. She was looking, content – and that was frightening him! But her eyes were so sad it pierced his chest. "There IS no arrest Asami! Chief Bei Fong would never arrest somebody just because she LOVES BEING IN JAIL and accusing herself of crimes!" he snarled furiously and gripped her shoulders, not caring that his fingers dug into soft skin.

"Just stop whining and accusing yourself of things YOU COULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED!" he growled. Asamis eyes widened. "M-Mako. I – I must face my punishment." She babbled. "I- must – die. The- The people…" She stated with tears running down her cheeks. Die – Mako stood there fazed. His mouth opened and closed as he tried to process what his friend had said. Then he snapped and did something he never had done before. He slapped Asami across the face. Her head rocketed back and she yelled in pain, as did he. His hand was throbbing, and the young woman's cheek was a blazing red in an instant. His chest was heaving as he started yelling in worry and anger. "What the FUCK are you thinking Asami. Like hell I´ll let you commit suicide. Don´t you give a fuck about me? Do you like to hurt me and Korra and everyone else? Stop talking about yourself like you are some worthless scum!" he blurted as Asami looked at him openmouthed, she even forgot to clasp her burning cheek. "You´re a beautiful woman and I was an idiot for cheating on you - ok. Despise me if you want just - SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT KILLING YOURSELF!" he rambled while his chest was heaving.

He still went on "I don´t know anyone who´s giving to the poor as much as you do. I don´t know anybody more loyal to her friends– these fuckwads just wanted to make a point Asami. They just wanted to BE SURE that you´ve gotten no newer plans than they already stole! They ALREADY HAD your dads plans! And now I´ve found their manufacture I promise you that I´ll show no mercy!" he stated with icy fury simmering in his chest. "Y-You found – them?" Asami croaked, her eyes shining in a determination Mako had deemed lost. "Yes, but I need your help Asami, I need all help I can get. I´m on vacation, I´ve got no evidence besides testimony. But I will not let them get away!" Mako babbled with a brimming voice. Asami gulped, then she wrapped herself around the young man with an almost hulking strength. She felt bony, but nevertheless she was really strong, Mako had to grit his teeth because his stomach hurt as she pressed herself against him harshly. Asami was shaking like a leaf, but obviously, she was too stubborn to cry.

He Nails were digging in his back unpleasantly, nevertheless he was totally overwhelmed by her slightly flowery scent. Mako shook his head. "Why- are you having so much faith in me?" she asked silently as she finally softened her iron grip. Mako sighed in relief, now he would not have minded to hold her. Before he thought anything through he sputtered and released her. "Cause you never let me down Asami! If I hadn´t faith in you I couldn´t have faith in myself!" he stated as if it was something perfectly normal. "You-I´ve not deserved this." She mumbled with a small voice. Than her face hardened and for the first time since her father's death Mako saw the old Asami. Her green eyes were cold as she rose her chin with the unparalleled grace of the rich. "Of course I will help you Mako. These men must be put down. I will not risk monsters like these committing crimes again." She nodded solemn.

Putting them down. Mako gulped. Asami was right, these men would try to escape jail for the rest of their lives, and they would not stop until the earthen army had the terrifying weapons they wielded themselves. And then there would be war again. No, he would not let that happen! "Do you have mercenaries on you hand Asami?" he asked, Mako knew perfectly well that they needed far more than team Avatar – if Korra was willing to help. Mako had done his research about the Avatar, what he found was rather disturbing. The only Avatar who ever had killed somebody in cold blood had been Kusanagi, and she had died the same night under horrible spasms! To him it was clear – an Avatar COULD not kill – Raava did not allow it. Asami frowned "No – I don´t deal with mercenaries Mako, just because I`m rich I…" she huffed until she smiled humored. Mako facepalmed himself. "I apologize Asami. I´m an Idiot, but I´m starving, thirsty and have not slept for two days straight." He responded his arm still was twitching occasionally. Asami blinked. "Mako…what were you idiot doing? No don´t even babble some bullcrap… Sit down here. I´ll get you some food." She scolded him like a little boy who had done something stupid. Mako felt a warmth spread through his chest as Asami left the room. He could not even remember when a woman had brought him some food.

Korra had never done it, and if he recalled correctly this also was a first time for Asami. He sat in the chair, while his mind was thinking busily. He was weighing options – the only promising option was Chief Bei Fong in his opinion. Tenzin would never agree to killing these bastards. His children also were out of question, they were children! Mako would not drag Bo Lin into this, his brother was a married man now. Also, he had too soft a heart for a job like this, which finally eliminated Korra. Despite her powers she could not go along with what had to be done. Maybe Mr. Lee would help – he had been a cop and a rather tough one at that. That was what Captain Hungshu had told him, and Mako was rather sure that his Cap would be eager to join the squad along with one or two of his colleagues. Asami returned with a bowl in her hands. She pressed it into Makos hands, he enjoyed the touch of her soft skin almost as much as he enjoyed the milk he downed hastily. Asami chuckled. "Hm?" the young man snorted.

"You´ve got a milk beard." She responded. "I never thought a beard would suit you Mako." She added seriously. Mako ran his hands through the black hair that covered his face. "To call that mess a beard… I´m horrified Miss Sato." He snickered and sighed. "I was thinking about options – the two of us won´t even have a chance against these guys. They have hired half a terra chapter, the really nasty guys." Mako responded. Asami frowned angrily. "Bad news – but can´t we pick these dudes off on by one? Do you know where they are living?" she asked. Mako shook his head. Sadly, he did not, but he feared his cover had been blown, so he had not time to find that out. "No, I doubt they are living anywhere fixed. But I know that they transport their daily production in the evening, which means we have a time window of half an hour." He explained.

"I am going to pull the Chief and Cap Hungshu in the boat, maybe Mr. Lee, he´s an ex-cop." He responded. "What´s about Korra? She´s the Avatar Mako." Asami responded "And I would like her at my back. Even though she might not be ok with – our job." The young woman responded grimly. "Which is the reason, why I won´t bring her in trouble, she is family." Mako growled protectively. Asami lowered her gaze. "But you said we needed power Mako – I can set some money out for bounty hunters, or gangers but these guys might turn against us and sack in the weapons. And I highly doubt my security forces are in for something of this magnitude." She responded. "I don´t have connection to people like the golden shirshu´s or other big shots in that trade!" Asami responded helplessly. "I just wanted to sell things that make people's lives better." She clenched her fists and seated herself opposite to Mako. I had to be hard on her, Mako was admiring the strength his friend displayed. Had he grown up in such a golden cage, he would have been broken a long, long time ago. But it seemed Asami was- better at least.

Mako looked at his scarred hand, he had to ask himself some questions about duty. Was it his duty to obey the law, or was it his duty to do justice? He was sure that he could kill a man, but could Asami live with killing a person? He did not doubt that she could do it, but that was just the smallest step. "Asami – are you willing to kill Colonol Chun?" he asked her. "I don´t mind if you are not." He added. He could hear the sound of grinding teeth. "Oh-hell yes Mako." She responded. "An believe me – I´m making some calls right now. And you Mr. tough ass copper lay down and sleep." She responded. "I´ve slept good this night, also I´m going to dress myself properly." She responded and patted his head. Mako fought a blush- patting his head, was he a five-year old?!