"Asakawa!" screamed Kuvira against the roar of the enraged crowd clamoring outside. "Tell me again how great of an idea was to come here!"
"This wasn't supposed to happen" stammered timidly the government official. He dared to peek through the window but the instant his visage was partially seen, a barrage of vegetables was hurled towards his location.
"Well, it is happening" retorted Bataar sardonically. "The question is why. You made sure the mayor agreed to our visit, right?"
"I did" the counselor replied almost weeping. "Mayor Lao said he was looking forward the negotiations. He was under the pressure of many powerful factions to favor one over the other and sought out our assistance to help sort out the situation. He never implied things could get…agitated with our presence."
Kuvira glared at the bald man. "If he sought out government assistance, perhaps it's because he feared things could get violent."
"I…I didn't interpret it that way…" the man said sheepishly, deep worry lines creasing his forehead.
"And there's that little nugget of information about this town being a former Earth Empire reeducation camp location. Did no one thought we should have known that beforehand?" Kuvira pinched the bridge of her nose. This was an obvious setback to the string of successful negotiations the former Earth Empire leaders had brokered in various Earth Kingdom hotspots during the past months…until today.
"Bataar, what's our transport status? Hong Li and Lin are doing wonders with what little we can do to keep the crowd controlled without the use of force but they can't hold on for much longer and the town's security forces are long gone. We need to bail and soon."
Bataar was startled by the smashing of a bottle through the window of the mayor's office, forcing him to move behind a desk as he kept incessantly radioing Zaofu. The edible projectiles had now changed to solid objects and the discontent of the crowd seemed to have increased its pitch. The office owner himself had managed to sneak to another location with the help of a small contingent of town guards but the visitors remained stuck at the town hall from where they were supposed to address the people on the subject of King Wu's proposals. Instead, a large concentration of former "reeducation" camp prisoners gathered to protest the presence of the Earth Empire commanders on their town. Their surrender and prison sentences didn't make an iota of difference on the minds of those who had suffered under the yoke of the Empire at its peak and its heavy handed disciplinary tactics.
"Still too far away Kuvira. We need to somehow hold on until they can make it here. They didn't expect to have to come and pick us up so soon and…"
The loud bang of a door slamming cut short Bataar's words. It was Hong Li. His tunic and armor were a mess. The tunic and pants were dirty from produce, the armor dull instead of shimmering as it was during the morning. His paled face reflected the increased violence he had managed to endure but the weary and concerned look on his face stunned the small group that sheltered inside the office.
"It's that bad" stated rather than asked Bataar.
"It's going to get worse. My scouts saw a group of bandits with couple of tanks and a small squadron of mechas coming this way. I don't think there were any intentions of negotiations happening here today." The guard captain took off his helmet and slicked back his sweat drenched hair.
"It doesn't make any sense. The reports stated that there were opposition factions to the government democratic proposals but they had never been overtly violent" the bureaucrat said confused.
"I think our presence gave them a good reason to become violent" retorted Kuvira soberly. "We should have been informed this region used to host the camps." Her frown deepened. It was a topic that it was equal parts shameful and painful for the former head of state. Many a sleepless night and restless days were triggered from reading report after report of the mistreatment and abuses that took place in the camps. When the Earth Empire Inner Council agreed to the establishment of the camps, it had initially been seen as necessary evil to deal with the ever increasing amount of dissenters who opposed their goals of prosperity and modernization through unity. The fact that they were mostly run by former Dai Li agents was always a point of contention amongst her circle but both Bataar and her saw no other viable options at the moment. What was supposed to have been a temporary measure to deal with both the dissenters and to appease the Dai Li operatives her army absorbed into its rank and file instead became a permanent fixture at many towns like this one. Kuvira grimly understood that at the time she had chosen what she thought was the lesser of two evils: accept the shady operatives into her army or risk having them become an enemy operating against her from the shadows. In her inexperience and naiveté, she believed she would succeed in converting them into the ethos and lofty expectations of her organization. Arrogantly, Kuvira truly convinced herself she would succeed where even Avatar Kyoshi had failed in reforming the sinister organization. Instead, the agents kept operating unabashedly with the blessing of the new Earth Empire and during its run, the ex Dai Li operatives managed in successfully making converts to their questionable methods and ideology, infiltrating the upper echelons of the chain of command. It was a decision that to this day haunted her and proved to have permanent consequences. Her assassination attempt in prison and now this riot were living proof of the high price she was paying for her indifference towards the suffering and oppression of innocents under her stewardship. For turning a blind eye and tolerance to ever mounting allegations of abuse right under her nose. It was a crime that no amount of contrition nor regret would ever wash away.
"Kuvira! Kuvira! Snap out of it!" The metalbender felt herself being violently shaken by the shoulders by Chief Beifong.
"Lin?" Kuvira faced the steeled glance of Lin glaring at her in disbelief and frustration. Her fingers were digging deep into her shoulders making her wince. The elder metalbender released her vice like grip when Kuvira's eyes finally met hers.
"She must have spaced out" Bataar commented as he moved beside the former commander with a grim expression. "I know that faraway look. I've been told I look like that when I go into an episode."
"An episode?" queried a confused Asakawa.
"Yes. Emotional distress. From what we've talked during these travels, we've both reacted in similar ways when we were given the details of what really happened in the camps. It became so bad for me that I had to be sedated and put on surveillance. I'd refused to eat for days on end after I heard what some of the former prisoners testified against me." Lin's mind traveled back to when Kuvira was imprisoned and of the tales she'd heard of the violent self-harm rampages the metalbender went through as a way to deal with her distress. It was then when Korra decided to participate more actively in the former tyrant's rehabilitation before the situation worsened.
"Glad she managed to recover because we have not time for that now. I saw an unknown airship land near here and a battle broke down between whoever arrived and the armored contingent that was coming this way" Lin stated still eyeing the metalbender, recalling the other time Kuvira had displayed a similar haunted reaction: when they arrived at Zaofu. For the veteran Chief of Police, it was sometimes still unreal to see the vestiges of emotional damage on the former leader. She was so used to the smug, self-assured woman she once fought as an enemy that it was disconcerting to witness the pain that hid beneath the mask.
"Could be reinforcements?" Hong Li posited as he fixed his armor, realizing that the roar of the crowd had died down almost as suddenly at it had been ignited.
"I don't know but the crowd has mostly dispersed. Apparently they weren't aware that a small well armed bandit army was heading this way" the Chief replied as she moved towards the window and noticed that the majority of people had in most part abandoned the barricaded area in front of the town center.
"Kuvira! Bataar! Are you still there?" A female voice came roaring from the other side of the door.
"Thran? Is that you?" Kuvira exchanged a hopeful glance with Bataar as she leapt to her feet and ran towards the door. When she opened it, an imposing figure clad in formal Earth Kingdom greens strutted inside. The woman was as tall as Chief Beifong but instead of slender built, she was thick and broad shouldered. Her shoulder length black hair sported silver streaks and a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Commander, I can't believe you couldn't manage this. Prison really did a number on you" the former warlord commented with a disappointed tone.
"We didn't want to use force to repel the manifestation. Captain Hong Li and Chief Beifong kept a defensive stance until we could depart but then we caught sight of heavily armed bandits incoming" Kuvira exchanged a quick military salute with the newcomer, followed by with a warm embrace.
"They are not going to make it to their destination because my people and I took care of them" the former senior officer replied with a smirk.
Everybody in the room looked astounded by the unexpected news but simultaneously let out a collective relieved sigh.
"Thran, my friend. You're re a sight for sore eyes" Bataar exclaimed as he went to embrace his former colleague.
"Likewise Bataar. I couldn't allow these bandits to harm not a single hair of that brilliant head of yours. My offer still stands you know?" Thran replied as she winked impishly at Bataar. The engineer let out a cough obviously uncomfortable while Lin and Kuvira eyed the former Earth Empire officer befuddled.
"Oh, he never told you? Back in the day when we began working together, I made my interest towards him very obvious but he never relented to my advances. I'm still not sure if it was because he really loved you or feared you. My guess is it must have been a bit of both. I tried to tell you the last time we met but he expertly steered the conversation away from that subject."
"Spirits…" muttered Bataar mortified.
Kuvira lifted an eyebrow as she looked at Bataar questioningly. The former second in command paled under the inquisitive glance the metalbender was bestowing him. Chief Beifong snorted under her breath.
"I bet there's a fascinating and juicy story to tell but first things first. Thran, how did you knew we needed help?"
"I was on my way to Ba Sing Se for meetings with electoral officials when my crew intercepted your distress messages and since I was close, I decided to check what was happening. We landed just when the tanks were advancing towards the town. We weren't many but we had the element of surprise. By the time the leader of the daofei realized they were under attack, we had already taken down most of the mechas and the tanks. My security detail is taking them to the town prison as we speak. I believe an interrogation is in order."
Kuvira stood silent for a moment.
"It's everything alright?" Asakawa asked when he noticed the pensive expression on the former commander's face.
"I think we might be able to salvage the negotiations counselor. Hong Li, please get the mayor and have his people gather the townspeople. We have someone I'm sure they will gladly speak to."
"We do?"
"Yes. You'll see what I mean soon. Come on, let's go outside, I think we all need the fresh air after this."
Just when the group departed the premises of the battered town hall, screams for afar alerted them to the burly figure of a man approaching them at top speed as he managed to skillfully avoid Hong Li's and Lin's security detail.
"Watch out!" hollered Kuvira when she noticed the water from a nearby fountain that the man bended above his head and the moves he was executing now. She had seen them up close and personal at prison. Irri the prison guard had used the same moves when she attacked Kuvira. Her eyes opened wide. An explosion of sharpened ice shards followed her warning flying at the group directed by the man. Kuvira pushed Counselor Asakawa to the ground while Thran managed to deflect most of the shards with a quick earthbending counterattack. Before he could attempt a second attack, Lin moved to his blind side while Thran and Hong Li kept him distracted. The Chief threw one of her cables around the man's ankles, making him fall and before he could even think about getting up, he saw the glimmer of the edge at Lin's forearm.
"I wouldn't try to stand up if I were you" Lin growled as the Republic City security detail tied his wrists and took him away.
"That was too close" Bataar groaned in pain. An errant ice shard had found a target impaling on the engineer's right thigh. The sight of crimson on the hand that went to touch his leg made him dizzy and he fell sitting down to the ground as blood began to dampen his pants. Kuvira stood up from where she had covered Asakawa and sped towards her former second in command.
"Don't move. We don't know how close it might be to the femoral artery."
Bataar made a feeble attempt at a smile but his pale face betrayed the fact that he was in pain.
"I won't" he gritted between his teeth. The metalbender held his hand as she let out a whispered "I'm sorry."
"I'll have my medic tend to his wounds" Thran offered as she approached them and appraised his status. Her eyebrows were furrowed in worry.
The Zaofu guards had returned from locating the town's mayor and they were already rummaging through a first aid kit. Townspeople were returning to the town square led by the mayor and his people. Once Bataar began receiving medical assistance, Kuvira stood up and motioned Thran to follow suit.
"Thank you so much for your help today. This would have been a complete disaster without your intervention."
"For old times' sake Kuvira. When we needed your help, you came through with us. It was the least I can do and besides, your proposal is giving me and the people in my province a chance for a better future."
The former leader smiled and placed a hand over the taller woman's shoulder.
"Thran, do you think I can bother you with one last favor?" queried Kuvira as she scanned the crowd that was staring at her with distrustful eyes. She could sense the apprehension in the air and understood that something needed to be done and quickly.
Thran lifted an eyebrow skeptically.
"I'm going to be horribly late to my meeting so this better be worthwhile."
Kuvira directed a confident smile at her former subordinate. "Believe me, it is and if you succeed, which I'm sure you will, not only you'll have the best excuse to be late, you will become the government's darling. Just be ready to fend off Wu's advances when he meets you" the metalbender added with a smirk.
The veteran official's eyebrows rose high and was unable to control the grimace that materialized on her face at the last comment.
-oOo-
Kuvira peeked inside the darkened stateroom. Although she couldn't see his face clearly from her vantage point, she could notice the even rising and falling of his chest evidencing his deep slumber. The silence of the cabin would occasionally be broken by an occasional snore.
"He can sure make some noise" Lin whispered as she observed her injured nephew. "Perhaps you dodged a bullet by not marrying him."
The former captain chuckled and made a gesture to Lim to follow her so they could talk without disturbing the engineer's rest.
"Because you haven't heard Korra. When she's really tired, she can make Naga sound like a puppy in comparison." Despite the humorous comment, there was a wistful glint in her eyes. It was evident she missed the Avatar but she was away on her own mission with General Iroh II and Asami.
"Oh, I've heard it. Gave me quite the scare the first time I did. I couldn't believe that sound was coming from that girl's body." Both women laughed at the mental image of the Avatar unheroically snoring competing quite successfully against her polar dog companion.
"That was some quick thinking there. You saved the day" added the Chief in a more serious tone.
Kuvira shrugged. "I didn't. Thran saved the day by taking care of both the bandits and convincing the townspeople of our good intentions."
"That's what I meant. You didn't allow your personal pride from making the best decision for the situation at hand."
"I doesn't take a lot of common sense to understand when you're not wanted somewhere. I'm glad she succeeded where we failed."
"Still, it was the wisest option. That woman is a natural at politics. I got to say that it was quite impressive how the crowd warmed to her and how receptive they became to the proposals. I think that with people like Thran in charge, the Earth Kingdom does have a bright future ahead."
"It does. Despite today's momentary setback, I think we managed to get the job done. How long until we land in Zaofu?"
"I think we're just a couple of hours away. I'm going to catch some Z's for the remainder of the journey and I highly suggest you do the same. It has been a long day and Su has already been notified we're arriving earlier than expected."
Kuvira yawned. "I think I'll do just that. I just hope that Su has taken the news of Bataar's injury calmly. I'm just too exhausted to deal with her moods."
Lin nodded and both women soon disappeared into their own staterooms to take a much deserved rest. However, in a few hours, Kuvira would personally find out just how Suyin had taken the news. She would certainly not like it.
Notes:
We paused our scheduled Beifong drama for some action and political drama on this chapter. Hope you've enjoyed the change of pace but fear not, more Suyin shenanigans await Kuvira and company on the next installment.