The makeshift lab that surrounded the crater was quite impressive given its impromptu construction. Machines designed by Varrick to siphon the energy of the spirit vines had been repurposed; with varying degrees of success, to harvest the energy of the mallet that sit unmoved at the center of newly constructed laboratory.
After several attempts and a few near catastrophic failures; one almost resulting the complete annihilation of their work site, the scientists of the Earth Empire had finally managed their first successful harvest.
The litany of lab technicians and assistance flited around the work site dodging one another and the wires haphazardly strewn about the room as they recorded data and helped to maintain the delicate balance needed to keep their siphons from overloading.
"How are things proceeding Baatar? Has there been any luck in trying to the damned cudgel?" Kuvira spoke coldly to her fiancée and she stared at the hammer at the bottom of the pit. It seemed to mock her, for all her prowess and skill, her intellect and military might she could not get the damned hammer to budge in the slightest.
"Unfortunately we have made no forward progress in that endeavor, however he have been able to successfully start to harvesting energy, and our initial tests are quite promising" his even tone did little curb the irritation that was creased into Kuvira's face.
"I'm glad to hear that, and what do your tests indicate exactly?" though the words she spoke were pleasant enough, Kuvira's tone conveyed none that pleasantness, it was as though what she spoke came out as steel rather than air.
"Well…Precursory tests have shown us that the energy is similar to that of what is contained by the spirit vines, however the energy within the hammer is much more potent"
"Is that it?" Kuvira's irritation was now evident in her voice instead of just her face.
"There was something else, but I believe it to be an error and I would like to run further tests before making an official report" Baatar hoped this would sate her long enough to finish his studies, but it had only served to pique her curiosity.
"Tell me everything you know" she said turning to face her fiancée, though veiled in a softer tone, the authority Kuvira's held was without question. With a sigh Baatar divulged what was in his mind questionable data.
"Well we have managed to extract roughly ten thousand times the amount of energy from this hammer than we have been able to previously from all our know spirit vine samples" at this Kuvira's eyes seemed to light up. After a moment of hesitation Baatar continued.
"However unlike our vine samples which were essentially drained after a siphoning, this hammer's energy levels seem to remain stable, we have not been able to detect even the slightest drop in it energy stores" he finished stoically.
"Are you saying what I think you are?" the excitement in Kuvira's voice was almost imperceptible, but Baatar could hear it. He once again let out a sigh before continuing.
"Like I said these reading are most likely an incorrect; while this hammer produces massive amounts of energy, what our initial tests say about its potential are scientifically impossible even the spirits have their limits" he reasoned trying to keep her from getting to excited about the prospect.
"Perhaps Baatar… but what if they are accurate? Imagine it, a limitless power source at our disposal, we could lead the world into a new Golden Age" her voice was full of conviction and promise, but her eyes held a glint that deeply disturbed Baatar.
Kuvira turned back to face the hammer, eyeing it like a predator would a shank of meat. As Baatar was about to respond to his fiancée's words the air seemed to grow thick and the smell of ozone hung heavily over them, the needles on their energy readers started going haywire followed quickly flashing of warning light and the panicked beeping of the siphon systems overloading. None of those involved were prepared for what happened next.
The skies over Air Temple Island were clear and pristine for miles around, so the sound of thunder in the distance managed to draw the attention of the three young adults sitting the courtyard.
"Was that Tenzin's houseguest?" Mako inquired in an almost suspicious tone.
"Not sure, we haven't seen Thor all morning" Korra said shielding her eyes from the sun as she peered in the direction where the sound had originated from hoping to find the culprit.
"What kind of name is Thor by the way? His whole story seems off, are you sure we can trust him?" Mako inquired ever the skeptic, a trait made worse by his career as a detective. Asami was the first to respond.
"If you saw what we saw you wouldn't be so skeptical, plus he seems like a nice guy who's just trying to find a way home" her words seemed to sooth Mako uninviting edge.
"Besides he's not what we need to be worrying about right now, Kuvira has taken Zaofu do you think she's going to stop there? Before long she's going to turn her attention on Republic City, and then after that who knows" Korra's words carried a very grave tone with them.
"How do you know she's going to come here? The Earth Kingdom is reunited she has no reason to press her advance any further" the words left Mako's mouth more hopeful than certain.
"Despots do no stop, like Níðhöggr who gnaws at the roots of the Yggdrasil, they consume with reckless abandon even though there actions will ultimately bring about their demise" The trio turned to see Thor; now dressed in a dark burgundy clothes that allowed him to blend in better with the people of Republic City, entering the court yard as he quickly reached into the sky and plucked something from it unseen to the rest of them. Until he let his arm fall to his side grasping a large war hammer. "Okay… I'm going to be honest I only caught about half of what you said, and second where did the hammer come from?" Korra deadpanned gesturing to the intimidating weapon now in Thor's grip. "He's saying that people like Kuvira don't stop, that she will eventually march on Republic city, he's right and it won't be hard for Kuvira to justify it to herself either, Republic City was once part of the Earth Kingdom" Asami explained to Korra what Thor had so convolutedly just said. "But… I am intrigued by your weapon as well, how did you summon it" Asami said turning from her friend to get a closer look at Thor's hammer, she had the same look in her eyes as when she had been examining his armor. "Mjolnir was a gift to me from my father and has been mystically bound to me, whenever I call it will answer and return to my grip no matter the distance" there a ghost of a smile on his face as he spoke of home and his father "Do you mind if I take a closer look?" she asked her curiosity getting the better of her. "Asami! As amazing as the flying hammer is, we need to concentrate on the Kuvira situation" Korra said pulling her friend back to the situation at hand.
"Right, right sorry I just got carried away" she said shaking her head.
"So what's the plan, we can't just wait here for her to come us, and President Raiko and Tenzin seem to want avoid conflict at all costs even though it seems as though war is already here" Mako spoke evenly, although it was clear he was hesitant about something.
"Mako… what about Bolin?" Asami asked in a soft concerned tone.
"What about him!? He made his choice!" he snapped back, though he was shouting the hurt was clear in his voice.
"He's your brother Mako" Korra answered for Asami her words were simple, but they seemed to have a profound effect on Mako. Who seemed to calm down but seemed more sullen than normal.
"It doesn't matter anymore, he's chosen who he stands with, there's nothing I can do" Mako looked away, the defeat apparent in his voice.
"Do not be so quick to discount your brother, if he cares for you he will make the right choice eventually, it may take some time but he will come around… trust me" Thor spoke from experience, if Loki could find redemption then no one was beyond it. His words earned him a quizzical look from those assembled, but there was a wisdom there that seemed to ease Mako's mind, even if it was just slightly.
Although the others were concerned about Mako and Bolin, their brotherly issues had to take back seat to the looming threat of the Earth Empire, and besides Thor was right once Boling saw what he a really involved in he would make the right choice, but with the threat of imminent war they hoped he would not make it too late.
"What is your plan lady Korra? From what your mentor has told me this realm is under your protection, I would not wish to overstep my bounds, but know that you can rely on my aid should you need it, I will not abandon those it need" Thor spoke to her respectably, but he received a sigh of slight annoyance from the Avatar.
"First off could please drop the whole "lady Korra' thing, I'm just Korra, and second…" Korra trailed off not quite sure how to proceed.
"I don't know where we go from here, without the Avatar state I can't beat Kuvira let alone her army. Right now out best option is with Tenzin and President Raiko, hopefully we can avoid war" Korra finished dejectedly, she knew full well that war was upon them, maybe they could delay it but soon Kuvira marshal her forces to the city.
"You would stand by as your realm subjected to the boot of a tyrant?" Thor asked incredulously. This choice of words had only succeeded in shocking Mako and Asami as well as drawing out Korra's ire.
"What you have me do? I already tried to fight her once and got my ass handed to me, I can't win against her…not by myself I'm not strong enough" Korra's eyes moved to her feet unable to look the thunder god or her friends in their faces. Even after three years she felt weak and useless, it wasn't supposed to be this way. She felt a prickle behind her eyes until she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder followed by a soft voice.
"Then don't stand alone, your friends and family are here, and we will fight with you" Asami's word pulled Korra from the cusp of her personal despair.
"We were always here Korra, you don't have to face this alone" Mako smiled reassuring at the Avatar.
"I can tell by the fire in your eyes, you are stronger than you know Avatar Korra, but you have lost faith in yourself. I know not what happened to you, but I can tell you have the heart of Valkyrie beating in your chest and you will find a way to stand against your foes" Thor's word resounded with Korra, and for the first time in months she felt her confidence stir, it may be a while yet but she was going to get back to where she was.
What was moments ago a productive laboratory now had been laid to waste by the violent and sudden disappearance of their test subject. Shortly before rocketing into the air at imperceptible speed the hammer had a massive increase in it power output, effectively destroying all the sensors in the makeshift work site. Several of the containment units had been overloaded and burst causing massive amounts of additional damage.
Baatar Jr. searched the wreaked site for fiancée hoping to find her unharmed, but also hoping that this latest mishap may temper her and keep from perusing; what he now realized was a very dangerous technology, with such reckless abandon. His thought process was interrupted by the shifting of stone to his left. A sudden burst of earthbending threw a large piece of metal from one of the siphons in to the air revealing Kuvira beneath it, her clothes and hair mussed and soiled but largely unharmed.
"Kuvira! Are you hurt? Let me take a look at you" Baatar rambled as he approach her side, only to be shoved off as he got close.
"I'm fine…gather your men Baatar, get out there and find my hammer" she almost shouted as she dusted herself off.
"Kuvira… if I may, I don't think…"
"You may not Baatar, I gave an order, and I expect you find what is mine" her eyes held no room for argument.
"Yes of course, as you wish Great Uniter" he said coldly before turning and leaving her presence hoping that he had imagined the look in her eyes.