~Chapter 17~

Red Silk

Sozza sighed. "Well we'll deal with the Fire Lord and the Chief when they get here." She looked Korra up and down. "Uh, what happened to you?"

"Doesn't matter, I came to you two for a reason. Mr. Sato, I think he's working with Amon and he's plotting something for the end of this week."

Lin crossed her arms. "And how do you know that? What evidence do you have?"

Korra sighed. "I was at Sato Manor hanging out with Asami and long story short I over heard him talking about this big deal going down at the end of the week and he told me that it was because he just got a deal with the Fire Nation Navy."

Sozza crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "That's impossible. The Fire Nation can't have military contracts from other nations; it's against so many treaties it's not worth the risk to try."

Korra nodded. "Yeah, that's what I remembered so I came to you two."

Lin pulled a small piece of scented candle wax. "After what? Wrestling in a candle factory?"

Blood pooled in Korra's cheeks. "I had a bit of a spa day. It got a little messy."

"I see." Sozza frowned. "Go get cleaned up. Lin and I will deal with Mr. Sato and future industries."

Korra nodded and started to walk away. She paused. "I know I can't warn Asami about what ever you're planning to do but I don't think she's involved and I want to protect her."

Lin nodded. "We'll see what we can do to keep her out of it. Let's just establish Mr. Sato's involved with Amon."

.o.

Iroh limped back into his room and shut the door. He stripped his clothes and quickly jumped into the shower to wash off as much evidence as he could. He was just wrapping up the last of his "injuries" when Amano walked into his room without knocking. Iroh looked up.

"Glad I put on my boxers before patching myself up." Iroh put his glasses on. "Can I help you boss?"

"Yes, get dressed I want you to meet one of my greatest allies."

Iroh pulled on his pants. "Do you think that's wise? Do you really think you can trust me?"

Amon chuckled and patted his shoulder. "I know I can trust you because you know if you cross me, I will rip out your dear beloved's heart from across the room and make you watch." The man laughed softly as he left the room.

Iroh cringed. "Note to self if things go bad, empty the whole gun into his scheming head."

.o.

Asami was livid. "My father is not an equalist! You're boyfriend might be but not my father!"

Korra cringed. "That's the last time I confide in you. I…look, it's more complicated then that and," She sighed, "They're just fallowing the evidence. If your dad's not working with Amon then no harm no foul."

Asami crossed her arms. "No harm no foul? Korra there are police tearing up my home and all my father's factories and warehouses! And here we are staying at this strange house in the woods!"

Bolin looked up from petting Pabu. "Hey this isn't just some strange house in the woods. It's the super secret old head quarters of the UFO." He smiled. "I remember when mom used to bring Mako and I here while she worked." He pointed to a wall with writing on. "See! This is where our heights were recorded…and you two really don't care do you?"

The two girls shook their heads. "Nope."

"Not really." Asami sighed. "Look, Bolin I know you're trying to help but it's just been really hard with everyone calling my dad a terrorist."

Bolin nodded. "I get that, I mean I've practically grown up with everyone calling my mom a legal terrorist and I'm pretty sure Korra can relate too. Right Korra?"

Korra looked over from picture. "Oh yeah, totally can relate. Supposed terrorist boyfriend after all."

"Or very overzealous spy." Kayther added walking in. "So small update; we haven't found anything yet in Mr. Sato's factories."

"So let my dad go!"

"I can't do that Miss Sato." Kayther looked at the young girl. "But I do have a job for you miss Sato. You're familiar with your father's technology yes? His engineering style as it were."

Asami narrowed her eyes. "I'm not going to help you frame my father."

"Oh we don't need you to do that. We know that your father, or one of his engineers, is supplying Amon with those nasty shocky sticks." Kayther leaned against a wall. "No I need you to look at what remains of a bomb. It doesn't look like your dad's work but we want someone to confirm that it is or is not your father's work."

Asami crossed her arms. "What kind of bomb?"

"The same kind that sliced your boyfriend into three and killed who knows how many people."

Asami sighed. "Fine, I'll help you with that. I want to find out who bombed those buildings as much as anyone."

Kayther nodded. "Thank you, please come this way."

Korra watched as Asami was escorted away and sighed. Bolin looked at her sympathetically. "Korra you doing ok? I mean with everyone saying your husband is a traitor and stuff it's got to be hard on you."

Korra looked over at her friend and gave a weak smile. "Funny thing is that's not the hard part in all of this. I trust Iroh to do what he thinks is best no that's not what I'm worried about."

"Then what?" Bolin moved closer to Korra. "What's worrying you?"

"My father and Iroh's mother are coming to the city." She wrapped her arms around her. "They always make things worse when trying to 'fix' things. I love my dad, I do but when he and Izumi are together I just feel like a small clockwork doll taking their orders without question."

Bolin nodded. "When are they set to arrive?"

"Soon, maybe, I think the end of the week when all hell breaks loose." Korra sighed. "Wish they would just let the people here handle this."

.o.

Tarlok waited at the docks as the Fire Nation ship docked and two of the most powerful people disembarked. Fire Lord Izumi looked as regal as ever and Chief Tonraq emanated a raw power that was rare in this city. Next to the councilman were Korra and Tenzin. Tarlok glanced down and was surprised to see the light dimming in Korra's eyes.

Izumi stepped off the gangplank and immediately focused on Korra. The Fire Lord gave her a sympathetic smile. "It will be alright in the end, child don't worry." Izumi turned to Tarlok. "Councilman Tarlok, I need you to brief me on exactly what's been going on in this city and organize a dinner where I can meet and talk to anyone of any importance."

She started to walk away and Tarlok found himself jogging to catch up. "Of course, that shouldn't be a problem, Fire Lord Izumi."

She paused to turn and look at him. "Good, then I expect it to be up to traditional standards." She looked back at Korra who was talking to her father quietly. "Oh! And Korra wear red silk at the dinner, it's traditional."

The avatar nodded. "Yes, Fire Lord Izumi."