Chapter 6: Bendin' The Law A Lot Part 2

"This seat taken?" Korra only shrugged as she stared at the contents of her glass, giving Zoe a quick nod before the older woman sat down across from her at the table. The barkeep had been nice enough to throw her a bunch of ice wrapped in a dirty rag, which Korra had pressed against her sore jaw the moment she sat down. That was a distant thought for Korra though when Zoe raised an eyebrow at the fresh bruise. "Shouldn't have kept on pokin' the Captain like that. Must be your lucky day, considering he didn't shoot you."

Korra raised her eyebrows but said nothing at first. The problem was Zoe was right, but Korra couldn't keep her mouth shut to save her life. Taking a breath, the Avatar groaned as she moved the ice wrapped rag against her sore jaw. "Funny thing is Zoe, I can't find a way to argue with his twisted logic." Korra sighed, took a sip from her glass, and leaned back in her seat to meet Zoe's gaze. "I'm not stupid, I get where he's coming from, I just wish there was another way that didn't have us profiting off of someone else's misery."

"Can't say I blame ya, but this is what we do." Zoe stated, and nodded her head in thanks when someone sat down another glass in front of her. "We make what money we can so we can keep on flyin'. Might not be the best way, but we don't have a lotta choice with the way things are."

Korra sighed and slumped in her chair, her gaze downcast. "Your 'verse is so out of balance, it's amazing there's anything out here."

"Says something about us though doesn't it? No matter how bad things get, we find a way to keep going." Zoe replied firmly before her brown eyes softened somewhat. "Still, despite his faults, the captain has the best interests of his crew at heart. He does what he has to to keep us going, even if not all of us agree with his way of doing things."

"I know….it's just hard. Service and sacrifice is all I know." With another sigh, Korra tossed her rag down on the table as well as a few of the crumpled bills that passed for money in this place.

"Even though you're just as stubborn in your own way." Zoe said, and managed a small smirk before she finished the contents of her glass about the same time Korra did.

Pushing her chair away, Korra quietly muttered to herself. "Come on, we need to get ready. Is Mal back yet? And where are Iris and River? I haven't seen them since he left."

She hadn't said a word to the man as he climbed back on the mule and flew off, not bothering to give her a second glance. Korra hoped to never again see that cold, murderous look in Malcolm's eyes. Even Amon hadn't looked ready to outright kill her when he had taken her Bending away. Destroy her mind, spirit, and soul perhaps, but not shoot her down in the street like an elephant rat.

Korra sighed mentally when she heard Mal's amused tone right behind her. "Last I checked I was plannin' with Marston and some of the locals 'fore I sent Zoe in here to drag your mopey muscled behind back into daylight."

"Funny sir, you never showed any talent for stealth during the war." Zoe said, and crossed her arms as she looked over Korra's head.

"Wasn't wavin' my arms and shoutin', now was I?" Mal countered, grinning as he waved her and Korra out of the saloon before taking point.

"Or shootin' an oversized machine gun every which way but anywhere useful. Sir."

Mal had the decency to look offended when he looked over his shoulder at his First Mate as they started down the street towards Marston's office. "We came outta it alright though didn't we?"

"There are several schools of thought on the subject sir." Zoe countered, and let her lips pull up into a subtle smirk when Mal's offended look deepened.

"This is yet another sign of your tragic space dementia."

"How are you two not married?" Korra muttered, and flinched when both Zoe and Mal shot her a seething glare, as if she had instead suggested that all Browncoats were nothing but a bunch of spoiled piss pots. "What? You're so utterly devoted to each other it's almost sickening."

"You actually aren't the first to say somethin' along those lines Ponytails, but let me clear this up for ya. Zoe and I might have a rather complicated history, but it's not one which'd constitute the whole marriage, hundreds of fat children, livin' till we're ninety thing. We're just a couple of ol' war buddies is all."

"Oh come on! I seen you two look at each other, you never... shared a bunk during the war, before Zoe met Wash?" Korra retorted with a massive grin.

"Fine. You caught us. I have shared my bunk with Zoe many, many times." Mal said with a slump of his shoulders, even as his lips pulled up into his trademark grin.

"Best sleep I ever had sir." Zoe purred, noticing the twitch at the corner of Malcolm' mouth.

Korra could only stare at them with wide, dumbfounded blue eyes. "Wait...really? I mean, I'm not surprised but... that just seems so wrong somehow."

"Oh we shared a bunk alright, I never said we didn't." Mal replied with a grin of his own. "You just assumed there was more sharin' goin' on than there was darlin'."

Zoe laughed and shook her head at the memory. "We did spoon that one time sir, purely for warmth though. Didn't want the Captain freezin' to death just to save his manly ego."

"Was a mite interestin' though. We ever find need of such drastic measures again, I'm the big spoon next time." Mal declared, making it clear he was being completely serious.

Korra could only stare at the two with her jaw hanging to her feet. She couldn't decide which was worse, the fact they had tricked her or the fact they honestly were just old war buddies and had never moved beyond that. "I'm so confused right now. Gonna try and save a town now. Go not sleep together or something."

"I think you broke her sir."

"I think you might be right Zoe. Had to happen sooner or later I suppose." Mal chimed in, his grin all but audible in his voice.

"I'm fine! Just stop talking about this!" Korra growled at the pair, hoping they'd steer the conversation to something far less embarrassing.

Mal had to grin at the down right cruel look in Zoe's deep brown eyes. Not to mention the devilish smirk on her lips. "On second thought, take me sir take me hard."

"Right here in the street huh? Well, gonna be some nasty chaffin', but man's gotta do what a ma-"

"I'm not listening!" Korra shouted over her shoulder as she stomped away. The sooner they took care of the raiders and put this town behind them, the better. Maybe she'd even have her sanity intact by the time they left Ares. Spirits she seriously hoped so, because as it stood now, Korra wasn't so sure she'd be able to pull that off with Mal laughing incessantly at her expense.

"Darn. Oh well, this time next year Zoe?"

"I'll mark my calendar sir."

Jayne ambled up to them at last just as they passed by one of the better looking buildings in the ramshackle town. From the look of the gun hand, he had brought half of Serenity's armory with him. "Ya'll done wasting time? Can't rightly whip these ruttin' sheep into shape and build a half decent killin' field on ma own."

"Oh of course, now he wants to work." Korra grumbled to herself before glaring at the rogue of a captain she was stuck with.

"I hear there's alotta coin comin' our way, plus I already got myself a grateful like gal lined up for a nice pre slaughterin' hump." Rolling a large wooden barrel across the street, Jayne couldn't keep the satisfied smirk off his face. "Today is a good day."

"In what past life did I do anything to deserve this?" Korra asked herself even as she walked towards the nearby crates and wagons she had pointed out earlier before easily lifting one of the boxes in her arms.

"Bein' this is Jayne we're talkin' 'bout, that's probably past lives. Man is a walkin' karma black hole." Mal stated on his way to help prepare their improved roadblocks.

"Because one Jayne wasn't bad enough, I get cursed with this latest version? Great." Korra grumbled and sighed heavily in exasperation. Today was just getting worse by the second.

"Hey!" Jayne shouted indignantly. "I ain't that bad once ya get to know me! Sort of. When I ain't been drinkin' too much."

"Yeah. You ever ask him about Mattie and his Ma? Oh! Speakin' a which, Jayne, you gotta wear that cunnin' bright orange head gear a' yours. That alone will scare half of 'em off when they see ya."

"Hi-larious." Jayne growled back at Mal's attempt at humor as he slammed his latest armload into the center of the road. Kicking the wagon bed over he had dropped unceremoniously onto the dirt, he nodded his thanks when Korra moved a couple of boxes against the overturned wagon, propping it up. "Not bad. Might just get through this after all."

Korra managed to give Jayne an honest smile, something unthinkable only a few days ago. "Did you block up the side alleys?"

"What do I look like girl? Some gorram jackass?"

"So yes?" She snarked back.

Jayne rolled his eyes and glared down at Korra before a sly grin started to appear on his face. "I will get right on that after I go get those tea and dumplin's for ya. I ain't superhuman like some folk."

Tempted to pound the sarcastic man into the ground, but not being quite that big of a hypocrite, Korra turned to Mal next. "Where are Iris and Ri-"

"Sent 'em on a job. They'll be about once the shootin' starts." Mal stated, making it clear he didn't want it getting out that they were likely knee deep in enemy territory by now. Besides, some of the people on the street were giving the crew odd looks, and he wasn't sure if any of them were working with the raiders. Chances were, if the leader had any kind of tactical thinking, they'd have spies among the crowd. It's what he'd do.

Korra only nodded when she caught the look Mal threw her way before she returned to the task at hand. "Well let's hope we won't need them too soon."

"Oh, I figure we'll manage on our own for a while. Got a surprise for ya." Mal started towards the mule, not bothering to see if Korra had followed. "Wise man I knew once said... 'Boy, it sure would be nice if we had some grenades, don't you think?'"

"Let me guess. Some soldier you knew in the war?"

"Nope. Jayne. Man is a well of useful tidbits."

"Okay, what does that have to do with me and whatever you're getting at?" Korra asked, her curiosity piqued at this sudden show of generosity.

With a flourish, Mal pulled a small tarp off the back of the vehicle. "Figured best to pull out all the stops seeing as we should make 'nough outta this to restock."

"What are those little round things? And why do you have so many of them?"

"You don't have grenades where you're from? Girl you are missin' out on a good bit of fun." Mal grabbed one of the small devices and tossed it back and forth, smirking when Korra jumped back after he casually threw the grenade at her. She caught it more on instinct than any conscious effort on her part, further amusing Malcolm. "Helps if you pull the pin out, 'fore you throw one of those."

"So what….they explode when you pull the pin?"

"Catchin' on quick like always. Makes a mighty fine mess o' folks, and they won't be getting back up if you land one anywhere near 'em."

"Considering I have an issue with the idea of shooting people, you want me to blow someone up instead? Zoe's right, you have a problem with your brain being missing." Korra stated before carefully setting the grenade back into the box where Mal had grabbed it from.

"Thought you might say that, so I had Jayne put together somethin' just for you." Mal dug into the rear hatch and bought out a bandolier full of cylindrical objects. "Non-lethal variety. Makes a really loud bang and flash of light, but no messy bits to worry 'bout afterward. Few with a green stripe will let out a big ol cloud of smoke if you need cover in a hurry. Best not to confuse them.

"Equalists used something similar a few times. They had goggles that allowed them to see through their smoke, which is about the only explanation as to how they pummeled Mako and me while we fumbled around blind." Despite the bad memories associated with such grenades, Korra was slightly impressed and grateful Mal had taken her feelings on killing into consideration at all. She accepted the bandolier of flash and smoke grenades with a nod of thanks. "Just when I thought I had you figured out."

"Yeah, I get that a lot. Inara's said that a time or two." Mal finally handed her a gun belt and lever action rifle. "But, you are going to learn how to shoot, peaceful nature aside. Figure since we have the time, might get ya a little practice in. Because if someone tries to kill you, I expect you to be able to try to kill 'em right back." At Korra's frown, Mal shoved the belt at her. "Only if you have to. That civil enough for ya?"

"I don't plan to kill anyone if I can help it." Korra retorted hotly, still not thrilled with the idea of using a gun for any reason.

"What's planned and what happens usually ain't that similar darlin'."

Korra sighed, knowing she was fighting a lost cause. That didn't stop her from trying though. "I know you're worried Mal, but I'm not like you and Zoe, or Jayne. I've yet to be pushed into a situation where I had to...cross that line." Despite her hesitation, Korra still accepted the gun belt and strapped it around her waist. She didn't want to use it, but she knew that she was going to need every advantage she could get her hands on.

"Well, I am truly touched by your belief in the sanctity of life." Mal said with a mock solemn look, before grabbing a few stray cans and jars, and setting them against the nearest convenient back drop a short ways down the street. "Now pay attention, gonna show you how to shoot a man 'tween the eyes at thirty paces."

With a another sigh, Korra resigned herself to at least humoring Mal's noble intentions, even if what he was planning to show her was not something she planned to use if she could help it. Drawing the pistol on her belt, she let Mal walk her through the proper stance and grip before lining up her target.

"Okay then. First, you always hold it with both hands. You see that little nub of metal at the end of the barrel? That's your iron sight. You line that up with the backsight here..." Mal proceeded to gently nudge the gun in her hands, lining up the two points in front of her eye. "Once you do that, you steady your arm, and take a deep breath." Korra rolled her eyes but otherwise did as Malcolm instructed. "Now hold it. And gently squeeze the trigger."

Slowing pressing her finger against the cold metal, Korra jumped as the pistol bucked in her hands. Her shot went wide, slamming into the wall just to the right of her target. "You could have warned me!" She shouted once she had recovered from the initial shock.

"Oh, right. You have to brace for the recoil." Mal informed her with a knowing grin. "Line up your sight again."

"Fine..." Korra aimed for a small broken piece of glass that Mal had propped on a tree branch. Mal's hand brushed against her own, gently nudging her aim a little to the right. Prepared for the recoil, Korra took a breath and squeezed the trigger, and was surprised when she hit her target. The approving gleam in Mal's eyes was strangely satisfying to the Avatar, despite her misgivings.

"Nicely done for a virgin... I mean first timer." Mal's smug grin said it all as he caught Korra's startled expression before she could recompose herself. "'Course, no one's gonna just stand there and let ya take your time darlin'. You gotta learn to shoot slow in a hurry. Fire a few more rounds, see if you can pick up the pace a bit."

"You learn how to shoot like this?" Korra asked, before taking aim again and lining up a small soup can.

Mal waited until she had fired, and missed, before he answered her question. "That I did. With my Ma as a matter of fact. 'Cept later I was learnin' how to survive by puttin' my enemy down 'fore they did the same to me and mine. That's the part you seem to not be comprehending." He only nodded his head towards the targets when she started to turn to look at him. "Livin' on Shadow wasn't all cattle herdin' and rainbows Ponytails. We had the same problem these folks have crop up from time to time. People lookin' to make off with our herds, make a quick buck by robbin' us blind. My Ma, for all her faults and lettin' the farm hands take more of an interest in me than she did, did her part when it came to defendin' what was hers. Taught me the difference between bein' merciful and being smart. One gets you dead, the other might not get you dead. Might not be what you signed on for, but there's a time and a place to let mercy reign and keepin' yourself alive. This is the latter sort of situation darlin'."

Korra rolled her eyes and sighed heavily for the umpteenth time. "I'm still far better at hand to hand, I don't need to shoot a man in the back if I can knock him out first."

Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say going by the look in Mal's cold blue eyes. "Oh. Okay then." Mal calmly walked away, only to untie a line from a nearby tree and return with a mangy dog by his side moments later. "So, I'm one of these cold hearted bungers, and I got ma self this adorable little...let's say little girl." Mal picked up the dog in his arms and walked away several paces only to turn and face Korra. She gasped when she saw he had pulled his pistol and pressed it against the panting dog's head. "Show me how ya gonna stop him with your fancy martial arts 'fore he blows this little girl's brains all over the dirt. Or he gets bored of waitin' and just shoots a hole clean through your pretty face. You got three seconds Ponytails."

"I am not shooting at you!" Korra shouted, stunned at what Mal was doing. There was no way she could fire on him. "You're insane!"

"I surely am. Three!" Mal shouted back and shot over her shoulder, forcing Korra to duck in terror. "You're hesitatin'! That'll get you and anyone round ya killed sure as the suns set. Two!" He fired again, and this time, she swore she felt the bullet pass right by her cheek. "Best pull that trigger or the next one's goin' through an eye! One!"

Terrified, a shaking Korra fired on instinct, before she registered the quiet 'click' from her pistol after pulling the trigger several times in her panic. Mal had since set the mangy pup down and walked the short distance between them before gently pulling the gun from her sweat covered hand.

"Congrats, you just saved your own gorram hide. Easy there, you're alright, take a breath. Made sure you were a few rounds short of a full clip."

Still shaking, Korra glanced up at him with a look a utter betrayal. "You were going to kill me. Why?"

"Only had the two rounds." Mal tossed her his pistol, and gestured towards the clip release. "Had to make ya believe I meant you harm. I'd have dropped the clip from my gun first, 'for putting lead in that pretty head o' yours kiddo. If it makes ya feel better, I was about as of a nervous wreck as you are when I first fired a gun. Even worse the first time I had to fire on a man." Mal sighed and almost looked guilty when he gently cupped her chin in his hand. "You did better than me, Korra. Think I wet my tight pants first time I killed a fella who meant to do the same to me."

Korra glanced at the empty breach of Mal's pistol before angrily tossing it and the empty clip to the dirt. "I can't believe you did that to me..."

"Better me than someone who really did want to end you." Mal admitted, as he bent over to retrieve the pistol and clip. "I admire your passion in wantin' to protect and serve folk, but that don't work so well out here Korra. This 'verse isn't kind to decent people. It's a hard lesson, but as much as we might butt heads, I'd rather you live to see tomorrow."

Zoe chose then to speak up, having cautiously watched the scene play out from close by. "Hello sir, Korra." What she didn't say was that she had been slightly surprised by this side of Mal. She was half tempted to give him a piece of her mind for traumatizing Korra as he had, but the only thing stopping her was the fact she agreed with him to some extent. "You did good."

"Yeah, right. If this was real, I'd be dead, along with...this very furry little girl." Korra muttered as she bent over to pet the mangy mutt, letting it lick her face.

"Half the battle is pulling the trigger. Sir, why don't you keep Jayne from doin' anythin' more stupid than usual?" Mal only nodded his head before he walked away, getting the less than subtle hint that Zoe wanted time alone with Korra. He had done enough damage anyway.

Whatever strength she had in her legs failed her, but Korra had found a place to sit down by the time her knees buckled once her adrenaline wore off. "He almost shot me!"

"Trust me, if he had wanted to hit you, wouldn't have missed. I've seen him draw and fire in the blink of an eye and still hit his man. With that same man holding River hostage with a gun to her head. Never even broke his stride as he charged up the ramp." The note of pride in Zoe's voice wasn't hard to miss.

"He's completely insane." Korra muttered quietly. She hardly noticed the small pup whining at her.

"Can't really argue with ya on that particular point. But you should know there's a way to his madness, so to speak. He always does somethin' for a good reason. Scared you to death to try and keep you safe once things get bad, and they will get bad soon enough." Zoe reached into her pocket and extracted a handful of shells, grabbed the rifle Mal had given Korra and loaded it. "Get yourself together, we ain't done. You have time to sit there and play with your new best friend, you have time to practice."

Korra jerked her head up in shock at that, half tempted to shoo the dog away before Zoe came up with any ideas. "What?! Please tell me you aren't going to make me shoot an apple off it's head or something!"

Thankfully, Zoe had something else in mind. "I ain't that cruel. But we are going to keep you practicing until you get it right."

"I'm done." With that, Korra defiantly started to walk away, the yapping pooch following after her.

"Excuse me? I don't think I was askin'." Zoe stated softly, cold steel all too easily heard in her voice as she chambered a round before putting the barrel against her right shoulder.

Something in Zoe's gaze made Korra pause mid step as she glanced over her shoulder. She could handle Mal's angry stares or Zoe's general intimidating nature, but what chilled her to the core was the look of crushed disappointment in Zoe's brown gaze. It was the same gaze that had caused her to wake screaming that horrible nightmare, and a sweaty panting mess more than a few nights besides. "Alright….just, don't expect me to enjoy it." Korra said at last before standing to her feet and taking the rifle when Zoe held it out to her.

"I'd be worried if you did." Zoe replied before nodding to the assorted targets Mal had set up earlier. "Some people develop a taste for killing. You ain't one of them."

"Fine, let's just get this over with." With a sigh of resignation, Korra aimed down the weapons sights, realizing that they were just an elongated version of what Mal had already shown her. Taking a deep breath, Korra held it in before applying the slightest pressure to the trigger.

"Rifle has a bit more kick than a pistol. You'll want to brace it tight against your shoulder before you pull that trigger, or you could break something when the recoil hits."

"Yes mother." Korra snarked, even as she tucked the stock snug against her. It slammed into her a split second later, leaving her with a slightly sore shoulder. "Ow." Despite the pain, she had managed to hit the empty soup can she'd been aiming at earlier.

"Not bad, but you have to press it against you a lot harder than that. Otherwise Inara's gonna be rubbing you down with ice and tea leaves. Not that you'd probably mind much."

"Please tell me you didn't just say that." Korra stammered out as her cheeks turned bright red.

"I see you actually hit something in the next minute, I might not have." Zoe chuckled and crossed her arms before cocking her hip to the side.

Korra frantically tried to figure out the lever action mechanism before Zoe sighed and demonstrated it for her with one fluid motion. To her credit, Korra was a quick study, and was able to chamber the next round with minimal effort. Roughly forty-seven seconds and seven rounds later, she finally hit a poor defenseless empty soda can.

"And with a few ticks to spare. Well, least now I know how to motivate you."

"Scaring me to death or embarrassing me. I can't decide which is worse." Korra muttered, her tongue all but dripping sarcasm.

"If you'd rather use an auto-bow, I'm sure I could get Inara to-"

"I'm good." Korra growled, rubbing at her sore shoulder while grabbing another handful of rounds from Zoe. Seven shots later, five of which were hits, she had to set the rifle down to give her shoulder a chance to stop aching.

Zoe simply nodded her approval of her handiwork as she watched Korra rub at her bruised shoulder. "It'll get tougher, more you practice. Same like any other discipline, it justs takes time and continued use." Zoe walked over to the mule and came back with some odd type of sling over her shoulder, tossing another to Korra. "Might want to put that on now."

Korra blinked her blue eyes when she realized what it was Zoe had handed her. "You had a shoulder guard this whole time and only hand me one now?"

"You wouldn't have had respect for the weapon in your hands if I had given it to you sooner." Zoe deadpanned in reply.

"I...guess that makes sense." Korra admitted before she strapped it onto her sore shoulder. Once it was secure, she rolled her arm experimentally and was happy to note she didn't lose any freedom of movement even with the pad in place. "So what now?"

"You shoot until I think you could survive five minutes in combat on your own. Here's a hint, better get started, only got a few more hours of light."

"Yes ma'am." Korra grumbled, but got to her feet despite her desire to be anywhere else. Taking back the rifle, they spent the rest of the afternoon going through Zoe's seemingly endless supply of bullets. By the time they were done, Korra was sure of two things. One, that her shoulder would never be the same again after this, even with the pad having taken the worst of the recoil. And two, that she was actually dreading going up against the raiders, she was actually dreading going into a fight. That was something she never thought she'd consider, but that was the truth of the matter.

A low rumble quickly caught their attention as both women turned to see Iris driving an old battered all terrain vehicle, with River not far behind, driving a horse drawn open wagon with every hostage safely tucked away in the back. "We have until dawn." River stated as she hopped down from the driver's seat before running a hand across the horse's flank. "They will discover our escape long before then, but they will need time to gather their men for an attack. And to undo the creative damage we did on our way out."

"There are still many raiders out in the hills. We killed four who were guarding the women, but there are still over two dozen ready to descend on the town." Iris said in turn, dusted off a speck of dirt from her bodysuit, and turned to Zoe and Korra.

"Well now, you two don't do anything half assed do you? Nice work, both of ya." A grinning Malcolm said as he ran up to the wagon, with Jayne only a few steps behind. "Let's get these folk unloaded and back with their families." Mal turned to grab Jayne, roughly tugging him close before lowering his voice. "I usually don't care what you do with a willin' girl, but you touch any of these women folk, you won't have to worry 'bout female companionship ever again. Dohn-luh-mah?"

"Crystal. Sheesh Mal, I ain't half that desperate... or cruel." Jayne muttered, having caught on to the same thing Mal had the moment he laid eyes on a few of the women in the wagon.

Korra saw the empty, haunted look in a few of the faces among the crowd Iris and River had gotten out of the raiders' hideout. She was about to say something to Mal and Jayne, but the captain beat her to the punch as he subtly nudged Jayne back a bit while nodding to her and Zoe. "I realize you folks have been through a lot 'fore my crew were able to get you out of that hellhole. Just know that you're back home where you rightfully belong."

"Mal, Imma go get Inara and Simon, figure they could use the help." Jayne said, much to Korra's surprise.

"Do it. From the sound of it, we don't have 'lotta time to dilly dally." Mal said before he glanced at the pair of psychics helping a mother and daughter climb off the wagon. "Tell Kaylee to take Serenity into orbit for the time bein'. No need to worry about these bastards flankin' us that way." That and it'd keep his ship, Kaylee, and Emma out of harm's way in the process.

"You got it Mal." With a strangely somber nod, Jayne took off at a clip and was on the mule and headed for home less than a minute later.

With three less things to worry over, Mal turned his attention to the various town's folk around them. Most helped with the women, some just stood around and watched. "Alright, listen up! We got us some imminent violence headed your way. Got it from a reliable source we have until dawn before those that have been harassing this town show up to take back... their property." Mal spat out, trying to ignore the mix of terrified, dumbfounded, and grateful looks cast his way. "Way I figure it, you have only a few options open. You can fight, you can die, or you can run and hope they don't catch up with ya."

One of the men in the crowd wasn't so convinced by Mal's obvious determination or willingness to take on their oppressors. Korra didn't miss the way the captain's gaze narrowed and seemed to hone in on the protestor, and wondered what he was thinking. "You're crazy mister. We can't fight, and if we run, they'll ride us down and kill every last one of us!"

"Guess you better get busy dying then, 'cause me and mine were called here to fight your battle. And I don't plan on walkin' away. Now who's with me?!" Mal was disappointed when all he got in response was more frightened shouting from the naysayer.

"You can't trust this man! He's only in it for the coin! I say we try and deal with 'em, give 'em what they want, maybe they'll spare some-"

The crack of a gunshot cut the man short, as did the bullet hole between his eyes. Korra could only look on in horror as the man dropped to the ground in front of Mal, her face the picture of pure, horrified shock.

As Mal holstered his still smoking pistol, he turned back to the crowd at large. "You try and make deals with a bunch of killers, all of you are going to end up just as dead as him." Mal glanced down at the body at his feet pointing to the man for emphasis. "They will come in here and take all of your women folk, children, and anything of use before putting a bullet to each and every one of you. The fact they haven't already just means they were hopin' to bleed ya slow, but now that we've stepped in, they'll come at this town with a fury. So, either you can help us defend what's yours, or get your gorram hides out of the ruttin' way."

Still staring unblinkingly at the man Malcolm had gunned down without so much as batting an eyelash, Korra could only stutter in shock while the crowd started to disperse to do whatever they could to prepare for what was coming. "How...c-could you?!"

Whatever his faults, and the man had many, he certainly knew how to get people moving as he eyed the last of the stragglers. Mal frowned, the cold fury in his eyes softening somewhat. "I ain't got the time to baby you now. Best get out of my way Korra."

Before Korra could protest further, Zoe put a hand on her shoulder and bodily pulled her out of Mal's path. "Just let it go." The older woman said.

Mal had since started to address anyone who was willing to listen to his instructions. "Anyone who can hold a rifle, I want you to arm up best you can and form a perimeter. I want snipers up on every rooftop if we got enough folk, otherwise close range ordinance best stick to cover on the ground or in your homes where these bungers are likely to ride through with our roadblocks in place. Everyone else, feel free to board up every window, every crack, or hole. Let's not give these arrogant ta ma duh any more advantage than they got already."

"You heard the man." Marston yelled from the back of the crowd, which parted the moment he stepped forward. "You want this nightmare to finally end don't ya? Then we all need to do our part. Shoulda done had you in fightin' shape long ago, but like many of you, I got complacent and soft after the war ended. Well no more, tomorrow we fight or we die." Whether it was their respect for Marston or their fear of Malcolm, the raw panic and terror that had permeated the crowd started to change. It became focused, almost determined to see the attacks ended once and for all. And perhaps, just a bit hopeful that they could actually win the day. "What's your plan then Captain?"

"My plan? My plan is to rain fiery merciless hell down on the folk who took your kin. Who have terrorized this decent town for far too long."

"Mighty fine plan." Marston replied with a nod and just the hint of a grin. "Why do I get the feeling that little show you put on with your young charge was to see how I'd react?" The old man asked once the crowd went to their assigned chores with a will.

Mal managed a small grin in reply before he shrugged. "Wasn't actually a plan on my part. Had a minor disagreement and needed to teach a hard lesson."

"Ah." Marston nodded as understanding hit before he turned to look at still white faced Korra. "I take it she's new to us less civilized types, Core girl?"

"You could say that." Mal replied cryptically, but it wasn't too far off the mark.

"Then I can't blame her for wondering what type of crowd she's fallen in with. You're a tough customer captain, but I think you might just be the kick in the teeth this town needs. And her if you've taken her under your protection as I suspect you have."

"Guess that fancy office 'o yours and the job title wasn't too far off the mark for you old timer." Mal chuckled but nodded his head as he started towards Korra.

"Might have to stick my foot up some magistrate's ass, but if we're still breathin' tomorrow, things are gunna change around here, one way or another."

"You just be careful with talk like that. Alliance might take offense."

Marston's response was simple. "Let 'em."

"That's the kind o' talk I like to hear." Mal said with a small grin before stopping in front of Korra at last. She didn't meet his gaze save to glare at him from the corner of her eyes. "Listen Ponytails, I know you might not appro-"

Korra didn't let him finish as she pushed him back before rounding on him. "Don't waste your breath. As soon as this is over, I'm gone."

"Suit yourself. Change your mind, you know where we'll be parked come this time tomorrow." Mal said and shrugged just as Korra stomped off.

Zoe wasn't so easily persuaded to let her run off. "Sir... maybe you want to-"

"Girl's made up her gorram mind Zoe, I ain't gonna stop her from walkin' her own path." Zoe only nodded her head, but that didn't stop her from marking Korra's course.

As the town's folk finally got into action bolstering their defenses and boarding up windows, Jayne returned with the others a short while later. Simon was the first to hop off the the transport and ran over to Korra, not even noticing the dull glaze over her eyes as he took in the organized choas around them. "Korra, are there any wounded? Korra...Korra?"

"Simon. I'll handle her. Go." Inara softly commanded and pointed to where she could see Zoe and Mal. The doctor blinked in confusion but slowly nodded his head before walking away, leaving the Companion to catch up with the Avatar. When she did, Inara gently wrapped a hand around the girl's upper arm and pulled her to a stop in the middle of the road. "What happened Korra?"

"Leave me alone." The younger girl roughly shrugged off Inara's gentle grasp and stomped off. 'You're just like the rest."

Inara grabbed Korra by the shoulder this time with no intention of letting her go anytime soon. "Korra stop. What. Happened."

When their eyes met, the older woman saw the tears that had started to run down her cheeks. Looking into her large misty blue eyes, Inara found the devastated look in Korra's gaze to be far more troubling than her uncontrollable rage. "Malcolm... he- he killed a man as if it was nothing. I've never even seen someone... he didn't even warn him first. He didn't even hesitate."

The pieces fell into place as Inara pulled Korra into her chest. She'd never seen someone die, let alone seen someone be gunned down in the middle of the street right before her eyes. And knowing Mal as well as she did, Inara wasn't surprised that Korra wasn't able to so easily accept what had occurred. "It's going to be alright mei-mei, Malcolm is a hard man, but-"

Korra just as quickly pulled away. Her tears dried up as rage filled her eyes once again. "But? But what?! An unarmed man deserved to be shot dead in the street because he thought it was the right thing to do?!"

Inara didn't flinch way at the shift from sorrow to rage. She had expected it, truth be told. "Korra, we live in a harsh, brutal, uncaring world. Maybe it's for the best that you realize that now rather than later."

"I didn't ask to be a part of your world!" She roared, before falling to her knees and slamming her fists into the ground where she remained. "I didn't ask to be here…." Korra took a breath and slowly looked up into Inara's face. "After we help these people, I'm leaving. Aang couldn't have been more wrong about all of you. Anywhere else is better than being stuck with a bunch of killers and criminals."

"Or maybe you're exactly where you need to be." Before Korra could come up with some scathing remark, Inara put a hand under her chin and pulled her to her feet. "When Iris and River returned with those villagers, what did you see? People as lost and afraid as you are. Death would have been a kindness where they were held. The way Mal sees it, anyone who isn't willing to right what was done to those people aren't fit to draw breath. Could he have handled it better? Yes, he could have, should have, but look around you, what do you see now?"

Korra tried to jerk out of Inara's grip, only to be spun around towards a group of people, despondent and apathetic hours earlier, now trying to better their lot in life as best they could. Despair, replaced with cautious hope, even if it had come at the hands of a cruel brute, acting just as horrible as those they would soon face.

"It still doesn't make it right…." Korra whispered, but turned to Inara with something close to a semblance of her former self.

"No, it doesn't, and if we lived in a better world such things probably wouldn't happen. But this isn't some 'better' fantasy world Korra, here, our fate is in our hands."

"How do you live with this?" Korra asked after several long moments of silence had fallen between them. She didn't know exactly what she was asking, only that she needed Inara's help in understanding what she'd seen.

"I try to hold on to the good in life, wherever I find it. However fleeting or miniscule it may be compared to the horrors inflicted on the people I've come to call an extended, if eccentric, family." When Inara embraced her a second time, Korra didn't fight her off as she all but melted into the Companion's arms. "No matter how dark the world around you Korra, there is always light, no matter how faint or far."