Korra looked particularly glum as the group made their way to President Raiko's office. They had run into a storm about twenty miles inland, and it was a pretty bad one. Megildur said that it had come in from out to sea and hit Republic City before he left. That was concerning. Republic City didn't get many bad storms, and certainly not this time of year.

Just another thing to worry about. she thought.

"Hey, you ok?" Asami asked, taking Korra's hand.

"Yeah, I guess. It just seems like we have about fifty problems all happening at once. And I thought we would be coming back to the city with a solid lead on where the Raiders are operating from." Korra replied.

"At least we stopped this group of Raiders." Asami said.

"Not to mention," Megildur added. "That letter we found is definitely something. We're definitely making progress."

"I certainly hope so." Korra said.


President Raiko was waiting for the group when they arrived, along with Tenzin, Varrick, Zhu Li, Lin, and Tonraq.

"Dad! I didn't know you were here." Korra said as she gave him a hug.

"I just recently arrived." Tonraq replied. "President Raiko had some ideas he wanted to run by me."

Tenzin turned to Megildur.

"I'll admit, I was a little skeptical when you said you could track them in the storm. I'm glad to proven wrong this time."

"We are trained in tracking almost from birth." the Ranger said. "The countryside is our home, and we know how to use it."

"Avatar Korra," President Raiko said. "Has Megildur informed you and your team of what we've found out here?"

"Yes." Korra said, turning to Raiko. "The Raiders' attacks are coordinated strikes at our infrastructure, and someone with Kuvira's money may be paying them to do it."

"But we're still no closer to finding out who's behind this." Lin said. "We're trying to find that Gunzhao guy, but no luck so far."

Megildur stepped forward.

"I think we might have something in that regard." he said as he gave the letter to Lin.

"Prototypes. I don't like the sound of that. And what's this symbol at the bottom?"

"None of us know. We were hoping one of you might." Korra said.

"I've never seen anything like it." Tenzin said. Tonraq and Raiko nodded in agreeance.

"There's something familiar about it." Varrick said. "But I can't place it."

Zhu Li stared at the symbol in silence.

"Zhu Li, do you know what this is?" Bolin asked.

"I don't know this symbol," she said. "But it is very similar to the crest of the Mechanists."

"The Mechanists, of course." Asami said. "That's where I've seen something like this before."

"Who are the Mechanists?" Korra asked.

"They're… unique." Tenzin replied. "After the One Hundred Year War there was a massive surge in knowledge across the world. Some people began to dedicate their lives to the pursuit of knowledge. At first it was just an allience of trade guilds, then it began to evolve into something very different."

"Try aberrant." Megildur said with disgust.

Tenzin continued.

"The Mechanists are a monastic order, similar to the Air Nomads in some ways. They believe that all knowledge is sacred, and that technology is the physical manifestation of knowledge."

"They're technology worshippers." Tonraq finished.

"That is, different." Korra said.

"Does this mean the Mechanists are working with the Raiders?" Kai asked.

"Not necessarily." Mako said. "This is similar to their symbol, but not the same."

"Still, maybe they know what it is." Asami said. "We should ask them."

"That may be difficult." Tenzin said. "The Mechanists are a nomadic people, and they make it difficult for anyone to follow them."

"I know where they can be found." Megildur said. "The Rangers keep tabs on the Mechanists, we know where they tend to stay."

"Why?" Korra asked.

"The Rangers don't always, get along with the Mechanists. Ideologically, we're two very different peoples."

"Ideologies aside, I'm with Asami on this one." Varrick said. "We might be able to learn something from them."

"Fine. I will lead you to them." Megildur said.

"Alright." Korra said. "Varrick, Zhu Li, I think you should come along on this one. The Mechanists may appreciate fellow industrialists."

"Sounds good." Varrick said. Zhu Li nodded in agreeance.

"Alright. The rest of us can stay here and tackle the Raider angle." Tenzin said. "Good luck."


In Asami's airship, the journey was quick. Megildur said they could find a Mechanist settlement near where the River Shī emptied into the ocean.

"So, Megildur. Why do the Rangers and the Mechanists not get along?" Bolin asked.

"Oh the Mechanists like the Rangers just fine. The Rangers just don't reciprocate." Megildur replied.

"Why not?" Korra asked.

"The Mechanists decry nature as weak and flesh as fallible. They only believe in the mechanical. They have minds of metal and wheels. They do not care for the woods, for nature." Megildur said. "Some of them even willingly sacrifice their flesh for more 'efficient' mechanical substitutes. It is an affront to nature."

"Well, I just hope they can help us identify this symbol." Mako said.

Before long, smoke could be seen on the horizon.

"That's them." Megildur said.

Korra was left speechless by what she saw. It was a metal city, sitting out in the bay. But unlike Zaofu, this was not a clean city. Where Zaofu was shiny and chromium, this city was dark and bleak. Black smoke billowed up from dark towers. Figures in red cloaks moved here and there among the smoke. The airship slowly descended to a docking port. A procession of figures in rust-red robes was waiting to greet them when they landed.

"Hello. I'm Avatar Korra." Korra said.

"Yes. It is an honor to finally meet you." a man with a more elaborately decorated robe said.

"I am Omnimagos Julias Venenarius, leader of the great Forge City of Columnus. If you'll follow me, we can get down to business in my office."

"Lead on." Korra said.

As they walked among the towers and buildings, Korra asked "So, I thought the Mechanists were nomadic. How do you live in cities?"

"Oh we are a nomadic people." Julias answered. "We just take our cities with us."

Seeing Korra's confused expression, he elaborated.

"The cities are similar to massive ships. There are turbines and rudders under the water. When the time comes to move on, the entire city travels with us."

"That's, incredible." Asami said.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name. What was it again?" Julias asked Asami.

"I"m Asami Sato." she replied.

Julias stopped in his tracks and turned face her.

"My apologies, Miss Sato. I did not recognize you." he said, bowing deeply. The other Mechanists followed suit.

"Uh, do you two know each other?" Korra asked.

"We have never met, but all Mechanists know of the great Asami Sato. She is an inspiration to the entire order. Truly, I am humbled to be in your presence great one." Julias said.

"Uh, thanks." Asami said, a little embarrassed.

Julias led the group into his spacious chambers before sitting at an elaborate desk.

"Now, what can the Mechanists do for you, Avatar?"

"Well, we were tracking a group of Raiders who've been attacking the United Republic. When we eventually found their camp, this letter was with them." Korra said, handing Julias the letter.

Julias studied the letter for some time.

"I understand why you sought us out. This symbol is very similar to our own." he said, gesturing to the crest on the wall above his desk. "But I'm afraid I do not recognize this particular symbol. It is not the crest of any Diviso of the order, nor any Forge City that I know off. Perhaps this is connected with one of the smaller cities on the north coast of the Earth Federation, but I'm afraid I know not it's meaning."

"Well that's too bad I guess." Korra said, taking the letter back. "Do you know what 'prototypes' they might be talking about?"

"There are countless projects pursued by the many Divisio throughout the many Forge Cities. This could be anything." Julias replied.

After a moment, Julias rose to his feet.

"There is something I would like to present to you, Miss Sato." he said motioning to one of the servants in the room.

"Really? What is it?" she asked.

The servant returned carrying a long, thin case. Julias turned to open the case with his back facing the group.

"A marvel of science. A relic our city has held for some time. Both the Diviso Mettalurgis and the Diviso Astrologicus have spent decades, almost a century in fact, studying this artifact. The tests on it ended long ago, and I've always wondered what to do with it. I couldn't think of a more worthy person to receive it."

Julias turned around and showed the item to Asami.

"A, sword?" Asami asked, more than a little confused.

"This is no mere sword." Julias said. "The Mechanists found this sword in the great Stone Forest near the coast of the Earth Federation, although it was the Earth Kingdom then. It was fifteen years after the end of the war, which was also when this blade came to rest there. The black blade, forged from skystone. Behold, the Space Sword!"

With a flourish, Julias drew the sword. The blade was completely black, it's edge keen even after seventy years.

"But, I thought Sokka recovered the Space Sword, I've seen pictures of him with it from after the war." Korra said.

"Sokka made a replacement." Julias said. "But this is the original, forged by Sokka in the foundry of Master Piandao. Long have the Mechanists possessed this blade. But it is not ours to keep. This sword was forged for battle, too long has it sat in a laboratory or display case. Asami Sato, I present the Space Sword to you. May the courage and resolve of its maker be with you."

Asami tentatively took the sword.

"I, I am honored to receive this." she said.

"Excellent." Julias said. "I hope you will stay for dinner. We must hold a great banquet in honor of your visit Miss Sato. And you, Avatar."

"Thanks for thinking of me." Korra said dryly.


The dinner was exquisite, some of the finest food Asami had ever tasted. During the meal, she asked the Omnimagos a question that had been bothering her since their arrival.

"Julias, I was wondering why your city burns coal. Isn't most electricity produced by lightning bending these days?"

"It is, that's the problem." Julias said. "While the Mechanists have members of all nations, Columnus has too few lighting benders to power the city, much less move it."

"What about petroleum? Most ships that don't run on firebending run on that, and it's everywhere in the transportation industry."

"Some Forge Cities have switched to petroleum as a fuel source, but our reserves are not sufficient at this time. Fortunately, we may have a solution soon."

"What sort of solution?"

"Well, it's still early in development. But we've been getting reports that the Diviso Physic in the Forge City of Ares, the first and greatest Forge City, have come upon a discovery that may change power production throughout the world."

"What sort of projects are going on here?" Korra asked.

"I'm glad you asked. Do you see that man sitting next to the tattooed girl?" Julias said, motioning down the table. "That's Magos Alienus Turanias of the Diviso Mathamatica. He's currently leading a project that may change the entire world at its core. I don't know the specifics, but I'd be glad to give you a tour of the city tomorrow."

"That's sounds great." Asami said.

Throughout the meal, Jinora couldn't shake this strange feeling. Kai was noticing.

"Jinora, you ok? You seem distracted."

"I'm fine. I'm just feeling a strange spiritual presence nearby." Jinora replied.

The Mechanist sitting to her right spoke up.

"That's probably because the Diviso Spiritus laboratory is just across the street from us." he said.

"You guys have an entire Diviso dedicated to spiritual research?" Jinora asked, amazed.

"Yes, but it's not exactly the most prestigious Diviso. In fact there's only one Magos Spiritus in the entire city, Marcus Pentral. That's him down there." he said, pointing him out. Marcus seemed to be keeping to himself throughout the meal while everyone else talked about projects and other things.

"I think I'd like to meet with him." Jinora said.


After dinner, Jinora approached Marcus.

"Magos Pentral, do you have a moment?" she asked.

The red-robed man turned, a little surprised.

"Of course. You're an airbender are you not?" he asked.

"Yes, I am."

"It is an honor to meet you. The Air Nomads are among the most spiritual people of the world."

"I was noticing spiritual energy during dinner, and I was wondering if your Diviso is doing any projects here?" Jinora asked.

"Some Diviso." Marcus said, a little dejectedly. "It's just me, a single Logis, three Enginseers, and about a half dozen Menials. Not exactly a full staff."

"I'm sorry. Why are so few people in the Diviso Spiritus?" Jinora asked.

"Most Mechanists don't feel that spiritual study is true 'science.' So our recruitment is a little sparse."

"That's too bad." Jinora said rather sadly.

"But to answer your question, we are working on something big right now. In fact, I'm glad the Avatar is here, since it involves her." Marcus said.

"What do want to do?" Jinora asked, intrigued.

Marcus took a deep breath before answering.

"I believe, I may know how to reestablish Korra's connection with her past lives."