Title: Major Pain In The...
Pairing: Korra & Asami.
Rated: M
Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra and its characters. All rights belong to their respectable owners Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino.
Authors Note: The title of this chapter actually co-exists with how long it took but hopefully its worth the wait. A lot will happen in this chapter but it will barely scratch the surface of what the next two have in store. So get ready for some intense poop cause its about to go down. As always I wanted to thank everyone for their support. The Reviews, the Favs, the Follows, the PMs, everything means the world to me.
Warning: Violence and Explosions. (I don't want to trigger anyone specially to what happened on Nov 13, 2015)
PS: I know at the end of Nothin' But Trouble I mention making a Brooklyn Nine-Nine AU for Korrasami and the Krew. After catching up on the second season before the third one came out I thought I go for it to balance out how intense this story actually is. So I still might do that. I'm considering it. There's a lot of stuff I wanna write but I'm determined to finish Just Drive first. I'm not dropping this story never going to. I have so much more to add to it specially in the sequel. Also put out a new story called Asami's son which was kind of a spur of the moment but I wanted to write something with a bit of comedic value to it to balance out the seriousness in this fic.
PPS: Merry Christmas! I was determined to get this done way before the new year so I'm kind of happy I did today. I stayed up til the early morning to get this done. All of you have been champs and I appreciate the patience more than any of you will ever know. So again thank you for that. Anyway, hope you all enjoy this chapter and have a safe holiday season! Later Gladiators!
Asami was driving down the road that led to the secret tunnels toward Republic City. Korra had an un-easing feeling and looked over at her for reassurance. "Do you think they know?"
"If they did we'd be dead by now. Most likely blown to bits," Asami replied keeping her eyes on the road.
Korra raised a brow at how Asami responded, "how do you know that?" she asked with more concern.
With a sigh, Asami nodded her head to the back seat, "that's how," she said gesturing to the black duffel bag she spotted as she got inside her car.
Looking behind the seat, Korra saw the duffel bag. She took it carefully and sat it on her lap. Unzipping the bag, she saw a boat load of explosives. "Holy shit..." she uttered in shock.
"Yep." she answered seeing Korra pick one up out of her peripheral vision. "Careful... you don't know if its a remote detonator or touch sensitive."
Korra eyes grew wider placing the small circular bomb back into the bag. "This is gonna be a blood bath," she said counting every single explosive with in the bag that she could see.
Asami glance at the bag then back then up to Korra, "not if done right," she turning her attention back to the road.
"I don't know how you're so calm about this..." Korra said trying to read Asami.
Shrugging, Asami saw they were close to the tunnel, "trust me I'm not," she said reaching her hand up and turning on the light inside the car. "Just can't afford to lose my cool again."
Korra understood where she was coming from. After all that had happened it would be reasonable if she did. The fact that she didn't was remarkable. "Well shit doesn't hit the fan until 5pm tomorrow. So we have a bit of breathing space to get everything situated," she said looking over the map of the hotel she took off the dashboard.
"Did Mako contact you yet?" Asami asked as they were going through the first tunnel. It was motion sensor lights that flickered on when she drove. She turned the light off above her head since it wasn't needed.
Korra zipped the duffel bag back up and placed it on the floor by her feet. "I haven't checked," she said reaching into her pocket to take out her phone. Turning it back on, she could see tons of frantic text messages not only from Mako but from Beifong as well. "Assuming by all these messages flooding my inbox I'm sure his part is done. Wonder if that tracker would do any good on a big machine like that," she said thinking on the structure of that thing. Hiroshi's design looked a lot simpler and less massive on paper than it did in real life.
Asami thought of all the damage a machine like that could do. She hadn't been paying much attention to the news as of late but knew what Mayor Raiko stood for. Destruction wasn't it. This was politically motivated. She knew how extreme Zaheer could be when it came to his beliefs but this was ridiculous. "I'm sure it will come in handy when the time comes," she said to assure Korra everything would be alright.
"I hope it does or the whole city will be screw'd," Korra stated as she slumped down in her seat. She was trying to figure out a way to assess the situation. The most they could do on such short notice was make sure all there angles were secure to do damage control. Beifong with a squad to dismantle Hiroshi's machine. A team to have eyes and ears all on the Mayor to make sure no harm would come to him. Her and Asami keeping their cover long enough for the Red Lotus to lead them to the person responsible for all this and why. The only person looking good for this so far was Unalaq but had no proof other than speculation. They needed to catch him in the act.
Both remained quiet most of the drive back thinking to themselves. They knew how dangerous it was going to be tomorrow. With everything hanging over their heads in uncertainty, the only thing they could be sure of was their trust in each other.
Asami was dropping Korra off at Narook's seaweed noodlery. Mako was waiting for her there so they could go over their game plan. He already caught Beifong up on what they were doing except for Korra's part in it.
Pulling up to the restaurant, Asami could see the closing sign and Mako parked by a fire hydrant. He was leaning up against the hood of his car with his arms folded. She double parked in front of the restaurant and cut off her engine. "Guess this is goodnight," Asami said with a small smile on her face.
"Until tomorrow," Korra replied looking back at Asami. She leaned closer to her and placed a light kiss on her lips. "Call me if you need anything and I'll be there."
"Going through a bunch of bombs all night..." she said pointing to the duffel bag she placed back in the back seat twenty minutes ago. She smirked with a light chuckle, "I think I'll be fine," she sarcastically put to lighten the mood.
Korra didn't feel so assured with the way Asami put it but knew her sense of humor was a particular one. "Well now I definitely have to come check on you," she said not wanting to leave.
Mako walked up to Korra's side door and gave a light tap on her window. "Anytime you're ready," he said standing back up straight.
Korra rolled down her window and looked up at him. "Just a second," she said seeing him rolling his eyes. She turned her attention back to Asami, "let me talk to Beifong and I'll come back and help you sort all this ou-" she started to say only to be cut off by Asami's index finger on her lips.
"Nooooo I got it," she said letting her hand fall down on top of Korra's. "You go handle business on your end and I'll handle mine. We'll see each other in the morning before I start my shift."
Knowing Asami could handle it, Korra still wanted to be there before everything when down but decided against it. "Alright," Korra agreed as she held Asami's hand in her own. She didn't want to put any more pressure on Asami considering the situation they were all in. They needed to be focus not distracted. She lifted Asami's hand up to her lips and kissed it, "I'll see you in the morning," she said with a hint of worry in her tone and expression.
Asami smiled and let go of Korra's hand and placed hers underneath her chin. She gently pulled Korra's chin toward her and kissed her lips. "Goodnight Korra."
"Goodnight Asami," Korra replied back before getting out of the car. She closed the side door and looked through the window. "Hey, try to get some sleep okay?" she asked with a bright smile.
Looking over at Korra, Asami nodded, "only if you do the same. night," she said with a small wave.
Korra waved back and said, "night," before Asami started her car again and drove off.
What felt like a long night was an even longer morning. Korra explained to Beifong the position the Red Lotus' plan put them in. Placing bombs and getting the hell out of dodge was the gist of it all. Beifong wanted to set up emergency evacuations near the east side of the building but knew it would give them away. The Red Lotus couldn't suspect a thing. With that in mind they had to proceed with extra caution to prevent any causalities from occurring.
Finally getting a break from Beifong's everlasting list of procedures, Korra text Asami to check up on her. After a good ten minutes and no answer, she decided to call. Hearing it go straight to voicemail raised a brow. Something was up. She wasn't sure what exactly but left to find out.
As Korra walked outside of the safe house, Mako walked up behind her. "Where you heading off too?" he asked as she turned around.
"To see Asami. She's not answering her phone," Korra said holding up her phone.
Mako placed his cigarette between his lip and said "maybe she's asleep," while patting his jacket pockets to find his lighter.
Korra nodded at the thought and tossed him his lighter that fell out of his pocket before, "I figured she would be by now," she said seeing him catch it. "But when I called it when straight to voice mail. Something's wrong," she said getting more worried by the minute.
Lighting his cigarette, Mako looked behind him at the safe house and then over to Korra. "Maybe her phone died," he said taking a long drag after.
"Maybe..." Korra said thinking the worst. It was written all over her face.
Mako could see how worried she was and exhaled loudly blowing smoke out, "i'll take you," he said pointing at his car.
Korra was confused because she didn't even ask, "you sure?" she said knowing they had a thousand things to do tonight.
"Yeah, don't worry about it. I'll smooth it over with the Captain if she asks," he said tossing his cigarette into the side walk before putting it out with the heel of his shoe.
Korra smiled with a nod, "thanks..." she said walking toward the car.
Mako walked around to the drivers side and said, "no problem," as he got in.
A few minutes later, Mako pulled up to the Red Lotus' property to see the lights off in the house. He parked and looked over at Korra with a raised brow, "think anyone is home?" he asked wondering if it could be a trap.
Korra looked at the house and up to where Asami's room would be, "she could be asleep like you said," she said taking out her phone and calling again. Hearing the same voice message, Korra felt a nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach. "I'ma go check it out," she said opening up her side door.
Mako opened up his side door and got out as well. "I'll come with you," he said with Korra signalling for him to check the front as she when to check the back.
Mako took out his gun and proceeded to the front of the house. Korra took her own gun out and headed toward the back. She looked up at the door windows and walked carefully through the back yard. She was going to head up the steps when she heard a noise from the garage. She turned around and took out her phone to text Mako where she'd be.
Taking a deep breath, Korra held her gun up and approached the garage. She couldn't help but imagine the worst. The Red Lotus finding out the truth and leaving Asami's body in the middle of the floor bloody and disfigured just like her fathers.
She held her gun up in her right hand as her left pressed against the garage door opening it up slowly.
Asami had spent hours trying to get the bombs situated. She knew how big the impact would be so she calculated it to where it would fit the radius of the area it would be located in without leveling the whole building. Ming-Hua was always on point when it came her explosives. Asami only added a bit of a cushion to lessen the impact and causalities that could come with it. She was finished with the last one and jotted down a few notes when she heard the door to the garage creek open.
Off instinct alone, Asami dropped her pen and picked up a gun underneath the table and held it toward the door to aim it at the intruder. Seeing it was Korra, Asami lowered it immediately, "Korra?" she said with relief mixed with disbelief.
"Sorry... didn't mean to startle you," Korra answered lowering her gun as well. She walked up passed a covered car and toward Asami placing her gun behind her back. "I thought something happened to you," she said with that same worried tone in her voice.
Asami felt a rush of guilt after pulling yet another gun on Korra. She placed it down on to the desk and said, "I'm fine..." reaching for Korra's free hand. "Why would you think that?" she asked thinking it was because of what she said earlier.
Korra pulled up a stool and sat beside her. "I called you," she said holding Asami's hand. She looked her straight in the eye with a shaky expression, "when I didn't get an answer I thought they..." she said unable to finish her sentence at the thought of it.
"I'm fine," Asami repeated tightening her grip on Korra's hand. She reached into her back pocket with the other and took out her phone. She turned it back on and placed it on a mini pad to charge it. "I had it on vibrate but I guess it fell asleep on me," she said with a small smile. She released Korra's hand and tugged the edged of her shirt, "speaking of which. aren't you suppose to be?" she asked in a playful manner to lighten up the mood.
Korra had a soften smile appear on her lips. "Can't without you," she replied.
A light chuckled escaped Asami's lips causing her to smile, "I can't either," she said with a look of loss in her eyes.
Korra looked down and reached in between Asami's legs pulling the edge of her stool closer to her. "Plus..." she said feeling Asami a lot closer to her were their knees brushed together. "I couldn't sleep knowing you're in here tinkering with deadly explosives," she said with a small smirk wanting to light the mood herself.
Asami licked her upper light slightly before glancing over at the duffel bag she finished with moments ago. "I guess not," she said looking back at Korra with a small shrug as if it were nothing. Before she could say anything else, she heard a thud coming from the house. She shot a look toward the garage door and placed her hand on the gun that she left on the table.
Korra reached just as quickly but instead placed her hand on top of Asami's. "It's alright. Its just Mako," she assured before releasing Asami's hand. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone to call her partner. "Yeah I found her, she's fine. Alright," she replied before hanging up. Korra raised up her phone before setting it on the table next to Asami's. "Like I said. Thought something happened," she said with an unapologetic look
Asami understood and didn't question the intrusion. "I know. Thank you," she said taking the gun and placing it back under the table.
Mako showed up a few minutes later and saw Asami and Korra chatting. "Hey you two," he said as he closed the door to the garage behind him.
"Hey," they both replied in unison.
Korra raised a brow as she saw Mako rubbing his upper thigh, "what happened in there?" she asked wondering if he saw something.
Mako pointed behind him and said, "I got a text from Beifong saying the tank was on the move," before slipping his hands into his jacket pockets. "Wasn't paying attention so I ran into a table," he said giving a small rundown on what happened. "You alright?" he asked Asami.
"I am now," she answered looking over at Korra. She looked back at Mako with a nod, "thank you."
He nodded right back and said, "you're welcome." Turning his attention to Korra, Mako cleared his throat, "I gotta go. You staying here?" he asked Korra but cut her off before she could answer. "Of course you are. Why'd I even ask. Text me if anything goes down," he said clearly. "That means the both of you," he said taking a hand out of his pocket and pointing at the both of them.
"Yes sir," Korra said giving him a salute with a hard smirk.
Mako stuck his middle finger up, "check you later," he said turning around and leaving.
Asami shook her head with a small laugh, "you two have a weird relationship," she commented with a smirk of her own.
"Yeah. He's been like a brother I never had for the past five years," Korra said looking from Asami's eyes to her lap. She took a few seconds before continuing, "it got me thinking about you and Kai," she said looking back up at her. "The things you said to him. Promises you made... but how you said it conflicts with that," she said slowly making sure she worded it right. She looked Asami with an intense stare, "like you're not coming back... is that what you think?" she asked seriously.
Asami was taken back by Korra's question. She wasn't sure how to respond. "I don't know," she said in all honesty. Her eyes lowered as well as she thought on it more. "I really don't and that scares the crap out of me," she admitted looking Korra in the eye. "But it also gives me strength," she said seeing Korra looking at her puzzled. Asami took Korra's hand and held it in her own, "because I know what I'm doing it for," she said a serious look of her own. "And no matter what happens tomorrow. I got you."
Korra removed her hand from Asami's and placed it against her cheek. "I know..." she said caressing Asami's face. "I got you too."
Smiling, Asami stood and took Korra's hand again. "Come on... let's get some sleep," she said leading her toward a bed cot in the corner of the room. There was a small curtain to cover the area for privacy.
"This doesn't look comfortable," Korra said eyeing the bed.
Asami nodded in agreement, "yeah but I prefer it over sleeping in that house," she said as she released Korra's hand. She pulled back the covers and sat on the bed.
Korra understood and took a seat beside her. "What time do you start your shift?" she said not knowing her schedule.
"Nine but I'm suppose to be there at Eight though," she said pulling off her shirt and placing it underneath her pillow. Unintentionally, Korra looked over Asami's torso as a reflex. Asami noticed and smirked, "its not what you think. It just gets very hot in here," she said kicking off her shoes.
"I see..." Korra said kicking off her shoes as well. "So it gives you what four hours of sleep then?"
Asami shook her head no and scooted over with her back facing the wall. "Two. I do have to get things ready plus go over some details with Opal," she said pulling the bottom of Korra's shirt toward her.
Korra turned around to face Asami and stopped to take her gun from her back. She checked to see the safety was on and placed it on the small table where the lamp was next to them. She turned back to Asami and wrapped her arms around her.
Asami reached down for the covers and pulled it over them. "Good night Korra," she said with a soft smile.
Korra held Asami in a tender embrace while looking deep into her eyes. "Goodnight Asami."
Two hours later, Asami was woken up by the sound of her alarm. She didn't want to get up specially being in Korra's strong arms but knew she had to. She sat up slowly and gently removed Korra's arm from her waist. She could hear Korra softly snoring. Asami watched her sleep for a few seconds more until her alarm when off again. She groaned at the sound and got out of the bed without disturbing Korra.
She walked over to her desk and turned off her alarm. It was 6 in the morning. She walked back toward the bed and took a seat at the edge of it. She put her shoes on and felt a shifting in the bed. She turned around to see Korra opening her eyes.
"Is it six already?" Korra asked with a yawn to follow.
Asami placed her hand on the other side of the bed by Korra's waist. "Yeah," she replied seeing Korra's sleepy eyes.
Korra groaned at how early it was. "You're leaving me aren't you?" she asked knowing Asami had to get things situated before the plan could be set in motion.
"Around seven o'clock I am," Asami replied seeing Korra poke out her bottom lip in a pout. She smiled at that, missing it dearly. She leaned down and kissed Korra's bottom lip. "I'll see you again a little later," she said reaching underneath the pillow to get her shirt.
Korra wrapped her arms around Asami's waist again and pulled her on top of her. "Be careful," she said wanting her to stay safe.
Asami pressed her body gently into Korra's careful not to hurt her ribs. "I will. You be careful as well," she said caressing Korra's cheek with her free. She wanted to stay in this moment. Being in Korra's arms was so soothing to the touch. Feeling her finger tips grazing over the small of her back. It was nice but she had to get a move on. "Korra..."
"Yeah..." Korra said still tracing circles into Asami's skin.
"I need my shirt," she said trying to hold back a smirk.
Korra hand roamed her bare skin a few seconds more. "Alright," she replied while reaching her hand underneath the pillow to retrieve her shirt. Handing it back to her, Korra sighed heavily as Asami sat up again to place her shirt on. She shifted in the bed herself to put her shoes on.
Asami could sense the change in Korra and wanted to put her mind at ease. "You could come with..." she said standing up. She held her hand out in front of Korra to take.
"What do you mean?" Korra asked as she got her right shoe on.
"I mean you could drive me there and wait until the plan starts..." she said holding back another suggestion she had been thinking of all night.
Korra thought on it and took her hand standing up. "Sounds better than waiting around," she said with a smile on her face. At least if she was close by she could see if anything or anyone was out of place.
Asami placed her phone in her back pocket, "good... there is one more thing..." she said not sure if it was a good time to bring it up or to wait for Opal.
"What is it?" Korra asked as she grabbed her gun putting it back underneath her shirt.
Thinking on it, Asami shook her head no. "Its risky... but could work if you are willing to do it," she said walking toward the door of the garage. Korra looked at her confused as hell. "You'll see when Opal shows up," she said opening the door waiting for Korra to follow.
"Oh hell no," Korra protested once hearing Asami's plan.
Asami giggled a bit and tried to keep a straight face, "I think it will work," she said folding her arms folded. "You're already an expert at it," she complimented in a small way.
Korra wasn't at all comfortable with this plan. "I still don't think I could pull off pretending to be Opal," she said knowing she could be caught. The hotel's security was one thing but the EEA's agents swarming the place was another. Beifong told Korra last night how Kuvira and her team caught wind of the Red Lotus' target and would be assisting the Mayor til the threat was dealt with.
"Why not?" Opal asked with a hand on her hip taking offense.
Korra looked at her puzzled only to calmly say in the nicest possible way. "Because we look nothing alike," she said with a slight pause before continuing. "Plus I'm taller than you."
Asami smiled and took her bag from the floor and placed it on to the coffee table in the living room. "The height won't matter, specially at first glance," she said taking some things out.
Korra's eyes widen at what she saw, "what are you gonna do with that?" she asked pointing at a curling iron.
"Your hair," Asami answered while untangling the wire.
Opal clasps her hands together and said, "I could do your make up! Or should I say mine?" she said with a devious smile that made Korra gulp.
"Nope! No make up!" she said seeing Opal holding up a brush or blush.
After plugging in the iron, Asami took a seat next to Korra, "its okay. You won't have to put on make up," she assured with Opal whining near her. "But this is the best way we can get you in undetected," she said taking Korra's hands in her.
Korra sighed heavily and caved, "fine but just the hair," she made clear seeing Opal's eyes lighting up again.
Korra drove Asami to work while Opal got a ride from Bolin. They had the guys as back up parked outside the hotel building. Being low key as possible without causing a disturbance. The twins were on the west side of the building. Bolin was parked on the south near the back by the parking lot while Korra would be parked on the east close to the exit the Mayor would be escaping from. It was a well constructed plan over all but had a lot of high risks involved when it came to the bombs she had to set in place.
Asami looked out the passenger side window at the building. She could feel this empty pit in the middle of her stomach. Unsure if it was just from lack of sleep, food or anxiety all wrapped up into one.
It didn't show on her face but Korra could feel it. She had the same feeling herself. "In and out right?" Korra said breaking the silence.
Asami looked at Korra with a smirk, "for you maybe... for me its ten hours of hell," she said knowing the wait would kill her. It would take less than ten minutes to get this done. The fact they had to sit on this for ten hours without raising suspicion was nerve racking.
"It will fly pass quickly. Just treat it like any other day," Korra advised.
"I will," Asami answered as she took out her phone to check the time. She had about seven minutes before their morning meeting started. "Remember about a quarter til 5 is when Opal will come out to make the switch," she said placing her phone in her pocket and grabbing the duffel bag with her clothes inside.
Korra took off her seat belt and leaned on the center console, "before you go in... I just wanted to tell you how much I love you," she said looking deep into those green iris'. "And that we will get through this together."
Seeing the hope in Korra's eyes gave Asami strength. "I know we will. I love you too Korra," she said getting lost into those blue ocean hues. Not wanting to drag out what could be a long goodbye filled with doubt and endless negative thinking, Asami smiled sweetly at Korra placing her hands on her cheeks. She gave Korra a quick kiss on her lips before opening up her side door. She got out of the vehicle and walked toward the parking lot to go through the employee's entrance.
Korra licked her lips as she watched Asami walk away. She felt like she was being gut checked but knew that was the anxiety of the whole situation building up. Taking out her phone, she texted Mako: Its on.
Asami finished getting dressed as she normally did and entered the ballroom with the rest of the staff. It was pretty packed since Wu wanted to make a big announcement regarding their very special guest for this evening.
"Everyone here? Good!" He said enthusiastically. "Now we all know who's coming today, in case none of you were paying attention and only focused on overtime, its former United Forces Major and current Mayor of Republic City Raiko!" Wu shouted clapping like crazy.
Opal walked up next to Asami fixing her collar, "I swear he was a hype man in another life," she joked as they listen to the insignificant amount of claps throughout the room. "He can make anyone sound good," she added directing her attention to Wu.
Asami nodded her head in agreement. "Maybe he could speak at my funeral after this is over," she commented.
Opal shot Asami a look not finding her joke funny. "Not gonna happen on our watch," she said referring to her and their crew.
"You ready when it goes down?" Asami asked as her eyes never left Wu.
"More than ready," Opal replied. "I just hope it works."
Mako was upstairs on the main floor the EEA had their base of operations. He was talking to one of the security personnel's until Kuvira interrupted them.
"What are you doing here?" Kuvira more than commanded by the calm demeanor yet stern tone of voice.
Mako turned around to face Kuvira and raised his chin up to meet her level of composure. "The Captain has nothing left for me to do once we handed the case off to you," he explain without breaking eye contact. "I was wondering if you needed an extra hand," he offered hoping she'd take the bait.
Kuvira gave Mako a questionable look with a perfectly shaped brow raised upward, "what makes you think after your royal fuck up that I would let you anywhere near this case again?" she asked trying to read him.
Mako eyes shifted downward in shame before answering. "My best wasn't shown since you decided to let some one who has zero experience out into the field with no reasonable amount of time to prepare for such an assignment," he stated as fact once their eyes met. He knew if he was out in the field that this could have gone a hundred different ways and probably would have ended a lot quicker and less messier than how Korra was going to resolve it. Yet if he had the choice in doing so. He wouldn't change a thing. "But yes this is a royal fuck up I'd like to correct."
Kuvira was more amused than insulted. It shown by the smug smirk across her face. "As generous as your offer is. I will have to respectfully decline," she took a few steps forward evading Mako's personal space. "Through all the chaos that will ensure tonight. I will be the order that maintains the balance in the end," she said as she leaned closer to him. She was so close he could feel her breath on his face, "if you wanna ride someone's coattails I suggest you stick with Beifong's because you won't be getting a free ride off of mines," she said in an aggressive whisper. She stood up straight again and smiled wickedly as she walked into the elevator to take her to the first floor.
Wu held his hands up in defense trying to calm his staff down from the comments he was making on their pay. "Hey hey hey if all goes well today and we get that star back. Maybe your current level of income will increase," he said hearing a bit more cheers this time. He raised his index finger up in the air to get their attention again, "but only if everything goes perfect tonight," he pointed out hearing a sea of sighs.
"As you can see..." Wu said gesturing toward the men in black suits standing in the front and back of the ball room. "We have extra security tonight that we will have to work around to ensure the safety of our guest. The EEA and the mayor's office has requested your full cooperation during Mayor Raiko's visit. They will be doing inspections all over the building to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary," Wu said as he read from an index card. "It will happen at specific times of their choosing so be prepared and please do not embarrass me," he practically begged in an anxious tone of voice.
As Wu was wrapping up Kuvira walked into the room and up to him. She stepped right in front of him and looked over at all his employees. "I am agent Kuvira Kinzoku. As of today this building will be monitored by the Earth Empire Agency," she announced in an authoritative tone. She was eyeing every single person in the room memorizing their stature to detect if their body langauge was off. "If any one causes harm to the Mayor. I will see to it personally that they riot in Lake Laogai prison for the rest of their lives," she threaten in a more aggressive tone as she laided her eyes on Asami.
Asami didn't flinch, instead narrowed her eyes at the woman. It was only a couple of seconds but the stare shared between the two was one of intensity and understanding. Korra had briefly mention to her about the case and those who were involved with getting her where she needed to be in order to fool the red lotus. The EEA wasn't mention but Asami could feel that they were involved one way or another.
"You don't have to threaten my staff like that," Wu said some what defending his own. He had just talked their heads into oblivion moments ago on the subject and didn't think it was necessary to have another person reiterating the subject. "They are all up standing citizens," he said as Kuvira turned on her heels to face the small man next to her.
"Watch your tongue when you speak to me or you'll have more than a loss of a star to worry about," Kuvira stated as she walked passed him and out of the room. She came up to one of her men that was at the main entrance in the lobby. "If you see any signs of the Red Lotus you detain them and their accomplices," she ordered as the agent gave her a nod in compliance and a 'yes ma'am' to follow.
Kuvira left the hotel building and into her unmarked EEA vehicle with Mako following her in his own car. "She's on the move," Mako mention to Korra through his Bluetooth.
Korra was still in Asami's car listening through her own. "Keep tabs on her. Hit me up when she comes back with Raiko," she said ending the call. Looking over at the hotel, Korra wondered how Asami was holding up.
Asami was walking through the check points that Korra needed to place the bombs in. Going through the stairwell, she saw something behind the fire extinguisher. Ghazan must have left it for them to get to later. He was notorious for leaving easter egg all over the city when they needed it. So it wasn't a surprise to see a red bulls eye sticker inside of the glass case. She rolled her eyes and kept walking up the stairs.
Reaching the floor underneath the one the EEA had occupied, Asami took out a small gadget she had snagged from the twins. "How is it looking?" she whispered to Wei through her Bluetooth headset. She had it covered behind her long flowly hair.
Wei was outside of the hotel in the passenger side of Wing's car. "Good so far," he said looking at the outline of the hotel on his laptop screen. "All you need to do is place it on the ceiling."
"Got it," Asami replied as she took a key card out with her other hand. She looked around to see if the coast was clear and opened the door. Entering the room, Asami closed the door behind her and spoke normally, "so where does this lil' baby go?" she asked holding it while scanning the ceiling.
Wei looked at the outline of the room, "air vent so it won't be seen," he suggested with Asami eyeing it.
She pulled up a chair close to the wall it was at and looked through the vent using the light on her phone. "I think I know a better place than this. Plus I don't have a screw driver," she said looking up at the lights.
Asami exited the room a few minutes later. Shutting it closed, she heard footsteps coming toward her.
"Hey! what are you doing?" an Agent demanded to know.
Asami raised a brow and met him half way down the hall. "My job. You?" she asked crossing her arms.
Wei could hear everything she was saying since she didn't hang up yet. "You really think giving this guy attitude is the way to go about it," he asked as she ignored him.
The man walked passed her and toward the room she was just in. "Open it," he demanded. She rolled her eyes and let him in with the key card. "Wait here," he said stopping her right in the hallway. She folded her arms again waiting for him to come out.
"Off to a rocky start there Sato," Wei said in her ear.
Asami smirked as she leaned up against the wall in the hall way, "we'll see about that," she whispered. She could hear the guy rambling around in the room tossing it. She began to play with an app on her phone waiting for him to come back.
The agent came out of the room a couple minutes later, "checks out," he said standing in front of Asami.
She peaked into the room seeing the bed tossed along with other things. "Really?" she asked him holding her phone hard in her hand.
He shrugged with a small smirk, "just doing my job," he said sarcastically.
"Which is to make mines harder..." she said looking at his ID on his hip. "Neo."
The man was about to say something when he got a call on his radio. "Copy that," he said giving Asami one last glance before leaving in the elevator.
As the doors closed, Asami walked toward the stairwell looking at the picture on her phone. "Sending it to you now," she told Wei who gotten a picture ID of the agent.
"You sly devil you," he commented as Wing looked over at the screen.
Asami chuckled as she entered the stairwell. "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Mako followed Kuvira from a good distance. He was a few cars behind her. Her pathway was leading downtown towards the courthouse. Raiko was giving one last speech there before the voting would start tomorrow.
Kuvira parked in a designated spot and got out walking toward the campaign area. Mako parked across the street and laid low watching through his mini binoculars. He saw her chatting with Raiko's security before standing off to the side to view the beginning of his speech.
Hours passed by with how long this rally was taking to come to an end. Mako was ready to pass out but instead called Korra. "How's the fort holding up?" he asked hearing loud cheers from the crowd across the street.
"From what Wing texted me earlier... so far so good," Korra said still a bit skeptical at how this was actually gonna work.
Mako could hear the doubt in her voice. "You okay?" he asked wondering if he should turn back around.
Korra shook it off reading again how Asami almost got made. "Yeah just have bad vibe thats all," she said feeling it in her gut. "What's Kuvira doing?" she quickly asked so Mako wouldn't question her the comment she made.
"Waiting for Raiko," Mako said while looking at the time on his phone. It was almost 30 minutes to five. "Beifong and the tactical team should be in position by now."
"Still got eyes on the tank?" Korra asked thankful for the change in subject some what.
Mako switched his screen over to the GPS tracker that was installed on his phone. "For the most part," he said hoping they haven't found it by now and switch it to another vehicle.
Korra took a few deep breaths and said, "that's good," while seeing Opal in the rear view mirror coming up to the passenger side of Asami's car. "I guess its my shift now. Gotta go," she said with Mako wishing her good luck.
Opal came up to the passengers side door and handed Korra her ID and name tag through the window. "You're turn. Try not to get me fired in the process," she said as she continued to walk down the street.
Korra chuckled as she got out of the car and locked it. "I'll try not too..." she said heading inside of the hotel.
Korra headed toward the emergency doors Asami told her to go too. Asami had cut the alarm some how and figured it was through Wei who was outside monitoring the cameras and security system the hotel had. She headed toward the locker room where Asami would be.
Asami was over at her locker when Korra came into the room. "Lock the door," she said as she took out the duffel bag that had her clothes in it.
Locking it, Korra came up to Asami and saw the duffel bag on the bench. The bombs were underneath her clothes. "You really think we can just walk around with a duffel bag full of bombs unnoticed?" she asked wondering where Asami was gonna go with this.
"I could stuff them in my shirt instead," Asami sarcastically replied with a smirk. The look on Korra's face was priceless. "Don't worry, I got a plan."
Korra watched Asami walk behind the lockers and came back out with cleaning supplies and a bucket. "Isn't that the janitors equipment?" she asked with Asami nodding.
Asami placed it down and took out a plastic bag and started to place the bombs in. "Yep but he doesn't show up til late tonight. So Wu tends to have us doing jobs that aren't our own..." she said as she tied up the plastic bag and placed it inside the empty yellow plastic bucket. "He's cheap that way," she comments before taking off her uniform.
"What are you doing now?" Korra asked feeling more anxious than ever. Even with the door closed she still felt like someone would come in and catch them.
Asami understood why Korra was questioning everything. They didn't go over every single detail of how they were gonna execute the plan. Asami knew they had to improvise at some point. "Suiting up. This d-bag I ran into earlier gave me the idea," she said as she placed the janitors jump suit on. She tied her hair up into a ponytail and placed his hat on. "Look," she said placing her hands at Korra's sides. "We are gonna get through this in one piece. Just like you said. Now you with me?" she asked with her hands sliding off of Korra's shoulders and into her hands.
Korra looked down at their hands and said, "yeah I'm always with you," meeting Asami's gaze again. As she pulled away, Korra pulled her back by her hand lightly. "Just... be careful."
"I will. You be careful too," Asami said as she started to wheel the bucket over to the sink and pouring water inside. She had placed the wringer on top to cover the plastic bag full of bombs.
They both exited the locker room with Korra grabbing on to one of the carts full of fresh sheets, mints and towels. She was on the lobby floor and pressed the button for the elevator. Asami was passing her with Korra knocking over the cup of mints. Asami bend down to pick it up and hide behind the cart out of the camera's view. She took that opportunity to place a few bombs underneath the cart. She picked up the rest of the candy and placed it back on the cart.
"Thanks," Korra said going along with the plan Asami told her before leaving the locker room.
"No problem," she said gripping on to the brim of her cap lower it even further so the camera couldn't get a good look at her. Asami wheeled the mop bucket over toward the stairwell entrance as Korra got inside of the elevator.
Asami entered the stair well and placed a bomb close to the door way exit leading toward the garage area. She had marked the range of the blast on it with a light scribble. Since it was dim lighting in the area it was hard to spot. It was similar to an 8 ball but smaller and less visible if hidden well enough. Once the first one was secure she lugged the bucket upstairs all th way to the top floor.
Korra was in the elevator trying to figure out how she would be able to place a bomb inside of it. It would be easier if she was about to cut the cord but didn't have that kind of time or equipment on hand. "Anytime you're ready," she whispered into her Bluetooth.
Wei had visual on her from the camera inside of the elevator. He already hacked into the systems main frame undetected and cut off the cameras inside of the elevator. He made the elevator come to a complete stop so Korra could sabotage it.
"You see that?" said one of the agents monitoring the cameras.
Wei was sitting back in his seat as the lights when out in the elevator. "Do your thang girl," he said as he watched some agents rush out of the room pressing on the buttons to the elevator on their floor.
Korra removed all the contains off the top of the cart. She then placed the bombs on the top of the cart to the side before climbing it. She stood on top of it and pushed the ear piece further into her ear. "How much time do I have now?"
Wei was trying to calculate it in his head as he saw the agents rushing into the stairwell toward the floor the elevator stopped on. "I'd say about a solid 45 seconds."
Asami was still walking up the stairs when she heard loud ass footsteps on echoing from the top. "Fuck.." she said looking up and rushing further up the stairs.
Korra wasn't going to wait anymore time . She quickly opened up the hatch and carefully placed the bombs to the side. She heaved herself up and climbed inside. "Now where do I place it?" she asked Wei hearing nothing but static. "Hello? Wei?" she said hearing bits and pieces.
"Korra. Korra?" Wei said through the speaker of his phone. The call dropped.
"Try her again," Wing suggested. They needed clear communication if they wanted to make it out in one piece.
One agent ran out on to the floor Korra was on and pressed the button to open it. He took out his radio and said," bring me a crowbar now!" before placing it back by his side and trying to pry the doors open with his hands. Korra looked at her phone and saw she had no bars inside. She then turned her flash light on and aimed it at the plastic bag. She opened it up and grabbed one of the bombs that had writing on it. "No... that's furnace," she said placing that down and grabbing another one.
The agent ran out of the room to get a crowbar and headed into the hall way. Asami was four floors under him as he was racing down to the eight floors below where his partner was. Asami when through a door and slide down as he ran pass it to get down another flight of stairs. She came back into the stairwell and raced up the stairs to place another bomb where it was suppose to be.
"Gotcha," Korra said finding the bomb. "Now where do you go" she said holding up her phone to see where she should place it. Finding a spot with a red bulls eye on it, Korra placed the bomb down and attached it.
The Agent reached the other handing him the crowbar. They started to pry it open just as Korra got down and placed the rest of the bombs back underneath the cart.
Wei got back in touch with her, "Korra the hatch!" he shouted in her ear.
Looking up at the ceiling, Korra couldn't help but utter the words, "Fuck."
Asami was on the top floor as she had the same visual on her phone that Wei had on his computer. She saw that there where no Agents in the room. She slipped inside and started to go over their footage. She placed stills for every camera view for it to no longer be in video. She used Agent Neo ID to gain further access into their network to make sure Wei wasn't made.
The doors to the elevators finally opened with Korra fixing her bra. "Ma'am you alright?" one agent asked getting her attention.
Korra looked up at him in shock as if she had just been caught getting out of the shower. "Yes the elevator just scared me when it stopped." She managed to get everything else back on the cart except for the cup of mints in the corner.
The Agent came inside with his partner and stood next to Korra. "This happen a lot?" he asked eyeing her in a way.
"If it has it wasn't on my shift," she quickly replied looking up at numbers. She then glanced at the other one with a faint smile, "could you press the top button?" she asked in the sweetest voice possible.
"Sure," the guy said pressing the button to get them back to the top floor.
Asami came out of the room hearing the elevator ring before the doors could open.
Korra got off the elevator pushing her cart along with it. "Thanks for the help guys," she said walking down toward the stairwell stopping by a door that lead to the furnace. She could see Asami in the small window on the door pointing to the side to make them go away.
The younger looking agent came up to Korra and said, "I'm Hong Li by the way," while extending a nervous hand toward her.
Korra looked at him and smiled slightly. "I'm Ko- Opal," she said forgetting she was pretending to be her.
"We need to head back now," the other agent said pointing at the room. "You can make a love connection another time."
Hong Li nodded and said, " I'll be right there," only to see his partner walk off in a huff. "Sorry about Neo. Its his kid's birthday today so he's in a pissy mood and wants to take it out on everyone else."
Korra listened carefully and nodded her head to his every word. "I understand completely."
"Yeah," Hong Li said in a chuckle. "So... when do you get off?" he asked only for his face to turn red. Korra raised a brow not sure where this was going. He held his hands up waving it off. "I don't mean get off. I meant to say when does your shift end. Maybe we could grab a drink?"
Finally catching on to being hit on, Korra thought on it and said, "soon. My boyfriend is picking me up after work so..."
Hong Li felt embarrassed and said, "got it. Well have a good rest of your day Kopal," before walking back down the hall and into the room.
Soon as the door closed, Korra sigh and turned the cart to block what she was doing. Bending down, Korra grabbed the plastic bag and walked inside of the room.
Asami stood there with her arms crossed. "What was that?" she asked hearing the whole conversation.
"I'm not sure," Korra admitted as she was looking for a spot to place the bomb.
"He was hitting on you. You know that right?" Asami said leaning up against the wall beside Korra.
Korra raised a brow at Asami, "I guess... I wasn't really paying attention."
Asami glanced away from Korra and toward the door, "well I noticed," she said taking off the cap and fixing her hairband.
"Jealous?" Korra asked with a smirk as she placed the bomb behind the furnace.
"Please..." Asami said dismissing it. Locking eyes with Korra again, Asami had a smug look on her face. "Plus... he's no match for me."
Korra turned to face Asami and pulled her by the collar of her jump suit. "Hardly," she comments giving Asami a quick peck on her lips. "Now let's get out of here." Korra came out of the room behind Asami who was crouching down to stay out of sight. She made it to the stairwell as Korra took the cart and pushed it inside of the room they where just in. She met Asami in the stair well a few seconds later. "Its all clear," she said to Wei.
Asami shook her head lightly as she looked at the time. "Five minutes to Five," she uttered. "How are we gonna evacuate people safely without raising suspicion?"
Thinking on it, Korra gesture to what was on the wall.
"Fire alarm? That's the worst idea you could think of," Wei said as Asami and Korra ran down the stairs.
"You got a better idea?" Korra asked as she ran down the stairs behind Asami.
Wei shook his head no and said, "no but that's still not a good one."
Korra was getting a bit agitated at this point. "Why not?" she asked still not seeing his point.
Wei wish he could show instead of having to explain in detail. "Because once the alarm is pulled tons of people will be rushing downstairs. You won't have any time to get him," he said referring to Raiko.
"So what do you suppose we do?" Korra asked out of breath at this point.
Wing looked a crossed the street and tapped his brother hard without looking. "I got an idea."
Asami ran down the stairs so fast she almost missed the fire extinguisher she saw earlier. Stopping on the steps, Asami came back up and opened up the case it was held in. She removed it as Korra came up behind her.
"What are you doing with that?" she asked still out of breath.
Placing the fire extinguisher down on the ground, Asami pressed on the sticker bulls eye hearing a click. It opened up a hidden space that seemed hallowed out years ago. "Whoa..." she said taking out a small black string bag. Inside of it was walkie talkies and a note. She handed one to Korra and pressed the button on hers. "Everything is secure and ready to go," she said hearing static at first.
"Moving in route in 2 minutes," Ghazan said before cutting off communication.
Asami placed the walkie talkie back into the bag as Korra put the fire extinguisher inside its case. "Let's go before they show up," she said heading back down the stairs.
Korra followed her lead ran down the stairs as fast as she could.
They made it into the locker room and locked the door behind them. Asami quickly stripped out of the janitor's jumper putting on her street clothes. She tossed Korra hers out of the duffel bag she carried the bombs in.
Korra was almost completely dressed when she spotted Asami placing a knife in a holster underneath her cargo pants leg. She didn't say anything instead took out her gun and checked it before placing it behind her back. "I gotta call Mako," she mention as she walked off to the side with her phone in hand. Hitting the speed dial button, Korra waited for an answer, "Hey we're about to head out now. How's everything on your end?" she asked as Asami tossed the empty bag into her locker.
Mako looked across the street through his binoculars. "Slow... but it seems to be wrapping up soon. He's moving through the crowd. Kissing babies. Shaking hands the whole shebang. They'll more than likely make a detour before heading to the hotel. I'll let you know when they're close," he said placing the binoculars back on to his lap.
"Sounds good," Korra replied before hanging up. Placing her phone back into her pocket, Korra looked at Asami with an unsure expression, "so what now?" she asked curious as to if they were leaving the building or staying for the party.
"See if the twins came up with a solution yet," she said dialing Wei's number.
Wei was using his phone when Asami called. He didn't answer instead tapped his brother on the shoulder. "Call Sato back," he said as he was downloading a message for every attendant in the hotel.
Wing called Asami who picked it up on the first ring. "You guys figure it out yet," she asked as she took a seat on the bench.
"Yeah working out the kinks now. Needed my phone to do it," he said as Korra was on a three way conversation with them through her Bluetooth.
"So how are you gonna do this?" Korra asked as she eyed the door.
Wei saw the download was complete and laughed a bit, "well I made this message that will automatically send to all the rooms that are occupied about a free banquet dinner in the ballroom sponsored by the Mayor's office," he said pretty pleased at his own work under pressure. "Soon as the Mayor is in his room upstairs. I'll send the message out to each room at the same time and once everyone is downstairs. The firework show can begin," he said referring to the bombs.
Korra was surprised by the solution and grateful for it, "Good job guys. hit me up when the Red Lotus show up."
"Will do Kormander," Wei said to be cheeky before hanging up.
Bolin looked at the time on his phone and over at his girlfriend, "you sure you don't want me to take you back home?" he asked for the millionth time since she got in the car.
Opal smiled and tapped him on top of his hand twice. "I'm sure. I'm not going anywhere until I know Asami and Korra are okay," she said glancing back at the hotel. They were parked on the other side of the street from it.
His phone began to buzz before he could make a comment on her decision. "Its Wei," he told her before picking up. "Sup?"
"Did the Red Lotus show up yet?" Wei asked since they didn't have the best line of sight.
Bolin looked around and shook his head no. "Not yet. Its 5 now. I wouldn't expect them to come exactly on the dot," he said not knowing they we're closer than expected.
"What are we gonna do about the tank?" Wing asked since Bolin was on speaker.
"No clue but I'm sure my brother has something up his sleeve," Bolin said knowing his brother could handle it if no one else could.
Mako saw that the event was coming to an end. Raiko interacting with everyone he made contact with before heading into an unmarked vehicle for his own protection. Kuvira got in with him.
Taking out his phone, Mako texted Korra: There on the move. He then began to follow right behind them a few cars behind. It was already 5pm. He wasn't sure if the Mayor was gonna clock out already but expect shit to go down once he actually arrived at the hotel.
Twenty minutes passed as the car that Raiko was in pulled in to the front of the hotel. Kuvira got out first with a couple of agents meeting her before escorting the Mayor inside.
Mako parked and called up Beifong. "Cap, they're here. Any visual on the tank yet?" he asked looking at his phone.
"Its heading towards city hall. We plan to take it out before it gets any closer," Beifong explain as she signal her men to get ready.
"I could met up with you all in a few minutes-" he said being cut off by his commanding officer.
"No stay with Korra make sure she's okay," Beifong ordered.
Mako looked at the building seeing the Mayor finally going in side after signing a few things for people waiting outside. "I will," he said as she hung up.
He text Korra again and said: bird is in the nest.
Korra got another buzz on her phone seeing it was Mako. "Here we go," she said pointing over at Asami who got in contact with Zaheer over the walkie talkie.
"He's here," was all Asami said before getting a response.
"Good. Come into the parking lot and wait for further instructions," Zaheer directed.
Korra could feel her stomach turning at the sound of his voice. She shook her head no and waved it off for Asami to see.
Asami got the same feeling too and said, "we'll be right out."
"Only you," Zaheer corrected sternly. "I have other plans for Korra."
The girls shared a worried look between each other before Asami agreed to his terms. "I'll be there in a few," Asami said turning off the radio right after.
Korra looked at Asami shocked at her agreeing to go alone. "Don't do this..." she practically begged by the sound of her voice.
Asami stood up off the bench and stood in front of Korra. "I have too or all this would have been for nothing," she said heading toward the exit.
Korra ran in ahead of her and jumped in front of the door. "You can't. What if he knows..."
"He doesn't," Asami assured as she reached for the door handle.
Korra pushed her hand away. "And if he does?" she asked again.
Asami knew it would be a possibility that he did. "Then I'll be ready for him," she said meaning the weapon she had on her.
"Asami you can't do this..." Korra pleaded.
"Why not?" she asked with agitation in her voice. Asami knew Korra meant well but it wasn't the time to talk about this. "He's the reason my mother is dead and that my father is in jail. So if it comes down to it. I will be taking him out," she said moving past Korra to open up the door.
Korra grabbed her arm before she could twist the knob. "This isn't justice..."
Asami looked at Korra's hand on her arm before meeting her eyes again, "no its retribution," she said jerking her arm away.
Korra took a deep breath and said, "he killed my father..." before Asami could open the door.
Asami turned around with a shocked look on her face. "What?"
"I found out when I was kicked off the case. He was a possible suspect in it with the only proof being some... black scarf with a red lotus on it..." Korra admitted out loud for the first time. She wasn't sure what to believe but he was the only lead he had to what really happen to her father. "All I'm asking is that justice be served for both our families."
Asami let go of the door handle and walked over to Korra pulling her into a hug. "It will.." she said in Korra's ear. Feeling her embrace her back, Asami pulled back and kissed Korra one last time. "I'll make sure nothing happens to the scumbag," she said jokingly but meant it. She let go of Korra and gave her a small smile, "we'll get him okay," she said before walking out the door.
The Mayor finally arrived at the hotel a few minutes ago. He entered the building with his security detail and entered the elevator. He stood with his wife in a purple suit with a yellow dress shirt with slacks to match. His wife was dressed in a similar shade of purple except lighter in her dress. Kuvira stood in front of them with two other agents and three more behind the couple.
Wei watched from his laptop that was piggie backing off of the hotels security system. He could see them exiting the elevator once it was on the top floor.
Wing leaned over to see watching a woman leading them into the main suite. As she turned with the door open allowing Raiko and his wife in, Wing tapped his brother's shoulder hard. "Doesn't she look familiar?" he asked as he pointed to the woman.
Wei looked good and nodded his head. "Yeah she does..." he said trying to remember where he recognized such a hostile facial expression.
Kuvira closed the door shut and walked across the room before turning on her heels to face Raiko. "This room is secure, so its no need to worry," she assured looking to Mrs. Raiko.
Raiko had a displeased look spread across his face at the disruption this has caused his campaign. When he was approached with the news of a potential threat on his life, he didn't believe it or worry about it unlike his wife. Since then he has been under constant strain of limited places to go, people to see and unknown cars following him courtesy of the EEA. "I'm not concerned with a thing," he said as he adjusted his glasses. "Specially an unknown threat I have yet to see nor hear. You haven't given me any indication as to why the EEA is even involved in this. The United Republic isn't even in your jurisdiction," he said clearly annoyed by the look on his face but his tone shown otherwise.
Kuvira gaze laid upon Raiko as he spoke. She knew he would be reluctant by the negative publicity that could be spun by their appearance. She remained silent til he finished. Her expression was blank as she spoke, "as I've said before. The threat against you is very real and whether or not you want to take this as seriously as it is, we will do all we can to make sure you and your wife are safe."
"From what?" Raiko asked more bluntly.
Kuvira narrowed her eyes a bit squinting before answering. "The Red Lotus."
Raiko's expression changed to one of shock trying to cover it with the clear of his throat. "Is it Xai Bau?" he asked fearing the worst.
"No it's his successor Zaheer," Kuvira said knowing what withholding such information meant but didn't care. Raiko flopped down in a near by chair with an anxious look on his face. "They will take advantage of this special occasion to make an example out of you," she said bending down to his level slowly. Making eye contact with him, she had that same expression on her face, "you need to take every single precaution you can. That's the reason why we're here and why you're not dead already."
Raiko gulped and slowly nodded his head understanding what she meant. "Thank you... for your service," he uttered reluctantly still not pleased at how and when he was finally allowed to hear this information.
Kuvira stood up straight once more as she looked down at Mayor Raiko. "Hmph," she said with a small smirk curving at the edge of her lip. She found it ironic to hear seeing how it was what people have been saying all day to him. "Remember you have nothing to worry about. My people have it covered," she said with the utmost confidence in her tone.
"You see em' yet?" Wing asked Bolin over the phone.
Bolin shook his head with his eyes closed. "Not since the last time you asked," he said tired of the waiting game. Before Wing could reply to him a armored civilian truck drove by quickly turning down the street toward the parking lot of the hotel. Bolin's eyes shot open at the noise with Opal pulling him down to not be seen.
"What was that?" Wing asked hearing that loud noise. He was across the street with Wei watching the front of the building. Wei was typing up a code to the hotel's operating system for the phones.
Bolin peaked up and saw that the truck was gone. "Them..." he whispered in a scared tone.
Wing looked over at his brother as he was still typing, "you sure this is gonna work?" he asked just as Wei finished.
"Yup," he said pressing enter as every phone in the building except for the suite was called. The recording was automatic with every person receiving their invite to a special banquet and instant access to the mayor himself for a 45 minute question and answer without press. "Who's gonna turn down free food?" he asked as his screen shown people leaving there rooms entering the elevator or the stairs as if it were an actual fire drill.
Mako had left once the Mayor arrived at the hotel. He was tracking down the tanks location with the GPS. Beifong wanted to gain a visual through his eyes before. He was only a few blocks away. "I'm close chief," he said over the phone.
"Make sure you're not spotted," Beifong ordered.
"Yes Ma'am," Mako replied as he headed down toward City Hall. The tank was heading in that direction slowly its pace. Beifong was ready to intercept when the tank got close enough to its destination. They couldn't afford to disrupt their plans or more causalities would be on their hands. Small isolated incidents is what they were aiming for. The less damage the better.
Zaheer was circling around the building cuing all exit points at a glance. He looked at the time. It was close to 5:20pm. He was about to turn down another street near the back of the building when he got a call. He doubled parked and took out his phone to hearing his associate. "This better be good news this time," he said irritated at the information he heard last night.
"I followed up on your adoptive daughters whereabouts the last 48 hours," Unalaq spoke with a hint of irritation. "She when to see her real father yesterday. She knows everything," he said aggressively as he tried to contain his anger. He took a few breaths to calm himself.
Zaheer remained un-phased by the information, "this changes nothing. we proceed with the plan," he said ready to hang up.
Unalaq quickly responded before he could, "once you have Raiko in your possession, handle the excess baggage," he said with Zaheer hanging up right after.
Asami was waiting in the parking lot up against the wall out of view of the camera's eye. She usually took smoke breaks there so knew it was a safe. She was growing suspicious of the wait until she saw an armored truck enter the parking lot.
"The camera in parking lot b when out," Wei said in Asami's ear through the Bluetooth.
"I know," she said pushing herself off the wall and meeting with him.
Korra was still inside waiting for further instructions but received none yet. She was texting Asami but got no answer.
Asami walked up to the car with caution seeing Zaheer get out a second later tossing her the keys. "Get in and wait," he ordered as she caught it. He walked passed her and headed toward the emergency exit. He took the walkie talkie out of his back pocket and pressed the button, "time to go avatar," he said as he ducked down close to the door.
"Alright," Korra said as she got up and opened up the locker room door. She text Wing and told him it was time to pull the fire alarm.
Wing got the text and nudged his brother showing him the message. All guests were downstairs crowding the dinning hall. Wei nodded and set off the fire alarm alerting everyone in the building to exit.
"What is that?" Raiko said alarmed at the sound.
Kuvira looked at the camera monitors and saw people crowding the lobby. "Fire alarm," she said standing up straight again. "Its started. We need to leave. Now," she ordered in an authoritative tone.
Korra walked into the lobby seeing people exiting the building with confusion as the staff escorted them out. "Let me know when there out okay?" she told Wei who was still on the other line.
"Will do," he said seeing some who didn't come out coming down the stairs.
Kuvira and her men walked out of the room with Raiko and his wife. They passed the elevator and headed towards the stairs. "This is not a drill this is a scare tactic. Pick up the pace," she said as her men when into the stair well to secure it before waving for Raiko and his wife to proceed to move forward.
Korra got a flash on her walkie talkie and knew the first one had to go off. "Here goes nothing," she said pressing the detonator for the first bomb.
Wei watched the screen seeing the elevators lights go out.
An explosion was heard from the floor they were just on. "Move Move Move!" Neo said to get everyone to hustle. Buttercup was trying to keep up she tripped down the second step breaking her heel and twisting her ankle. Agent Hong Li picked her up and slung her over his shoulder as he raced down the stairs as debris was filling their lungs.
The elevator dropped quickly falling all 20 stories. Korra could hear it and yelled at the people to move away. The elevator crashed to the bottom with a few staff members falling back by the impact. Smoke was every where on the first floor as a small fire was inside of the elevator. Sprinkler heads when off above them. EMT's were already on route thanks to Beifong who had them on standby.
Wei heard the booming noise along with his brother hearing their connection drop. "Korra? Korra if you can hear me get out of there," he said not getting a response.
Korra exited the building with everyone else. She headed around the corner to where Asami's car was parked. "Wei.." Korra stopped for a second to clear her throat. "You have a visual?" she asked with him tapping into another camera.
"Not in the suite or the floor beneath it. The lobby is full of smoke but we can see everyone exiting out of the building. Where's Asami?" he asked not hearing from her yet.
"She got out before I did," she said as she got into the passenger side of the car. The walkie talkie flashed again for the second bomb to go off. Korra looked at it for a good minute rubbing her thumb over the button. "Spirits forgive me..." she said pressing it again.
The second bomb when off on to the same floor causing an even bigger explosion with the windows at the top shattering and landing on to the street below. The whole floor was leveled by the furnace causing the bomb in the stairwell at the top floor to go off. People were still being evacuated by officers who were on call and close by on Beifong's orders.
Asami heard the impact and felt the car shaking a bit. She was reading Korra's text when the first bomb when off. She started to text her back telling her she was fine and was waiting for Zaheer to come back with Raiko.
Korra didn't have a good feeling about this. She took deep breaths as she waited to set off the next bomb. As she waited she realized what Zaheer called her. "Avatar?" she questioned knowing she never told him that. She quickly texted Asami to get the hell out of there.
Ghazan was inside of the mecha tank as he got the signal from Zaheer. He stopped the tank a few feet in front of city hall out of range of Lin and her tactical team.
Mako was five cars behind waiting for Ghazan to make a move.
Taking the receiver off its hook, Ghazan put it up to his lips and proceeded to speak. "Mayor Raiko is an ex Major of the United Forces. Who, like every one in a position of power does is lie. He is anti war. He tells you what he has seen in the battle field. What he has done to protect his nation along with the rest of his brothers in arm. But what he really is saying is that he wouldn't do it again. That he cowards when bravery is needed the most. My question to you is will you do the same? What happens when the war comes to your front door. Will you fight back or wave that white flag until it is soaked in your own blood?" he said with such malice at the end.
Mako heard what Ghazan was saying over the loud speaker and instantly got out of his car.
"Well... you're about to see," he said putting it back on the hook and starting up the machines weaponry.
"Move now!" Mako shouted as he ran toward the back of the mecha tank.
Ghazan started to shoot an M2 .50 caliber machine gun electronically with the touch of a button. He had made specific modifications that Hiroshi didn't add. People on the streets began to duck and dodge behind cars to avoid the gun fire. Ghazan wasn't shooting at anyone in particular but was hitting near by cars where the gas tank was to cause it to explode.
"This is what you people want isn't it? A world without war?" Ghazan asked as he picked up the receiver again. "A world without chaos?" he questioned as if they could answer. He was starting to sound like Zaheer the more he spoke, "Your unrealistic expectations are futile to what the real world is," he said moving the tank forward as he continued to shoot off countless bullets per second.
Lin's team started to move in as quickly as possible. A huge black tanker truck was backing up to cut off Ghazan's pathway to city hall.
Kuvira got Raiko and his wife safely down the 20 flights of stairs. They couldn't go through the front so they had to take the emergency exit that lead to the garage. Neo held the door open with Hong Li taking Mrs. Raiko out heading toward their vehicles.
Zaheer stood crouching behind the door once it opened. Once everyone was out, Zaheer closed the door shut getting Kuvira and her squads attention. The first two close to him quickly rushed at him.
He blocked their strikes with is fore arms and countered it with in seconds. He shoved the palm of his hand toward one agents nose causing his nasal bone to go up further into his skull. The other was jabbed into the throat and kicked at both shins hearing bones snap bringing the poor bastard to his knees. He round house kicked him in the back of his head. He hit the concrete hard cracking the side of his head open.
Two other's drew their weapons quickly aiming at Zaheer. He grabbed the one with the broken nose by his collar and held him as a shield as all shots were fired. He then took the man's weapon and shot the other two agents. One in the head and the other in the neck. He then popped two shots into the one who he held in his grasp before dropping him to his feet.
Kuvira took out her own weapon with in seconds and aimed her gun at Zaheer who discharged her weapon once he grabbed it. The magazine fell to the ground giving him the advantage. He jabbed her in her rib cage and proceeded to attack her.
Neo and Hong Li had placed Buttercup into the vehicle and called for back up.
Kuvira held up her own with Zaheer, kicking him back in his chest and jumping in the air punch him in the face. She was side stepped and shoved into the wall. He then took her by her braid and spun her around and tossed hard again into the wall for the second time. He stepped on the back of her neck nearly crushing it. He leaned down and took out his gun ready to shoot her in her head.
Raiko was ready to run but instead picked up one of the agents guns. Zaheer saw out of his peripheral vision and charged Raiko kicking the gun out of his hand and holding his own up to his head. "Try that again and I will kill you," he said with Raiko slowly holding up his hands. He grabbed on to him and nodded his head over to Asami who watched the whole thing in horror. She didn't even get a chance to read Korra's text when Zaheer attacked them.
Starting up the car, Asami drove close to the exit opening the doors for Zaheer and Raiko to get in. They got into the back seat. Zaheer held the gun up to Raiko's head and smirked at how hard the old man was shaking.
Asami was watching through the rear view mirror. She was slowly reaching her hand down the side of her leg to grab her knife.
Zaheer could hear the shifting of clothing and the leather seat in the front of him and directed his weapon to the back of Asami's head. He leaned toward the front and moved it closer to her temple cocking the hammer back.
"What the hell are you doing?" Asami asked in a steady voice.
Zaheer didn't bother to answer such a stupid question instead he directed her to 'Just Drive.'
Asami didn't question him any more instead drove the car out of the parking lot and on to the main road.
Korra was in Asami's car waiting for her to text back. With in seconds she saw a huge civilian truck driving pass her. She called Asami's phone not getting an answer. "Shit..." she said seeing another black civilian military truck driving in the same direction. She quickly got over into the drivers side and started up the car driving behind it. She was still on her phone trying to get in contact with Asami.
"Answer it," Zaheer ordered.
Slowly picking up her phone, Asami answered it. "Asami? Is everything secure?" Korra asked with Zaheer snatching the phone from Asami's hand
Zaheer held the phone in his free hand as he kept the gun to Asami's temple with the other. "It sure is Detective," he said before tossing Asami's phone in the back of the car as they drove on to the highway.