Walking to where Kat had told him the garage was, Shen made his way across the warehouse common quarters that made up the non office portions of his new team's base. Opening the door to the garage, Shen looked around at the various vehicles in the room. A large military looking van, a few motorcycles, and a few personal satomobiles. In the back corner, Shen noted what he was looking for: scrap metal. To an average person, it looked to be useless junk and spare parts, but Shen saw what a painter did when confronted with a pallet and a blank canvas. Moving closer, Shen began to inspect the grade and types of metal. Some high grade steel, looking to be from tanks and other war instruments, bent and dented from the invasion no doubt. That would be handy. There was also quite a bit of what seemed to be a brass alloy, and then scraps of other random or low grade metals. Bending a good portion of the steel and the brass, as well as a bit of the lower grade scrap, into spheres, Shen made his way back to his and Kat's shared office. Once there, Shen put the brass and a half of the steel over at the workbench, and went back to the remaining material over at his desk. Looking at the blank wall behind his desk, Shen decided on what he would personalise his space with. He may not be the raptor anymore, but that doesn't mean he should forget his past so easily and readily. "Remember that past, and learn from it to better the future", his mothers voice echoed in his head. Bending the metal beside him to his will, Shen mounted the metal on the wall behind his desk into the shape of an eagle, it's wings encircling his chair and head peering over where he would sit. Satisfied with the result, Shen moved over to the workbench. Thinking about how best to use the remaining metal, Shen decided a new grappling system would be needed, as the one from his assassin days had been in the conversion to his armoured trench coat. Shen made two smaller and simpler versions of what the police force used, tipping the cables in brass points, the mounted them inside his coat sleeves. Shen looked up at the remaining chunk of brass alloy and a small amount of steel.
"Hey Kat?" Shen questioned his new teammate.
"Hmmm?" the girl answered, not looking up for his paperwork.
"Are there any regulations what i can use this scrap for?" Shen asked, a small smile creeping onto his face.
Looking up from her papers, Kat looked at Shen quizzically. "Umm, no, I don't believe so. Just so long at it isn't wasted I suppose. Why? What do you want to make?"
"Oh, you'll see in a few minutes," Shen replied, not even attempting to hide the grin that now claimed the lower half of the metal benders face. Again turning towards the metal on the work table, Shen began forming part of the brass into two long skinny tubes, one flaring out at the end. Shen then heated the metal and welded them together in a curving U joint. He repeated the process, leaving the flared part off the piece. He then welded a bit of steel tubing at the ends of the pieces, excluding the flared end. The last bit of steel was used to form a thick mouthpiece, like that of a trumpet, but bigger. Assembling the pieces, Shen held the newly formed trombone in front of his with much pride. As if sensing the immense happiness coming from her new partner, Kat looked up at the boy.
"What the..? Hoe did you do that? Well i know how, but how do you know how, like how do you know if it's made right?" The water bender questioned, astounded at the instrument Shen had made from what had been useless scrap an hour prior.
Braaaapppppp! came the sharp, yet mellow reply of the trombone, raised to Shen's lips, and perched on his Shoulders. "That's how." Shen replied.
"Well, that's... good. I suppose. I only have a few more things to finish up, but if you still wanna play that thing, go in the common area, jazz is one of my biggest weaknesses."
"I'll have to keep that in mind then" Shen teased, already heading for the door, trombone in hand.
o0o
Author's Note: Sorry about the extremely long hiatus guys! I swear I am! heres a smallish chapter for you to help start things rolling again, ive been extremely busy with schooling getting into full swing again, and lots of personal things happeneing. be sure to review, and as always, have a great day!