Sci-Fi
(character) Combustion Man
(word) bar
(location) The Si Wong Desert
Word count: 1688
The desert suns shone unto the dark cloth of the tarp covering the couple making their way through the dunes, and the sand sank and shifted underneath every heavy step of the desert mooselions carrying them through the blistering, hot sands. Korra took the flask at her side, struggling to untangle it from the saddle in irritation, and chugged from it hastily.
"I think we're close," Asami said as she lowered the binoculars and hooked the makeshift mask back over her face to keep the dust and sun's rays out. "The trail is getting stronger. We should catch up to them soon."
"Next time we're getting a job that doesn't make us cross the damn Si Wong Desert," Korra grumbled as she tossed the water over to Asami, and fixed her hood that fell back as she drank.
"Oh come on, it's not that bad! Besides, you can at least keep cool with your bending, I have to sweat it out like the rest of us non-force users. How about after this, we take a vacation, if you want I mean."
"Yeah, to someplace nice and cold, with no sand whatsoever. Seriously, why are we even helping the stupid White Lotus, don't they have countless Jedi at their disposal? And who even wants to study under them?! All I know is that I hated it. The Jedi code is stupid, I will have relationships if I want to and they can't tell me otherwise."
"Korra, babe, calm down. They are paying a shitload for this suicide mission, and probably think that we won't be around to collect."
At this Korra looked worriedly at her partner and girlfriend and gnawed at her lip nervously. "You have to promise me you'll be careful."
"Korra-"
"No. I'm serious 'Sami. These people, they're dangerous. They were literally raised as mercenaries from the moment they were born. They combust things with their freaking minds, and even I can't do that. If Zaheer hired them that means the Siths are planning something big soon, and if it's as bad as Amon's rebellion on Coruscant or Unalaq's siege on Hoth, I don't want you anywhere near them."
"It's our job Korra," Asami said softly. "You think I don't hate it every time you have to go and deal with psychos and tyrants? At least now you're free from the Jedi Order. Look this'll be quick. We go in, take out the target, and go on our merry way to the nearest bank."
Korra nodded warily, getting lost in thought as they kept moving. After a while, Asami checked the binoculars once again and waved her hand off handedly to gain Korra's attention. "I see the oasis. They should be there."
"Let's go."
Korra's demeanor changed from annoyance of the heat and a cluttered mind to a scary calm, a sort of calm one tends to cultivate before a battle. Her frame gained tension unlike the one plaguing her from the uncomfortable saddle, coiled to strike at any moment, her mindset changed to one of instinct and focus, and her hand went to her hip, grasping the casing of her lightsaber. The metal felt smooth under her hand, and the trigger, while worn, was sturdy and reassuring under her thumb. She's had this sword for three years now, crafted for her by the very same girl who saved her from a life of servitude to the Order and with whom she spent the best years of her life, and it had saved her on more than one occasion. The symbol of a new beginning had a white crystal in it, a weapon unlike any other, and the hilt was lighter than most, giving Korra an advantage over her frequent opponents.
The oasis grew bigger as they approached, and right away Korra could tell that the fight would be a dangerous one, all her built up battle persona vanishing quickly in the state of worry. The town looked empty, only a couple people meandering around the few booths that were open in the town square. The out-of-place glacier in the middle of the square radiated coldness, and a few stray dune boars rested around its base, absorbing the coolness. The buildings were close together and many alleyways surrounded them as they walked toward the cantina. The dangerous corners set Korra on edge. Her attention was focused on Asami, every single cell in her body ready to jump into action at first sight of trouble to protect her woman, and she knew that this made her vulnerable. She kept looking at her out of the corner of her eye as their mooselions navigated through the sandy roads, trying to get back to her calm mindset.
Eventually they reached the cantina of the town. Asami jumped off her mooselion and dusted herself off nonchalantly, and Korra followed her lead as they walked towards the entrance emanating a muffled, lively song. They walked inside, and right away the atmosphere seemed to change. The place was strangely full and all faces turned towards them, a few weary gazes lingering on Korra's hip where her weapon hung, although the musicians continued to play as if this was a regular occurrence for a jedi and a stranger to walk into their establishment.
Korra, not wanting to linger here any longer than they needed to, walked to the bar and looked the bartender over with a careful eye. "We're looking for someone. Tall man, eye tattoo on his forehead, cybernetic arm and leg, really hard to miss."
"Not my business to share," he said pointedly.
Korra saw Asami roll her eyes and pass a few credits over the counter. The bartender pocketed the money and pointed a thumb over his shoulder towards the more secluded rooms near the back. They were curtained off and uneasiness seeped into her every pore at the fact. She heard the man say something about them being four rooms down and she was off. She lowered her hood as she walked and upholstered her saber holding it tightly in her grip. She heard Asami slip her gauntlet on and heard the low hum it emitted moments after. Several locals, having sensed the danger, began making their way out of the bar, staying out of the bounty hunters' way while Korra zeroed in on the ratty, dusty, brown curtain separating her and the target.
"We go in quick. Don't give him a chance to react."
Asami took out her blaster, and flexed her gloved hand, as Korra turned on her weapon, the hum of the laser being drowned out by the lively music still playing. Korra took a deep breath and yanked open the cloth. Both she and Asami jumped into the enclosed space, only to be met with empty rugs and couches. A few seconds too late she heard the metallic clink of a metal limb stomping behind them and the next thing she felt was a searing heat at her back. Airbending Asami to the side, she dove out the way as a focused explosion rang out just in front of them blasting the wall to shreds.
Adrenaline kicked in and she lashed out at the man with all the force she could muster, slashing her lightsaber expertly, although the mercenary dodged her swings. She heard a few blasts shoot out from where she knew Asami would be, but the man blocked it with his metal limb. While he was still able to effectively dodge both their attacks, Korra swiftly backed off and in his confusion to her retreat, bent a small pebble right to the middle of his forehead. He doubled over as a few weak shockwaves radiated off his tattoo and he groaned in pain. Korra put her sword over his head and just as it was about to cut through the mercenary's neck a blinding pain shot through her back. She faintly heard Asami screech her name as she flew away from the force of the blow and crashed into the bar.
Staggering out of her stupor, she regained her balance and ignoring the burn and stretch of her raw, singed back turned in time to see Zaheer's right hand sith, Pli, walk through the hole in the cantina, brandishing her dual lightsabers and light smoke rising from the Tattoo in the center of her head, matching the one on combustion man. She watched in horror as Pli shot a blast with her mind in Asami's direction. The blast missed by a hair's width but the shockwave pushed Asami away roughly. Not waiting a moment longer Korra jumped towards the tall woman. Their weapons connected in a heated clash, and Korra tried her best to ignore the pain in her back, sure that the cloth of her tunic fused to the charred skin. Their swings were wild and powerful and within minutes of their brawl the bar was riddled with burned slashes and the smell of singed metal.
Off to the side Korra saw Asami fight the recovered combustion man and while she knew she should focus on the woman in front of her, she couldn't help but occasionally send a glance Asami's way. She managed to steal a moment from the fighting and sent a powerful jet of fire in the man's direction, distracting him enough to give Asami a clean shot. A blast connected with the side of his head and Korra watched him teeter lifelessly towards the ground. She turned her attention back in time to block one of Pli's swings, but her second sword already passed through her legs.
Korra toppled, screaming out in pain, and the agony in her back added to the shock of Pli's crippling blow. Her vision blurred and she felt the edges of her vision darken as she began blacking out. She silently watched as Pli turned her attention to Asami and prepared to shoot a blast from her third eye. Just as the blast began to spark from her skin, a blaster shot met the center of the beam and an explosion rocked the cantina. The ceiling began collapsing, and Korra's consciousness finally slipped away.