-Family First—

Bolin was hesitant about going to Pratt Street. It wasn't the nicest or safest area. He scheduled a lunch date with his brother, Mako, instead just to delay the trip. Mako was free that day.

On his way, Bolin passed several places which had been vandalized, like Lin was talking about. Several billboards that displayed government propaganda demanding support from citizens for the takeover of the business sector were simply set on fire and burned to a crisp. Not the best way to get a message out. Some of the graffiti said "Who is Oni?" and "Oni truly saves". These were relatively new. Bolin did not know what they meant. No one he spoke to seemed to know or care about them either. If it wasn't against the Republic City council, it didn't matter.

Other propaganda slogans were painted over with giant, silly-looking frowny-faces over several important people: the chief of police, prominent councilmembers, and some really nasty ones over a man Bolin recognized to be Graft. Graft was some kind of anomaly that found his way into the Republic City council. They called him a savior who would end crime and bring us into a new era with the knowledge he brought to us. Bolin saw advertisements for the great path on which he was leading the citizens of Republic City. His new world promised no troubles, no murders, no insecurities, nothing. A utopia. Everyone would be happy. The police force had turned into a hierarchy, and the people at the top frequently met with the council to discuss whatever plans existed for this new world. These people made up this new government. Bolin had yet to see any big things happening. Crime continued to go up. Perhaps if he could find out the cause, he would have a place in this group leading everyone forward. That'd be nice.

It was noon, but Bolin had been up for a while because of the early morning trip to the crime scene. He wanted dumplings. He told Mako to meet him at his new favorite place. It was on the way.

"You were right Bolin, these are really good," Mako said as he shoveled more dumplings down his throat.

"Don't ever doubt me when it comes to food, brotha. And I got you today, bro. I still owe for the job."

"Bolin, please, that was so long ago you don't have to do me favors," Mako said. He then realized he had empty pockets. "Hmm, come to think of it, maybe that isn't a bad idea. I've been sort of running low on cash lately."

"How is the job going at the plant? Are you still working there?"

"Part-time. Enough to pay for a place to live and all. A nice attic at least. And some food. My landlord lets me use his kitchen so that is nice."

"Why is it only part-time? Are you working another job, too?"

"Well, since the plant has been rehiring all the unemployed benders they have been splitting up our hours so everyone gets a chance to work. Plus, a friend of mine and I are trying to start some kind of business thing at the same time. It is in the early stages but we have seen some good return so far, just not really in money more of recognition."

"What kind of business?"

"Social media type things."

"Ah, not really up-to-date with that stuff."

They talked while eating.

"It will pick up soon, so then I will get you back for this lunch," Mako said. He felt bad. "How is the police job going since you stopped directing traffic?"

"Well, I never really got promoted. The intersection really didn't need me. They got enough people. Lin just wanted to see if her metalbending was really gone, so she said she'd train me. I don't know why. But then things started getting bad and all around the city with all the warfare going on and all the casualties and stuff. She wants to look into the cause of all this mess so she is making me go out to all the crime scenes and gather whatever intelligence I can get to help her make some conclusion about what is causing all this madness."

"Have you found anything yet?"

"Well, I'm really not supposed to talk about it, but that is the chief's rule and screw him. The only thing we really found was that mobs are trying to transport something we think. Might be drugs 'cause fiends are interested too. That's just a hypothesis I'm on my way to ask some questions on Pratt Street. We also got this vandalism problem but Lin and I aren't really looking into that I don't think. The mob stuff is more important. The force is really against my investigation though because they think it is a waste of time. I am having a blast doing this so I hope I can find something really juicy!"

"Yeah. Hopefully someone will be able to put an end to all that. Sure as hell know the government isn't going to do anything."

"What do you mean? I thought that is all they were focused on"

"Naw, pff. They're just collecting private businesses that produce things they need so they can get it for free. Like electricity and fuel. Things they need for Graft's big plan. They don't realize they are monopolizing everything. And they think it's better that they hire benders to do work machines could do, but the pay is awful, and there is no negotiating. At least private employers we could bargain with. With the government involved we don't know who our boss is or who is in charge of anything, just random bureaucratic groups all over the place. The police are getting involved, are you getting your head into any of that business?"

"No. Nope. I try to stay away from that political stuff. Just focus on everyone's well-being like cops are supposed to. The higher-ups are all tangled in that mess.

"That's for sure. You know before all this, I was working full-time at that plant, but I saw things changing. Engineers found ways to generate and transmit power without human benders. They used machines. And sure, it put me out of work, that sucked. I felt awful about myself, but at the same time, I admired these innovations. They didn't need all this manual labor. They advanced, and it was…cool. It was inspirational. I wanted to be part of that. But then when the government took over, the machines were thrown out, and benders were rehired. But there were so many benders without jobs that were suddenly rehired then and now I can barely get a few hours in of work. I have to share them with another person. Share my hours. But the benders are all happy, no bender wants to learn anything more useful if they can get a job. And I guess the designers and business owners just took a lump sum from Graft and left for good. That technological advancement that I was just talking about? People believe Graft can bring it, so they give everything up to him. It isn't right. Graft can't take this stuff away from these people. He's making everyone believe he will bring them to that new era of advancement," Mako quoted, waving his hands in the air, "but he won't. Know why? Because he keeps taking control from the only people who can."

Bolin ate his dumplings. He didn't know what to make of Mako's words. He wasn't sure what it all meant. Mako believed that one man like Graft couldn't bring a future. One man can't have all that power. All this talk of Graft and the government began to bore Bolin, though. Just politics.

"So what else is new, bro? Anyone new in your life?" Bolin asked, trying to change the subject.

"If you mean a girl, well no. You know how I've been. Trying to stay away from relationships and all until I know I can handle that kind of thing. I have just been chilling with my friend from work. O-Ren. Trying to get things going with this business. A little unstable so no real time to meet girls, you know?"

"Hah, yeah. I haven't spoken to a female other than witnesses or Lin. Kind of depressing. I haven't even seen Asami. I doubt we'll ever see Korra again."

"Asami has her own problems, like us. She's at the top of the Future Industries tower trying to bring back a company that has been pounded into the ground because of the Equalists. It must be so hard for her to keep going, and to have no one."

"She is a strong person, though. Hey we should invite her to come to lunch sometime! She'd probably love that."

"I don't think so, Bolin."

"What? You just said she has no one. Let's remind her that that isn't true. I mean we still care about her even if we all went our separate ways. And what about Tenzin? Is he still on the council?"

"I don't know, but probably not. I've never seen him in any of the slogans. It's just those other councilmembers that remained after Tarlokk. And Asami doesn't want to talk to us anyway. Can you just drop it? She's got her problems; let's let her deal with them."

"Fine. I mean it's not like I was going to call her anyway. I have my work cut out for me."

l-l

"So what is happening, Don Sabo?

"An exchange is what is happening in two days at the docks on Light Street. Bring your guns, these men have been known to double-cross once or twice. Don't put it pass them."

"What are the details?"

"They are in possession of the Clasma. They also have a hostage – someone who has been exposed to the stuff and can explain how to safely use it. Make sure you are absolutely careful. I can't afford to have this fail on me."