Chapter 26
The ship entered the harbor and docked. "So, Miss Sato, will you help the South?" asked Varrick
"Yes, I will. I had a long journey back, and I am not in he mood to discuss politics tonight, but I promise you that I will meet tomorrow with you, Korra, and Tonraq to discuss the situation and our next course of action," spoke Asami as she heard the radio behind her.
"And so the North the Southern Water Tribe. The two tribes are currently are in a Civil War. The casualties are rising. This is Shiro Shinobi," spoke the voice in the radio
"I guess that means the Republic City would have to resort to action. Let's just talk about this tomorrow, alright?" asked Asami as Varrick nodded
"Come Zhu Li. This will be a great day! I can't believe I voted for that Raiko guy, when Miss Sato seems to have a head on her shoulders," spoke Varrick as he saw Bolin, who was not sure what to do.
"Hey Bolin, say, would you like me to show you the city?" asked Varrick as he approached the young man
"But I have seen the Republic City," spoke Bolin
"Have you really seen the city?" grinned Varrick as he took Bolin with him.
"It's good to be back," smiled Korra as she jumped on the pavement. Asami chuckled, "That reminds me, we haven't been at Kwong's in a while, cause you are always so busy"
"Korra, I am really busy," spoke Asami
"I know, I know, but we could always talk at the table, combining business and pleasure," suggested Korra
"Look Korra, I know we have to help, and believe me, we will help, but I cannot do everything by myself. And I refuse to jump into action without first acknowledging the strategy how to defeat the opponent,"
"Aww, Asami, I really want to kick Northern but," spoke Korra
"I agree. But I need time to plan. Once I am done, I will destroy them," grinned Asami seriously
"You know, you sometimes scare me," spoke Korra
"I am glad to know that," smiled Asami
"Seriously though, I will not wear any handcuffs, or any ropes for that matter. The only thing I could wear of such nature is a betrothal necklace, but," spoke Korra
"Betrothal necklace, hmm?" asked Asami
"Who is talking about betrothal necklaces?" asked concerned Tonraq as he approached the two ladies.
"It's nothing, I just told Asami that I would not wear any handcuffs, or any ropes, but I could wear a betrothal necklace," spoke Korra
"Korra, you are so young," spoke Tonraq in concern
"Wait, what are you talking about?" asked Asami as he face reddened, "Sir, we were not talking about THAT," spoke Asami
"Good to know,"
"Stop it dad," spoke Korra as she lightly hit her father in the arm. He smiled.
"I guess I will see you tomorrow. We need to discuss the Water Tribe Civil War," spoke Asami as Tonraq nodded.
"And please, feel free to use my estate. I still don't feel good living there," spoke Asami as Tonraq nodded again and left the couple. The man went to find Senna.
"Mako! It's good to see you here. Look, I need you on the beat tonight. There will be a Southern Water Tribe protest, and I am worried about any violence that might occur, so I need all beat cops there," spoke Lin
"I will be there, Chief," spoke Mako as he bowed lightly
"Good, see you tonight. Korra, President Sato," spoke Lin Beifong as she looked at the two women, before leaving.
"I will come with you. I cannot stand and do nothing while my people suffer at the hand of Unalaq," spoke Korra
"Korra, I am sorry, but I disagree. I think that you should at least keep the appearance of being neutral in this situation," spoke Mako
"I am not neutral. We got here to make sure that we get help and defend the Southern Water Tribe," spoke Korra
"I just think this might lead to more casualties," spoke Mako
"Well, this is not helping. I want the Republic City to help resolve this conflict," spoke Korra as she glared at Mako
"Relax Korra, you know I am on your side. I will help you, I just need more time to figure out exactly how," spoke Asami, "But Korra's right, she should support the Southern Water Tribe. I am not some spiritual guru, but I read in one of former Avatar Aang's wisdom books that one of his former lives suggested that he needs to be decisive and actively shape the balance in the world,"
"I did not know you read Aang's wisdom books," spoke Korra in amusement
"After we defeated the Equalists, I borrowed some of Jinora's books about her grandfather that he wrote. I found them very interesting," spoke Asami
"Alright, go, it's not like I can stop you, but I still strongly suggest you should act neutral. Whatever, I guess I will see you to ladies later tonight," Mako looked first at Korra and then Asami, "Ladies,"
Mako awkwardly left the two friends. "So, what should do before the protest? I say; lets have a picnic in the forest. You, me, and Naga," suggested Korra
"How about I teach you how to drive? You are the Avatar, you should know how to drive," suggested Asami
"Let's do it after the invasion," spoke Korra as Asami nodded. The couple decided to have lunch at Narook's before starting to prepare for the protest.
In the evening, Korra sat on Naga, leading a protest of Southern Water Tribe people, who protested against the Northern invasion.
"Boo," spoke someone from the crowd. Korra ignored the protester and reached a podium. She agreed with Asami earlier that she should give a speech about her people. Korra approached the stand, and looked at the crowd.
"My name is Avatar Korra. I was born in the Southern Water Tribe. The Chief of the Northern Water Tribe, my Uncle, has invaded the Southern Tribe, and now the two sister Tribes are at war. I ask you to support my cause to fight the injustice, and to help the Southern Water Tribe to gain its freedom," spoke Korra
"Avatar Korra, how will you persuade the administration to do this? I heard from Raiko that he opposes such intervention," spoke one of the reporters
"Opposes? You are mistaken on this, I know for a fact that the administration supports my cause," spoke Korra, as Raiko approached the podium.
"Avatar Korra, it's true. As a temporary President, I stated numerous times already that the Republic City will not go to war," spoke Raiko, "As much as this pains me, we should stay out of internal affairs of the Southern Water Tribe,"
"You, you," spoke Korra as she rose in the air. Her eyes began to glow.
"Korra, please let me do the talking," spoke Asami as she put her hand on Korra's shoulder. Korra's eyes stopped glowing, and she descended on the pavement.
"My name is Asami Sato, and I am your President. You can all disregard Raiko's comments' because he does not have any authority to actually back them up. I am your President, and it is up to me to decide the course of action. Truth be told, I already decided, but I wanted to use tonight's demonstration to tell you about my decision and the reasoning behind it," spoke Asami
"President Sato, is it true that you are doing this just to help your girlfriend?" asked one reporter
"How dare you! My people are in danger," shouted Korra as Asami looked at her and lightly shook her head. Korra nodded.
"Listen, yes, one of my reasons is to help my girlfriend in this situation. But I have more reasons as well. As Raiko told many of you, he does not want to intervene into the internal affairs of another nation. But it is just his opinion. The current Water Tribe Civil War is a more problematic situation," Asami paused
"President Sato," spoke one person in the audience, as Asami continued her speech.
"Chief Unalaq might have best intentions in mind by trying to annex the South back, but this is wrong. His actions resemble strongly those of another world leader who lived a few centuries ago. Fire Lord Sozin also wanted to spread the Fire Nation's prosperity onto over nations, and his dreams resulted in a near annihilation of Air Nomad Culture, and the Hundred Year War. We don't want to have another Sozin in the world. That's why I support Avatar Korra, and will fight against the injustice," spoke Asami
"But what about our troops! Many of our soldiers will die!" spoke another reporter.
"I know that is always a possibility. But I will make sure that we lose as little men and women as possible. I will personally make sure that the casualties would be low. You cannot persuade me otherwise, but I wanted to tell you all that we need to defend the Southern Water Tribe against aggression. If we all band together, the threat of international war might even persuade Unalaq to cease the military actions, and instead try to reach a more diplomatic solution," smiled Asami as she left the podium. People clapped.
"Thank you very much," spoke Korra as she ran towards her girlfriend, before hugging her. Korra lifted Asami slightly above the ground, and then kissed the other woman on the lips.
"Korra, pst, the others are watching," whispered Asami
"Don't care. They don't like it, they have to deal with it," spoke Korra as she kissed Asami again, before returning her girlfriend to the ground.
The rest of the protest went smoothly. One or two Northerners threw eggs at the protesters, and the police officers had to escort them away, but otherwise there were no major incidents that night.
Korra and Asami had a late dinner in Asami's office. After eating, they quickly fell asleep.
Next morning, as Korra lay in the bed, Asami sat in her bed, and put the volume higher in the radio. "In other news, President Sato told her intentions to help the Southern Water Tribe to fight against the invading Northern Water Tribe. President Sato compared Northern Water Tribe Chief Unalaq to former Fire Lord Sozin," spoke Shiro Shinobi, as Asami lowered the volume.
Korra yawned. "Hello my morning beauty," spoke Korra as she also sat up in the bed.
"Korra," smiled Asami
"Thank you for everything," spoke Korra
"Don't thank me yet. We still need to find the best course of action that will involve the least amount of casualties," spoke Asami as Korra nodded before standing up.
"It does not matter. I love the fact that you are trying to do as much as you can to help me," smiled Korra
While Korra and Asami had breakfast, knowing they would soon have a meeting with Varrick and Tonraq, Korra's father approached a phone in Sato mansion and dialed the number.
"This is Tenzin speaking," spoke a voice on the other line.
"Tenzin, its Tonraq," spoke Korra's father as he talked to the Air Bending Master for ten minutes, before ending he phone call.
"Don't worry honey, Korra will resolve this," spoke Senna
"I know," smiled Tonraq as he hugged his wife.
After breakfast, Tonraq left the house and saw that a Satomobile was waiting for him. He sat in the cab, which took him to the Presidential building.
While Korra and Asami prepared to meet with others to discuss the strategy, Mako and Bolin slept in their apartment. Mako had a long night guarding the protest, and Bolin spent a night exploring the city with Varrick.
As the cab stopped, Tonraq saw the Presidential building. He existed the Satomobile, and journeyed inside, where he would have a long conversation on as to how they would solve the current Civil War.
A/N: And so more changes. Varrick did not order those bandits to bomb anything, cause by that point he knew that Asami would fully support helping the South. Unlike Korra's meeting with Raiko in Peacekeepers, the meeting will be very different.