INT. EARTH KINGDOM WEAPONS SILOS
The lights snap on, showing six small rockets in a line. They have brown exteriors, but there's no telling how dangerous they could be.
Voso is led in by Alrund via a catwalk.
VOSO
(quietly)
Why do these still exist? You were supposed to dismantle them.
ALRUND
We're repurposing them to a different program.
VOSO
(quietly)
What program?
ALRUND
Inca wants to see an earth bender in space.
VOSO
So, these are no longer dangerous?
ALRUND
We took out the payloads. They're shells with rockets.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbling)
They pivot from one lost opportunity to another, these parasites. Is that what revenge looks like?
Voso pushes Alrund against the wall, looking into her eyes.
VOSO
(loudly)
You're not going to get away with this! I won't let you just move on to grab bigger headlines!
ALRUND
(resisting)
I-it's...not...
VOSO
(yelling)
Talk!
ALRUND
It's not my decision, and I'm not the only one that can launch! Inca has several others - Pi-Ran, Xiang-Chao, the list goes on! All of them are ready to take on the project the moment she orders it.
He relinquishes just a bit, keeping his hand on her shoulder.
ALRUND
You would have to keep a hand on me, Inca, and every other dignitary, then the provincial governors, then-
VOSO
(loudly)
Shut up!
FUU-KI (O.S.)
Is there no safe port in this storm? No way to silence this snake?
VOSO
(seething)
I...I don't know.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
And those weapons the other countries have to battle one another - what can be done against those?
VOSO
(mumbling)
I don't...
FUU-KI (O.S.)
You must do something. They cannot be allowed to betray the Avatar and each other.
Voso snaps up, looking to the left at a control room.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
What will it take to show them the price of betrayal?
His eyes widen and he pulls Alrund off the wall, nodding towards the open door.
VOSO
Move into there.
CUT TO:
INT. AIR CAPITAL LEAN-TO - EVENING
Makami helps to angle the oculus to focus the image while Kota leans over her. Toyo peers from around Abe near the back of the covering.
She stands and wipes her hands together.
MAKAMI
You can come out, Toyo, I know you're there.
He squeaks out into the open.
TOYO
(nervously)
Does...does that mean you've forgiven me, oh stupendous one?
MAKAMI
No.
She looks over her shoulder.
MAKAMI
But you can at least enjoy the show before I send you packing.
He smiles nervously. Shii pulls him forward and they all gather around the image of the comet coming into view.
CUT TO:
INT. ROCKET CONTROL ROOM
Alrund moves her hand across the control panel quickly with both of Voso's hands on her shoulders.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
You're having her launch the rockets?
VOSO
All of them.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
But those in the Fire Nation are no better - do they deserve to live without this threat hanging over their heads? Or the other nations?
ALRUND
They're ready to fire. Each of them will fall harmlessly into the ocean.
FUU-KI (O.S.)
(warbled)
Harmless sends no message. Fear holds the nations in check. Fear of what can come for them in the night sky.
VOSO
Where did you launch them before?
ALRUND
The lower atmosphere. It would be harmless, but...
VOSO
But what?
ALRUND
Fire them further...into space. That way they should burn up in the atmosphere.
VOSO
Do it.
Her fingers readjust coordinates on the panel. Her eyes are narrow and scheming.
VOSO (O.S.)
Fire.
Her finger depresses the button to launch.
CUT TO:
INT. AIR CAPITAL LEAN-TO
Air benders and Makami's group are all leaned together over the upward-glowing reflected light. It shines up like red diamonds, bringing their eyes aglow. The image is clear in the sand, adding a magnificent aura.
CUT TO:
INT. MISSILE SILOS
Red alarms spin to cast Voso and Alrund in an ominous light through the observation window. The vapor and flame of the thrusters pass them and cloud the view.
CUT TO:
INT. AIR CAPITAL LEAN-TO
The angle shows the comet, glowing in red and orange, as it passes through the red sky. Its tail is almost chaotic in whipping flame. The small crystals in the sand give the view a mystical feel - a once in a lifetime experience seen through a wholly original lens.
Kota hugs Makami around the shoulder as they watch.
KOTA
(whispering)
You'd rather it if I was my brother, right?
MAKAMI
(sarcastically)
Well, not all the time.
There is a flash of white light that reflects off the sand, sending confusion through the structure.
Makami pushes out of the tent.
EXT. AIR NATION CAPITAL
Her face is up in horror. The empty missiles have struck the comet and broken it apart into thousands of pieces. The white aura from the first blast is peppered with a red core that grows hotter and brighter by the second.
Makami's face is pale as she gazes on in horror of the coming armageddon.
MAKAMI
Oh no...