Asami
"Will this take long?"
Mako's voice came from behind her as she lugged a case full of supplies on to the boarding ramp. It echoed through the cavernous hangar, which stretched almost as far as the eye could see in either direction.
The reason for the size of the hangar stood in front of her; an enormous red and black airship, one of the newest models built by Sato Industries and designed for range and speed, was tethered to the floor at both ends. Emblazoned on one flank was the symbol of Asami's company, and on the other was the symbol of the United Republic. A boarding ramp extended down from it.
"Maybe try to sound a little more enthusiastic? I'm getting the band back together!"
"Of course," Mako replied, "it's just I only have finite holiday pay."
"And how much is that?"
"84 days, I'm pretty sure."
"84 days? The Police must be the best employers in the city with that much paid holiday. Three times the legal requirement, isn't it?"
Asami turned around, smiling, but was only met by a frown. A rather tired looking frown.
"Just out of interest, when was the last holiday you took?"
Mako looked down and didn't reply.
Asami folded her arms.
"Would it by any chance have been three years ago?"
Another nod.
"You haven't had a holiday in three years?!" She asked incredulously.
"I've been busy!" Mako replied defensively.
"Busy enough that you can't be spared for a week?"
"I didn't want a holiday, and besides, Lin agreed to let me use them all up now."
"That's very generous of her. I think you need it. Although I am surprised you didn't use it to go to the Fire Nation..."
Her companion just looked baffled. "What do you mean?"
"Seriously?"
"Seriously. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Maybe Princess Hotaru does..."
Mako went red immediately, causing Asami to start laughing.
"Is it that bad?"
"You're not subtle," she chortled. "Although I think you should go for it. Maybe we can pay them a visit if Korra decides to visit the Fire Nation."
Mako decided to change the subject.
"Where are we going, anyway?"
"Korra was last spotted near the city of Omashu, so that is where we are going first."
Mako nodded, and Asami smiled. "See, this is almost like old times again already!"
Mako just nodded again. "Hopefully without anyone trying to kill us, though."
"True, that was absolutely the worst part."
"Hopefully we should have no trouble though, Kuvira seems to have everyone on a tight leash there."
"Perhaps too tight."
Mako did not respond to that, but she could see that he agreed with her.
They were interrupted then by one of the airfield's staff.
"There's someone to see you," he told Mako.
"Did they give a name?"
"Lin."
"She came to see us off?" Asami asked.
"Apparently," Mako replied, as the door swung open and Lin entered the room.
"Mako," she called, "I'm glad I found you, I need a word with you."
"Thank you," Asami interjected, speaking to the older woman, "for giving Mako all this time off to help me. I appreciate it more than I can say."
Suddenly, Lin looked very uncomfortable.
"Well, about that..."
A moment later, though, and she was back to her normal brusque self.
"There has been a change of plan. Mako is not coming with you."
"What?" Asami and Mako chorused at the same time. Asami felt anger bubble up.
"Why go to all the bother of giving him time off and then not letting him take it at the last second? Is this some kind of sick-"
"Believe me," Lin had to shout to make herself heard, "I would not be doing this without good reason."
"So what is it?"
"I need you to take Kuvira's job offer."
"Why?"
"As a spy. You'll be in Ba Sing Se as a guard for Prince Wu, putting you right in the upper ring. You'll be able to snoop around easily!"
"Why do we need to spy on Kuvira at all?"
"You saw the way she responded to the rejection of her referendum. Knowing her she's probably plotting less peaceful ways of getting her hands on the Republic."
"Whereupon the other nations would come to our aid, surely. They all signed that treaty. She can't be desperate enough to try that."
"Just like the Republic came to the aid of the Southern Water Tribe during their civil war?" Lin asked, one eyebrow raised. "Anyway, your job is simply to find out if she's up to anything."
"You're talking as if I've already agreed."
"No," Lin replied, "I am ordering you as your commanding officer. Besides, you have already agreed."
"What? No I-" Mako cut himself off as he apparently realised what she meant.
"You accepted the job on his behalf."
"The President did, but yes. I know you want to do this, and I would ordinarily let you, but Kuvira is nearly finished with her war in the south and then it's only a matter of time before she turns on us. We need to know if she's planning something. Your country needs you, Mako."
"Korra needs him," Asami interjected angrily.
"Do you know that for certain? Besides, Korra will already have you."
Asami opened her mouth to object again, but Mako held his hand up to stop her.
"Asami, it's fine. It looks like I have no choice, now."
"Excellent," Lin looked uncomfortable. "You'll be rewarded for this, don't worry."
Asami fought the urge to shout or hit something, or probably both.
"Is there anything I can do?" She asked.
"It's been done," Lin replied brusquely. Her expression changed.
"For what it's worth, I am sorry. Good luck finding Korra."
She then walked away. The two of them watched her retreating back.
"I suppose it's a good job we hadn't loaded my things yet."
Lin stopped just before she got to the door, and looked over her shoulder.
"Oh, Asami?" She called.
"Yes?"
"I know Mako can't come, but I explained your mission and you've got some volunteers."
She opened the door and four small figures walked in, each dressed in the orange and yellow of airbenders.
"Asami!" The smallest of them shouted and ran towards her.
"Hi Meelo."
"We heard you were looking for Korra," Jinora told her seriously.
"We decided to come and help you!" Ikki exclaimed.
"Really?" The other boy, Kai, raised one eyebrow. "Because it sounded to me like your father made you-"
"Shut up Kai!" Ikki shouted. "You only came for alone time with Jinora!"
Both Jinora and Kai went bright red at that, whether from anger or embarrassment Asami was not sure.
Sensing that an argument was imminent, she decided to step in.
"Thank you for deciding to help, anyway. Is it just you four?"
"Did you want more?" Meelo challenged.
"No, but I do need to know how much food to bring."
"Can't we just buy more?"
Asami folded her arms.
"I'm not made of money."
"Yes, you are!"
Kai reentered the conversation, trying to justify his reasons for coming to Ikki, who immediately began making smooching noises which caused Jinora to begin shouting at her too. Meelo, meanwhile, was running around pressing every button he could possibly reach.
Mako, meanwhile, was standing to the side observing the argument with a small smile on his face. Asami pointed accusingly at him.
"Don't give me that face!"
"What face?" Mako asked innocently.
"That one! The 'you're going to fail and it's going to be hilarious' face."
Mako just put on a look of mock offence.
"Oh no. I have every confidence in you. Korra doesn't know what's coming her way."
Author's note: In the interests of saving time, not everything will be written down if it is too similar to the show. For instance, the events of the episode Korra Alone are completely unchanged in this story and so instead of writing that down I beseech you to watch the episode instead.