CH6
"What exactly do you think you are doing?" Police Chief Lin Beifong was seemingly always ready to tear into Junichiro every time they met. It was widely known, by both the United Republic Council, and President Raiko. The two departments, the United Forces Department of Intel, and the Republic City Police Department seems to be in a constant state of antagonism; in Beifong's defense, Junichiro, as chief inspector, often did impose his men and his operations within her jurisdiction as local law enforcement, often handling his own investigations and arrests within Republic City. "You know this crime is well within Republic City! And yet, as usual, I am getting reports that you are purposefully impeding my men, the sworn police officers directly responsible for Republic City, from conducting their duties! You are, once again, well out of line Inspector Stevenson! Stand down immediately!"
Junichiro recalled meeting Chief Beifong toe-to-toe, unafraid and unwavering. "Well," he started, "Let's talk about your duties. Have you got a suspect?"
Lin's face twisted at the question getting asked out of the blue. "We're working on it. We've got some ideas, but you impeding our investigation into the matter isn't helping!"
"Okay, well, unlike you I do have a suspect. And I think you are very familiar with him."
"Oh yeah?"
"Dang Zhen." Junichiro condescended the police chief. "Ring a bell?"
"Can't say. I deal with many criminals on the daily."
"You release them too?"
"What are you getting at, Stevenson?" Lin didn't appreciate his tone.
Junichiro crossed his arms. "What I'm getting at is that Dang Zhen, the known equalist sympathizer, should have been rotting behind bars. I practically handed him to you, and you cut him loose!"
"OH PLEASE! The Equalists?! They've been disbanded and have long since lost their influence ever since Amon died!" Lin fired back, defending her actions. "Piggy-backing his case to a lost movement and trying to stick him with a life sentence, isn't going to work, and you know that! Once his case went to trial, the defense went to war, and the district attorney wasn't even fully onboard! A death sentence for sealing a car, ransacking the front of someone's shop, isn't called for."
"Well you should have pushed harder! Even if he would remain imprisoned at the least!" Jun pinched the bridge of his nose, cooling himself off from his rage.
"What? So I can be like you?!" Lin's fists were balled tightly as she stood her ground. "You want me to run these streets on fear alone? Maybe I believe these young ones you arrest can still straighten out their lives."
"'On fear alone,' you say? What are you insinuating?"
"Let's say I have a good idea what happens to the criminals that suddenly disappear from Republic City. Somehow, I don't believe that they decided to catch the next train out of here, or leave town suddenly. Maybe I also have an idea of your connections to certain criminal organizations," Lin threatened. "Don't think I don't have dirt on you, my officers do an outstanding job at investigations, regardless of what you may think."
Jun shifted onto his backfoot. "Those are some big accusations you've got there, Beifong. Accusations I know you have no hard evidence for. Go ahead," he taunted, "Take this to court! It's your reputation on the line. If you had something you would have done it already ! I know how badly you want me out of your hair, and out of a badge. Fact of the matter is, I too have what you call an outstanding service record. And on top of that, these criminals that skip town and 'disappear,' as you put it. Who cares? Who misses them? As far as what I can see, the people that have been victimized by them seem happy they no longer have to worry about them." The chief inspector stepped aside, allowing Lin to have a clear view of the crime scene. "You want to know why I am particularly tough on targets? Because of things like that!" he burst out, spit practically splashing against her cheeks. Lin winced a little at Jun's sudden yelling. "See her? See Ms. Chen? The water tribe citizen that came here working for opportunity? The twenty-something year old? You see how she's dead!? Killed by someone I booked and practically handed to you, who you cut loose and let back on the street!"
Lin was at a loss for words. She was saddened, but did not appreciate being blamed for this. Truthfully she didn't want to let that suspect in question back out, but she had no chance. A mix of anger and sorrow came over her.
"I did everything I could," Jun reprimanded. "How about you? Take a look! Look!" He forcefully gestured to the victim's body, and then bore judgment on Lin, pointing his index at her. "You did that! That's your fault! Because you believed a young radical can still 'straighten out his life,' this girl paid the price." He let his lashings sink in. "Mark my words. I will find that punk again. And this time, I will handle it. He will pay for this.. properly this time."
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. The shinkansen, Roku 132, bound for Omashu will soon be departing from track eleven. This is the final boarding call for this departure. This is a 16-car train. First-class cars are cars eight and twelve.
(Remind me your train number), Jun texted on his phone.
((Kyoshi 721)), the reply came. ((Should be pulling in shortly.))
(Got it), he texted back. (I'm pretty sure I'm waiting on the correct platform lol.)
The terminal was bustling with rail traffic. Sleek bullet trains, of Japanese design and origin, shinkansen, were constantly arriving and departing. Republic City Central Station was one of the largest facilities in the city, housing multiple platforms and tracks on multiple levels extending beneath the street level. The longest trains could be upwards of thirty-two cars in length; two sixteen-car shinkansen train sets coupled together. Below the bullet train platforms were the local rail services, connecting Republic City with smaller cities and regions. Regional trains were either American, Japanese, or even European in origin, often they were pulled or pushed by diesel locomotives and the common cars were bi-level commuter cars. Finally, beneath the local and regional trains were the subways which were the veins and nervous system of the city.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Train approaching. Track four, Kyoshi 721 from Ba Sing Se, will be arriving shortly. Please stand behind the yellow line."
He looked at his watch, right on time as expected. The sound of steel wheels coasting along steel rails amplified until the bullet train sailed through the eastern tunnel portals into the platform areas. The train had completed a full crossing of the central Earth Kingdom corridor, the direct bullet train line which spanned from Ba Sing Se to Republic City, stopping at major hubs along the way; the full journey would take approximately seven-to-eight hours. Consequently it was long, thirty-two cars in length, or two full train sets. The 0-Series shinkansen was the main type of train being used by both the Republic City Rail Authority and the Earth Empire Railroad Division, having been inherited from Japan after completion of the line; they are now produced under license by either Varrick Heavy Industries, the Cabbage Corps Motive Division, or Future Industries.
Junichiro watched the seemingly never ending line of train cars coast by before him, each loaded to capacity with travelers to Republic City. Despite being a long consist, many of the cars were now standing-room-only and many people flooded the sections in between carriages as well as the center aisle. He could easily make a guess as to where they boarded based on the clothing each passenger wore, wealthy business men and women, average middle-class citizens, or farmers or laborers from the mines, farms, and oil fields. Regardless, everyone was dressed their best.
Finally the train came to a stop. It spanned the entire length of the platform, and from where Jun stood the leading locomotive was now microscopic at the very end of the terminal track, stopping just before the west tunnel portal. A hissing sound followed by a two-tone alert chime, and the doors suddenly slid open, all sixty-four of them simultaneously. The hordes of passengers soon were pouring out from the train, and the station platform that was empty just seconds ago was now filled with a torrent of travelers.
"Excuse me… Pardon… Sorry… Hey, watch where you're going! Just squeezing through," Jun remarked as the crowds filtered past him. All the while he kept his eye out for any green military uniforms.
"Looking for me?" A gentle voice asked from behind him. He turned around to see who was talking. It was none other than Yasuho. She was sharply dressed in her dress uniform, which had changed slightly since 2013's Earth Kingdom rendition. The uniform kept the overall dark green color scheme, although since this one particular ensemble was mainly worn for ceremonies or leave, non-combative settings, was woven of a finer and more luxurious looking wool. Her jacket was closed by four polished silver buttons, the belt buckle on her Sam-Browne style belt was a matching metal as opposed to the brass and gold hardware of the former kingdom. Her skirt, still maintaining the large box-pleats now had a two-centimeter thick light gray trim line which paralleled two-inches off the hem of the skirt. Instead of boots she wore a more presentable pair of polished black pumps.
Hanging pinned on the edge of Yasuho's left shoulder was a double braided aiguillette shoulder cord, again light gray in color. Pinned on her chest above the left breast pocket was a ribbon rack three rows high by three ribbons in length. A badge, depicting the front end of a tank against a background of the Earth Empire insignia, was pinned at the center of her right breast pocket; a commendation for armored warfare. The twin silver bars pinned on her epaulets, the rank insignias for a captain, shone brightly in the train station lights. Her service record had long expanded from the young and ambitious lieutenant's uniform from all those years ago.
Jun, after quickly looking over the details of her uniform only simply acknowledged, "Captain," giving a slight bow.
"It's been a while," Yasuho exclaimed.
"Yeah it has," Jun replied, trying to maintain his trademark stoic, indifferent, cool. "How have you been?"
"I've been carrying on. Many different things to deal with, many places to go. It's exhausting, but I get by. It's all rewarding after all." His feigned nonchalance did not stop her from being her typical open and easy-going self. Jun had been her main correspondence for the past several months over text and the occasional phone call.
"Long trip?" Jun asked.
"A few hours. I was able to secure a window seat though, so it was nice. It was just a bit of a crawl to get to Taku to catch the shinkansen. Hopefully the rail lines from Beisup will get improved fast. Cruising along by bullet train though is a lot more comfortable than rumbling along by tank," she chuckled.
Jun gestured for them to start walking towards the front. "Car's parked just out front. Beisup? That's on the other side of the mountains to the northwest of here, right?"
"Yes," Yasuho confirmed. "Have you been?"
"Maybe once or twice at most. I've been busy down here and in the central Earth Kingdom recently. Yeah, things aren't so hot up there are they?"
"The city itself is…okay, it's not the most neglected, but the people have been hit hard. Roaming gangs and bandits, you know."
"Ah. Yeah, to hell with 'em all," Jun remarked, pulling out a cigarette and zippo lighter.
"You're smoking again?"
Jun stopped himself, mid-light, he was moving unconsciously, usually he never smoked in front of company. "Oh! Sorry," he said, the clink of his lighter sounding as he flicked the zippo closed, "Old habits die hard."
"The army is trying to see if there are any links in the daofei up in the north that we dealt with to the Liu-clan. Though, I think it's a stretch. That's a bit far from their territory in Tai Hua mountains," Yasuho deduced.
"It's a stretch," Jun confirmed. "They won't find anything." He unlocked the car doors.
"How do you know?"
Sliding into the driver seat, Jun replied, "I've been keeping tabs on the Liu-clan. UFDI has been closely monitoring the developments in the Earth Kingdom from the side. That clan and their territory is growing into something akin to Zaofu, now. They've pretty much ceased their old criminal ways, at least officially."
"So, that's it? After all the raids and all the towns and people they've hurt and stole from, they just stop? And become their own province while they're at it?" Yasuho shut the trunk door after stowing her luggage and joined Jun in the car, an unmarked crown victoria.
"Well, it's working for them. The people that live in their newly established province seem to have high support for their leader: Mei Liu. She's even been compared to Kuvira's push for protection and safety sometimes too. I've overheard a few conversations while patrolling the city," Jun said. He turned the key, started the engine, and began driving towards the downtown district. "Where was your hotel again?"
"The Sei'naka Imperial Hotel," Yasuho replied. "I agree the Liu-clan has been a bit dormant, but I still don't like how they oppose the Earth Empire. Especially given their past record. This isn't a way of making amends, they need to answer for all those crimes and injustices."
"Ah, the Hilton hotel group, waterfront view too," Jun still quietly commented about her accommodation. The Sei'naka was a premier Fire Nation hotel chain, and one of the best in all of Republic City. Her pay and benefits must be great, Jun thought to himself. "You'd sooner have the Liu's on the receiving end of an 88 than have them nonchalantly change their ways? People, their people, are reliant on them for protection, you know. Innocents."
"Well..maybe not that extreme," Yasuho struggled, now on her backfoot. She looked at the bright lights of the city. Ahead was the well-illuminated domes of city hall. "People shouldn't be misled. Until there is full unity in the Earth Kingdom, there won't be true peace of mind. And they shouldn't be misguiding or tricking people into showing allegiance with a band of daofei such as them."
Jun smoothly stopped the car at a red light. The cross traffic soon filled the intersection, busses, semi-trucks, cabs, and automobiles crossing left to right in the wide streets, a 1930's PCC streetcar rumbled by as well. "You know, those daofei are monarchists, right? It's widely known in the department that they are very supportive of the Earth Kingdom, and Mei Liu openly proclaims she would be a proper follower of orders from the Imperial Palace in Ba Sing Se once the power is returned to the Earth King-...or soon-to-be Earth King Wu." Jun quickly downed a gulp of his bottled oolong tea as the cross traffic now tapered off with their yellow light turning red. "Though, I will say, I don't really like the idea of the power going back to the monarchy." Even six years in, the notion that once Kuvira had finished her work, she would cede power back to the Earth King was still technically in play. Though to Jun, it was almost on the same level as when China says they will re-integrate Taiwan into the PRC; it never will happen.
"Yeah, I think the same," Yasuho quietly said, watching the BBC news headlines talking about Prince Wu's arrest and public scene being flashed across a large tv screen mounted on a building above.
The car started rolling at the turn of the greenlight. "Also, don't think I don't know about your friends in the Liu-Clan," he teased.
The captain's head quickly traversed to face Jun, who quickly glanced at her before returning his eyes to the road ahead. Yasuho's eyes were wide for that comment.
Junichiro laughed, "I've done my homework. It is my job, you know. I know about your childhood friend on their side." He looked at her once again, same concerned look on her face. "Don't worry. I'm not going to say anything to your command, relax!" The Liu-Clan was a priority target for the Earth Empire, another influential clan that needed to be brought into alignment no different than Zaofu and the Metal-Clan; it wasn't a good look that she, especially being the face of Earth Empire public relations at the moment, had friends working in the opponent's organization. "He's in the city as well you know, you going to meet him? A love interest of yours?"
Yasuho suddenly became flustered. "What? No! I mean- Yes, I will say hi, we barely see each other as a result of you know. But no of course not! He's like a brother to me! Actually, that'd be impossible anyway, he has someone he has an eye for someone else!" She only noticed Jun chuckling to himself at the end of her outpouring of defense. He was struggling to keep it to himself. "I don't appreciate this teasing," she pouted.
"So this is the notorious 'angel of death' of the armored corps," Jun laughed, wiping a tear from his eye. "This is great!"
Yasuho huffed and punched the inspector on the arm, her cap's visor now tilting over her eyes as she crossed her arms. She blew at a loose strand of hair which hung over her face. The car now drove along the edge of the waterfront, just below Silk Road Bridge, the roar and whir of approaching passenger jets overhead could faintly be heard through the closed windows. Alongside, dwarfing their car and anchored just before the bridge was the former Japanese battleship Yamato, the city's museum ship. It was Yasuho's first time seeing the ship up close like this, and she marveled at its size. She tried to change the subject, "Is it true? The rumors that they still keep live rounds and fuel onboard?"
"Why would they do that?"
"You know, just in case this unit of a gun platform needs to be suddenly pressed into service. For defense or war."
"What? Of course not," Jun brushed aside. "She had a great service record, but there's no way they'd bring Yamato back into service. Her role now is to be a humble museum ship, a memorial to the founding of the United Republic, and an artifact of the early days of the United Forces." He looked upon the ship with awe too, his grandfather had a few stories about this ship, usually being on the receiving end of those naval rifles. On top of that, Jun's close friend, someone who he considered to be like a much older brother, the son of a close friend of his grandfather, had many stories from his grandfather from his time aboard this ship during the war. "The last mission this ship sailed was recovering and bringing Avatar Korra to Republic City, when she decided she was going to stowaway on a cargo ship and then proceed to wreck the vessel and cause a maritime panic by jumping off."
"Speaking of," Yasuho sidetracked, "Have you heard anything about the Avatar's whereabouts?"
"Nothing on radar," Jun admitted, turning the final corner onto the street the hotel was located on. The towering red building trimmed with gold overlooked the waterfront. Over its entrance was a particularly well known circular crest from Fire Nation history, a stylized whetstone, being wrapped around by a red dragon. "We're not even certain which world she's in. Last time I asked her whereabouts, from Tenzin's kid, Jinora, and the Future Industries CEO, Asami, they both simply said 'they have no idea.'"
"You took their word for it? Usually you are skeptical," Yasuho commented, checking her surroundings to make sure she didn't forget anything as she got ready to disembark.
"I'm always skeptical. Especially of those two, since that teenager always seems to know everything," Jun said, putting the car in park "Maybe she's better off missing."
"Really? Why do you think so?" Yasuho wasn't opposed or for his statement, but just curious.
"I don't know," Junichiro trailed off, "I was never really fond of the idea of some savior-character being that special and so blindly regarded highly, just because they can bend all four elements. Like, is this person supposed to be special to me? And at the same time, I think she's been a pretty useless avatar to begin with. A rebel, no respect for authority or process, spontaneous, erratic, a hot-head… I can go and on. And my first year on this job after getting out of the Marine Corps, I remember clearly how she tried to assert her position as the avatar as some sort of reason why her way was the right way, or why her methods are even worth considering. Usually her plans were terrible in my opinion. Wrecked half the city dueling some freakish embodiment of evil spirit energy, got these ridiculous amounts of spirit vines growing everywhere, left the spirit portals open, allowed the spread of radical anarchism at the hands of the Red Lotus which left not only the Earth King but also several country ambassadors murdered." Junichiro stopped himself. "Anyways, to say the least, even though we've had the most minimal interaction, she's been a real pain in the ass to clean up after. The fires I had to put out with the officials in the Mechanized World…that sucked."
Yasuho sighed. "There are lots of things she can improve upon. But I give her the benefit of the doubt. She is the first avatar to be born into this kind of world ever. Aang adopted to it and tried to guide it with what little understanding he had, but Korra was born into a fully altered world. It's unlike anything any other avatar was born into." She was often sympathetic and compassionate, easily seeing others' struggles.
"I suppose," Jun said, waving the bell hop over. "But even within her supposed job of keeping the peace and restoring order. Feels like all she's done is break order. And in keeping peace, that's been mainly handled by the armies and law enforcement agencies of both worlds; as it usually and expectedly should be." He rolled down the passenger side window as the young man approached the side. "Please see to it that her bags are well taken care of," Jun instructed the staff member.
"Of course sir," he acknowledged. "Captain," he then acknowledged Yasuho with a smile, tipping his uniform hat, before carefully offloading the luggage in the trunk.
"Well," Jun exhaled, "Don't let me sully your evening with my ranting, I'm sure you had a long journey."
"No, not at all," Yasuho immediately replied, holding both hands up in front of her, "It's nice to talk with you, about things outside of the military too. Thanks for the lift as well. I'll see you tomorrow?"
Junichiro instinctively looked at his watch needlessly, a mannerism of his. "Uh yeah, absolutely. There's something I have to handle in the late morning, but I can pick you up after. Gives you time to sleep in too. Late lunch?"
"What are you up to tomorrow?"
"Well," Jun hesitated, "I'm going after a murder suspect tomorrow, some low life who still sympathizes with the equalist movement even now. I'm mainly looking into his whereabouts, or maybe I get lucky and I bag the guy tomorrow. But I'm not expecting much."
"Wouldn't this be a job for the police?"
"Oh don't get me started on that. Last time I handed this to the police, they let him go. I'm gonna see this through," Jun emphasized.
"I want to join you," Yasuho said with drive.
"I don't know…"
"Please. I'm also curious as to what a day in the life of an Intelligence Department officer is like. And if it helps bring in a murderer, I'm all the more for it."
Junichiro thought about it hard, and as fast as he could since he didn't want to keep her from a well deserved rest. "I guess, I could pull some strings," he finally gave in. "Sure. I could use the help, I guess. In the event things go south, having a master metal bender there would be a welcomed aid, I guess. Though, you'd have to try not to get directly involved."
"No problem," Yasuho affirmed, raring to go.
"Alright. I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning in uniform? I'll meet you by the battleship? Yamato boulevard."
Yasuho grinned. "You got it." She opened the door to leave, but as she left she gently touched Jun's jacket sleeve before getting out and closing the door. "See you tomorrow."
Los Angeles, California
"What'd you say your name was again?"
Korra looked around the room of spectators, as if probing for an answer to such a simple question, "Uhh…Li," she finally answered.
"Huh," the Filipino announcer and referee remarked. "Waterbender named Li."
"There a problem?"
"No," the man replied, shrugging. "Just first time hearing of a watertribe 'Li.'"
Korra wore earth kingdom green clothes. "I'm from the earth kingdom," she said defensively.
The man chortled, "No you're not," he laughed.
Before she could shoot back he turned to the rowdy crowd of spectators that surrounded the small stage in the dimly lit underground hall. "Alrighttttt! In this corner hailing from Fire Fountain City, Shuhon Island, in the Fire Nation, the former fire flake vendor and Los Angeles native named after ancient royalty and your two-time victor: Zoryu!"
The crowd went wild, obviously the fit firebender before her was a local fan favorite in this fighting ring.
"And in the challenging corner, a drifter who wandered into the City of Angels after supposedly shaking up Silicon Valley's own bending brackets. Hailing from probably the Southern Water Tribe: 'Li!'"
The crowd was less enthusiastic.
"Barbeque her, Zoryu!"
The announcer turned to the two contestants. Zoryu sported a hairstyle that somewhat resembled Fire Lord Sozin's, though his hair was not gray at all and was a solid black color. "Fighters, to center," he ordered. Korra and Zoryu came to meet each other at the middle of the square arena. The avatar focused on the water that surrounded the stage, she could only use her waterbending. It was the rule, identical to the pro-bending tournaments in Republic City, and at the same time she wanted to keep her identity as the avatar a secret.
Pro-bending was a popular sport in the Mechanized World as well, particularly in the United States and Asia. However there were many "underground" matches in North America, China, Korea, and even some parts of Japan that went a bit farther than the official televised games. The rings were smaller and more crude, and the crowd space was much more intimate with hundreds packing into a space that the Fire Marshall would officially only allow a hundred or less people to pack into without a stage inside. The contestants wore no armor, and were allowed to get as violent as necessary to knock the opponent out of the ring, though blood bending was, of course, off-limits. These matches were always bustling and were prominent centers for illegal gambling and wagering. And above all that risk already, they were further risky for the benders especially as unregulated bending of any kind without specific authorization or permit was a very illegal crime. At the least, it was a misdemeanor and at the most it could mean a felony charge. Bending, in the eyes of US legislatures, was equivalent to carrying a firearm; however unlike a gun, benders can't disarm themselves of their bending abilities, hence the higher punishments.
"Bow," the announcer called.
Korra and Zoryu bowed to one another, a slight tilt forward, maintaining eye contact. Sometimes the opponent would throw a hit during these formalities, and although it was frowned upon by the refs, it was legal; all in the name of entertainment for the spectators. Straightening out, the two fighters turned to the stout Filipino-American man before them and bowed again before returning to their sides.
Korra had been drifting around the United States under different names and aliases and avoiding getting entangled with law enforcement. The only people who openly and readily knew about her whereabouts was the TSA when she landed in Hawaii a while back, and again when she landed in Seattle. Beyond her ports of entry, no one had a solid fix on where she was and she kept a low profile. She had made a name for herself as different benders with different names in the bending duels in Hawai'i, but was bested and eventually moved on. On the mainland, same stories. She was often bested eventually in whichever ring she fought in, haunted by her ongoing traumas. Fighting, in the most violent of rings, nearly unrestricted was her way of trying to force herself back into her prime as a strong avatar, as opposed to being this shell of herself after her run-ins with the Red Lotus.
The dented brass bell rang twice and the crowd thunderously roared in excitement once again, cheering the fighter that each person had bet on. Korra took up a fighting stance, circling the arena and closely watching her opponent for any signs of a move. Her opponent was equally observant and quiet, usually there was a lot of back and forth taunting and yelling. No one was moving, so Korra decided to throw first.
With great force, she punched forth at Zoryu. A one-two combo sending two strong jets of water up and at the firebender rising from the small moat that surrounded the stage. Zoryu ducked and rolled. He dodged one! Clasping his fists together and thrusting them ahead, a blast of fire met the second, vaporizing the stream of water. A blast! Another! And another! Zoryu returned Korra's offense three-fold. The avatar tucked and rolled, ducking just beneath a jet of flames that soared just over her. The crowds behind dove for cover as the fire blast flew into the spectators and hit the wall; they got up and kept cheering.
The man was a machine gun! He was agile, and concise with his fire blasts! Korra could barely find enough pause to regain her fighting stance. Nevertheless she flowed like water. She became the leaf, as Meelo's voice echoed in her head. Her opponent was becoming frustrated, and upped the intensity. But Korra saw her opening! Whack! A solid hit from a water column on his flank pushed the fire bender back. He fell onto his back, allowing Korra to regain her footing. She sent another blast of water, striking Zoryu again as he tried to get up. Korra's arms moved succinctly with quick and short motions. An arm of water shot up and tossed Zoryu, while another solid jet of water from the opposite side of the stage quickly followed and slammed him in the face.
The crowds reacted in awe and disappointment. Again, they had money in this. Despite that, they at least recognized Korra as a fighter with potential.
However, just as she thought she had him in the bag and was about to wash Zoryu off the stage, a sudden kick towards her sent a scorching jet of flame at Korra, sending the avatar stumbling back. He followed by sweeping the stage with his other leg as he quickly resumed his stance. A line of intense fire spread out just over the platform, forcefully tripping Korra and knocking her onto her back, again. The avatar was now grounded and soaked in a large puddle of water. Zoryu exhaled and, at the water, from his joined fingertips, shot a moderate charge of lightning into the puddle.
"Ahhhh!" Korra screamed and winced, electrocuted. It was a legal play. She hadn't faced someone with lightning capabilities yet and was caught off guard. She became too confident that she had him earlier. The crowds cheered, with more energy and fervor now that their golden boy was back on the offensive, and about to finish things by the look of it. Korra couldn't get up, having had her energy zapped from her, literally. She could see smoke coming off her skin all over her body.
Zoryu stood imposingly over her. "You're good," he said, slightly winded. He spit some blood off stage. "I'll give you that. Time to end this." The firebender wiped his nose and resumed. A menacing, intense, hot-looking flame danced above the palm of the hand he suspended over his head, clear for Korra and the audience to see. It was his way of alluding to Fire Lord Ozai when he scarred Zuko. This was his signature finishing move. Korra crossed her arms in front of her face in an effort to block this, she knew it was going to hurt.
"Crash!" The steel doors were violently kicked open in the crowd. The spectators were startled, a woman screamed! The bright light from the outside world poured in, blinding those inside whose eyes were acclimated to the dark.
"LAPD!" A police officer shouted. "EVERYONE HAND UP! NOW!"
The crowd, of course, caught in the act, panicked. Those that ran for the blocked exits, ran right into the arms of an army of arresting officers. More room cleared and more officers were now able to make entrance to the fighting hall. Lining the room, still filled with a panicking and squirming crowd, the main entryway was now blocked by a line of patrol cops. The first line had their collapsible batons drawn and were already trying to arrest the outer layers of the crowds. There weren't enough handcuffs, and officers were now resorting to zip ties.
"Take them into custody!"
Formed behind the breach team's officers were some of the LAPD's own metal bending officers. These men, as well as the rest of Los Angeles's bending-capable cops worked in tandem with ordinary officers on patrols and detectives. Here they weren't special, and they were well integrated into the police force, unlike those of Republic City; where Chief Beifong insisted on keeping metal bending officers and non-bender officers separated on patrols, still doubting the abilities of ordinary cops.
With refined precision and speed, the metal benders began launching small thin plates of steel into the crowd. These metal plates were carried in pouches on their duty belt and were small enough to carry many, yet long and thick enough to serve a variety of roles; lethal and non-lethal. The spectators began dropping quickly, their wrists and ankles being bound and latched together by these numerous metal plates being flung through the air. They were firm when they impacted, wrapped around, and fused together around arms and legs by metalbending, but didn't cause injury beyond bruising; another testament to the metalbenders' training. A stream of water rose from the small moat of the stage, flying towards the police officers, followed by a stream of fire. Entering in with the metal benders were water and fire benders, who redirected and dispersed the fire and water without issue. The suspects were swiftly arrested.
Zoryu had disappeared into the crowd, he knew he had to filter out in the chaos and not get caught. Korra had lost sight of him and the announcer long ago amid the chaos. Finally getting to her feet, she needed to move. She watched earthbenders in the crowd sink into the concrete floor below, and others tear open escape ways in the walls before the officers inside could apprehend them.
"You on the stage! Get on the ground!"
A set of metal plates flew toward her at bullet-speeds. Korra could hear the metallic clack and clink of the metal plates launching off the officers' belt pouches. Just in time, she deflected the metal plates. They crashed and embedded themselves into the ceiling above. Then, Korra sent a strong gust of air against the breaching team. The arresting officers were knocked back against the wall, giving her time to escape. Korra made like the rest, and tore through the wall at the rear end of the building which led to an alleyway.
Korra looked left, then right, looking for which way to go. To the right down the alley was the street, and it was closest. The cry of a patrol car's siren stopped her though, as the "black and white," a Ford Explorer quickly came to a screeching halt at the mouth of the alleyway. Blocked. Two officers quickly exited their "shop," drawing their Glock 22 service weapons and immediately ordering her to get on the ground and interlock her hands behind her head. The pathway to the left was similarly blocked off, with another black and white blocking the exit. There, of course, was always up.
She stomped her foot, raising two stone walls to her flanks and in the confusion, launched herself up from the alley to the roof of the neighboring three-story building. Korra had already touched down on the rooftops by the time officers reached her launch position.
"7-Adam-15, I have a 148, an 'EB' runner! Escaping on foot over the rooftops. Single female in her 20s, green earth kingdom attire. Officers in pursuit!" The second pair of officers were uniformed metalbenders, who quickly scaled the building to chase after Korra
"7-Adam-20, 10-4, we are code 100, in position to intercept."
On the roof tops, Korra had just redirected two stone slabs launched at her by responding officers. She, foolishly, but instinctively, returned by flinging her own salvo of the concrete roof at the two cops who rolled out of the way into cover. One of the two launched more metal plates from his reserve pouches while the other got on the radio. "7-Adam-12, 241 on that escaping female. Assisting units be advised!" He got right back into the fight, opting instead of the steel plates to try using his steel cables instead; a device identical to the cables worn by Republic City cops. His partner did the same, and the two hoped to grab hold of Korra and restrain her by these means. The other pair of responding officers reached the roof behind where Korra was making a stand; two officers, an earth bender and a non-bender armed with a 12-gauge bean bag shotgun.
Korra dodged the cables, and snapped one of them, but she had nowhere to go. She readied to throw another sizable chunk of earth as she plotted where to go, raising the large slab of concrete to throw and cause confusion.
"NON-LETHAL! NON-LETHAL!" the armed officer shouted. Boom! Click-clack! Boom! Two shots of bean-bag rounds from the pump-action 870 Remington. The slugs visibly bounced off Korra's body. She cried out after each hit, breaking her form and dropping the rock. But she wasn't down. She'd been hit harder before.
"GET ON THE GROUND!"
She stumbled, not replying.
"Taser!"
The partner to the shotgun launched forth his steel cable, wrapping it around Korra's waist quickly. This would sting a lot more than a typical police taser. The avatar screamed in agony as a potent charge was sent through the steel cable to Korra, electrocuted again. She finally fell to her knees, and then was quickly forced to the pavement and arrested by all four officers.
"Hook her up!"
The clicking and ratcheting of the handcuffs to her wrists and ankles being the last thing to actually register with her.
"What's your name!?" they shouted. "WHAT'S YOUR NAME?!"
"7-Adam-20. Suspect in custody, code 4."
"L-Li…" Korra weakly replied.
"Li? Alright, Li. You are under arrest for illegal use of bending, destruction of property, resisting arrest, and assault of a police officer, in accordance with California penal codes 245IB, 594PC, 148, and 241C. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say, can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you at no expense," one of the officers iterated, the Miranda Rights were practically ingrained at his point. But Korra had zoned out before he concluded. The remaining police officers had already put on their latex gloves and were addressing the minor wounds that Korra had sustained during the arrest, but apart from cuts and bruises nothing serious had been sustained.
The next thing she knew, she was secured in the back of a police cruiser and in transit to lockup.
The metal gates of the holding cell clanged as the door was rolled open.
"Korra!" the officer called.
The avatar, still weakened, and bruised, looked up at him. Her eye contact was the only acknowledgement she was willing to manage.
"Time to go. You're being cut loose."
"Ay! Why does she get to go!?"
"What about me, man!?"
"Better call Saul, buddy," the officer chuckled.
Korra shuffled to the door, to the disapproval of all the inmates being held in lock up. The officers reattached a set of cuffs to her and marched her through the halls of the Wilshire Police Station, the heavy gates closing again behind. The officer was accompanied by four others: uniformed metal, water, fire, and air benders.
"What's going on? Was my trial date moved up? Did someone post my bail?" Korra was confused.
"Unfortunately, none of those," the officer grimaced. "Disappointedly, this is a world where who you are has some pull, even in the legal system. You're being cut loose. DA's orders. Specifically, you're being extradited back to Republic City…After we found out who you really are, Avatar Korra."
"What? That's-"
"You can't hide who you are in this country. We will find you. We've known," the officer explained. "Anyway, when they hooked you up, the department quickly figured out who this mysterious 'Li' character of yours was. And once we contacted Republic City, RCPD, and specifically President Raiko, wanted you extradited as soon as possible. Being the avatar, the district attorney didn't want to deal with the controversy of imprisoning the supposed bringer of peace to the worlds in LA County Jail. So here we are. You're being picked up."
Korra looked to the other four officers. Are they really necessary? She didn't like the attention or the appearance that she was being escorted under heavy guard, like a criminal.
"They're here for your protection," he said.
Finally they reached the lobby. A buzzer went off as the door was unlocked and opened for Korra to pass through. She had her one backpack returned to her at the desk.
"Korra!"
The avatar turned around. It had been a long time since she heard that voice. She was joyful. "Asami!" The two girls came to a firm hug in the middle of the police station lobby, leaving Mako awkwardly isolated.
"What brings you two to LA?"
"Well," Asami revealed, "We kinda came here looking for you."
"How'd you know I'd be here?"
"Jinora gave us a heads up. She managed to sense you one night while meditating. First time since she was clearly able to track you when you were in Hawai'i. We lucked out," Asami recalled. "I'm just so glad you're okay. What were you doing?"
"I just…needed some time alone," Korra said, emptilly. She still hadn't overcome her troubles.
"Korra," Asami sympathized, "If there's anything we can do to help. We're here for you. Anything at all."
Mako left the two ladies to talk over and catch up, walking over to the police sergeant to wrap things up. "Officer Mako, Republic City Police. Thanks again for agreeing to turn Korra over."
"No problem. You guys have been more than cooperative with our department a few years back when we were looking into those fugitives that escaped to your city." The sergeant looked over at Korra. "People aren't too happy that she's getting an exception just because she's the avatar though. And between you and me, no offense to your friendship, I too think she's reckless and in need of being put back in line. You know, just because you're blessed with the power of all four elements, and apparently supposed to bring balance, doesn't put her above law and regulation. Cop to cop, I'm sure you understand this notion too."
"I do, sir," Mako acknowledged.
"Bending without prior authorization is illegal in the US, and that's no different here in LA. If we make it so firearms are difficult for the average law-abiding citizen to conceal carry, having ready access to a flame thrower, or a rock-cannon, or literally someone else's blood and air they're breathing should also be just as regulated. Agree?"
"I see your argument, sergeant," Mako, again acknowledged. "What about her charges?"
The sergeant rested both hands on his duty belt. "Well, if you keep to your agreements and ensure that she is extradited back to Republic City without anymore fuss or disruptions, the DA says he'll drop all charges against her. It'll be as if nothing happened. But, she is in your custody now. Make sure Korra stays out of trouble. If she's brought back in here, it won't be good for either of us. Got it?"
"Understood. Of course, sir. Our flight out of LAX is in a few days. We'll take care of it from here," Mako finished.
"Well then, that's that." The officer turned to Korra. "Don't let me see you in here again, lady. Stay out of trouble. And straighten up, will ya? You're supposed to be some sort of figure people look up to and revere, apparently. Act like one!" He turned to Asami and Mako. "Officer Mako. Ms. Sato. Give our regards to Chief Beifong, please." he said in farewell before disappearing back into the depths of the offices following the four element-bending officers. Mako saluted and Asami gave an appreciative bow as the officers left.
"They could have been a bit more gentle," Korra muttered.
"Korra, you're literally the Avatar. And you tried to run and even fight those officers. I thought you would have learned from the first time you had a run in with the police," Asami scolded.
"I panicked! It was fight or flight, and I tried flight!"
"Let's go," Mako ushered along, "Before we start another scene and you further incriminate yourself," he said, motioning the two to the door.
"Ugh," Asami groaned, frustratedly hitting the steering wheel. "I've heard stories, but LA traffic sucks!"
"Yeah, it's bumper to bumper," Mako sighed looking out the window at the never ending column of cars. "Literally."
Horns were blaring, drivers were trying to insert their cars into the narrowest gaps between the vehicles in the next lanes over without using their turn signals, and the overall speed was a tremendous one mile-per-hour when not standing still.
"Yeah it's crazy here. There are so many cars, I think you could fit all the cars in Republic City- No- the entire Bending World into the car-count of LA, and still not even come close to totality," Korra commented.
"Not the best time to jump on the 110 freeway. Ugh!"
Korra turned the radio up, hoping to help pass the time.
"It's bumper to bumper on southbound one-ten. Traffic is crawling at a standstill from Staples Center until the four-oh-five interchange…"
"That long?!" Asami agonized. "What's the point of gas? I'm just braking and rolling at this point!"
"Maybe another channel," Korra awkwardly chuckled, turning the tuning dial.
"...yet another former Earth Kingdom state has announced its plans to join the Earth Empire, led under former metalbending guard captain: Kuvira, at the end of last week. Beisup, a small and relatively forgotten Earth Kingdom state in the northern wooded regions of the continent, has officially signed the entrance papers to formally become part of Kuvira's growing Earth Empire. Beisup citizens stating that they are glad that they are now formally being recognized and getting the aid they need, hopeful for a prosperous future.
'I'm just glad that finally we'll be able to wake up and live in peace, knowing that we now are protected by the Empire and its peacekeeping forces,' said a man, a shopkeeper, from the city.
The US Department of Defense has reported that a tank division of the Earth Empire has engaged with a small band of raiders as they made their way toward the city of Beisup. No civilian casualties have been detected in the encounter, and the DoD says they will continue to monitor the combative and military operations of the Earth Empire closely. No survivors were reported from the group of raiders."
"They're practically massacring them," Mako commented after hearing that report. "You can't interrogate a corpse."
"How could people turn a blind eye to this kind of thing?" Korra wondered. "I mean, there has to be something wrong with how the Earth Empire is handling this, right?"
"Money," Asami answered. "The Earth Empire holds a lot of oil, iron, gold, diamonds, silver, and labor. A lot of resources to sell and export, and even more to produce. I'm on my last legs as far as holding a drowning Future Industries afloat just competing with Cabbage Corp and Varrick Industries, but the Earth Empire is also starting to ramp up their own domestic industries. I'll be ruined at this rate." Asami slammed the brakes and blasted the horn at the car that was suddenly cutting into their lane! "COME ON, MAN! SIGNAL!"
Korra and Mako were surprised. They've never seen this side of Asami prior. Turns out she hated traffic, apparently.
She returned to her level-toned self. "At the same time, in the simplest form. The people they're "waging war" against are criminals. They're daofei! They're thieves and robbers, some of them serial killers and murderers. I may not necessarily agree with the means, but it's easy for everyone to not care about the feelings of those who feel they can just take whatever they want from society. Vague memories of the loss of her mother to a firebender stung in her mind.
"Still," Korra added, "Remember what happened when we were retrieving the 'tax payments' for the Hou-Ting? Those bandits say that we were on the 'wrong side.' Maybe they were just…I don't know..victims of circumstance?!"
"Yeah," Mako confirmed. "But, just to play devil's advocate, the argument from them and everybody else is: 'Yeah, but so was everyone else. But you didn't see the average person kicking down his neighbor's doors to steal from them.'"
"And it's been like that for years, Korra. Tens of thousands of them. I don't want to defend Kuvira's actions, but she has a point. The Earth Kingdom has been violent and in disarray for centuries!"
"As a result of centuries of corrupt or unattentive leadership," Korra tried to counter.
"Exactly," Mako and Asami answered in tandem. That was a big argument made by Kuvira over and over again.
"How is the word on Kuvira here in the States? Surely the left and right have opposing views on her, right?"
"Well…" Korra rubbed her neck. "I don't read into politics that much. But, FOX applauds that she is taking a stand and ensuring safer communities through 'properly and thoroughly' punishing crime. And CNN holds Kuvira up as a symbol of opposition to the one-percent, in this case the monarchy and the rich, and as an inspirational woman-leadership figure. One who 'empowered' non-benders, and fights for those viewed with a 'lesser value.' "
"A woman of power? Like the op-ed pages that seemed to praise Kim Yo-jong a few years back? The sister of Kim Jong-un?"
"Yeah, just like that," Korra answered.
"So basically," Mako deduced, "Uncle Sam is onboard with Kuvira. Amazingly, for once, unanimously."
"Yeah." Korra could only simply answer. "How is Kuvira anyway? Beyond the elimination of criminals, what's the word over there?"
"From what we can hear, on the radio or in the paper, nothing but greatness. She's bringing peace and unity, just as what she said she would do after fixing the whole Zaheer power vacuum thing," Asami reported, doubtful of the accuracy of those headlines.
"God! That's supposed to be my job! My problems to fix!" Korra roughly pushed her hands through her hair. "Ugh! I'm so sick of whatever this poison is doing to me! I'm letting the world deteriorate under my watch!"
"How's that coming by the way?"
"Grrr! I still can't properly go into the avatar state! And I'm getting my butt kicked even in these small unofficial pro-bending tournaments! Before Zaheer I would have dusted the floor with them! It's all so frustrating!"
Asami and Mako shared a mutual look at each other through the rearview mirror. The traumatizing events with Zaheer still heavily weighed on her. But they didn't know how they could fix it. And Zaheer was long dead. Somehow those two felt that Korra could only fix whatever was troubling her if she confronted Zaheer one more time; but there was no way for that to happen now.
"We're here for you, Korra," Asami said assuredly. "You'll get through this. We'll get through this. Just like we always have. Together!" She said this with a hopeful tone, but deep down she couldn't resist feeling the pressure that whatever revelation Korra needed to have, had to happen soon.
"Geez! Seriously come on, guy!" Mako burst out from the back seat, watching the car in the lane next to them nearly rear-end the minivan ahead. "How long until we hit those crossroads?" Mako was referring to the 110 and 405 freeway interchange.
"I feel like we've already reached them," Asami said, quietly, absent minded.
"Huh?" Mako was confused. "You made it seem like they were miles away earlier!"
It was a looongg way down from the bottom level of the Kyoshi Bay Bridge to the cold waters of Republic City harbor. Jun didn't like it one bit, he was scared of heights. And the constant shaking, rumbling, rattling, and groaning of the steel girders, rivets, and cables that suspended the freeway and the railroad tracks, wasn't helping. It was finally time for his talk. His 'boys' on patrol had managed to pick up the low level triad member from the streets around Kwong's Cuisine
"Hey! Let me go! Wait til the they hear about this! You're dead! You hear me?! Dead!"
The young man was suspended from a single metal chain that hung beneath the railroad tracks of the lower deck of Kyoshi Bridge. Running over one of the rails and feeding in between the cross ties of the track, the single chain suspended the wanted Triple Threat Triad member that the RCPD had cut loose; the one Jun wanted to "really talk to."
"We got him, sir," one of the UFDI officers called. Roaming watch picked him up outside of Kwong's about an hour ago. Looked like he was handling a drop."
"What are we gonna do with him," John, Jun's partner, asked. "He's not being too cooperative so far."
None of the three men wore their uniforms. They were all dressed to the nines, suited, but no badges or uniforms to be traced to. While UFDI agents often could work in an ordinary suit instead of their patrol or field uniforms, usually they'd have some way to identify themselves to the agency. This however, was off the record.
"Of course he won't talk, Jackson," he said to his partner, John. "Do you know what the triad would do to him if he talked anything sensitive? It ain't pretty." Jun walked along the thin catwalk which lined the tracks. He was now looking down on the hanging suspect, who was cuffed at the wrists and ankles. This man was a simple earthbender, but not a particularly good one; he couldn't metalbend, and he wasn't going anywhere. Jun knelt down, getting closer to the triad member. "Except, that's exactly what you're going to do, Kwai."
"Screw you, man! I won't say anything!" Kwai, the still-hot-headed, Triple Threat member shot back, not properly minding his situation.
Jun gave a stern look to his partner, John. "You hear that, Jackson? He won't talk. Oh no! What are we gonna do? I guess he got us," the chief inspector mocked, even putting his hands to his face and mimicking an exaggerated expression that mirrored the 'Scream.'
John took a firm stance, then pushed an open palm firmly downward. There was an audible snap as one of the links in the iron chain was severed on one side of the link. Kwai shuddered as his body suddenly descended ever so slightly, his weight now bending the single weakened link that suspended him from certain death.
"WOAH!" he suddenly cried out. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! CHILL!"
"I'm waiting," Jun simply coaxed. He did not need to raise his voice to drive home the point.
"This is illegal! You can't do this! You're cops!"
Jun mockingly looked around, at his partner and the other UFDI agent. "Cops? One, that's technically not right. Two..do you see a single uniform here? I don't see anything." He looked at his partner, "How 'bout you, Jackson? Anything?"
"Not a single uniform or badge in sight for miles, Bob," he replied.
The shadow from the brim of his Stetson fedora shaded Jun's expression from Kwai, but he gave a quick "are you kidding me? All the fake names to come up with for me and you picked Bob" look to his partner, who shrugged.
"I know! You guys are intelligence department!" Kwai still thought he could threaten his way out of this. "I'll go to the cops! Beifong won't stand for this!"
"A triad member, going to the cops. Get a load of this," Jun mocked.
"Yeah! I'll take you to court!"
"You're too naive for your own good- Court?! This! This is court! This is judge, jury, and executioner, Kwai!" Jun gestured to the three of them. All of them could hear the loud blast of a K5LA locomotive air horn approaching. The tracks and steel frame of the bridge started to rattle.
"Okay okay, you got me, I'll talk," Kwai smuggly said, feeling the pressure now. "I handle some low level drops and pickups. You bagged the wrong guy, I just do the groundwork."
Jun stood up. "Yeah, see- That's not gonna cut it, boy. That's small fish food. That's for Beifong. I want bigger food! Prime cuts, if you get what I'm saying."
The rumble and roar of a pair of diesel locomotives and, likely, a one-and-a-half long line of freight cars were now creeping onto the bridge. "You better talk something valuable soon, Kwai! This chain, you know, is the only thing keeping you alive. And it's about to get cut by a thousand tons of train!"
"I got nothing! I swear!" Kwai's tone shifted.
Jun watched as the train continued it's march to their position, the engineer now blasting the horn as a warning.
"I don't buy it. You better come up with something," Jun prodded, no change in tone or severity.
"Cough it up, dirtbag," John ordered.
Kwai could feel the tightness of the metal cuffs increase. It felt like the bracelets were now cutting into his wrists.
The clickety-clack, and the squealing of the steel wheels on the rail grew louder.
"You know what they'd do to me?!"
"Doooooonnnnnn'ttttttt caaaaarrrrreeeeee," Jun sang. "How about that family you robbed? The one that you ransacked their shop, practically put them out of business, and then had the nerve to force them to make a statement to the police under duress?
You are going to be another one of those criminals that simply 'skip town' never to be seen again. Just like Tuan, before you."
"Tuan? What happened to him?" Kwai knew of the past triad member Junichiro was talking about.
"Why don't you try looking down? Maybe you could look for him in a bit. Wherever he is, at this point you might even find Jimmy Hoffa too," Jun chuckled. "Give me something, or you're going to disappear!"
Kwai did look down. With the train approaching, and a weakened chain link being the only thing holding him alive, the height above the frigid water seemed to double.
"Maybe I can give you a hint, Kwai," Jun assisted, finally, "Let's talk about the illegal gambling profits and the drugs that I know you handle. That's ten-times bigger than the small pickups and drops you handle on the weekly. I want to know where and how you place that sum. You can start there. And, I'd get to it real soon."
"It's a long fall to the water, and an even longer, colder, and darker, fall to the bottom of the bay from there, I'd get talking," John added. "Last chance."
"Okay! Alright!" Kwai finally caved, now panicking for his life. He frantically explained where the larger sums, large enough that the disappearance of them would hurt the Triple Threat's finances and influence, were moved and where they were kept. These sums were all under the direct responsibility of the young and rising triad member.
"See," Jun concluded, "That wasn't so hard now was it?" He nonchalantly shut his case book and tucked it away in his suit jacket. He straightened his tie and motioned for them to start leaving, looking as though they were going to leave Kwai for dead.
"Wait wait wait! What about me?" Kwai called.
"I don't know, what about you?"
"Cut me loose! Come on, I helped you out!"
"Which means your value as a criminal is now gone," John coldly said.
"No-," Jun stopped, "He's right. It's fair. Cut him loose."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," Jun affirmed. "The boy lives. Cut him loose."
The two of them grinned deviously.
"Try not to squirm too much on the way down," John advised, as the three officers stepped out of the way of the oncoming locomotive.
"Wait! WAIT!-"
The now deafening roar of the heavy freight engines passed overhead. A sharp and shrill snap cried out as the locomotive severed the metal chain. Kwai plummeted! Screaming as this was the end for him. The world blurred as he accelerated. But suddenly, he felt the chain, and his cuffs sharply pull him upward. Agent Masaoka had caught Kwai, being a moderate metal bender, and lifted him back up to the bridge. Kwai was suddenly dropped on the cold steel catwalk before the three men. He was hyperventilating, still trying to accept that he was likely going to die. It all happened so quick. Jun swept down and grappled with the young man's leather jacket collar.
"Listen to me you deadbeat scum! From now on, you are essentially a short term C.I. Got? Confidential informant! You will say nothing to no one about this! One, because I know what the triad will do to you if they find out you talked to the cops. And two, because you've wasted a decent amount of my evening to have to talk to you again like this! Next time I have to do this, there won't be a saving grace." He threw the triad member back down, forcefully, to the metal walkway. "Get lost!"
John snapped the handcuffs off with his bending and allowed Kwai to run off. Jun had drawn his 1911 service pistol, just in case the earthbender triad member got any ideas, but the three of them watched as the young man ran off scared.
"You know you practically handed him a death sentence. Why not just drop him?" John asked with slight sympathy.
"The family he harmed. I know them, I frequent their shop. They didn't deserve that kind of treatment. I'm not just going to take care of Kwai..I'm going to drag him through the dirt."
Junichiro was about a quarter of the way through a Lucky Strike cigarette, standing idly looking over the water toward Aang Memorial Island. He had donned a heavier calf-length belted overcoat to cover over his suit and keep warm on the now colder night. A freighter was departing the harbor, likely making for the designated rift-zones out in open water, where all ships that were readying to transit worlds had to report first. The city had gotten quieter, the sound of the wind whistling drowned out whatever noise came from the now subdued city streets.
"Jun-kun?" a woman's voice called to him. The sound of a pair of heels walking against concrete drew near.
Turning around, he caught sight of the elegantly dressed Japanese woman who approached him, her burgundy coat covering a skirt-suit. She wore a cloche hat that hid her still tied and slicked hair, indicative that she had just finished work in uniform.
"Kyoko?" Jun recalled, tilting his hat back and allowing more light to shine on his face.
"It's been a while!" the 36 year old called out, quickly closing the remaining distance and standing by his side. Unlike Yasuho, Kyoko was just about his eye-level with similarly tall pumps on.
"When did you get here?" Jun asked, glad to see another familiar face.
"Mo~!, I texted you before and after the flight," she reminded, gently knocking him on the arm, playfully.
Junichiro smiled, warmly. "It's good to see you, old friend."
"You Americans and your usage of the word 'old,'" she remarked. "I'm not 'old' you know."
"It's a saying," Jun emphasized in defense. "I'm not saying you're literally old!"
The two of them laughed. He felt comfortable around her, and Kyoko was always one to put him at ease. A break from his perpetually tense and stressful world, whether or not he brings it on himself.
"How have you been?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to meet his eyes.
"Oh, you know. Hanging in there," he put off. "Arrest some bad guys, travel the Earth Kingdom, shoot some guns, chase some cars…the usual." He always played off his job for granted whenever she asked this question. Kyoko knew very well what his job was actually like. "How about you? How was the flight over?"
"It was normal, as usual. We had a bit of a run in, though, with an individual plane on approach."
"Happens more than you think," Jun chimed in.
"Believe me, I know. I've got a good amount of trips to here and Ba Sing Se from Japan under my belt you know," she bragged. "Kaito flew us in. He's here in Republic City too."
"Oh he is? I gotta say hi to the geezer at some point. How long's he here for?" From their grandfathers, Junichiro and Kaito were still close friends, despite the generationally consistent ten-year age gap.
"Two days," she reported, "He'll be flying another flight back to Japan after. So if you two are going to go on another one of your 'legendary drinking sessions' you'd better do it tomorrow, so he can still recover and make his next flight with no issues."
"Oh yeah, that's happening," Jun laughed, subtly trying to tuck his still-burning cigarette out of her sight.
"Ara," Kyoko tisked, "You're smoking again." Her tone fell to a more concerned one.
"Old habits from the Corps," he excused, again. "Old habits die hard, ya know?"
"Something's bothering you again, isn't there?" Kyoko called him out on his lie.
"No of course not, nothing bothers me-"
"Please don't lie. At least to me," Kyoko further pressed. "When you'd leave bed and stand on the balcony at night, or take a long time to personally take the trash to the dumpster instead of just using the garbage chute, I knew what was really going on." She suddenly reached across him, took the cigarette, and quickly crushed it underfoot. "This isn't good for your health," she adamantly emphasized.
"Okay, fine you caught me," Jun gave in. "It's just been another day of seeing things and doing things, leaving out the gruesome specifics."
"Like what?"
He sighed, "Young, twenty-something-year-old, shot dead in her own apartment. Executed, fell in with the wrong guy."
"It's impossible to prevent everything you know," Kyoko tried to console.
"Yes I know that, but I could have prevented it! The system let him go. Law and order is never as strict and punishing as it ought to be," he vented out.
"It's unrealistic to call for the death sentence each time though… You know what it would quickly devolve into if they just started handing out executions each time."
"Yeahh, I know it's not realistic," Jun accepted. "It just pisses me off when these guys seem to walk free despite what they've done. No paying for it, no suffering. And some of them get out, and then do things like this!"
"I know it's frustrating," Kyoko tried to reason. "But..it's these kinds of systems, even if they have flaws and cracks every now and then, that stop, Imperial Japan, or Nazi Germany, from happening again. You know?"
"Criminals got dealt with, though," Jun commented.
"Yes, but everyone becomes potentially a criminal at that point! Don't you see?"
"Yeah..I guess," Jun finally accepted.
Kyoko exhaled strongly, slight frustration on her mind. "It's getting late. I should rest up after the flight today." Her tone had returned to the caring and level-headed tone it was originally.
"Yeah. How long are you here in the bending world?"
"It's the start of a vacation for me," she said. "A little over a week and a half. I plan to go visit Ba Sing Se and Kyoshi Island, but maybe we could catch up further over lunch?"
"I'd like that," Junichiro smiled.
Kyoko gently put her hand atop his, briefly in passing, "Take care of yourself, Jun. Stay safe, for me."
There was always this subtle bittersweetness between these two in departure.