Ch8

"John!" Jun called over amid the sea of swarming police officers, press members, and paramedics. "John!"

Agent Masaoka responded to his superior's calls. "What's up?"

"You're a metal bender, right?"

"I am. Not a very good one, but I am."

"Great," Jun exclaimed. "Well, today, atleast officially you're going to be a great one."

"W-What?"

"I got a favor to ask, John," Jun adjusted his cap and ran his hand across his mouth and chin, shuffling around. "I need you to take a hit for me."

"Take a hit? What are you talking about?"

"Yasuho killed that guy!"

"Yeah," John remarked quickly glancing over at the, now deceased, murderer who lay on the street with a tarp covering him. "So? Another erased criminal- a murder suspect! What's the big deal? Not the first time."

"It's not that," Junichiro pleaded. "She can't get directly involved. Captain Aoshima is Earth Empire! Not only that, but she's clearly uniformed right now! It's not a good look, and I don't want her to get into trouble!"

"Hang on," John stopped his superior, "By 'take a hit,' you mean you want me to get chewed out? In her place? Put me on the grill?"

"Yes. It's a delicate thing." Jun added. "We've been in the armed forces. We've gotten chewed out by the brass many times. Just stand there, say nothing and take it. It's simple, no one bats an eye."

"Well, yeah! But that doesn't mean I like it," John opposed. "But, I guess it can't be helped. Anything to spare the reputation of the Earth Empire's poster kid. For a price," he slyly implied.

Jun sighed, pushing his cap back and looking around, now backed into a corner. "Okay, how much?"

"I don't know," John sang, "Make an offer."

"I'll pay for five of your drinks the next time we go drinking, tonight! It's a good deal, we're going to a high end bar! Top floor of the Sei'naka Hotel, that's opportunity to profit on," Jun desperately offered, quietly.

"Mmmmm," John hummed, "Five drinks goes by quick…"

Jun looked at him, flat faced with no expression.

"...And you know I hold my alcohol pretty well," John continued.

Jun sighed, "Okay! Fine! Your entire night's bar tab, I'll take care of! That square enough for you?"

John smiled, pulling the brim of his hat down over his eyes. His expressions suddenly shifted to a more serious, acted, tone. "Good for nothing murderer, that Dang Zhen," John played out, acting tough and putting on his best 'bad cop' impression. "Should have seen the look on his face when I sent that shard of metal through his neck! Good riddance! Makes whatever lashing I get from the brass, and President Raiko, worth it to take another piece of trash out for collection! That Captain Aoshima… she tried to stop me, but this punk deserved no mercy for the crimes he had done. No siree!"

Jun put his hands together and bowed slightly, "Thank you," he whispered, side stepping off.

John smirked, but then remembered, "Oh yeah! One other thing."

"Yeah?"

"Kwai, the triad member," John refocused.

"Yeah…the one we strung from the bridge and got the info on that drop he was handling. Which we seized today!"

"Yes, that one…" John paused a bit. "RCPD patrol units recovered Kwai today. Burnt to a crisp and under a boxcar in the railyard." He looked back at Jun. "Triad discarded him. Couldn't even recognize the guy. And the smell!"

Jun shook his head in acknowledgement, pinching his lips together and pulling out his Zippo lighter. "Well," he said, igniting the flame and lighting a cigarette, "I guess that closes that book."

"Sir?"

"Run with the gangs, die by them," Jun simply stated.

"The guy was twenty-one," John stated.

Junichiro shrugged. "He knew what he was doing. One must face the consequences of his choices."

Ba Sing Se International Airport, Outer Ring, Ba Sing Se

"Why couldn't we just fly straight to Republic City, again?" Mako complained.

"Because, I told you, we were getting a lift from Jinora, and Ba Sing Se had the cheaper fares. And even then, economy class with American Airlines wasn't cheap," Asami shot back. "And, for someone who got his entire trip to the US and back funded out of my own pocket, I'd think you'd complain less. Unfortunately I'm not exactly made of money anymore with the current state of Future Industries!"

"Okay," Mako turned defensive and backed off, "My bad, I'm sorry and really grateful."

Korra was busy being amazed at the interior of the concourse and terminal. She'd never been inside Ba Sing Se International before. As one would expect, the building was brightly lit and fancily decorated. There were luxury brand named retailers and restaurants spread throughout the bustling airport, and travelers from all around enjoying the services whilst waiting for their flights, or arriving from a long journey.

Fitting with the overall aesthetic of Ba Sing Se, the airport emanated a 1930s Shanghai aesthetic, and the people, passengers, air crews, and shop workers definitely mirrored that atmosphere in their dress. Asami and Mako had changed into their formal city clothing before flying out of LAX, while Korra, still wearing a simple hoodie and jeans, stuck out like a sore thumb; though she didn't care too much, surrounding people noticed and would passively and quietly look down on her.

"Where can we meet Jinora," Korra asked, wanting to get out of here as fast as possible. She could feel the judgemental stares of the wealthy Ba Sing Se citizens. "I want to get out of here as fast as possible."

"We'll have to take a train to the middle ring," Mako replied, "If she came here to Ba Sing Se Airport, she'd have to adhere to air traffic control, ground operations, marshaling, she'd have to bring Pepper to a certain designated area, Tenzin would get stuck with the landing and ground fees… It's just very complex now. In the middle ring there's a grass field that a sky bison can land easily with no risk of fees or getting grilled by the FAA and Earth Empire Flight Administration…"

"God, these regulations are nuts!" Korra was growing more and more frustrated. "Why can't I have been born as the avatar several iterations ago? None of my previous lives had to deal with this nonsense. The world seemed simpler!" Ever since she was born, Korra had to deal with the ins and outs of living in a world where everything was regulated, and everything had fine print. The Bending World was heavily capitalized, and, in her eyes, it ran to the mechanical heartbeat of gears, pistons, and engines, and was fed with veins of money and capital. The core spirit of bending as an art, the majesty and the appeal of it seemed to fade away. Braving the seas in a sailing ship from the Water Tribes wasn't needed if the seas split at the bow of some battleship a hundred-times larger than a canoe, and sky bison weren't so mythical or special anymore when jumbo jets would cross a continent within hours. Tradition seemed gone, and Korra somewhat despised it; a thought that she never thought would cross her mind. "Out of all the things my previous lives did, why did Aang have to keep the Rift open?!"

"Well," Asami chimed in to counter, "Don't overlook the positives that came with this extreme change."

"Like what?"

"Medicine for one. The medical findings of the Mechanical World were thousands of years ahead of what we had up until that point. Katara and Sokka themselves almost died of..what was later determined to have been a flu..and the remedy to that was.." Asami tried to recall what the history books had said. "...sucking on frozen frogs? Where's the science and reproducibility in that?"

"It worked though," Korra defended. "That's all that mattered."

"Yeah, but those frogs were special to the Taku region. An abandoned mountain side town. Think of the people miles away that died because they didn't have access, had no doctors around, and lacked any remedies… Now people just visit a doctor, or even just a corner drug store. They have remedies to counter the symptoms, and can get vaccinated against the flu.

And that's not even talking about other things that came like television, mobile phones, the internet, trains, airplanes, and interstate highways, that not only sped up travel, but made travel more accessible to the not-so-elite.

Besides, you did something too that people, fifty-fifty, don't agree with either. You kept the spirit portals open. The avatar after you may complain about that too, you know."

"It was in the name of keeping balance and harmony between the worlds," Korra justified. "It's my job as the avatar-"

"And I'm sure that's exactly what Aang thought when he followed the US and Japan back through The Rift," Asami cut off, smirking.

Korra crossed her arms. "It just feels like people don't really need an avatar anymore. All I wanted to be, as a kid at least… it's changed a bit now... was The Avatar! Someone who people looked up to, and who could bring about change and peace. But in twenty-four years of living, it feels like I've always been the underdog, or some side character. Like I'm just a figure head with no real say anymore."

"Korra," Asami calmed, "People still need the Avatar. It's tricky, this is a very different world from your past lives'. And not being able to talk to them makes this all the more difficult, but you'll find a way. I'm sure of it. People, particularly the people of the Earth Kingdom need you Korra." Asami looked around, making sure no guards were nearby; the restructured and improved Dai Li were said to be even more effective in their roles as the central policing arm of the Earth Empire. Seeing none, she leaned in closer to Korra's ear and whispered. "Someone needs to keep Kuvira in check," she quietly said. "I've heard stories. Executions, prison and reeducation camps, you name it I've heard it. Though I have no evidence…something is going on behind all the glamor, and I'm concerned…not only as to what it is now, but what it could be. Someone needs to stop her, Korra."

"Evidence? Camps? Executions?" Korra blurted out, catching the attention of some passersby. "But there are trains, and busses, and cars, planes, and especially sky bison flying around with the airbenders! Something like that should easily be seen!"

"There are no-fly zones," Mako revealed. "Places that are cordoned off by the Earth Empire that unauthorized aircraft are not allowed to fly though, usually reasoned as 'for their safety.' Sky Bison and airbenders, especially, are not allowed in or over though. Jinora has tried once, but she got into serious trouble for doing that. Tenzin had no choice but to scold her and tell her never to do that again."

"If that's true, then she needs to be dealt with," Korra said. "Someone has to say something."

"Shhh!" Asami covered Korra's mouth, and playfully smacked her upside the head. "They listen."

By the far corner, posted in the shadows of where vending machines and water fountains were located, were two men in dark green military-style uniforms, though they weren't part of the army. Their green was much darker. They were Dai Li officers. And there were likely more of them too, as they often wear plain clothes as well. The Dai Li were reorganized under Kuvira's administration. They fulfilled the role of the Earth Empire's intelligence agency and secret police. It was rumored that they played a major role in the alleged disappearances of people known to voice out against the regime.

"Okay, I got it," Korra calmed down. Truthfully, apart from Kuvira being known to be harsh on crime, Korra didn't have too much of a problem with her so far. She believed it would be easy if ever she had to talk to the temporary leader of the Earth Kingdom. Her favor for Kuvira's help dealing with Zaheer was still moderately high, six years later.

There was a succession of three chimes played over the airport announcement system, indicating an incoming announcement.

"Greetings, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Joo Dee. Welcome to Ba Sing Se International Airport. I'd like to welcome you to our wonderful city." An animated character of the traditional and well-known city guides of Ba Sing Se's past was projected on the large screens above the walkways and in the directory boards. "I will be your virtual host, as long as you're in our wonderful city! The current temperature across all three rings of Ba Sing Se is: sixty-five degrees fahrenheit, or eighteen celsius. The local time is now: eight o'clock in the evening."

"Is this some sort of satire, or something?" Korra asked as she watched the video announcement.

"Joo Dees, despite their dark past," Mako informed, "Are actually played up and well associated with Ba Sing Se symbolically at least. And after change and regulations, being a 'Joo Dee' is actually a well paying job now. Without the kidnapping and brainwashing and stuff."

The City of Ba Sing Se hired many women, and men in the modern day, to continue working as guides even after the collapse of Ba Sing Se's original use of Joo Dee's during Aang's time. Nowadays, they weren't kidnapped, and weren't brainwashed, and actually had good pay and benefits. The uniform, although originally changed, had long reverted back to the original traditional gown and headpiece look that such servants wore in the past, and all though they could use their own names when introducing themselves, it had become a recent trend for the guides to refer to themselves as 'Joo Dee' now in efforts to keep their true names private.

There was a bronze statue in the concourse that featured three Joo Dee's standing back to back. They had three facial expressions: the center one that stood behind the plaque had an eerie forced, and yet distressed, smile. The woman to the left had a much more natural and innocent smile, and the final one on the right was a disheartening sorrowful face that seemed to hold back tears…barely. The inscription read:

"An icon and a mascot of Ba Sing Se at present, our job was not always innocent or fair. Taken from our families, from our homes, or taking the job because we had no other option, our souls were sold to servitude to the old and corrupted Earth Kingdom government. Our names, pasts, futures, lives, and identities erased, and over the old was engraved the simple name: Joo Dee.

Remember us. Remember what used to be."

There were three names, but the name for the central woman was inscribed: Mei Ying. The assigned Joo Dee that was placed in charge of Avatar Aang's first visit to Ba Sing Se.

The announcement continued to play explaining, in brief, Ba Sing Se's famous tourist spots and transit accessibility tips before finishing just as Korra and company had made it to the front of the customs and immigration checkpoints. There were separate lines for foreigners and citizens of the Earth Empire. Furthermore, within those two categories was another separation for benders and non-benders. Mako and Korra were separated from Asami but they had agreed to meet each other just outside of the immigrations gate.

Behind the counter from Korra, the security officer, a petit uniformed woman, ran her passport and credentials through the computer she sat before. She seemed sweet and friendly enough, and her voice was softer toned too, but her questions were far from gentle.

"What is your name?" She asked bluntly, staring at the passport identification page.

"Korra," the avatar responded.

"And your birthday?"

Korra stated her birthday.

"You are arriving from Los Angeles?"

"Yes. It was a long flight! Decent amount of turbulence, and economy class was packed! But it was smooth sailing after pas-"

"What brings you to Ba Sing Se?" the officer interrupted, not caring for Korra's small talk.

"Uh," Korra was taken aback and caught off guard. "I'm meeting with a friend to take me to Republic City."

"How will you be making that trip?"

"We will be going by sky bison," Korra answered. "My friend is an airbender." Korra's eyes shifted around before snapping back to the officer as she remembered further details. "And we will be taking off from a park in the middle ring with respect to your rules."

The immigrations officer blinked, pushing up her eye glasses that rested low on her nose, and turning to her computer screen. After scrolling down a bit and hitting a few keys on the keyboard, "Yes, with… let's see..'Pepper,' correct? Jinora's sky bison?"

Korra was surprised once more. How would they have that detail in their database? "Yes, that's correct."

"Have you been involved or have ever sympathized with any criminal organizations, militant groups, or extremist organizations?"

"No," Korra shakily answered.

"Have you committed, or have been deemed an accessory to, any misdemeanors or felony crimes in your home or countries you have visited before?" the officer's voice was monotone, and yet she really felt the pressure.

"N-no..?"

"Is that a question, Korra?"

"No. No I have not," Korra then assuredly replied.

"Would you like to try again?"

Korra felt a sweat break. "Uhhh…." she couldn't manage to say anything else.

Barely looking at the screen, the officer typed away rapidly on her keyboard with her free hand. Her fingers moved in a speedy and efficient way that conveyed that she had memorized where each key was. Korra only noted, however, that she was married, seeing the glint of the ring on that hand; it matched the silver accents of her belt, buttons, and gun holster. "Looks like you were charged with stowing away on a maritime vessel, and disturbing the peace back in Republic City seven years ago. But it's been seven years and those charges were eventually dropped. So it will slide."

It was no longer he-said-she-said anymore. Even for something that long ago, this lady had that information from when Korra first made a scene in Republic City right here at her fingertips. Looks like the LAPD made good on their deal though, if that information of her recent arrest would have been there, she wondered what would happen.

"Okay," the officer sighed, "Last question for you after going through all those check boxes." She chuckled and smiled a warm grin. Her tone had, suddenly, and sharply, shifted to a more light hearted and much much more personable and friendly one. "It's more of a personal qualm of mine, not official, but just something I want to know from your perspective. What do you think of the Earth Empire? Personally, I think it can seem a bit extreme," the officer sighed, rubbing her eye and stretching her arms to her sides. "It can be tiring with all these regulations, sometimes."

"I know," Korra said, relieved that this person wasn't some sort of state agent drone. "It's a lot to take in..and sometimes the officials of the Earth Empire come off as overly uptight, or uber strict!"

"Yeah," the officer chortled, smiling, "It's daunting. How about the government or..Kuvira? What are your thoughts? She honestly stresses me out! Sometimes her directives make me uneasy!"

"I've no experience, admittedly. To me, she doesn't seem that bad, but I only know little about her. But I have-"

Korra caught sight of Mako and Asami, all the way past the customs exit, eyes wide open swiping their hands frantically across their necks, silently shouting, "No! No! Don't!" Their teeth were tightly clenched.

"You have…?" The officer asked for completion. Korra suddenly noticed how this very efficient and cold woman suddenly wanted to talk and suddenly did not care about tearing through as many queued up travelers as possible.

"Uhhh… I have…heard nothing but greatness…hehehe," Korra nervously chuckled.

"Ahhhhah," the officer nodded. The sweet and friendly tone seemed to fade rather quickly. One more emotionless and grimaced check from Korra's face, to passport, to computer, and finally closed the small booklet and returned it to Korra after firmly and loudly stamping the visa page. "Have a nice day, Ms. Korra. Hail the Great Uniter."

"Thank you," Korra replied, bowing slightly and turning to run to her waiting, relieved, friends. "What was that?"

"I don't actually know," Asami replied, "But I always get suspicious whenever one of their officers suddenly becomes too friendly."

"There are rumors that they have specially trained military, police, and customs officers, as well as clerks, attendants, and other laboring personnel, that would put on these very personable acts and subtly interrogate people under a guise of exhaustion or relatability," Mako added. "It's a rumor of course, but that's allegedly a very effective way of finding dissenters. And the people that are very very good at it, are people you would not think would do such a thing."

"...like a petite and friendly energetic young woman who works the customs gate," Asami finished. "I think you narrowly dodged a bullet."

The crowds in the concourse were gathering around in a certain area. There were cheers and praises. "Welcome back," was a commonly repeated one. Shouts and questions from reporters of various news agencies and press corps, and spontaneous bright camera flashes erupted in the slurry of reporters, camera crews, military officers, and bystanders, surrounding what appeared to be a military envoy. It was Kuvira and Bataar Jr. returning from Japan. Their plane had landed at a similar time slot, and the masses were already waiting to welcome their leader home.

"Speak of the devil," Asami scoffed.

Airport security, agents of the Dai Li, and soldiers of the Army parted the crowd, keeping the mass back at a safe distance from Kuvira to allow a smooth procession through the lobby to the awaiting motorcade outside. But the Great Uniter stopped every now and then to talk with her people, answer occasional press questions, join in a selfie, or sign an autograph.

"That's Kuvira?" Korra asked, she could barely see the leader of the empire through the swarm of people. "She's got one heck of a following."

"Bolin too," Mako revealed. Usually him and Varrick would travel along in her entourage.

"Where are they?"

"Bolin didn't go to Japan. He actually stayed in Republic City and here as sort of a 'representative?' And Varrick..word is he's working in research and development for the Earth Empire."

"Researching and developing..what?" Asami was curious, and slightly concerned.

"I don't know," Mako admitted. "Rumor in the department is that the United Forces Department of Intel has an idea, but at the police level we got nothing."

"Can't you get it from them? You work with the UFDI every now and then, right?"

"The chief inspector is…kind of difficult to get along with. And Chief Beifong doesn't make that relationship any easier. Junichiro Stevenson can be a..bit of a loose cannon. Or a hothead, I've heard. A bit on the extreme side."

"How'd he even get the job?"

"President Raiko appointed him directly," Mako shrugged. "Hey, where's Korra?"

The two looked around, Korra had suddenly disappeared. They caught her wriggling through the crowd and quickly rushed after her. But the horde stopped them. This wasn't the place to make a scene!

Korra pushed her way past the, now irked camera crews to the very front of the crowd where she was finally stopped by uniformed men in the security detail. They had linked up and formed two perimeter lines that roughly made a path for the Empire's leadership to walk along. Surrounded by her staff officers, soldiers, secretaries, and her fiance, Kuvira slowly came along the route before eventually passing near where Korra was.

"Kuvira!" Korra called out, trying to make her voice heard above the press.

The Great Uniter paused mid-stride, she turned her head sharply toward the direction of Korra's voice, her ear managed to pick up Korra's beckoning amid a fury of questions. Looking in the general direction, she immediately spotted the avatar, who was pushed up against the chest of the soldier who marked the perimeter line. Kuvira's expression softened up and a gently grin spread across her face. "Korra," she warmly greeted, extending her hand. "It's nice to see you after so long."

"Korra?"

"Avatar Korra?"

"Hey look! It's the avatar!"

"What's she doing here?"

"...Finally she shows her face..Where's she been all these years?"

The crowd parted around where Korra stood. Suddenly the people that were pushing against her backed off, opening a small circle where the avatar was now front and center. The soldiers allowed Korra to pass through.

"The world has missed its avatar, Korra," Kuvira announced as Korra gripped hers and returned a handshake. "Finally, you have come back to the people." Unbeknownst to Korra, Kuvira chose each word very carefully, the press was around. "How's your recovery going along?"

"It's been well," Korra answered, somewhat dumbfounded. "Taking a little longer than I had thought."

"Understandable..you know? That was some fight with Zaheer, afterall. It must have been traumatizing."

"It's been difficult at times, yeah," Korra admitted. The reporters were frantically writing notes of every little detail said in their interaction. The cameras were rolling live! "I've felt weakened or at a loss at times, but I've been gaining my strength back."

"That's good," Kuvira smiled. "In your absence, I have been working towards a more peaceful future. It's been going rather smoothly. I have no doubt you will soon appreciate the fruit of our efforts here in the Earth Empire," she said, gesturing to her staff and fiance. "We've certainly come a long way, and more greatness will surely follow."

"I wanted to talk to you about that, Kuvira," Korra briskly asked. "I've heard sayings of..maybe an extreme use of force when it comes to unification. Or…people 'not really being given a choice'... And I was wondering what your plans are when the transfer of power back to Prince Wu comes about…"

Silence. The bustling crowd went quiet. Cameras still rolled, and the reporters' pencils and pens hovered above their notepads. The bystanders that were nearby looked at Korra with disdain. Someone who ran and hid for six years now questioning real progress? All eyes were locked on the two power figures, and the world watched the first interaction between Korra and Kuvira since Zaheer was taken into custody and summarily executed.

Kuvira held her facade, simply taking a calming breath. Pressure did not get to her. "I understand your concern, Korra. I know all this change must come as a bit of a shock to you after being away for six years. Rest assured, I will address the concerns of you and everyone with these feelings of uncertainty in an official statement at a later date. There will be an official address given from the palace tomorrow that will be broadcast all around the two worlds. I feel many of your questions will be answered there." Kuvira then turned to the cameras. "And regarding the transfer of power.. Everyone throughout our Earth Empire can be assured, they will be given what they want."

The news personnel picked up in another heightened storm of questions and camera flashes as Kuvira concluded, leaving Korra to be swallowed whole by the crowd. Korra simply faded into the background once more and eventually was spit out roughly, getting helped up by Asami and Mako at the rearmost ranks of the crowd.

"All your questions will be answered tomorrow," Bataar reiterated to the crowds, trying to disperse them as Kuvira and staff departed the building and were ushered into the awaiting military cars and trucks. The front and rear of the motorcade were guarded by two armed half-tracks.

"When can we expect news of the wedding?!"

Bataar chuckled shyly as he slid into the passenger seats at the rear of the marked SUV. "More details of that will be released later," he smiled. "Right now we want to prioritize you, the people of the Earth Empire, before the focus turns to us."

Many fawned at this reaction, as the two sentries shut the door behind him and the convoy departed.

As fast as they had formed, the crowd dispersed and went about their business. Nothing further interesting or noteworthy to report on.

"Come on," Mako ushered along. "We don't want to miss the next train to the middle ring."

Not once did she refer to me as "Avatar," Korra thought to herself.