Ch15
Skies over Republic City
They had just flashed in a few hours prior. Another routine flight from Tokyo to Republic City. Now, the Boeing 777-300ER homed into the multinational hub of the Beniding World. The cliffs and large bay were starting to come into view. This time the twin-engine jumbo jet approached from the northwest, having transited a different rift portal. The blue and white of its livery glistening in the evening air. Setting aside the current Bending World tensions, it was still largely peaceful for those not affiliated with the governments or their militaries.
As usual, the airspace over the Port of Republic City was heavily crowded with passenger and cargo jets from all over. Exhausted, Kaito Takeda had hoped, ambitiously, for a swift arrival. However, Republic City's Approach controller had his hands full with the heavy traffic and the ANA flight was vectored out over Yue Bay and was flying a large circuit in a holding pattern at twenty-eight-thousand feet until ATC could vector them in.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Captain Takeda announced, "At the moment, due to heavy arrival traffic, we are currently in a holding pattern at 28,000 feet just off the coast of Republic City. We are hoping to get addressed by ATC soon, but it can possibly be another thirty minutes. We apologize for the delay and inconvenience, and hope to get you all on the ground shortly."
Gently, Kaito set the jet into a graceful right turn, rounding the curve of one end of the circuit flight path. In the waters below he was about to bear witness to a sort of changing of the guard in terms of naval fleets. Outbound from Republic City, having embarked from the US-Japan Joint Naval Base Republic City, was the Japanese Navy's
Bending World-deployed carrier group.
A shadow of its former IJN past, the Navy of Japan had grown to formidable size and force, boasting its own two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Down below was the flagship, JNS Yamato, a domestically built and commissioned aircraft carrier, slightly smaller than a US Nimitz-class but similar in shape. She was accompanied by a grouping of warships: helicopter carrier, JNS Izumo; two Kongo-class guided missile destroyers, JNS Kongo and JNS Kirishima; and JNS Ashigara, an Atago-class guided missile destroyer. The center piece, JNS Yamato, was often photographed with grandeur when sailing past the museum ship HIJMS Yamato as it passed through Republic City Port, as both Japanese naval flagships, past and present, carry the ancient name of the country. Such a vessel, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, would not have been allowed for Japan to keep in its fleet had it not been for Avatar Aang's persistent lobbying and prodding at the United States decades prior, and the ship's existence was still a largely controversial topic, both abroad in Asia as well as domestically in Japan; particularly regarding its nuclear power plant. The People's Republic of China had never stopped its loud vocal condemnation of Japan being again allowed to build a proper navy, even though decades and an entire generation had passed since.
Kaito gazed down at the fleet again as they rounded the opposite curve in the holding pattern, watching his navy's ships sail towards the setting sun. There was a dampened crack and a low flash that was barely visible beneath the orange-tinted waves of the deep blue. Here came the relief. A brief moment passed before the first ships resurfaced. Plowing through the surface, water slamming and pouring off its flight deck, was the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier CVN-76 USS Ronald Reagan. Its bow climbed high into the air after breaking the surface, quickly rising to the height of a small skyscraper. In World War Two, carriers and battleships breaking the surface in this supernatural form of world-jumping must have been a sight. But seeing the largest warships ever put to see, ones which easily dwarfed a Yamato-class battleship, break the surface was never not an awesome sight to behold. The forward-half of the ship began to fall forward at the bow, crashing into the waters of Yue Bay powerfully and sending forceful waves off either side. The "island", the tower structure of an aircraft carrier which housed the command bridge and air-command, forcefully crashed through the surface with the stern on the rotation. Water poured from the flight deck, thousands of gallons of seawater, washing the flat top as well as streaming from the drainage ports along the ship. Following in her wake were Reagan's accompanying ships: USS Leyte Gulf and USS Normandy, Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers; and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, USS Higgins DDG-76, USS John Paul Jones DDG-53, and USS Daniel Inouye DDG-118; coming in from the US Pacific Fleet. All five accompanying ships made similar dramatic entrances.
The commercial airliner passed directly overhead the outgoing Japanese fleet, which had now passed and greeted the incoming US fleet and had now gained reasonable distance between the carrier groups in separation. Slowly and subtly, the waters beneath the Yamato and accompanying destroyers began to give way, and the carrier and its four accompanying ships started to dive at the bow, slipping beneath the surface and heading for the depths. In a comparatively subtle and subdued manner, soon the massive ships had disappeared beneath the waves, just as their national ensigns had been withdrawn and stowed for the inter-worldly voyage. While resurfacing after a rift-jump was still dramatic, through perfection and constant development of rift-devices for the military venturing into the rift had been made faster, more efficient, and quieter. No more massive whirlpools and maelstroms like his grandfather had experienced when first sailing into the Bending World during World War Two.
The two discovering national powers took turns deploying carrier groups to the Bending World in cycles, in addition to any other naval vessels to be sent back and forth. They trained extensively with the navies of the United Republic, Fire Nation, and Water Tribe, and were also hosts to the visiting ships of allies such as Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany, among others. The navy of the People's Liberation Army of China, and occasionally ships of the Russian Pacific fleet would also transit their own rift points, but had their own naval facilities separate from the base at Republic City.
"All Nippon six-one-four-heavy, turn right heading zero-five-zero, reduce speed to two-eight-zero knots," the approach controller finally called on the radio.
"Turn right heading zero-five-zero, reduce speed to two-eight-zero knots, All Nippon six-one-four heavy," Kaito readback as he pulled back on the thrust levers and gently banked the aircraft to the right. Finally, heading in.
"Spoilers extended," his copilot called out.
Northern Earth Empire
"I expect great progress has been made, Colonel Guan?" Bataar Jr. asked as he was escorted deeper into the former SS military fortification and test site.
"Indeed," the colonel replied. He turned to Major Choi. "Major? Please enlighten us as to the progress of the ongoing weapons development."
"My pleasure, Colonel." Major Choi nodded and bowed slightly to Bataar. "Ongoing development and production of heavier tanks are flowing well. Going off of the original specifications for the original Panzerkampfwagen VII 'Maus' our tank developers were able to up armor, modernize, and overall improve the engine performance of such a vehicle. The Type-3 heavy tank, although we all know our troops and crews will refer to it as the Maus, is currently being produced in amicable numbers, and we expect them to be capable of being deployed to the front line soon. Surely by the time of planned military offensives."
"Tell me again," Bataar questioned, "Why are we continuing to develop heavier and heavier tanks? Can this thing even go toe-to-toe with a NATO main battle tank?"
"It has a slightly better chance at survival than our current heavy tanks like the Tiger two…however, even with the up armor and improved engine, a force of MBTs of even a smaller number, could pose a threat. However, the superheavy tank's main role is to be a siege weapon. It's base 128mm main gun has been redesigned and can fire a host of modern shells to great ranges and with great accuracy. And the spacious turret with a new modular design facilitates easy changes of armament to fit specific missions," Jiho reported. "In the future, the tank may be able to carry a reduced version of the energy gun currently being tested."
"How is progress on that by the way?" Bataar inquired.
"We'd be happy to show you sir, right this way," Major Choi motioned.
They passed through heavy steel blast doors into a newly constructed extension of the fortification, deeper in the mountain. The group of Earth Empire officials and army officers was led down winding stairs for a considerable distance. The path was illuminated by hanging lamps,with exposed wiring hung from the concrete walls and low ceiling. There were several caution signs posted as well. It certainly felt like some kind of secret underground weapons facility, straight from a movie. Finally the group came before the main blast doors in the series. Passing through the eighteen-inch thick steel door brought the party before a massive artillery piece; currently mounted on a railroad gun carrier platform. The barrel was easily the length of a gun one would expect to find on a battleship, and was carried on its mount at least three-stories off the ground. Ahead of its bore were another towering set of opened blast doors that lead to the outside mountain ranges. A quick look out towards where the gun was oriented easily indicated that the weapon had been fired multiple times to varying destructive degrees. The opposing cliff face that was across a cavern from where the doors opened had been carved, blasted, and drilled by the gun.
"It's still being tested, but the weapon has shown great results to date. With more tweaks it should be soon ready to hit the field."
"Very impressive," Bataar commented. "I'd like to see how it works." He turned to Colonel Guan, "I want a demonstration."
The colonel bowed, "Certainly, sir. Our weapons' team will be glad to show you and your party a demonstration of this weapon being fielded.
One of the scientists, standing amid a group of soldiers and officers called, "Mr. Bataar. Right this way," he offered, motioning to a tall flight of stairs that led to the top of the towering railway gun carriage.
"How will we transport such a massive weapon?" Bataar asked as he turned to follow the scientists' lead.
"Our tank development team is already in the process of building the hull, tracks, and chassis. This will be an ultimate siege weapon for the final victory," Colonel Guan assured.
Bataar nodded and promptly left with his staff officers and officials to follow the scientists, leaving Colonel Guan and Major Choi alone. "Major Choi," Guan called, "Shall we?"
The Major acknowledged the call and led the colonel to a separate holding chamber in the fortification. The two of them descended yet another set of stairs further into the bowels of the mountain.
"What's the word on other projects?" Guan inquired.
"The research and development team has been closely examining what was recovered from the found rift-device from the Pan-Am flight crash site. They are going off of chunks that are noted to have been lost in the crash, as well as as many in-detail photographs our responding soldiers were able to take," Major Choi informed. "It is, luck of the spirits that we were the first to be informed and the first agency on scene. Although we don't have the device itself, our soldiers had a considerable amount of time alone with the wreckage to study and document what they saw. The research team notes that being able to reverse engineer the system is soon likely."
"Outstanding," Guan noted. "Us getting that device operational is essential for the final victory. There is a serious key pieces that need to be dealt with inorder for the scheme to work, and this is the only way that we can do so."
"Understood sir," Major Choi acknowledged.
The two field officers came before a sealed door for an unmarked chamber. The major unlocked the door and opened the chamber. The lights of the hall were stark when compared to the dark and dimly lit room they had opened. Inside were the two lead scientists of the ongoing weapons projects: Varrick and Zhu Li.
"Doctors," Major Choi greeted with an ominous, threatening, and terrifying facade of congratulations and appreciation. "Zhu Li, how is he?"
She immediately rushed to stand and shield Varrick, standing in between the men and her still-recovering partner.
"Woah! Woah! Woah! Rest assured, you've caught me at..a rather rewarding time," Major Choi teased, raising both hands clearly away from his pistol holster; as if he actually needed it to inflict pain. "And as long as you keep delivering, you needn't worry any further."
Varrick weakly sat up from his bed. He was bandaged and hanging in there, but as Major Choi had promised, he did survive. To his dismay, Zhu Li had been carrying on in terms of research and design and had played a key role in the development and construction of the gun currently being tested. She had no choice, her hands were tied; less she lost the love interest of her life, and previous boss.
"Colonel Guan," Choi introduced, "these are the two responsible for the development of the initial siege gun. I anticipate they will continue to be of use to the Army going forward."
"Indeed," Guan remarked. "Miss, what is the current progress on the energy weapon?"
Zhu Li gritted her teeth, she looked up at the Colonel with disdain. Standing behind Colonel Guan, his eyes shaded in the dark room by the visor of his peaked cap, Major Choi gave a side-eyed threatening gaze onto the woman. His one visible eye narrowed sharply.
She sighed, reluctant and defeated. "As a massive sized gun, it functions properly. Work on reducing it to a smaller size is progressing well. But with it's reduced size, it seems it will be unable of firing a long, sustained, and continuous, burst like we can with the full sized version.
"That's acceptable," Guan noted. "That kind of raw destructive ability does not necessarily need to be fielded by smaller tanks. But being able to fire smaller precise shots can be important. How about the rift device?"
Zhu Li sighed in defeat, realizing how her and Varrick's contributions to the regime were going deeper and deeper. "What you want it for, I believe we can soon achieve."
"Excellent," Guan commented. "Your service to the Empire is well valued. Maybe one day, you'll question why you would choose to throw away your high status and try to abandon the greatest nation on this planet. It wouldn't change anything of your treason and desertion course…but one day, the realization of despair will hit you, if not already."
The two officers stepped into the lit hallway just past the threshold.
"Major Choi, I am happy with the progress you've been able to oversee while here," Guan praised.
"Thank you, sir."
"Though, I think you'd agree with me that your stationing here is a bit of a waste of your abilities. I think a return to the field is in order for you. Now that Kuvira has been properly set as the president of the Earth Empire, the Army is gearing up to tackle the final two big targets. First with the Liu's Castle Holdout, and then Zaofu."
"Will we be fielding any of the developing weapons and live-fire testing?"
"Not for the rogue state, which is the upcoming offensive," Guan revealed, "That one will be mainly conventional weapons. Though it will be necessary when we tackle those armored and fortified defenses at Zaofu. That will be the application leading to the Final Victory."
"What's Kuvira's stance on that?" Major Choi asked.
"For now, it's not so widely talked about beyond rare mention. I don't think she has her sights officially set on the United Republic for now," Guan replied, sighing as he spoke and putting his hands in his pockets. He sounded disappointed. "All the power on the mainland and yet. Though, I understand it's a large gap to jump, and that would be a full on declaration of war. There are hurdles that need to be jumped over first to clear that path." He adjusted his own peaked cap, and briefly looked at the ground before continuing on. "Still, we all know that that is rightful Earth Empire land. I know that she sees it that way too." He switched subjects, "Your men have been performing well in their provocation operations, by the way."
"I don't doubt it," Choi replied, never one to not express pride for his men. "But, I have heard of attacks on our own soldiers. The 2nd Armored Division, Captain Aoshima's unit? Was that us?"
Guan clicked his tongue and looked at the ground briefly. "Indeed," he admitted.
"Our own soldiers?"
"They died for a cause," Guan stood by his instructions. Besides, they were acting alongside ordinary actual resistance fighters. "We need to instill more conviction into our army and people. And abroad we need to cause more disruption and difficulty. That puts us at an advantage, and puts them into instability."
"Were any of my unit killed in the action?"
"When confronting the 2nd Armored Division, no. They withdrew perfectly in time and unnoticed. Captain Aoshima's unit put down the actual resistance fighters that day. The train crash though, a few were killed. Buried and unidentifiable as far as we know. Their families have been informed that they went down honorably on the field of honor, fighting a righteous cause against savages."
"Does Kuvira know, or approve, not that it's my business," Choi asked.
"No.. she does not," Colonel Guan answered. "This is all carried out completely under the table by my orders. The Great Uniter can simply continue to receive and enjoy greater convictions among her ranks and support from the ever-ignorant masses. Meanwhile I am continually gaining favor among our staff officers."
The light in the corridor flickered. Colonel Guan looked around. He also shut the door to the cell that Zhu Li and Varrick were in.
"Listen, Major Choi," he said in a quieter voice. "You've been a reliable and upstanding officer. I'll let you in on something."
Choi down turned his head, lending the Colonel an ear.
"Would the Great Uniter approve? Of us secretly attacking the people of the Earth Empire and its army under the guise of criminal activity? Likely not. She'd probably detest it and, if she were to find out, I-...or..we..would likely get put before a firing squad tomorrow. But does it work? Does it instill conviction in the troops? Does it rally the people? Absolutely. Every nation needs a little bit of tragedy here and there to rally the troops. Carry through and continue to show your reliability and loyalty, and I assure you it will turn out well for you, Major. All will pay off once we achieve the Final Victory."
"And Kuvira?" Major Choi asked, interested.
"As I was saying," Guan paused. "The Great Uniter will eventually motion to take the United Republic. That, likely will be her target after we take Zaofu by force. But, unfortunately by the time Republic City falls, and the Mechanized World powers ejected, she will have outlived her use."
Major Choi furrowed his eye brows and pursed his lips. His eyes looked up towards the ceiling, toward the underside of the visor of his cap, as he thought it over. "That is interesting," Choi replied.
"Kuvira wants all the Earth Kingdom territory. Ba Sing Se to Republic City and all the way down to the town of Qin. But, beyond that, with further, stronger, and more convicted leadership, I think we can go further than the shores of the Earth Empire. Why stop here? Why not continue to the other nations? Across the seas? Across the rift even?" She'll bring about greatness, but I think I can make the Empire legendary," Guan further elaborated.
Quietly. Ever so quietly, a pebble clacked and clattered as it hit the stone floor. A loose stone from the earthen wall. It might as well have been a firecracker in these silent passageways.
Colonel Guan snapped around to the noise from the empty hall. Major Choi stomped his foot forward and thrust forth a clenched first. A crack in the earth raised forward from his lead foot and rocketed towards a corner just ahead where the hallway connected to the stairway. The corner and parts of the ceiling crumbled and flew from its forms, widening the corner in a dusty scene and startling the spy behind it. It was Bolin! He must have come looking for the two officers from Bataar's entourage.
For a split second, the three men stared at each other. Bolin was the first to take off running.
"After him!" Guan ordered. "Don't let him escape!"
Choi needed no instruction. He immediately gave chase after launching his counter. Guan, a capable and formidable earthbender himself, followed in trail.
Bolin had heard everything! He went looking for the two officers on his own to ask them a few questions about the weapons testing, and stumbled across their conversation. They were also holding Varrick and Zhu Li captive! He ran as fast as he could, but Choi and Guan were physically fit and up to par. Major Choi was faster, lighter on his feet, agile, and nimble, while Colonel Guan was fierce, powerful, and strong. It was like being chased by a semi-truck and a sports car at the same time!
The corridors wound, climbed, and dove, and Bolin couldn't tell if he was going the right way anymore. He turned around, briefly to see the distance between him and his pursuers. A chunk of concrete flashed before his eyes. He hit the deck, ducking as the slab sailed over his head and smashed into a wall several feet behind him. More earthen boulders. Some from the left! Some from the right! Some taken up from the floor and launched at him! The sounds of rocks impacting, smashing, crushing, and crumbling, sounded all around as Bolin ducked and dodged and countered a hail of earthbending attacks.
Bolin of course threw back. A left! A right! And a kick! But his opponent was reflexive and sidestepped out of Bolin's projectile paths. Choi's arm swung downward across his body, a downward block, and the last boulder Bolin had launched suddenly flew left and smashed into the wall. Now in a perfect position to counter, Choi punched forth at Bolin. Another huge section of concrete flew forth down the narrow corridor. Choi slid behind a corner as the piece of rock, equal in size to the opening of the corridor, thundered past. The pro-bending veteran clapped his two hands together in front of him, forming a wedge shape, and took a solid stable stance. The enormous slab split in half down the middle and crumbled as the two pieces smashed into the wall and ground against the floor. But through the dust came another successive follow up boulder! Larger and heavier than the previous! He had no time to prepare! Bolin tried to block, but this stone was too dense and sudden. The boulder slammed into Bolin, launching him back several feet! It was Colonel Guan, who had now caught up. The match was now two on one! He stumbled to his feet, getting up as quick as he could. Another stone! Another! One struck him hard on the side, again knocking Bolin to the ground, but he persevered. The two Army officers alternated beating down on the eavesdropper. Bolin snapped back, a blunt steel plate embedded in the dirt just before his foot. Major Choi moved concisely fast and with precision, and several small lightning-fast steel projectiles flew from his uniform pouches at Bolin!
Bolin retreated, falling back as far as he could. A line of successive metal shards impacted on the walls and floor, chasing him. He was just nimble and far enough to make a somewhat difficult target to hit. He felt a sharp pain cut across his forearm and bicep. Two projectiles had grazed him, cutting deep. No time to express pain. He could see, feel, and hear, the tunnel caving! Looking up, briefly, the ceiling above him was cracking! He jumped back and rolled, just avoiding the ceiling, crushing him by Guan's move. This was overwhelming, he was on the backfoot and could not catch a break.
"Give it up!" Major Choi called, as he flung more metal his way.
"Surrender now," Guan called, "and maybe we'll let you receive a proper burial!"
Bolin couldn't respond, there was no time to spare. He fired two accurate slabs of concrete taken from the floor at the two men. Guan braced to block, while Choi tried to dodge. This time, the Major had taken a hit! The dense block knocked him to the ground. But Choi rebounded quickly. He targeted the steel support girders that Bolin stood near. The thick metal beams creaked and snapped! One, as if made of rubber, wrapped around Bolin and pinned him to the wall!
The alarm, an air raid siren still left over and in service since World War Two, sounded. It's cries reverberated down the stone hallways. Bolin needed to act fast, even if he was pinned to the wall, his hands were free pinned to his sides. Focusing all his energy and concentration, the ground between him and his two pursuing officers began to crumble and liquify! Lava began to rise from the ground. Choi and Guan quickly retreated to evade the fiery molten rock. He bent some of the molten earth up and carefully melted away at the girder that bound him. He was free once more and took off down the corridor.
"After him!" Guan ordered as the more agile Choi vaulted the formation of lava. "I'll be over shortly!"
The corridor ahead split to another stairway on the right. Light shone through the opening, signaling to Bolin that he was getting close. He was close with Bataar, this was something that could be important to tell him. It may even sway the Empire to reduce its aggression, he thought in an over-optimistic manner.
Two soldiers appeared, slinging MP40s underarm.
"Guys!" Bolin called. "Hey! Over here!" He flailed his arms frantically trying to grab the sentries' attention. The men turned to face him, unslinging and readying their submachine guns at a low-ready position.
Coming up the hall behind him, closing in was Major Choi. "Stop him! Cut him down!"
The two men, wearing the unit badges for the 1st Armored Division, Choi's unit, brought their guns to bear. Bolin went wide eyed.
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa, the twin machine guns chattered. A storm of 9mm slugs flew towards Bolin. It was a miracle they missed. Instinctively, Bolin launched two slabs of earth at the two shooters, slamming into each at center mass. The two guards were knocked away by the stones, allowing Bolin to escape up the flight of stairs with mere grazes. Colonel Guan was now catching up.
Major Choi turned the corner to see Bolin just about completing the flight of stairs back to the main testing facility. He quickly shot forth one last solid block of concrete. The airborne block raced up the angled pass and exploded as it hit Bolin directly on the back of his head; a more-often-than-not lethal hit. Bolin flew forward, and toppled to the ground. He landed face-first on the concrete and slid across the deck until his body had exhausted all its forward momentum. Bolin, being hard-headed, had survived the hit, but was barely conscious.
Both the Major and Colonel soon emerged from the stairs, not winded, but notably showing strain and exhaustion.
"What is going on here?" Bataar questioned. He came to a halt just before his fellow inner circle member. "What is the meaning of this, Major Choi?"
Bolin was surrounded by other soldiers, scientists, and officers of the inspection party.
Before saying anything, Choi secured Bolin, securing his hands and ankles with the remaining plates of metal from his belt.
Before speaking the Major wanted to catch his breath and regain his composure first. Bataar was waiting for an answer, eyebrow raised.
"Sir," Colonel Guan spoke up first, "Bolin was found to be going against the Empire. He was snooping around and actively trying to sabotage this facility."
"What?!" Bataar exclaimed.
"It's true, sir," Major Choi added. "He attacked Colonel Guan and I when we confronted him, and caused moderate damage to the lower level facilities. Fortunately it is nothing major. He also attacked two sentries."
Bolin, groaning in pain, and still fighting to stay conscious was shaken up by the forceful cuffing of his wrists and ankles.
"V-Varrick and Zhu Li," he managed to say.
Bataar knelt down trying to listen. "What did you say, Bolin? Explain this, now!"
"T-They're holding Varrick and Zhu Li!" Bolin managed to say. "Holding them captive! A-And, they're carrying out attacks against our own troops and people. Th-They're planning to eventually overthrow you and Kuvira!" Blood streamed from his wounds.
"That's asinine," Colonel Guan exclaimed. "He's trying to cover up his own underhanded actions!"
"You have to believe me Bataar," Bolin groaned. He was desperate. "These men, they are inflicting harm on our own!"
Bataar crossed his arms, he switched between looking at Bolin arrested on the ground, and at officers Guan and Choi; two high performing officers in the army. Both of them stood with their hands joined at the small of their back at the position of parade-rest. He sighed, frustrated and disappointed.
"Bolin, you know how the Earth Empire stands on treason," he said.
Bolin was shocked with Bataar's ruling.
"I cannot believe that, even after all the success and all the opportunity we have given you, you still decide to up and stand against the Empire? For what? For criminals? And then you attack two of our top performing officers, some soldiers, try and sabotage a valuable weapons' program, and then spin all these frankly bizarre conspiracies. I'm ashamed to have advocated for you to Kuvira. I knew I should have listened when she was having slight doubts as to your loyalty."
"Bataar! Wait-"
"And as for Varrick and Zhu Li," Bataar continued, not wanting to hear Bolin's defense. "We are well aware of their current situation as traitors of the Empire as well. Fortunately for you, you'll be joining them shortly." He looked up at his the two officers. Just now the two soldiers that Bolin had attacked in the halls came stumbling up the stairs, their uniforms tattered and showing signs of being attacked. "Take Bolin into custody. I'll get a ruling from Kuvira of what's to come for him," Bataar ordered.
Guan snapped to attention and rendered a salute. "Right away, sir."
Choi came to attention and, with assistance of other nearby soldiers, reached down and forcefully lifted Bolin to his feet.
"Major Choi," Bataar called to the officer just as he was about to haul Bolin off. "I agree with Colonel Guan. Your efforts are needed soon back on the battlefield."
"Yes, sir," he acknowledged, continuing to drag off Bolin.
As soon as the detaining party was away and out of earshot from Bataar and the others, Choi got close to Bolin's ear and said through gritted teeth, "Nice try, bud. You got gaul, I'll give you that. But in the end it's all kaput." He forcefully gave Bolin a shove as they descended the same stairs back towards the holding cells below.