Amon crushed a shard of broken glass under his foot as he surveyed the destruction inside the coastal factory of Future Industries. Windows were broken, luxurious wooden panels were splintered, the floor and walls were charred from extinguished flames, paperwork was scattered among the dead bodies- staff members and Equalist guards. Not a single gang member had been counted among the casualties or wounded.

"Amon," began his lieutenant. "We have a surviving witness. One of Asami's shift supervisors has information on the attack and abduction."

"Bring him in," Amon said coolly. The lieutenant left and came back moments later with the supervisor. The old man held an ice pack to his bruising temple.

"Tell me what you remember." Amon commanded collectedly. No time for pleasantries and introduction.

The old man readjusted his ice pack before giving his account:

"I was just about ready to release first-shift on break when I heard an explosion. This was down in the west locker. I saw at the far end of the hanger that a massive chunk of the wall had been taken out and that Triple Threat and Agni Kai members were coming through. I immediately issued an evacuation on sight. It was all happening so fast. The mobsters were stashing weapons from the lockers into their bags, but my main concern was getting my crew to safety. After ushering my crew to the main hall, I saw those two men taking Ms. Sato away!"

"Which men?" Amon asked. "Do they have a name?"

"I don't know them, Leader. I just know that Ms. Sato had hired them a couple weeks ago as office assistants. I'm sure they have files somewhere in the HR office under new-hires."

Amon nodded, then ushered the man to continue. He knew which men the supervisor meant, he had made eye contact with them before when Asami saw them out of her office so they could talk in private.

"It was horrible, Leader. One of them was very restraint and harsh with her, dragging her by her waist. She- she tried to scratch his face, but he hurt her. He slapped her right across the face! She- she could've…" the man stopped his story and realized the memory in his mind. He could have sworn that Asami had an Equalist glove equipped… why hadn't she used it?

"Supervisor?" asked Amon, noticing the old man's pause. "What is it?"

The old man furrowed his brows in concern as he realized the possibility that his boss might be a traitor to the Equalist cause. But would he say that to Amon? Deep in his heart, he knew he didn't fully agree with the agenda, but had complied out of the instinctual need to survive. But now, his old heart had been shocked by the wave of hope that maybe Asami had something up her sleeve to combat the regime.

"Nothing, leader… I just can't believe this all happened. The memory overwhelms me a bit."

"That's understandable, thank you for your time," Amon said, nodding gracefully, "You may return to the medic on site or home, you are relieved and placed on administrative leave until further notice."

"Thank you, Leader." The supervisor bowed and turned to leave the room.

"Don't worry, Amon," said the Lieutenant, placing a hand on his boss' shoulder. "We'll find her."

Asami watched the heavy sapphire colored waves gently crash into the hull of the ship as she leaned against a starboard rail. The sea was quiet, save for the motion of the languid waves and the engine room of the ship deep below her feet. She was looking at the constellations sparking throughout the indigo sky, but now she focused on the visible breath escaping her lips. Either they were getting closer to the South, or this was the normal temperature for a night spent in the open sea.

"Hey…" said Mako, who had walked up to lean next to her. Asami stayed against the rail, and only acknowledged his presence by turning her head to face him. "I'm sorry about the slap. I'm sure you know it was just to make the escape more convincing, but I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."

Asami reached to touch the tender bruise forming on her cheek. "I know," she said, "I didn't take it personal, but it did hurt like hell."

The fire-bender didn't speak after that, and Asami began to feel tension growing. She came up from her quarters to get some fresh air, but now was seriously thinking about retreating back to her room to escape this inexplicable atmosphere.

"About this trip," he finally said, almost startling the CEO. "I really do hope that the Avatar is in the Southern Water Tribe. I know you're not a bender, but you don't have to be to know just how important this will be for everyone who still believes. All my life my brother and I did what we had to in order to survive, but when the Equalists began to gain power, I couldn't help but feel like maybe I was some kind of antagonist in society… especially when the only means of defending myself and fellow benders was to join a criminal organization. Sure, I could have fled to the Fire Nation with Bolin, or maybe even the Earth Kingdom, under Kuvira's regime… but those nations… they aren't fighting back."

Asami watched the young man next to her stare out to the stars as he opened up his feelings of faith to her, astounded that he would do such a thing when they were still practically strangers to each other.

"I stayed behind with the mafias because I wanted to fight back. I didn't want to give up, and unfortunately, the only way to do that was to join a group of people who fight dirty." Mako continued, his voice rising every second. "If we find the Avatar, I will beg them to help our cause. I want to fight for my cause with an honorable leader, to feel like I am fighting truly. I don't want to have to fight with shady methods. I want to stand tall and proud… I just…"

"I know," Asami comforted, placing a hand on his shoulder. "The Avatar means a lot to all of us… well, all of us on this side of the fight. Like you said, I don't have to be a bender to know how important this is. I am filled with just as much hope as you are, and I just have a feeling… that we will find the Avatar. I can't explain it, but I can feel it in my soul, like I'm approaching a part of my life that's supposed to happen. I think life is going to change soon. For everyone."

Almost a week had passed since they had received word from Varrick's contact that the CEO from Future Industries had successfully slipped out of Republic City and was on her way, and they were expected to dock within the hour. Korra's stomach was in knots. She had already decided to reveal herself to the woman from the city, but she still felt nervous about it. She wanted to change her mind and coward out once more, but her father was right about this woman. She was sacrificing her life to get here, to stay here to distribute and instruct on the weapons and gear she was importing, and was sacrificing her freedom back in Republic City. If Amon and his Equalist movement had found out about her betrayal, she would be hunted down. Maybe the woman would be executed; maybe she would be imprisoned for life. She would definitely lose her company- and then maybe Amon would have her be a homeless martyr, to teach a lesson to the rest of the citizens who thought about aiding benders.

"Now remember," said Korra's father. "You do not have to reveal yourself once she gets off the ship, but you must let her know once you get some privacy. Varrick is going to have the deal be made at one of the field trenches out in the wilds, so Asami, that's her name, will have her crew escort herself and her inventory to that bunker. He told her that that's where the Avatar is stationed. Since Varrick doesn't know that you are the Avatar, I suspect that Varrick might be sinister and either delay Ms. Sato into eventually making the deal, or could possibly- and I hope he's not capable of this, but I don't want to doubt it completely- kill her once she's in the bunker so he can take her goods freely. You are to stay with this woman at all times. Do not leave her side. I hope you reveal yourself as the Avatar publicly before Varrick does anything more corrupt than he has already done."

Korra nodded, "Don't worry, dad. I won't let her out of my sight."

Tonraq had gathered his family, the Council, and a considerable sized portion of the military to wait on the docks with them to welcome their guest and potential ally. It was important to have the ruling family meet political guests. Korra and Tonraq were dressed in formal elite military garb, equipped with ceremonial weapons, while Senna wore a modest, yet unique Water Tribe tunic- enough to stay humble, but also enough to distinguish her from the rest of the public. Varrick, the instigator to this whole mess, had snuck himself into the crowd. He was the one who she was formally going to meet with, though, so he had a reason to be here just like the rest of them gathered around.

A horn sounded off in the lighthouse, signaling the arrival. Everyone looked forward and saw the ship in the distance. Korra's knots dispersed into butterflies, and it seemed only seconds for the ship to dock, and out through the doors Korra only saw one thing. Her heart seized at the sight… of a woman with green eyes.

Green.

Korra stared. She knew that there were people all over the world with different color eyes, but in a lifetime of blue, these green eyes, the first she had ever seen, captured her. The green eyes caught her gaze, and the woman smirked confidently, her long black hair blowing flawlessly in the crisp spring wind, as she strolled out of the ship with a motley crew following behind her. Korra took in the sight. Green eyes, amber eyes, grey eyes- her heart jolted excitedly, feeling an overwhelming urge to get to know all of these strangers. She felt drawn to them, like an instinct. She was the Avatar, and by nature, cared for all life, but maybe this spark of interest came from finally being exposed to the rest of the world's benders. She felt centered and empowered, their faith radiating off their bodies to feed her spiritual strength.

Tonraq nudged his daughter, waking her from the enchantment of the eyes, signaling her to follow. They met their guests halfway along the pier.

"Ms. Sato," greeted Tonraq, "It is an honor to have you. I hope you find your stay here most enlightening."

The woman Korra first laid eyes on bowed traditionally. "It is an honor to being forming an alliance with you, Chief Tonraq. And please, call me Asami." Her voice was confidant and bold, but warm. The voice of a true leader.

"This is my wife, Senna," Tonraq began to introduce, as the two women showed respectful greetings to each other, "And this is my daughter, Korra. She will be your escort to the bunker in the fields."

Asami raised her eyebrow slightly, amused, as she looked at Korra, but bowed nonetheless. "It is a pleasure to meet you, too," she said.

"Likewise," was all Korra went with.

"Asami!" greeted an enthusiastic voice. Varrick made his way up the pier and wrapped an arm around the woman's shoulder. "I'm glad to see you made it!"

"Me too," Asami said dejectedly. "Believe me, I have never been so happy to see land in my whole life. I cannot handle the sea for very long."

"How are the goods?" Varrick asked, going straight to business now that formalities were exchanged. "May I inspect?"

"You can inspect when I meet the Avatar," Asami said, "that was our deal, don't forget."

"The Avatar will be waiting for you at the bunker. He didn't want to leave the fields and his company. I'm sure you can forgive him." Varrick said with a sly smile as he walked with Asami down the pier, the "royal" family following close behind.

Korra rolled her eyes as Varrick decided to make this fictional Avatar male, having no idea that the true Avatar was right on his heels.

"Mmhmm…" Asami mumbled, already watchful of Varrick's every move.

"Please," Tonraq said, stopping the moving group. "You and your company should rest first, Ms. Sato, before setting out to the field. Surely you are hungry and tired."

Asami nodded. "Yeah, sure, I bet we all can use a bit of rest and fresh food before heading out."

"We have arranged a dinner in your honor." Toraq said, "Korra, please take Ms. Sato to her quarters so she may rest and prepare for dinner. Varrick, escort her… company to rooms of their own."

"You don't have to wait outside," Asami called out, as Korra stood in the hallway. "We're both grown women, I'm pretty sure there's nothing you haven't seen before."

Korra hesitated in the doorway, not wanting to insult her guest, she wasn't sure if giving her privacy or following her request was the right thing.

"Come inside, don't worry. I'm finished dressing," she heard the CEO laugh. Korra turned around and passed through the door swiftly, returning to the room.

Asami had changed her wardrobe, switching her traveling outfit for a more casual-formal getup. She was finished dressing, smirking as she adjusted her skirt. "I appreciate you giving me privacy," she said, "but I really don't feel uncomfortable with you being in the same room as I change. I'm pretty sure I can trust you. Am I right?"

"Yes, of course," Korra responded. She immediately felt ridiculous for feeling so feeble around this new woman. She was the daughter of Chief Tonraq, and was the Avatar! She could stand tall as a woman dressed in front of her. There was absolutely no reason to be so shy.

"Can I ask you a question?" Asami asked, sitting down on her bed.

"Of course," Korra repeated, gaining control of her social composure.

"Why is the chief's only heir a soldier? Shouldn't he be keeping you out of harm's way?"

"I wanted to do military service in order to protect my people. I believe the best way to become a great leader is to fight besides those you expect to risk their life for you. No one is willing to stand behind someone who doesn't care about their life. If I'm willing to risk my life for them, they will be willing to risk their lives for me." As Korra said these words, he voice dropped a bit, as she realized how this related to her Avatar duties. She had never exposed herself, and therefore had lack of followers. The public had rejected the notion of the Avatar because the Avatar had neglected them.

"I see. Your method of leadership is balance. I would agree completely. Back home, in Republic City, I often make my way down to the warehouses and factories to help my employees. I don't stay in the office all day. I believe in experiencing the working conditions myself, that way nothing ever gets out of hand or corrupt. I wouldn't want my workers to be under conditions that I wouldn't want to be under myself."

"Why do you want to meet the Avatar?" Korra found herself asking, as her fell back into the enchantment of Asami's soft green eyes.

Asami looked at her peculiarly before answering, "Because I know that this isn't how the world is supposed to be. I have never met the Avatar, obviously, but I am already devoted to whoever he is. You'll find many more people who are too, especially those among my crew. Back in Republic City, you would not believe the genocide that is happening. At first it seemed to just be ethnic cleansing of benders, which is still horrible on its own, but ever since Harmonic Convergence and the reappearance of Air Benders, Amon's regime has become even more corrupted. He had any surfacing Air Bender executed in public rallies- all the officers of his who gained the power had committed suicide, either out of fear of execution, or because they had believed their Equalist agenda so passionately, that they couldn't bear to be the person they were taught to hate. His whole notion is the genocide of benders. The fire nation offers asylum to benders and non-benders who have somehow escaped the city, but will not attack for spirits' know what reason. Kuvira has turned her back on the social injustices in Republic City too to rebuild her Earth Nation, and the Air Nomads can't build their Air Nation under this persecution. Republic City is on its own, but the world needs the Avatar."

Korra nodded solemnly, letting Asami's words sink in.

"I guess it does."