Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 71: Web of Deception

After Macai and Azula's reunion, Kanna and Kett continue their perilous journey toward the Earth Kingdom region Zerexo. Zerexo has historically been used as a trade and diplomatic area between the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes. Zerexo contains several small villages and a medium-sized port city near its coast.

Unlike many of the past missions, this one is not as much of an investigation. The United Way has already discovered that the Earth Kingdom Colonel Hugen has actively been working against the organization and working against a United Way traitor named Atin. Like our heroes, Atin is of Fire Nation origin, but he has served as a United Way spy hub for several years. Unfortunately, sources seem to indicate that he has also been working with the Disciples of Justice during the later years of the war.

Kanna looks at Kett as they ride across a grassy and hilly region. The sky is cyan blue and the sun is bright yellow. Kanna: "What is our mission again?"

Kett answers, "Our mission is to capture and take in Hugen and Atin. We need to find out why they betrayed the United Way and their nations."

Kanna: "If they are traitors there is a good chance several of their subordinates also are."

Kett: "I'm counting on it, but hopefully Atin and Hugen will come in nice and quietly. Then we can go on to an investigation. I think there is a good chance they'll have a team of lawyers to protect them, and they will act as if they are being wrongly convicted."

Kanna: "There is also a chance they'll just attack us."

Kett: "Given there are only two of us moving in to investigate them that is possible. But I wanted to move in quickly and see if we could find any evidence against them. If we brought a big team, there is a much higher chance of us being detected."

Kanna: "Whatever happens, this is a highly sensitive matter. I wouldn't want to get in trouble and be bogged down in an investigation."

Kett answers, "I'm just trying to see what I can find out. If we can't find anything, we'll just have to wait another day. I have a feeling this base might give us some leads on Zerrel." Kett and Kanna ride through the hills until they notice two troopers in the distance. There is one earth kingdom swordsman and an earthbender waiting in the distance.

Kanna holds a pair of binoculars, "What do we do now?"

Kett looks at his map, "Let's go west. We can loop around and should be able to see their shipment area. If we go there, we might find some useful information." Kett and Kanna take a detour until they notice an area that is full of several crates. The crates are being transported and made ready for pick up in case any important visitors come. Three men patrol the area.

One waterbender, an Earth Kingdom swordsman, and a Water Tribe spearman stroll the area. Kanna: "There is no water near here, how do people transport supplies from here?"

Kett: "Technology is steadily improving, some people bring new transport vehicles to pick things up. Think of the transports Zerrel's forces used that have tracks and carry troops. They can also be used to carry supplies instead. Some large animals have also been used to move things in the past."

Kanna: "Wow, that's cool."

Kett analyzes, "Those guards are all over the place, but maybe we can sneak around them."

Kanna: "I think I'm more agile than you, I have a better shot of pulling that off."

Kett: "I'm going with you, I'm not leaving you alone. We came in together and that's how we'll leave this place."

Kanna smirks, "Alright, try to keep up." Kanna and Kett slowly advance while staying out of sight. Kanna easily leaps behind several creates and looks around. Kett notices a trooper look in his direction and dives behind cover. The trooper slowly walks toward Kett, and the Vindicated Avenger leaps left. Kett immediately dives in front of the team's waterbender.