Book 2: Earth

Chapter 26-Desert Storm

The blast that had shook up the ship almost threw everyone off their feet at that instant. Crates and barrels toppled all over the cargo deck, while Giam's men were shouting orders frantically to secure the bulkheads and the guns. In the middle of this chaos, Kori, Asami and their squad stood quietly as they continued eyeing the Blue Spirit. Sirens and alarm horns began blaring now as the ship became alerted to the presence of the saboteurs on the ship.

Which was just great. Asami groaned, their cover was completely blown.

"Was that your doing?" Asami said menacingly, her black blade pointed straight at their enemy.

"Just a little something I planted in the cannons before I found you." The Blue Spirit said calmly. "It'll buy us some time."

And probably guarantees that we won't try and do something stupid like attack him on the spot. She reckoned.

Asami gripped the handles of her sword tightly as the Blue Spirit revealed himself, restraining herself from attacking the man they had been chasing for so long. Korra herself was very much tempted to follow through with Asami's train of thought, keeping her jian pointed at the man; the memories of her last match with him before the cave in was still fresh in her mind, and she was wary of letting her guard down again in front of him.

The Blue Spirit however, approached with a calm confidence, knowing that they would not dare risk a fight that would stray them from their mission. He noticed a brief flicker of recognition in Kori's eyes, but Korra and Asami were too focused on him to notice.

"Why are you helping us?" Asami asked, suspicious.

The Blue Spirit slightly bristled at the question. In reality, he could care less about a victory for the Phoenix Empire here, but Giam was a threat to not just the Fire Nation, but to the Earth Kingdom as well, and he needed to be stopped. Besides, this was the best way to keep an eye on the young Avatar, as part of his promise to uncle.

"I have my own reasons."

"Yeah, that doesn't sound suspicious at all." Korra mumbled bluntly.

"Wearing a shady looking mask does that." Kori replied, as guardedly (and carefully) as she could. "But we're outnumbered as it is, and as the guy says, we need to take down this ship if we want to win this battle. We may need his help."

"But how can we do that?" Korra asked.

At that, the Blue Spirit had an answer. "The Engine Room. We split into two groups. One will go for the general, the other for the engine room."

"And you think we'll just trust you off the bat like that?" Asami said skeptically.

The Blue Spirit shrugged. "Like your friend said, I believe even you would agree it's best that we ally. The enemy of my enemy is my-"

"We're not allies," Asami said firmly. "It just so happens our interests coincide, for now."

"Fine by me," The Blue Spirit said, crossing his arms impatiently. "Now are we doing this or not?"

A tense silence ensued, and Korra watched warily as Asami weighed the decision in her mind. She had no doubt the three of them can take down the man now, but there was a greater mission at stake here. A city to save, and friends to protect. And at that point, the group was spotted, and all eyes turned to the entrance into the hanger, where the heavy Earth Kingdom troops in their lacquered green armor gathered to block their path.

With the odds stacked against them, and getting heavier by the second, Asami relented. "Very well." She replied, to the relief of both Kori and Korra. "But we'll do this my way. You're sticking with me and Korra."