Linai - Love is in the air in Republic City

Chapter 8

Linai and Toshi sat in their familiar café, which had become a retreat for them in recent weeks. The room was filled with the lively murmur of patrons, while the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries permeated the air. But despite the cheerful atmosphere, Linai sensed the tense mood hovering over the city. 'Have you heard the latest news? You've been busy with your work over the last few days, which is probably why you're not up to date. Korra challenged Amon to a fight and lost, but was spared by him. The professional tamer final took place the day before yesterday. The wolf bats won against Team Avatar. At the award ceremony, Amon appeared on stage and took away the winners' taming abilities and publicly proclaimed the revolution.'

Linai listened to her best friend's words in amazement. What had she missed? As a waitress, you pick up a lot from the guests, but there was a shortage of staff washing up in both the café and the restaurant, so the young woman had stepped in. She didn't notice anything there and missed more of the daily events than she expected. 'And yesterday,' Toshi continued, 'Mr Kwan from Cabbage Corp. was arrested!' His eyes sparkled with excitement. Linai nodded. 'Yes, I read that in the paper this morning. I wonder what the reason could be. It just said that he was working with us, but that would tear a hole in our plan, wouldn't it?'

Toshi leant closer to her, his voice softer and more insistent. 'There are rumours that worry me. Many believe it's all staged. The arrest, the evidence - it could all be part of Amon's plan!' Linai looked at him sceptically. 'What do you mean by that? How can that be possible?' 'It's a strategic move. Apparently, Mr Kwan has been having secret meetings with Amon for months. The arrest could be an attempt to channel the people's anger and distract them from the real machinations. People think they are fighting against the Equalists, when in reality they are only playing into Amon's hands,' Toshi explained emphatically.

Linai swallowed hard. 'That sounds incredible, but not impossible. Amon is a master of manipulation. He could use the situation to consolidate his own power and make people believe that the Equalists are the only saviours.' 'Exactly! Arresting Kwan might make people believe that they can stop the Equalists. But while they focus on the Cabbage Corp, Amon can pursue his plans undisturbed,' Toshi continued, his concern clearly evident. 'Besides, the lieutenant told you to come to the Sato estate at 11 o'clock.' Linai immediately checked her wristwatch. It was 10.35 am. 'Okay, then I'd better get going. I'm curious to see what there is to talk about.'

After paying, Linai said goodbye with a brief nod. Her mind raced as she thought about the Sato estate. She had never been there before, but she knew that Mr Sato supported her with the various technologies. He had lost his wife to a firebender and had been fighting for more equality ever since.

When she reached the Sato estate, her eyes fell on the expansive façade of the building. This building was simply impressive. The architecture was imposing, but one would expect it to be one of the workshops. The young woman took a deep breath to collect her thoughts and stepped through the large sliding doors. Behind them, the lieutenant was waiting for her. 'You're on time, Linai. Hurry up! Today you can test your combat skills.'

Linai nodded excitedly. She could hardly wait to prove herself. Her heartbeat pounded in her chest. A trapdoor opened in the floor. A dark staircase revealed itself. Behind them, the door closed with a soft but firm bang. The descent was steep and the walls were made of rough stone. The light on the walls cast flickering shadows on the steps. Linai felt the tension growing in her body. The feeling of descending into the depths intensified her premonition that something important was about to happen. At the bottom of the stairs, they reached a room that was much larger than she had expected. At the bottom, a vehicle was waiting for them, which they boarded and drove off with a humming engine. Her stomach tingled with excitement, but the wind whipping against her face chased it away and she calmed down. They travelled some distance until they arrived in a new room.

'Welcome, Linai,' Amon greeted them as the two entered. It seems they were the last in the group. The dim lighting of the room made his mask appear even more menacing, while the sparse light from the flickering lanterns played on the faces of the assembled Equalists. The young non-bender felt all eyes on her. Slowly, a shiver ran down her spine. The kind of attention made her uncomfortable.

Amon was at the centre of the group. His pervasive presence took over the entire hall. On the walls, Linai could make out large machines, robots that she had never seen before in her life. I wonder what they were for? There were other Equalists who had been with the troupe for some time and were helping them with their chi-blocking training. They were already wearing their combat gear. 'We were able to gain a successful advantage in the fight against the benders. Today we can lure the Avatar into our trap and land a big blow. As you can see, a new contender will be supporting us today. This will be Linai's first mission. She's ready to be inducted into the fighting force and it's a great honour for her to make her combat debut on such an important day.'

Amon paused for a moment to check the reactions of those present, and in the silence of the room Linai could hear the soft murmurs and approving nods of some of the Equalists. A cosy warmth ran through her. Amon trusted her enough to prove herself, but at the same time her heart tightened. She hadn't expected a direct strike against the Avatar to come so soon and that she would be on the front line. Amon continued: 'The Avatar was at Villa Sato this morning. We set a trap for her there by letting her take part in a conversation that made her believe that Mr Sato had a direct line to us and was working for us. She is currently on her way back to the villa, accompanied by Councillor Tenzin, Police Chief Beifong and some policemen. We will arrest her and hold her accountable,' Amon explained with cutting determination. 'You have allowed the non-tamers to be discriminated against and oppressed for so long. Today that ends. The Avatar and their allies will learn that their time is over.'

The hall was filled with a tense silence. Linai could literally feel the electricity in the air. Everyone in the room was ready to play their part in the success of the plan and now she was also part of this network of rebellion and struggle. The pressure on her was growing by the second. She knew that the fate of the city was at stake tonight.

Amon raised his hand, signalling that the moment had come. 'Get ready,' he commanded, 'Tonight we change the world. Linai, get changed. In a few moments, it will be time.' Linai nodded mechanically, although her heart was beating wildly. She turned and stepped into the adjoining room where her new Equalist attire awaited her. The grey battle gear was heavier than she had expected. The material sturdy, as if it was made to absorb blows and move easily enough at the same time. As she laced up the boots and buckled the belt, her mind wandered.

'Tonight we change the world.' Amon's words echoed in her head. But what world was it that they wanted to change? Was what they were doing really the path to justice? The thought of Korra, the Avatar they were trying to trap, nagged at her. She was the epitome of peace, and Linai couldn't ignore that there was something deeply wrong with the idea of overthrowing her.

When she had finished changing, she stood still for a moment and took a deep breath. She looked around the small room, where weapons hung on the walls. Electric batons, bolas and other combat equipment she had never seen before. Everything was ready for the big attack. Part of her was proud to be here. She had trained hard, worked hard and was now part of something bigger. But the doubts she felt deep inside her could not be pushed aside so easily.Suddenly the door opened and another Equalist, whose face she only recognised in passing, entered. 'Linai, it's time. Amon has summoned us.' The young woman nodded silently and followed her back into the main hall. There, the Equalists had lined up in an orderly formation.

Their faces were determined and focussed. Amon stood before them again, the unyielding calm that emanated from him seeming to engulf them all. 'The Avatar will be arriving at Villa Sato soon,' he explained in a low but penetrating voice. 'Our forces are already on site. You will secure the perimeter and make sure there is no way out. Korra must not escape.' Linai stood next to the other fighters and tried to suppress her burgeoning nervousness. She couldn't afford to make a mistake. Not today. Not in front of Amon.

'Linai,' Amon said suddenly, addressing her directly. 'You'll be in the front row. It will be your job to make sure the Avatar doesn't find an escape route. I trust that you are up to this responsibility.' Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to nod resolutely. 'Yes, Amon. I will not fail.' With one last, final look at the assembled Equalists, Amon raised his hand. 'Prepare yourselves. A new age begins.'