[color=bdbdbd][center][color=DBA901][b]K I N G  W U  V I[/b][/color]
[color=E6E6E6]Upper Ring. Palace.[/color][/center]
The room became a lot more hectic than he'd expected and the noise was approaching beyond unbearable. Wu pressed the cloth to his head once again, dabbing away at the sheen of sweat that was forming there. Not only was it getting loud but it was also becoming noticeably hot... but maybe that was just him. He'd been under the weather for a day now and although the doctors who'd came to evaluate him had informed him that he was not contagious, they did say he was getting worse. They'd tried persuade him to call off the meeting insisting that rest be his primary form of recover but he wasn't one to shy away from his duties. The City wasn't going to stop turning just because their King fell ill and neither was he... or the room.

The suits and ties gathered in the large but somehow cramped space were debating over the death of Yahan Zu, one of their own. The man had been one of the more radical faces of antibending policy. He was smart but also reckless and it was his own actions and pride that had gotten himself killed. If he'd paid attention to the signs and given any care to self preservation, maybe after the first two killings he would have noticed that there was a man out for revenge and he was next on his list. But he hadn't and he was dead, murdered in such a manner that the rest of the men and women in the room were raising their voices out of fear. There was no way for them to know what was next to come and so they looked for someone to blame, someone to solve their problems so they could go back to ruling what little of the world they had left.

[color=ffffff]"He was a damn fool. The agendas that he pushed? It's any wonder he wasn't already killed."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"It doesn't matter what he did or planned to do, he was one of us. He was with us and whoever it is out there that hunted him down and ended his life, that person is coming for us next."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"This Unity, whoever he is is just a man. He's not the issue, the issue here is who is going to clean up the mess that Yahan left behind. The project, the files, the girl."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"She will be fine. We already have contingencies on her. The files will have to be retrieved from his home if they haven't already been taken. The RSF have orders to secure the scene for a clean up crew and our LSF agent has already begun his hunt."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"This Unity is a bender?"[/color]

[color=ffffff]"We don't know yet but the important thing is the situation is under control and this man will be found and dealt with."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Good."[/color] Wu leaned forward in his chair and hit the tablet in front of him. The item "Yahan Zu" was highlighted and removed from the screen's UI. [color=ffffff]"We'll continue as planned then. Akano."[/color] He glanced at the man sitting opposite him at the far end of the table. A decade or so older than himself, Akano was just starting to show the signs of old age. His hair was highlighted in stripes of gray and his skin was beginning to fold onto itself. Of course he was also the one with the most expensive suit in the room besides the King himself. His was adorned with a peculiar pin affixed to his breast. A kind of flower of blood red color. [color=ffffff]"We've tightened security for the parade, added more sentries along the route and more guards specifically around the stage for the speech and performances. We're going through with the celebration today. Will you be there?"[/color]

[color=ffffff]"I'm not going to let one man's idea of fun ruin the party for everyone else. I'll be there and I'll give the speech."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Perfect."[/color] Wu scrolled down to the next item on the list. [color=ffffff]"Next item. I've assembled a team to head repairs at the Synergy Plant.[/color][center][img]http://nomadexperience.com/img/divider-1.png[/img]
[color=E6E6E6]Republic City Synergy Plant[/color][/center]
[color=ffffff]"Sir... SIR!"[/color]

[color=ffffff]"What is it no-... What in the hell?"[/color]

Two men of identical attire stared into a dusty screen. Despite the advance technological wonders chugging away around them, their computer systems still seemed to be a tad out of date. The bulky monitor was throwing up warnings signs in monotone colors, trying to tell the two individuals who didn't really care for their job that their job was going to get a lot harder. Apparently pressure was building in the portal siphoning mechanism itself and the machine was threatening to relieve this pressure by shooting it all down the pipeline toward the City at once. In simpler terms, the plant was going to take a large spiritual shit and something or somebody on the other end was going to have to catch it. It was a situation that was far from ideal and one that would quickly spiral out of control. They had protocols sure but they'd already expended them.

[color=ffffff]"Reserve tanks?"[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Full."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Exhuast."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Still malfunctioning after last weeks accident. We're still waiting on the team that's supposed to arrive from the city but they're not expected for another few days at the least."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Damn it."[/color]

Last week there had been a similar incident. The portal began spewing more spirit energy than usual and they didn't understand why. When under normal conditions, the stream of energy was constant if not a slight lower than expected. Energy concerns were a present issue in the City and they needed more of it... but not this much. This surge of energy usually meant something and last week... it meant the death of one of their own. One of the guys had been too close to the exhaust valve when they attempted to relieve pressure and although he didn't suffer any direct exposure, his mind became warped. He went mad... crazy and his mental state continued to deteriorate until they were forced to put him down themselves. Unfortunately it was a common theme on site and not something they could talk about. However the threat was no longer local and if the pressure was strong enough when it reached the city, the result could potentially be explosive and whatever had driven their man insane could be released into the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se.

[color=ffffff]"How long before that ball of energy reaches the city."[/color]

One of them began a systematic pressing of various keys, pushing the flashing text to the side and digging up new ones. The numbers that flashed on the screen were calculations that neither of them wanted to see.

As they were busy trying to wrap their head around the situation, a loud noise from the main body of the portal siphon elicited their attention. A noise not unlike the groan of metal as it's being stretched far beyond its limit. They turned to see the entire contraption buck. The large black cylinder pimpled with lights and tethered to a hundred different cables shook with a violence unseen. The spiderweb of hoses, lines and pipes circling the machine rattled against with force enough to snap.

The two men held their breath as the monitor flashed a final warning.[center][img]http://nomadexperience.com/img/divider-1.png[/img]
[color=DBA901][b]K O E S K A[/b][/color]
[color=E6E6E6]Middle Ring. Sutler Office Building. Top Floor.[/color][/center]
[color=ffffff]"Look between him and a few other guys?[/color]

[color=ffffff]"You mentioned a Jaakuna."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"No it's not him. We have him, still own him. But the other he's a... [i]was[/i] a hitman for us and one of the best. The very best. Then one day he just ups and quits. Doesn't tell us why doesn't gives us any kind of warning, no two weeks, nothing."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"And you just let him walk out?"[/color]

The fat man behind the desk huffed. [color=ffffff]"Please. We're professionals and we like to handle our business. Tie up loose ends. So we tried... but it's been a year now and no one has heard from or seen him since."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"So now he's offing the political leaders of this City in an attempt to surgically bring it to it's knees. Any idea why?"[/color]

[color=ffffff]"No."[/color]

Koeska paused for only a brief moment before raising a brow in time with the cock of a gun. [color=ffffff]"Mr. Sutler... I thought we had an understanding. I do not like like liars."[/color]

He shook his head. [color=ffffff]"Look we've had our beef with the Republic just like anybody else and sure maybe we've shared some of that hatred with are more privileged members but we weren't the only influences in the man's life. He's got a past too."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Hes got any family around I should know about?"[/color]

[color=ffffff]"If he did we wouldn't be having this conversation."[/color]

The man was telling the truth. They'd have already found him if he had any kind of family anywhere in the City. It was the easiest if not most predictable way for any Triad to maintain control over it's members: Threaten to remove something they love. In essence it was how the Republic maintained control over it's city. So how did one man find the freedom to do as he pleased?

She didn't know the answer to that and neither did the fat idiot in front of her. She was done here. [color=ffffff]"Well, thanks for your time Mr. Sutler. It's been wonderful."[/color] She flashed him a smile to which he said nothing. He was content waiting instead for the moment when she'd decide to point her gun at something other than his exposed member. He got his wish when he felt the ice of cold steel leave his skin.

Koeska holstered her handgun and started toward the door when she noticed the two bullet holes she'd put into the wall. Both were low to the ground about the height of someone's ankle and judging by the muffled moans coming from the other side, she'd managed to hit her mark even before she could see them... or they her for that matter.

[color=ffffff]"Should probably clean that up."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Just get the hell out of my off-"[/color]

[color=ffffff]"People of the Republic."[/color] They both froze to the sound of an unfamiliar voice. Behind Sutler and affixed to the wall was a monitor and the apparent source of the voice in question. What was normally nothing but a picture with background noise meant to fill an empty room with a sense of life had been replaced by a rather ominous figure. A man in what looked to be a metal mask of a white color clothed in a shawl of black and yellow. [color=ffffff]"Despite their best efforts, the Republic Security Forces have been unable to locate and apprehend me. This train of ours has gained momentum, and will not be hampered by bureaucratic businessmen with handguns and rifles - I assure you of that."[/color] Sutler looked at Koeska who gave him a cross look.

[color=ffffff]"I think he's talking to you."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Great War. The Republic's propaganda teams would have you believe that this is a celebration of peace, of triumph over the wicked benders of the world - but make no mistake, this is a celebration of violence, of fear, and of genocide. This is a celebration of the unmitigated destruction of culture and history, of the whitewashing of an era."[/color]

There was a buzz in her head and she recognized it as an incoming call. She pressed a finger against the back of her ear and cooed a cautious hello.

[color=ffffff]"K. You seeing this?"[/color] Cypher asked over the line.

[color=ffffff]This is the anniversary of the day that our malevolent benefactors picked up their rifles and pushed us down into the dirt. I intend to commemorate this day with a bang, my friends - what about you?"[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Yeah I'm watching it."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"What about those of you that retain the power to bend, huddled in the deep, dark corners of our city? What about those of you that cannot bend, but see the blind hatred and scapegoating of the Republic for what it is? I hope you'll join me when the show begins. Stay safe. Stay strong. Stay united."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"He's going to be at the parade."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Oh don't worry."[/color] Koeska smiled. [color=ffffff]"I've got James on it."[/color]

[color=ffffff]"Who?"[/color]
[center][img]http://nomadexperience.com/img/divider-1.png[/img]
[color=DBA901][b]A K A N O  F U  &  Y U R I  ( J A M E S )[/b][/color]
[color=E6E6E6]Parade Route. Stage.[/color]
[@Medusa][/center]
[color=ffffff]"My. She does have quite the voice. Is she the headliner for tonight?"[/color]

Yuri stepped forward with the itinerary for the festival. Besides the Parade just after noon and the fireworks planned as the final stage of the festival later that night, there were a list of performances that were to take place on stage throughout the day. It was still early so while there were people already in the area having their go at some of the available food, these people would have to settle for some last minute rehearsals. The woman singing on stage now was none other than Jie Xiao. A name spoken with a level of fondness in the Middle and Upper Rings. She wasn't the most well known or the highest paid act but her talents had gotten her far and her connections even further. She was situated comfortably between the day's headliners and those of the opening act.

[color=ffffff]"Not quite. Name's Jie Xiao. One of a number of vocal talents following some kind of parkour spectacle but that's besides the point we need to get her off the stage and get you up there. Make sure we have the security measures set up around you correctly for the speech.[/color]

Akano placed a hand on the man's chest as he began to move, stopping him in his tracks. [color=ffffff]"No no... Let her finish."[/color] He said, keeping his eyes on the woman. She was beautiful and had a magnificent voice to match. The tones and melodies rolled of her tongue like silk and melded together into a tune that melted like chocolate. It was mesmeric and left him wondering why she wasn't at the very least opening.

He waited till the song came to an end and after informing the RSF officers flanking him to stay put, moved to take the stage. Yuri followed, slowly overtaking the politician until he eventually took the lead and addressed the woman.

[color=ffffff]"Alright. Off the stage. We need to get these safety measures into place."[/color]
[center][img]http://nomadexperience.com/img/divider-1.png[/img]
[color=DBA901][b]N U M A[/b][/color]
[color=E6E6E6]Tu Zin Settlement. Bar.[/color]
[@Madly33][/center]
[color=ffffff]"Takani!... Romaw!"[/color]

To their right and nestled comfortably in the shade of the settlement bar was none other than Numa, the local bartender. A fairly tall man with a normal build. He had a head of brown, almost red hair and a beard that started as a bush around the chin and thinned out as it wrapped around both sides of his face. He usually wore a combination of stained or dirty shirts, black jeans and worn sneakers. He smiled at the two as he stepped away from the bar and through the saloon doors to catch them on their way to the square.

[color=ffffff]"Takani. Please tell me you and your father are planning to participate in the hunt? I've got my money on you two bringing in the biggest prize."[/color]

The festival of the settlement was different than the one in the city. While the Republic had it's celebration, the fun only lasted for a day. People had lives to live and jobs to go back to. Tu Zin however celebrated for a week. The party dragged on mostly because of the hunt. Teams of two would head out into the wilderness and had to claim a prize within seven days. The rather long running time of he event was due to the fact that game in general was scarce in a scorched world. It took skill, teamwork and no shortage of patience to come out on top. The winners were determined by the size of the kill and the total time it took to track it, kill it, and bring it back.

[/color]