Butterfly(7)

We got out of the room and went to the police's garage, I was following behind Lin when she stopped and used metal bending to create some chest armor with the Republic City Police Department logo onto it.

"For now you are a part of the task force so be careful what you do!"

I got to say I was moved, I knew how much she cares about the police department, so for her to make me a member, even in such circumstances, even for a little while, meant a lot.

"You don't have to worry about anything, I promise I'll behave."

"You better!"

We then left the police station, the ride to the Sato mansion was a quiet one, everybody knew how dangerous it was, we were walking in blind in what could be an equalist base with hundreds of recruits ready to punch on us, even I was a little anxious, even though I knew that it was just a lab. Even in those conditions all of the metal bending corp was unwavering, they knew what was at stake, if they didn't do this then a lot more people would get hurt.

After what seemed like an eternity we finally arrived. The first stop was a few meters near the entrance, we were going to go under the building in order to arrive at the lab's entrance. Half of us got out here, including Beifong and me. While Lin gave the final instruction to Team A, I went to the back of the car to get my engineer equipment. There were some of my custom-made tools and a bunch of powerful explosives in case I couldn't get in through normal means into the mechas and a little extra in case of emergency, of course, the other didn't know I was carrying enough explosives to blow up the entire lab if push came to shove.

"You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, let's go!"

The earth benders started to carve a tunnel under the house while the others went to stall Hiroshi for about ten minutes. After that, we would give the signal that the weapons were secured and they could take action.

Those were the longest five minutes of my life. In the end, we hit a tunnel and we got inside it. We then very stealthy went further down. We found a bunch of researchers and a few angels that were playing cards, since the location was secret, there wasn't any need for them to be vigilant. I looked at them and I saw that they were high angels. Then I looked at Lin and I saw her giving orders to incapacitate them and all of the benders went into position.

It was over in a flash, the metal benders incapacitated all of them. Under my suggestion, they put blinders and headphones made of metal so it would be harder for them to escape.

"What are you waiting for? Go and dismantle those ugly things."

"Sure thing boss!"

I went to work and started to dismantle the mecha suits, it was very simple, too simple, this is supposed to be one of the most advanced machines of this century, and yet any half-backed engineer could put it back together.

"Captain, I think we have a problem!"

"What is it?"

"I'm not sure yet, I need more information, tell your man to search this place for any schematics or ask the engineers about it."

It took about three minutes to get my hands on the schematics, turns out the engineers were a bunch of cowards, who knew, after I looked at them for a few seconds I finally told Lin the problem.

"We can't this out of here."

"Why?"

"They are made to be easy to rebuild in case they are dismantled."

"So, we just destroy them, what's the big deal?"

"Here's where another problem comes into play. They are made of platinum! One of the strongest metals of this world, and at the same time it's pure enough to make it impossible to bend. While it isn't all built out of it, the parts that aren't are easily replaced. While I could dismantle them and then we could separate the pieces, I don't recommend it, too many places to protect and not enough people to do it. At the same time, it is too dangerous to keep it all in the same place."

"So what do you suggest?"

"Bury it! It's the safest way, they are underground and the Equalists don't have earth benders, we need to make this place collapse!"

"Easier said than done, this place is huge and it's very well built. I don't think even with all of us can we make this place collapse. Do you have any brilliant ideas?"

"Of course I do! I have enough explosives in my backpack to make this place go ka-boom!"

It was like lightning struck them, when I said this all of them froze.

"Why do you have so many explosives with you?!"

"In case of emergency, if things don't go according to plan and this was an equalist base I would have blown it up."

"Yes, and killed all of us in the process!?"

"Oh, come on, you would have all survived, probably, most of you, half, to be honest, I'm not sure, let me think..."

"You dare joke around with our lives!?"

"Ok, ok, help me put the explosives on the support pillars."

I got down from that mecha and went to my bag. I took it off the ground and turn to the nearest officer. He took a step back.

'Huh, I guess I scared him... What a wuss!"

I turn around to another, the same thing, and another, and another!

"Doesn't anyone have the courage to came and help me?!"

Silence... No one wanted to come closer than 10 meters from me...

"Guy, there is enough explosive power in this bag to bring down this entire place down, do you think staying 10 meters from me will make you safe if this thing explodes?"

I expected them to man up and came to help, but low and behold, they took another step back! Can you believe it?

"Ok, if no one wants to help me then at least take one of the tin-heads to show to the public!"

I then started to place the explosives, it took a lot less than I expected, but we were behind schedule. We got onto the elevator that went out through the workshop with the robot and the captives. The moment we got outside, one of the officers launched the flare we left for the mansion. The moment we were far enough I activated the explosive.