[Qiang] A Night Surprise

[Bai Hu Fang]

It was unnerving how much a city would change within a matter of hours. The day-time was for children and smokey-eyed visitors, enchanted by the city's gaiety, pro-bending, and technological advances. Yet the fog would eventually clear. The night-time was for criminals and Dragon Flats District certainly housed these atrocities. It was after dark, so the streets were relatively empty.

It was also the perfect time to strike. "Qiang," the police officer murmured to his partner. "It's over there."

The police officer's armored uniform gleamed under the moonlight momentarily before moved underneath the shadow of a roof and swiftly approached a small warehouse. "This is it," Bai Hu sighed, placing his hand on the metal dual doors. "Apparently this is the warehouse. Matches the intel, right?" There was a recent surplus of gang activity and this warehouse was part of it. Apparently, this warehouse was an treasure cove of smuggled goods. And after a week of surveying the area, it wasn't heavily guarded either.

Yet Bai Hu still felt nervous. It seemed like Chief played a cruel joke on him, considering the warehouse was held by the Triple Threat Triad. Chief knew he ran several numbers for the triad. It'll be an interesting homecoming party tonight. But he didn't complain, kept his mouth shut, and obeyed orders like always. The smell wasn't helping either. The height of summer created a pungent odor that still lingered even after hours. Being a former criminal, the setting and the smell was much too familiar to him...but Bai Hu could never get used to it. "Still smells terrible," the earth-bender remarked under his breath, his nostrils slightly flaring. Bai Hu shook his head, he had to focus on the assignment. Remove all targets and the department would take care of the rest. Bai Hu turned to his partner and nodded, a sign that he was ready. "Your call, sir?" he asked.

[Qiang Xu]

^{The Earth will quake and mountains crumble...}

All was quiet for a moment. The blimp that transported the metal bending police force hovered over the Dragon Flats District of Republic City. Out of all the officers on the blimp, only two were chosen for this raid, to ensure quickness and efficiency. They probably picked the wrong man in one of them if they wanted it to stay completely quiet however. The man's name was Qiang, a bull of a man. He was larger than most officers, but it wasn't in body fat. The man had a large abundance of muscle, it was a burden in some assignments like this. He hoped it wouldn't be the case tonight.

His partner, Bai Hu Fang, was already down and in position by the time Qiang lowered himself. He stood behind his partner and waited. He knew from their briefing that the warehouse was a storehouse for the triad. Without a thought, Qiang agreed to offer his abilities for this raid. Qiang landed behind his partner and nodded, keeping his voice as low as possible, "Matches the reports to a tee." The officer watched Bai Hu put his hands on the door and on instinct he released the metallic wires from the wheel on his back and prepared them for use.

As the wire snaked their way out of the sleeves of Qiang's armor he inhaled quietly and exhaled, preparing himself mentally. We hit hard and hit fast. Don't give them time to retaliate... no quarter. His thoughts were violent. He knew in any other circumstance that reminding himself that would mean he had a murderous intent, but the armor that weighed down his body reminded him of his limitation. "Hit hard and fast Fang... let's go."

_{... but the Law stands firm!}