Korra pressed her back against the damp, cold stone wall, chest heaving. Each ragged breath sent a fresh wave of agony lancing through her side. The metal beneath her fingertips was slick with sweat, a stark contrast to the chilling fear that snaked down her spine. Kuvira. This entire base, carved like a malignant tumor into the side of a once-majestic mountain, reeked of her.

Korra winced, the memory of the searing plasma blasts flashing behind her eyelids. She'd been lucky to escape the ambush with her life, let alone stay undetected. Agenda unclear, reinforcements scattered, and damn it all, bleeding internally. Korra wasn't one for speeches, but right now, she'd settle for a pep talk from a particularly motivating cactus.