From the Desk of Feng Niu, Action Correspondent for the Republic City Herald.

168 AG- Chameleon Bay, Embedded with the United Forces Second Division.

The R.C.S Yu Dao, which was originally named after the Fire Nation Colony that became the first true city of the United Republic, is a bustling, life-filled ship full to the brim with United Forces personnel. Construction on the massive ship ended in 164 AG in Republic City itself after a coordinated effort between engineers from the Northern Water Tribe, the Southern Water Tribe, and the Fire Nation. The flagship of the United Forces Second Fleet, formally known as the Second Division, the Yu Dao has seen hundreds of engagements and operations, including, most notably, the Piracy Pacification Campaign, which ended late last year with victory for the United Forces/ Fire Nation task force.

Our presence here in Chameleon Bay is barely tolerated by Earth Queen Hou Ting, who cites the United Forces' presence here as "an affront to the territorial sovereignty of the Earth Kingdom and a pathetic attempt to conclude annexation of the Earth Kingdom".

Commander Bumi, Commanding Officer (C.O) of the Second Division, is quite skeptical.

"Our orders are to sit here and watch for pirate raids. It's not like we're pillaging villages. If you want that, ask Fire Lord Zuko; he'd know all about that."

Although the Commander spoke those words with his trademark joking grin, concerns about United Forces operations in the area is generating heavy controversy among the crew and among Republic City citizens.

Private First Class Jihan, originally of Fire Nation descent, and a firebender, is understandably dismayed by the Fleet's seemingly stagnant position.

"I wish we'd do something," he says, as he maintains the R.C.S Yue's engines. The Yue, which was named after Northern Water Tribe Princess Yue (82-99 A.G), who ascended to the Spirit Realm to become the Moon Spirit.

Private Jihan, who has been on the Yue for more than a month, is growing tired of the inaction that results from patrolling Chameleon Bay for Pirates.

"I joined so I could see some action and see the world for what it was. All we've been doing is having drills and staring at the damned ocean all day, every day for the last month."

Unfortunately, Private Jihan may be seeing action sooner than he thought.

The Sandbender Tribes of the Si Wong Desert, particularly the Hami Tribe and the Sun Tribes, have been fighting a series of skirmishes in and around the Central Si Wong Desert in an effort to control the rich oasis's that dot the desert.

Until recently, the exceedingly large Hami Tribe, which has been in existence since long before the Hundred Years' War, has been growing exponentially in both size and power. Whereas most of the other Sandbender Tribes have three or four large extended communities that migrate across the desert, the Hami Tribe has grown to eclipse even its greatest rival, the Kang Tribe, which is most notable for its role in stealing Avatar Aang's sky bison in 99 AG. The Hami Tribe now has around ten large communities that hold sway in the central and eastern sectors of the Si Wong Desert, and Republic City officials worry that the increased militarization of Sandbenders and the drastic increase in robbery, kidnapping, and murder is cause for concern.

Earth Kingdom officials have declined to comment on the almost astronomical increase in Sandbender attacks, and no moves have been made my provincial authorities, as civil unrest in the Earth Kingdom has been steadily increasing in the past years.

This unrest in the Earth Kingdom has led many to believe that the Second Division was deployed in anticipation of civil war in the Earth Kingdom. Councilman Tarrlok, when asked about this speculation, insisted that "The Second Division has been deployed as part of a nearly unanimous decision by the Council to enforce shipping lanes and decrease piracy in the Chameleon Bay area."

The truth behind this comment, however, remains dubious.

"Nearly unanimous," sharp readers will notice, most likely means that Councilman Tenzin, representative of the Air Nomads, refused to vote for this resolution, a common occurrence so far during his term as councilman. Although unanimous decisions are not required to proceed with resolutions in the Council, Councilman Tenzin's ferocious opposition towards violent and interventionist policy is famous throughout the Republic.

United Forces officials also refused to comment on allegations that the Second Division was deployed in anticipation of civil unrest.

However unlikely this is, the possibility is very strong. Civil Unrest inside the Earth Kingdom has been on the rise for the last few years as local governments struggle under crushing conscription rates, taxation, and laws from Ba Sing Se, as well as internal pressure from angry citizens. Riots have continued in several Earth Kingdom cities for months now, and talk of civil war is common amongst citizens.

Also dubious is the Earth Queen's claim on United Republic territory. In her speech on the 64th anniversary of the Hundred Years' War end, she insisted that "The United Republic of Nations is and always shall be stolen territory that was taken from Earth King Kuei by Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko. The Republic is on Earth Kingdom territory, and it was unlawfully stolen from the Kingdom."

In the wake of her announcement, of course, protests and distaste ran across the world, and notable dignitaries like Master Katara and Lord Zuko spoke out against Hou-Ting's pronouncement.

However, the Republic City's military remains in Chameleon Bay, awaiting orders or action, whichever comes first.

This has been Feng Niu, straight from the Second Division's Headquarters, reporting for the Republic City Herald.