Still not my stuff or my ideas. Enjoy!
Chapter 7
Somewhere in the middle of the ocean
"Hey, sir, I've got a large wooden structure coming up on the screen." The Pelican pilot shouted over his shoulder to Unalaq.
The chieftain stepped forward and glanced at the pilots monitor. "That is it, prepare to attack."
On the surface of the water, an alarm klaxon sounded as White Lotus guards saw the approaching aircraft and started launching fire and water towards it. The Pelican pilot banked harshly to avoid a massive water geyser as it shot out of the ocean below them.
As the aircraft neared the wooden island, Carr smashed the ramp release button and the rear door slid open. As the Pelican passed over the platform, he and a few of his men opened fire on the guard towers with their MA5Bs, forcing the benders below threw up and ice shield in an attempt to protect themselves.
As the Pelican banked into a low orbit, P'Li placed her hand on Carr's shoulder and pulled him back slightly. "I've got this." She smirked. As the tower came back into view, she inhaled a sharp breath and leaned forward slightly. From the tattoo on her forehead, a faint vapor trail shot towards the tower, before it erupted into a massive explosion.
All Carr could do was look in awe at the woman as she glared at the next tower and repeated her previous engagement. As two of the towers collapsed under flames, the lead Pelican set down on the platform.
Unalaq and P'Li strolled across the wooden deck as if there was no danger at all as the second Pelican continued to orbit overhead, firing on the last two towers. Carr and two of his men followed a few feet behind, firing in the direction of the remaining benders. "Let me guess!" The Insurrectionist shouted above the gunfire. "This one controls dirt?"
Unalaq nodded without turning around as he approached the wooden cage. "Not just earth, but lava as well." P'Li allowed a flame to appear in her hand, and easily burnt through the wooden bars.
The third and fourth towers finally fell silent, but the second Pelican continued to orbit overhead, looking for targets. "Ghazan, come on out." Unalaq barked.
"Chief of the Northern Water Tribe…" A medium height man with tanned leather skin and long black hair stepped out of the cage. "I'm surprised you remember my name…"
P'Li embraced Ghazan. "It's good to see you." She said quietly.
"I'm surprised you came to get me before your boyfriend…" The Earth bender chuckled.
Unalaq clasped his hand upon the man's shoulder. "They are both going to be free soon as well."
Ghazan nodded as he turned to face Carr. "And who the hell are these guys?"
"These are our newfound allies." Unalaq nudged the group back towards the aircraft. "Come, we haven't much time until our plans must be enacted. We need to get the others."
The Pelican lifted off and headed towards the tall mountains in the distance.
Whale Tail Island
As the group exited the airship, an ODST and a messenger were already waiting outside the walkway. "Sir, General Iroh is waiting for you in the war room."
As they walked in, Iroh was bent over the massive world map on the table before him. Korra's father Tonraq stood in a corner talking to an elderly man in Fire Nation robes. When the two noticed the Avatar come in, they halted their conversation and walked over.
"Korra, I'm glad you're back." Tonraq embraced his daughter.
Korra returned his hug, and looked the old man over. "Dad, who is this?" She asked.
Tonraq and the old man smiled. "Korra, this is Fire Lord Zuko."
The Fire Lord held out his hand to greet the Avatar. "It has been many years since I last saw you." He said in an elderly, yet strong voice.
"It is nice to finally meet you." Korra bowed.
"And you must be the Spartan." Zuko turned to Roland. "I have heard great things about you and your brother in arms from my grandson."
Roland looked slightly confused as he bowed as well. "I'm sorry sir, I don't believe I've met your grandson."
"I believe you have." Zuko smiled knowingly as an old man would.
General Iroh approached the group. "Grandfather, if you are finished, we must figure out how to continue from here." Zuko winked at Roland as they all took their places around the map.
"First, the Earth Queen's initial attack has stalled." Iroh motioned the portion of the map with several tank figures. "It seems the Insurrectionist forces have more help in the skies, because fire rained from the heavens and destroyed an entire Earth Kingdom Division."
Roland shook his head. "I told them it would be a futile waste of life."
The General moved to a smaller map representing the City of Chin. "The Insurrectionist forces have tightened their defensive perimeter, which brings me to the next issue at hand, the Northern Water Tribes involvement."
"The Earth Queen claimed that Northern troops were assisting the Insurrectionists in defending their area, and that they had ships off shore to prevent a naval attack." Korra jumped in.
Iroh nodded gravely. "We are unsure how this alliance happened, but it is believed that it is just a few scattered reports and that this act isn't sanctioned by the Northern Water Tribe as a whole."
Captain Wayne stepped in. "From what the reports said, a 'Chief Unalaq' was seen setting the troops in place and moving around with Captain Streks, the Insurrectionist commander."
Tonraq and Zuko exchanged knowing looks. "That is grave news indeed…" Tonraq stroked his beard. "I had always prayed the rumors weren't true, but it seems that this act, along with the reports from the north has confirmed it."
"What happened in the north?" Korra asked.
"Thirteen years ago, an attempt was made to kidnap you as a young girl." Zuko explained. "The perpetrators were captured by Chief Sokka, myself, Katara, and Toph. It was incredibly difficult, to subdue them, but once they were in chains, they were moved to prisons that hampered their bending abilities."
"Who were these people?" Korra cut Zuko off.
"We still don't know." The old Fire Lord stroked his chin and walked around the table. "Even after thirteen years of interrogation, they never broke. It was rumored that your uncle Unalaq had something to do with the kidnapping attempt, but no evidence could ever be found to convict him, and the prisoners denied ever seeing him."
"So what has come to light to change that?" Roland asked.
"We received reports earlier that the artic prison holding the fire bender P'Li was attacked and she was broken free." Tonraq added gravely. "Several of our men were shot and killed, but one survived to send back the report. He claimed Unalaq was apart of the attack, but there was no reason for him to be anywhere near the site, but with the Insurrectionist support, we would be able to travel far faster than we anticipated."
A United Forces radio operator rushed into the room. "General Iroh, we just received word that the prison holding Ghazan and he was broken free."
Iroh dismissed the man and looked at the group gravely. "There are only two more prisons they will be visiting." The general placed markers on the map. "Zaheer, their leader is being held in a mountain cell located here."
Zuko slowly moved around the table. "And Ming-Hua is being held in a volcanic prison on this island." The firelord pointed to the location off the Fire Nation coast.
Tonraq glanced at the map. "If they continue on the same route, they are probably breaking Zaheer free and are then moving towards the volcano to get Ming-Hua."
"Then let's stop them there." Korra smashed her finger into the location on the map of the volcanic prison. "We can get there ahead of them and set up an ambush."
Iroh nodded. "It would be the best place to lay an ambush. The volcanic rocks and steam would conceal us until it is time to strike."
Zuko shook his head. "There is one problem." He pointed to the Avatar. "You were once their goal, and we can only assume that you still are."
Korra was about to protest when Tonraq cut her off. "It's not safe for you Korra. Regardless of if you are the Avatar or not, we need to keep you safe."
Korra looked to Roland for support, but he threw up his palms in submission. "Hey, don't look at me, I agree with them."
"And now, we come to the final issue." Iroh looked at Captain Wayne. "We do not have to technology or the ability to fight these Insurrectionist forces."
Captain Wayne nodded his agreement. "My men are willing to train you, but we barely have enough weapons and ammo to sustain ourselves. Is there any way you could produce more?"
Everyone thought for a moment, but no answers could be found. Just as Iroh was about to speak again, Varrick poked his head into the room. "I couldn't help but overhear the dilemma you have found yourselves in." He said cheerfully.
"And just what might you be able to do about it?" Tonraq asked.
Varrick strolled in and examined Captain Wayne's MA5B. "It's perfect!" He exclaimed. "I know some top notch metal benders in Zaofu, they are able to produce anything! I bet they could create some of your fancy boomsticks."
Tonraq nodded. "Lin's sister lives there. We could get her to help with production."
"Wait, isn't that in the Earth Kingdom?" Roland asked.
Iroh summoned the group back to the map. "It is, but it there are several hundred miles separating the Metal Clan in Zaofu from Chin. I think it would be a safe staging point to prepare for an attack."
"Very well, here's the plan then." Captain Wayne took charge. "A group of us will head down to the Volcano and stop Unalaq and his men, I'll send Gysgt Grylls and the rest of my men to Zaofu with the Avatar to begin training forces to attack the Insurrectionist at their base."
Iroh took over. "I'll start sending forces to the Metal Clan to be the initial wave of troops for training. As soon as you are finished with Unalaq on the island, you can move to meet us."
Zuko looked over the group. "It is a good plan…" He said solemnly. "I will visit the White Lotus and the Fire Nation and have them begin sending troops to be trained in this new form of warfare."
Tonraq nodded in agreement. "I'll head back to the Southern Water Tribe and do the same."
"Good, then all seems decided." Iroh stepped back from the map. "Roland, Captain Wayne, you have as many of my men as you need to stop Unalaq and his plot."
Roland nodded. "Thanks, sir. I already know who I want to take along with Mako and Bolin."
"What about Asami?" Korra asked.
"I think she needs to go with you." Roland glanced at Varrick. "She is an inventor, like her father. Maybe between the two of them, the can come up with some stuff to help us get ahead in this war."
Wayne shook General Iroh's hand. "I'll pass the word to Gunny Grylls, General." As he left, he glanced to Roland. "Same team as before." He said.
"Alright everyone, I should see you all in Zaofu in a few days." Zuko said as he bowed and then walked out of the room.
Korra and Roland walked back to the airship to get Asami. "Be careful." Korra said as she hugged Roland's armored chest.
"I will." Roland returned her embrace and kissed her on the forehead. "See you in a few days."
Korra nodded as she walked into the ship to get Asami. Roland turned on his heal and jogged towards the nearest radio. "Soldier, call the Sergeant Zhang and get the Raiders up to the flight deck now!"
"Yes sir."
Defensive perimeter outside the city of Chin
"Hold fast…" Streks looked over the battlefield before him as the sun slowly rose out of the east. It seemed as if for every one of the Earth Kingdom soldiers they killed, two more took their place. Many of them weren't even armed, they were just being used as fodder for the attack after many of the benders were killed in the initial assault.
The pair of Insurrectionist's soldiers looked at him with doubt. They two could see the wave of enemies before them, and it seemed pretty grim. Hours before, the fleet in orbit had rained fire from the sky, driving the Earth Kingdom's initial assault back, but now it seemed they had redoubled their efforts to take the ground back.
Streks had already called down nearly every Pelican from the ships in orbit. More troops and weapons were now reinforcing the perimeter, and he had ordered the Pelicans to be outfitted for a gunship role. His fleet also had a handful of Hornets, and he planned to use them to escort the lumbering Pelicans over the battlefield.
This second defensive line was barely outside of the city perimeter. Streks had positioned his best men with DMR's and Sniper Rifles inside of the buildings to look for targets of opportunity before them. Machine guns and Warthogs were positioned over the main avenues of approach, and rifleman along with water benders were spread in between.
If the worst came to worst, he still had a lot of firepower in orbit, and he was prepared to use it, but with the cost of already firing one of his limited supply of MAC rounds, he hoped to save the others for later.
After what seemed like an eternity, a dull cry sounded from Earth Kingdom lines. "Ready the mortars." Streks spoke into the radio.
As the Earth Kingdom army surged forward, mortars and rockets started streaking across the battle space into the packed troops. As rounds detonated on target, more and more men seemed to fill in the gaps. As the army entered within a few hundred meters, the machine guns and precision shooters opened fire. Death was everywhere in the scorched field before them. Men were cut down by the hundred, but still the Earth Kingdom army surged forward. Streks didn't know this, but the Queen had issued an order that any man who retreated would have his entire family killed as punishment for his desertion.
As the waves neared the lines, rifles started popping, joining in the dull roar of the machine guns. Finally, the Pelicans and Hornets flew overhead, firing rockets and 20mm chain guns into the densely packed army below. It seemed to take hours, but after a few minutes, the attacked finally stalled. The Insurrectionist lines had held once more, but before them lie the bodies of thousands of dead Earth Kingdom soldiers.
The aircraft had returned to the small airstrip to be refitted, so Streks started to move along the line, checking his men. Many of them hadn't slept in the past twenty hours. It had been a long night, but his men steeled themselves for yet another attack, but it never came. The line had held, and Streks received reports that what was left of the Earth Kingdom army was withdrawing to prepare to fight another day.
Volcanic Prison Island
Roland, Captain Wayne, and the detachment of ODST's had readied themselves for a fight before arriving. The had scrapped together all the ammo the could recover, but Roland really wished he could have gotten back to his house on Avatar Island and gotten a Rocket Launcher and some heavier weapons to deal with the Pelicans.
Mako and Bolin had been stationed with Sgt. Zhang and the Raiders. The plan was to allow Unalaq and his men to enter the top portion of the prison, then cut them down with interlocking fields of fire. Finally, Zhang and the Raiders would come in from behind and take out whoever remained.
The volcanic gases were potent, even through the Spartan's helmet, he coughed occasionally. No report had come yet about the mountain prison, but everyone was confident something would happen soon.
One hour prior
It only took a few moments for Carr and his men to engage the handful of White Lotus guards protecting the small prison atop a spire. With the men dead, the Pelican pilot expertly set his rear landing gear in the side of the mountain, allowing Unalaq, P'Li, Carr, and Ghazan to disembark and walk over to the cell.
"Zaheer!" P'Li shouted as she ran up to the cage and embraced him through the bars. Before anything else could be said, Ghazan melted to metal bars, allowing Zaheer to step out as a free man.
"Unalaq." Zaheer nodded toward the Water Tribe chieftain.
Unalaq held out his hand. "I told you I would be back when the time was right." He smirked.
Zaheer clasped his hand and shook his head in agreement. "Indeed you did. Have you recovered the Avatar yet?"
"Come." Unalaq said as the Pelican set down on the side of the mountain once more. "Let me explain on the way."
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! We're getting ready for a pretty big fight coming up in the next chapter. I tried to model the Earth Kingdom attacks off of the Chinese attacks on American lines in the Korean war. I hope you are enjoying the book so far, and please leave a review to tell me what you think.
On another note, I have a request. I would love to get one or two images of Legend of Roland or Ashes to Ashes fan art. I am decent at writing, but can't draw for crap. If anyone out there want to take a crack at it, please shoot me a message!
