Author's Note: Again, still been busily cranking away. Looking like another three chapter update today. I'm hoping to finsh while I'm still on vacation, in order to get on with the next installment, but we'll see what ends up happening. In the mean time, enjoy.
Disclaimer: I think you know the drill. Don't own it.
Chapter 9
"I now call this meeting, the first meeting of the Federation Council, to order. Is everyone present?"
Lee looked around the table. All the governors were already seated. They all appeared just as somber as they'd been the last time he'd seen them all sitting in the same room together, with Qiao being the remarkable exception. She had yet to make eye contact with him since he'd entered the room, but he could tell that she'd been working hard to hide a smile the entire time she'd been sitting there.
"Yes, all the governors are present and accounted for."
Governor Nishi looked over at where Captain Yuan and Lee were sitting.
"Is the Navy delegation present and accounted for?" she asked. Yuan stood up and saluted.
"Yes ma'am. The Navy is represented and accounted for."
"Very well. Let us begin then, shall we?"
Anyone that wasn't already seated took the opportunity to get comfortable. They were going to be there for a while.
"We are meeting today to finalize the formation of the Federation of North Sea Islands, to ratify a temporary constitution of laws to govern us until our independence from the Fire Nation has been assured, and to bring into existence a formal military force to protect our sovereignty. Are we all in agreement?"
A flurry of yes's from around the room confirmed it. Lee looked around, taking the time to remember every detail. It wasn't every day that one was a part of history in the making, after all.
"Governor Jian, you have the floor."
"Thank you," the grim faced ruler of Black Rock Island said before standing to address everyone around him, "It is my proposal that each of our five islands become its own separate state. Each island should have a governor that is responsible for conducting affairs, as it has always been. Each island will have its own set of laws and customs, while answering to a single, centralized government. The council."
"What role will the central government have if all the islands form their own separate states?" Qiao asked, rubbing her chin in thought, "After all, if all the islands are going to be responsible for conducting their own affairs, what is the point of even having this council?"
"The central government will be responsible for seeing that conduct between every island is fair. They will see to the interests of the islands abroad, when we actually start forming international relations. Additionally, I think it is fitting that the military be overseen and maintained by the government, in order to best provide for the security of us all."
"So how is it that we will go about keeping the central government and the island governments separate? It won't really work the way it is now, what with all of us taking part in both."
"I believe I have a proposal for that," Nishi said, "if I may, governor Jian."
The man nodded, and Nishi stood up.
"I believe that it would be fitting for us, the appointed governors, to serve as the first council. Once our independence is secured, each island should hold an election to determine who will take over as the governor of the island. A representative to the council should also be elected at that time."
Let the people choose who will rule them, Lee thought to himself, amazed at the thought but also thinking that it might actually work out well in the long run. Allow the people to select whoever they think will serve their best interests, rather than inherit a new leader that will simply do whatever is in their own best interest. Smart.
"Government by elected representation? Sounds acceptable to me," Jian said with an approving nod, "Shall we put it to a vote then?"
Everyone around the table nodded in agreement, with the exception of the two naval officers at the end of the table. They would speak up when their time came.
"Very well. All in favor of government by elected representative?"
All five governors raised their hands. Jian rubbed his hands together in excitement, a rare enough gesture for the man.
"Let the record reflect that the motion to govern the Federation by elected representative was passed unanimously. Next order of business, a constitution."
"Governor Jian, if I may."
All heads at the table turned to Captain Yuan, who was preparing himself to stand up.
"Yes, Captain Yuan?"
"I feel that it might be an easier transition if we allowed Fire Nation law to remain in effect until our victory in the upcoming conflict is complete. A whole new set of laws isn't something we'll be able to come up with in one day, and even if it was managed, the people wouldn't be ready to have to all of a sudden adjust to a brand new set of laws overnight."
"So what is it that you recommend we do about our legal system."
Lee looked at the captain when the question was asked. Although he didn't respond right away, the older man hadn't been phased by the question. If Lee was any judge, he guessed that Yuan was simply trying to decide how best to word it.
"Rights. Lay out a framework of what rights we want to give people under the new legal system today, but even if that doesn't happen we have the time to figure it out. That should be the first part of the constitution anyways. What rights do the people have that we can never take away from them."
"That sounds like a good plan to me," Qiao said from her seat.
"Very well. You make an excellent point, Captain. Let's put it up for a sounding board then. What rights should our people have that we, the central government of the Federation, can never take away from them?"
"The right to speak their minds freely?" Nishi suggested, keeping her brush poised to write everything down.
"I agree," the governor of Gold Island said, rubbing his considerable belly, "the people should have the right to speak their mind, or write what they want, without fear of persecution by the government."
Nishi began recording what was being said as ideas began flowing forth. Within a few minutes, they had several on the table. Free speech. The right vote for their government. Freedom from slavery. Lee watched in silence as these ideas were tossed back and forth, and wondered whether he would be out of place to suggest something of his own. Yuan seemed to sense this thought, and elbowed him. Lee looked up at his commander, who gave him an almost imperceptible nod. He rose, clearing his throat as he went.
"Governors, if I may," he said quietly, noticing the attention of the entire room turn to him.
"Of course, Lieutenant," Jian said from his seat, "although you and the Captain aren't rulers, we still greatly value your input. What would you give to the people as their undeniable right?"
"A few things, sir. First, what I deem most important to a man having his freedom in the first place. The right to keep and bear arms, whether it be sword, spear, bow and arrow or bending. Second, any citizen should have the right to a fair trial under the law. For too long, dictators have been able to do whatever they want to their subjects. Look at the current leader of our mother country. His father banished him for absolutely no valid reason."
Nishi wrote down these ideas furiously, and Lee wondered for a brief second whether he should continue or wait for her to catch up. He decided to press on while he was on a roll.
"And finally, I think that a man should have the right to avoid incriminating himself. I saw too much of that in the navy as well. They'd ask you questions on purpose that were meant to force you to admit your guilt to something, whether or not you actually did it. It's a horrible practice, and dead wrong on top of that. It has no place in a legal system, in my opinion."
The room was silent for a moment, as all present stopped to ponder everything that he'd said.
"Valid points all," Jian said, "let's make sure they're recorded and put in the bill for the final approval. Thank you, Lieutenant."
Lee bowed and took his seat again. Yuan slapped him on the shoulder to congratulate him, and out of the corner of his eye, he could have sworn he saw Qiao smiling at him in admiration. He smiled, inwardly wondering what he'd done that was such a big deal, but decided to just let it go and continue enjoying the process.
"Well, I think if no one has anything else to add, we should put these down for deliberation at our next meeting. For final ratification."
"I second that motion," Mako of the Rift said, barely audible over the rest of them.
"All in favor?"
Everyone raised their hands, and Nishi put the paper that she'd been writing on aside. She stood up slowly, her face suddenly somber.
"I think that it would be fitting to address what's on everyone's mind next. Military measures against the Fire Nation in order to secure our freedom."
Everyone murmured their agreement and turned to look at Captain Yuan again. The man stood up slowly, picking up a pair of scrolls as he went.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the council, as my first order of business, I would like to propose the organization of the islands' military force. I believe that the most effective way to organize our forces would be to divide them into two branches. A Navy, which would be responsible for operations that you would expect. Additionally, I would propose the creation of a Naval Marine force, in order to handle the aspects of ship to ship combat in respect to boarding, but also to handle combat ashore."
"What you're describing sounds surprisingly like the army, Captain."
"Not necessarily," Yuan said, turning to face Jian directly, "The Fire Nation army is not as adept at operating in close concert with the navy as I envision the North Sea Naval Marines being. I see an all around fighting force, trained to assault enemy held beaches just as well as they assault enemy held ships on the high seas. Someday, we could even find a way to integrate aerial operations and armor into the corps."
"An army without tanks or mounted capabilities? That would put us at a huge disadvantage when facing the Fire Nation Army!"
"Not necessarily. The North Sea fleet has always been about denying sea access to the islands so that our lack of a formal infantry or armored fighting force wouldn't be an issue. Tanks aren't going to be a threat in the cargo hold of an enemy cruiser when we engage it in the Burning Sea. Let's worry about tanks or cavalry when we've defeated the force that the Fire Lord is sending our way."
"Ok Captain," Nishi said, leaning forward onto the table, "Say we entertain your plan for the military. What is your plan for boosting our capabilities when we've repelled the incoming fleet?"
"Well, ma'am, I think priority should be given to arming all of our ships with cannons first. The naval gun is currently our greatest weapon against the Fire Nation, and I doubt highly that they will be able to catch up to us in terms of equipping the system on their ships any time soon. All the design work was done here in the islands. Additionally, we have the capability to construct lighter ship classes here in our own dry-docks, and I believe that we should begin doing that as soon as possible. New ships are going to be essential for when Zuko decides to commit a bigger fleet to rooting us out of here."
"Hold on there, Captain. You're saying that you don't think the force on its way in a week is going to be the only one sent to bring us back under Fire Nation control?"
"That is correct, ma'am. The force under Commander Long may be all he has available to throw at us right now, but once his commitments are lessened, he's going to send a much bigger force our way. Now, as I was saying before, our first concern should be building and crewing more ships. Denial of access to our waters is going to be our best bet in the long run. After we increase our fleet strength, only then should we begin focusing more on building tanks and training cavalry."
"You're gambling a lot on your ability to lead a force capable of beating back the Fire Navy, Captain."
"I suppose you're right, Governor Jian, but I have every bit of faith that it can be done. I can train a finer crew than any the Fire Navy can throw my way, and that's what it's going to boil down to in the upcoming fight. Quality over quantity."
"Very well, Captain. All in favor of the creation of the North Sea Navy and the North Sea Naval Marines to serve as the federal government's military force?"
Five yes's from around the room.
"Very well captain. I believe it is well within our current power to promote you then. This council hereby names you Commander, and awards to you the position of chief of naval operations, to be served concurrent with your duties as the commanding officer of the North Sea Naval ship Azulon until such time as a suitable replacement can be found to take your place as commander of the vessel. What other business do you have for this council, Captain?"
"Well, first off I think we should address names for our ships. In order to further drive that psychological wedge in, that we're not just mutinied crews, I propose that the vessels be renamed if their crews so choose."
The governor of Gold Island scoffed at the comment, drawing hard stares from both Yuan and Lee.
"What difference is the name of the ship going to make in the long run, Captain?" the fat old man asked, "It's simply a weapon, a tool to be used against our enemies. What does it matter what it's called?"
"I've got this one, sir," Lee said, standing up. He'd always hated civilians like the man that sat in front of him. Men and women that had no bearing on the traditions and customs of the Navy. They almost always had the same attitude when it came to how navy men and women felt about their ships. Yuan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"Have you ever served in any military capacity sir?"
"As a matter of fact, I haven't Lieutenant."
"No naval service whatsoever?"
"No."
"Then let me break it down for you, sir. A ship is far more than a floating chunk of iron to the men that serve on board her. That's why we refer to ships as women. They're like mother figures to us. They protect us. Shelter us in storms. Sail into battle with us. Any man in the Navy is willing to die to keep his ship afloat, to keep her in fighting shape, because in reality, we count on the ship to keep us alive just as much as she counts on us to sail her. What we name our ship is greatly important to us, even if civilians like yourself don't understand. Especially when our ship, my ship, bears the same name as a tyrannical member of the ruling family that we are rebelling against."
"Take it easy, Lieutenant.," Nishi said, visibly trying to conceal a smile, "no one here is saying that the name of your vessel is unimportant. Captain, I think it is perfectly acceptable to rename all the vessels in the fleet. Really, I don't even see why you're asking us. You're the chief of naval operations now, that means they're your ships to do with as you please. And just out of curiosity, what is it that you intend to name your flagship?"
"Lieutenant?"
Lee looked around the table, taking plenty of time to shoot a glare that he sincerely wished would bore through the man who he had come dangerously close to disrespecting.
"Independence, ma'am."
"Well, Captain, I sincerely hope that you and the Independence battle group will prevail in the upcoming battle. Is there anything else you require?"
"No ma'am. There isn't."
"Well, I propose we take a short recess. Captain, you are free to return to your fleet. I understand you have an underway date to meet anyway?"
"Yes ma'am. Thank you ma'am. Hopefully the next time you see us in this chamber, we'll have defeated the Fire Navy."
"I look forward to that day, Captain."
"Lieutenant!"
Lee stopped in the lobby and turned around. Qiao was standing in the doorway that led into the council chambers, and she started walking towards him. He vaguely heard the captain take a few more steps before he stopped as well.
"What can I do for you governor?"
"I just wanted to give you something before you get underway is all," she said as she got closer, lowering her voice to just above a whisper. She slipped something out of the sleeve of her gown, a small package wrapped in brown paper. She handed it to him with a smile.
"Now, you're not allowed to open that until you're back on board. Promise?"
"I promise, ma'am."
"Good. Now, good luck and take care Lieutenant. I trust that you're going to have all sorts of new war stories to tell me when you get back."
She stretched up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before turning around and walking back to the council chamber. Lee looked down at the parcel she'd given him and smiled before turning to face the captain again.
"Touching," the older man said with a slight smile. Lee snorted.
"Thank you, sir."
"Ready to go?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Make preparations for getting underway, Lieutenant. It's time to fight another war."
