Capital Under Siege Finale: The Dying Flames
The sick bay was dark except for the occasional red lamp used by the physicians. The hallway next to it was filled with the tramping of boots as more and more patients were brought in. Night had fallen and the battle had taken a short intermission. The two fleets continued to exchange occasional catapult fire but for the most part the assault had ended. Had it not been for the eerie feeling in their gut the men could have rested. But no one slept that night for there was always that feeling, a nawing sensation deep in your gut that the worst was yet to come. So the brief quiet in of itself was more terrible than the battle that preceeded it.
As he began to regain consciousness Kalo became aware of his surroundings. The dim lights gave just enough illumination to see the hallway. Standing up from his bed he began to look around alarmed.
"What happened?" he asked a passing soldier.
"Oh you're awake! Everyone, the Admiral is alright!"
"Ugh…where are the others? Are they alright?" asked Kalo.
"Hey Kalo" said Sokka as he walked up to him, Sokka's arm was in a sling and there was a bandage on his forehead.
"Are you alright?" said Kalo, looking at the wounds.
"Oh this! It's nothing. One of those Demon guys got me with a grenade. I didn't jump out of the way in time so, boom!" said Sokka.
"How are Katara and the others?"
"Katara's arm has healed nicely. Toph still can't walk but the doctors say it's not permanent. Suki and Haru didn't get any serious injuries" said Sokka.
"And the battle? Did we win?" asked Kalo anxiously.
"No, after you blasted that Liang guy the other soldiers ran away. They boarded their ship and fled to their allies. Those guys were tough though, they damaged almost all of our catapults and one of their troops managed to get inside the engine room, the engineers are still working on it. But the battle rages on, it's still a stalemate"
"Damn it. I guess the Zhang Fleet is still holding together. Where's my armor?" asked Kalo.
"Are you sure you're ready to fight?" asked Sokka.
"Yea, I'm fine. At any rate someone's got to lead this Fleet." said Kalo, and with one hand he put on his armour, while with the other hand he fixed his collar "We'll wait till morning so as not to accidently sink our allies. I think it's about time we ended this battle."
Flagship Sozin's Malice
General Su's air ship hovered over the flagship as its commander descended onto the deck. With the battle at a stalemate he had rushed to see his wounded Admiral one last time.
"How is he General Sheng?" asked Su as he walked into the room.
"The doctor says the arrow pierced the artery linking his heart to his lungs. I'm afraid the Admiral doesn't have much long to live" said Sheng. "He asked to see you, so please, right this way"
Walking into the small chamber General Su saw a pitiful sight. The once great Admiral Zhang lay on his side coughing up blood as the doctor tried to tighten the bandage.
"Please your excellency, you must stay still" said the doctor. Zhang screamed in pain.
"Enough! For the love of the spirits! Enough!" screamed Zhang "I'm dying! At least let me die with dignity!"
"Very well then" said the doctor, and then turning to Su he whispered "The Admiral is losing blood fast, at this rate he'll be dead before the night is over"
"Ah, General Su. I'm sorry you have to see me like this. That doctor made such a mess" said Zhang as he attempted to sit up, the action caused him intense pain.
"Admiral, please you mustn't move too much" said Su, helping him up.
"Don't call me Admiral. I'm a dying man Su and I…..ugh….I don't want to hear that damned title anymore!"
"Very well then, what did you wish to see me about?" asked Su.
"Ahh!" Zhang clutched at his side as blood began to splurt out "I wished to…..I wished to appoint you as my successor. This fleet will need a leader once I die. And who better to succeed me than my greatest pupil?"
"But Adm- I mean Zhang! Surely General Xiu or General Muzo would be more qualified"
"No those men are singular in their view of their world. They're old men and they will never change. But you're still young and you can…you can become the leader this nation needs" said Zhang, by now his skin had grown pale and his lips quivered as he spoke.
"Sir…I don't know what to say."
"Just accept the position…if not for me….do it…for your country…"
"Yes Admiral. I won't betray your trust in me."
"I'm sure you won't Su….Ah!" His face began to contort with the increased intensity of the pain.
"Docto-"
"No Su! No one can help me now…I'm finished" said Zhang.
"You must live Admiral! The people need you!"
"No they don't. I've given the people a new hope. I've defeated the Fire Lord's forces time and again…and I've ensure this victory as well…" Zhang pulled a letter out of his battered uniform and handed it to Su. General Su quickly opened it and read its contents. The message read:
To Commander Zhang,
The Fire Nation has grown to be cruel and unjust, and much likes its former Fire Lord the new one abuses his power. The time has come for this injustice to end. My followers are many and they will join your effort once you attain victory. I tell you this because I know you shall win. When your fleet reaches the capital I shall aid you. When the battle is at its highest point my soldiers will reveal themselves. Till then I pray your luck holds out. May you live until that fateful day.
-A friend
"Can we trust this person?" asked Su.
"Yes…this is…this is the last chance we have for victory"
"Admiral…"
"Use this person to achieve victory and then negotiate for peace." said Zhang.
"What?"
"I realize now that we can not take over the capital in our present condition…with time perhaps our armies will be ready but…but for now a small country of our own will suffice"
"Do you think Zuko will agree to this?" asked General Su.
"He has no other choice…this is the only way he can survive. With land and people we can gain more influence. And then…then the Fire Nation will fall"
"But Admiral…even if a peace is established, it can never last. Zuko will never let us create that nation."
"These are my last few moments in this world Su…I don't want to be remembered as a warmonger. Instead I wish to be remembered as the founder of a new country…one that will eventually restore the old ways" said Zhang "This has always been my wish. And it is the legacy I leave unto you"
"Please Admiral! Don't die! You can't leave us!" screamed Su.
"I told you not to call me Admiral…I wish you…a swift victory and know…know that my spirit will be watching from the heavens if you fail! You are in command now…Admiral Su…be strong for…" Zhang mumbled the last few words and closed his eyes.
"Admiral? Admiral Zhang? Admiral! Admiral!"
And so in the year 104 ASC one of the greatest leaders of the time died. His memory was not forgotten by those he led. And for many centuries after, great leaders would remember the name of Zhang Diatong.
Flagship Blue Dragon
The first rays of morning came out from under the horizon. They illuminated the ocean and showed the ruined hulls of ships and the bodies of dead and dying men. The water was blackened by coal and reddened by blood. And in the pale morning light even the sky seemed colored by the carnage below.
"Admiral Kalo the enemy fleet has begun their attack. All forward positions are advancing" said the officer of the watch,
"Very well then. How are the troops?" asked Kalo.
"Tired, but still fighting Admiral." said a lieutenant.
"The enemy airships have resumed their bombardment. Should we return fire Admiral?" asked the artillery captain.
"No maintain the present course and aim all weapons at the enemy ships ahead. We'll surround them from the right side and finish them off. The airships can't fight without naval support."
Kalo's fleet continued to push forward and although they suffered heavy losses they could afford them. Finally after two hours of ceaseless bombardment the enemy right flank gave way. Kalo's fleet was quick to exploit the weakness and charged straight through the breach that had formed. To make sure the enemy ships didn't double back on them Kalo sent a detachment of 4 Heavy Cruisers to hold the position.
"Admiral! The remaining enemy ships have fallen into disarray. Our ships are breaking through!" said the lookout.
Most of Kalo's fleet continued to pour through the breach in the enemy's right flank. Kalo suddenly became aware that his ships had been drawn in to far and were in danger of being surrounded themselves.
"Order all ships to fall back or we'll be surrounded!" A missile suddenly collided with their ship, the resulting explosion shattering the main tower.
"What the hell was that?" said Kalo.
"Sir it came from one of ours!" said the lookout. The missile was followed by five more which left the flagship in ruins. To make matters worse one of the missiles had stuck the ship below the waterline causing the decks to flood. A similar scene was being reenacted all over their fleet as ally turned against ally and their fleet descened into chaos. This was only made worse by the enemy encircling them from all sides and the air fleet, now unchallenged, bombing all ships that attempted to retreat.
"What the hell is going on here? Are they insane?" screamed Kalo.
"It's a rebellion. We've been betrayed." said Sokka.
" The Battleship Roku's Wisdom has been captured. The Dreadnoughts Northern General, Fledgling Pheonix, Lady Ursula, and Lady Illah are all heavily damaged!" said the helmsman.
"Damn it! Those bastards have cost us this battle!" Kalo looked at Zhang's flagship with hatred. "Raise the white flag. We'll call for negotiations…I guess this really is the end"
The two flagships neared each other while the other ships in Kalo's fleet grinded to a halt. On board the vessels Kalo's soldiers began to drop their weapons. It was as if time had stopped, the realization that the battle was over had begun to sink in on both sides. As the two battered vessels finally came up next to each other the battle had come to an end. The crews drew a bridge across the decks and the officers from the Young Dragon walked onto the Sozin's Malice. Kalo was the last one to cross. Most of the color had gone from his face and he now stared angrily at one of the enemy guards.
"Admiral." said Su as he walked towards Kalo.
"Who are you? Where's Admiral Zhang?" asked Kalo.
"Regrettably Admiral Zhang died from wounds sustained on the battlefield. I am his successor Admiral Su." Kalo looked up stunned, the man that had defeated him was not the legendary Rebel Commander but merely his subordinate.
"Your excellency" said Kalo with a forced bow.
"Please don't! You fought admirably. It is I who must bow" said Su as he and his officers bowed in the traditional manner. "We salute you Admiral Kalo for putting your heart into this battle. You are a worthy opponent, one worthy of our respect"
"I am not admirable...after all I lost"
"It was not the fault of your strategies, but rather the fault of your government. Your leader brewed dissension by not being true to his citizens. Why do you continue to serve Zuko when he doesn't appreciate your talents? Join us instead."
"I must regrettably decline your offer. I do not serve Zuko out of some false sense of loyalty. I serve him to protect the people and the ones I love from harm" said Kalo.
"Then in reality we are fighting for the same goals…how ironic"
"So it would seem Admiral, so it would seem"
"Our delegation shall arrive at your capital tomorrow to discuss the terms of surrender. Your ships have my permission to leave as long as they don't commit further acts of hostility. I'll see you at the meeting Admiral Kalo" said Su as he saluted Kalo.
"Till then, your excellency" said Kalo as he returned the salute with all of his heart.
When the two ships finally separated Su breathed a sigh of relief, everything had gone as Zhang had said. In the course of a year Zhang had accomplished what many had thought impossible. He had brought the armies of the world to their knees. He had gone from a Rogue commander to the leader of a whole fleet. And even now, after his death, he continued to inspire bravery in his troops. As he would continue to do for many years, like a spirit watching from the clouds.
That was the end of the capital under siege series. I hope you all enjoyed the story so far. And I hope you like the other chapters as well. Please continue to R&R!
