THE LACKEY

"SO, MY LORD, WHAT DID YOU THINK?"

They were back in Jiro's office, Jiro behind his desk, Kojima lounging in a random chair. It was only a temporary office in temporary quarters; their special unit had taken up residence in an isolated corner of the massive compound that held the local regular military garrison. This office was one of many, and was very plain, very neat, very tidy.

Needless to say, it was a big change from the last time Kojima had been here.

Jiro scoffed, turning a page of the report in his hands. "I think, Kojima, that either that man is crazier than a shit-house rat, or he's the most brilliant actor of this or any other age."

Kojima considered that, watching smoke drift from his cigarette up towards the ceiling. "Why not both, my lord?"

Jiro nodded, lips pursed in thought. "You know…you may be on to something there. What if he's been acting crazy for so long, he's actually become crazy? Is it possible the drive yourself insane?"

"I'm sure His Majesty your uncle would have an opinion on that."

Jiro chuckled. "No doubt. But it doesn't matter whether Bumi is legitimately crazy or not. What matters is, I know where to go next."

Kojima popped an eyebrow, looking for all the world utterly unconcerned. After all, why should he be? He was only a lackey. He went where he was sent, and did what he was told, and didn't put more thought than was safe into it. "Oh? Is that so, my lord?"

Jiro performed a rather sage, relaxed nod. "Indeed, Kojima. I'm going to Gaoling. Bumi seemed very intent on getting me off the subject of north, didn't he?"

Kojima shrugged. "If you say so. I didn't see anything special in all of that. Besides, if we're going with your supposition that King Bumi is not, in fact, crazier than a shit-house rat, then what if all of that was to get you to specifically think of things north?"

Jiro scoffed. "Because I say so. Also," here, he looked up, "because of the reports from the survivors of Zuko's unit."

"Oh?" Kojima sounded interested, but, in fact, he was busy watching the antics of his smoke. "What's so special about them? They seemed quite uniform and in order to me."

"Exactly. They were too uniform, too organized, too clean. They're hiding something up there, and I intend to find out what. I feel it in my bones: The Avatar was there, and they had something to do with what happened."

Kojima shrugged. "If you say so, my lord. When do we leave?"

"Well," Jiro said, shutting the folder he was reading and letting it fall to the top of the desk, "I'm leaving with the unit in three days' time. There's a special group of mercenaries I want to pick up before I go, and they'll take some cajoling. You, though, will be heading to the northwest."

This seemed to perk Kojima's interest. He finally actually looked at his employer, though his face said that his mind was still on the smoke. "Come again, my lord? Why would I go there?"

"Because of this." Jiro took up the folder he had been reading and tossed it to Kojima. Kojima caught it in one smooth, deft motion, dropping it to his lap so that it fell open across his thighs. He flipped through a few pages, looking not the least bit interested, before shutting it again. "So, there are some troubling rumbles in the ranks of the Northwest Army Group. What has that to do with us?"

"Because it troubles me," Jiro said, leaning forward, clasping his hands and setting them on the desk. "There's something fishy about all of this. Too many officers running off on random errands, too many former soldiers trawling the roads and waterways, too many Kempei officers filing half-hearted reports that have nothing but good news to share, and every season, the contagion seems to spread to a new Army Group. I don't like it. Something's pricking at the back of my mind, and you're going to find out what it is."

Kojima sighed, and stood, tucking the report under one arm and grinding his cigarette into the floor with the toe of his boot. "As you wish, my lord, though I can't help but feel that I would be of much more use in Gaoling. I did spend some time in the area, if you recall."

"I know, but still, I need someone I can trust to look into things without going overboard."

"How many men can I take with me?"

"Two. Whoever you want. The Earth Raiders are also stationed in the area, resting from their latest punitive expedition through the northern hot zones. If you end up needing troops, call on them."

"Hmm…and if I end up needing more than that?"

Jiro seemed to mull that over, though Kojima had no doubt that he had decided on a course of action long ago. "Well…good point…as of now, you have full authority to requisition troops in whatever district you may be operating in. You'll have the necessary documentation before you board your airship in the morning."

That finally seemed to pierce Kojima's interior. Looking queasy, he said, "Um…an airship, my lord?"

Jiro sighed. "Yes, I know, you hate flying. Whatever, nothing I can do; we're on a time table here, and I'd rather you be gone not one second longer than necessary. So, pick your men, and be on that ship in the morning."

Kojima bowed. "As your command, my lord. Oh," he continued as he rose, as if it was an afterthought, "I know who I'll be taking."

"Oh? Who?"

"Sergeants Hisamoto and Torihada."

Jiro nodded, looking impressed. "Mako and Irniq? Good choices. Any reason why?"

Kojima shrugged. "They amuse me. I'll need a good laugh."

Jiro chuckled, which did not bother Kojima one bit. "Fair enough. Get going; if you're still here at sunup, I'll be very annoyed."

"Of course, my lord." With that Kojima bowed once more, turned, and disappeared into the night. Come morning, Jiro would wonder how the man got ahold of the papers he had had filled out without anyone seeing him, but decided it that, in the end, it didn't matter.

What is Jiro up to? I don't trust him. Do you?

Anyhoo...

Anyone else here in North Texas? Or anywhere in Texas? Because I'm curious is it's only here, in Arlington, that shit be fucked up. Seriously, I went to chill with my brother today. My parents live in Bedford, and after I dropped him off, it should've only taken me about...oh...ten-to-fifteen minutes.

It took me an hour-and-a-half.

What is so difficult about driving in the snow, people? Yeesh.

Moving on! In the next chapter, Bumi gets a visitor, and you guys get more questions to ponder. Stay tuned!