Chapter 85: A Technological Marvel
"War Minister Qin, you have something to report?" Azula drawled from her throne.
It wasn't as grand a thing as she possessed in Caldera, second only to her Father's, but it demanded the respect that she was due.
The War Minister bowed low to her. "Yes, Your Highness. Our scouts report that the Outer Wall is in sight. We should encounter enemy resistance within a few hours. Once we crush their defence, it won't take long for the drill to break through the Wall."
Azula nodded, saying nothing.
Qin continued, "The drill is truly a technological marvel, above and beyond anything the Fire Nation has created before. The armour density alone—"
Azula cleared her throat gently as she began to examine her nails. War Minister Qin fell silent.
She said softly, "You are dismissed."
The War Minister bowed once more and departed.
While the Minister had talents when it came to technology, he did so prattle. If it wasn't for her Father's tolerance of the man, she'd have 'dismissed' him more permanently.
At least he knew when to take a hint. Others were not quite so perceptive.
Mai and Ty Lee had already retired for the day, choosing to rest before the battle to come. Not that Azula expected much of one; once the Earthbenders saw their precious Wall fall, their hope would crumble with it. Resistance would be minimal, at best.
She smiled. She was on the verge of achieving one of the Fire Nation's greatest military triumphs; not even her Uncle, the so-called 'Dragon of the West', could conquer Ba Sing Se and, yet, it would fall before her.
Her smile widened.
Everything was falling into place. Soon the Avatar would be her prisoner; with Ba Sing Se rightfully in the Fire Nation's control, and Omashu already fallen, there would be few places in the Earth Kingdom that he could hide. None that could withstand the Fire Nation's might.
Her smile dimmed, just ever so slightly, as she considered the matter of her brother.
She'd analysed her actions, that day in the abandoned village; the move she used, the power she put into it, and the location she struck. There was simply no way that Zuko could have survived. She'd used the same movements before, more than once, and it had proven lethal.
Her brother was dead. She was the One True Heir to the Caldera Throne; her Right to Rule was blessed by Agni, as she bore His Blood in her veins. None but her were fit to take her Father's place. Zuko was dead, and it was a good thing. It was. It was. He was unfit to be Royal; weakness was all he was capable of, weakness and mediocrity. It was Right and Just that his taint be removed from the Earth.
And yet…
Her smile remained dim.
