Ch24
Flashback to just before Admiral Yamamoto departed the Fire Nation…
Under the blackness of the moonless night, the combined fleet's admiral arrived at the outskirts of the Fire Sage's temple, tucked in the shadows of the palace district, nearer to the rim of the dormant volcano's mouth.
The fleet admiral arrived with an escort of five men. Two Kurogane Type 95 Yonki cars were taken off the cargo holds of the aircraft carriers and used to expedite transit around the Fire Nation capital, helped along by the paved roads which connected key locations on the island. Primarily, they were reserved for the admirals' and other high ranking officers' movements since cars and other self-propelled vehicles were scarce. Yamamoto disembarked from the trailing car, placing his visor cap on as he set foot on the palace perimeter. The temple guards and fire sages were unaware that the high ranking officer was making a visit. The two men who rode in his car, disembarked as well, taking up and slinging their Type 38 rifles. In the lead car, the driver and passenger seat occupants similarly disembarked and took up their weapons. The third man remained in the vehicle, manning the mounted Type 96 machine gun and keeping vigilant watch.
In the admiral's hand, the note which had been left on the desk in his quarters aboard the Yamato.
Admiral, it is important that we meet. Meet at the Fire Sage's Temple at the midst of the night.
The note was abrupt and audacious in wording. Uncaring of rank or profile. At the lower corner of the small scroll was a small seal. A stamp, bearing the image of the pai-sho tile; the white lotus.
Once again rolling up the note and placing it in his coat's pocket, Yamamoto turned to face his men.
"We will accompany you to the meeting location, sir," the senior NCO reported, ready to move.
"No," the admiral replied, "You and your men will remain here. Maintain watch."
"But sir, it is dangerous," he objected.
"Those are my orders," the admiral clarified with a stern tone. "Man your posts."
"Yes, sir," the NCO conceded, bowing to his superior. The soldier removed his holster from his duty belt. "For your protection," he offered, handing the loaded sidearm to the admiral. "Respectfully sir, I insist."
Admiral Yamamoto reluctantly took the weapon and affixed it to his coat's belt. The soldier once again bowed before returning to his subordinates.
Alone, Yamamoto approached the temple courtyard. The temple grounds were massive, but still. The sound of the leather-soles of his shoes clacking against the smoothed stone pavement. As he looked around the ominously still grounds, he saw no one waiting to meet him as indicated in the note. He remained unphased.
"Over here," a voice whispered.
The admiral looked over his shoulder to see a cloaked figure standing among the shadows. The man was short in height from what Yamamoto could see, round rather than tall. The figure moved out from the shadows, intent to meet the naval officer in the midst of the courtyard.
"Are you the one who left me this message?" Yamamoto questioned.
"Yes," the gruff voice confirmed, "But let's move elsewhere. Follow me."
At the center of the court, just below them, was a circular stone with a metal plate at its center. The stout man bent down, and with his hand, fire bended a burst of flame into the feature. Small exhaust flames ignited through small holes surrounding the emblem. Triggered by the fire, mechanism beneath them could be heard actuating and the ground around them began to rumble and quake slightly. "Step back, admiral," the man advised.
As the two men moved aside, the floor beneath began to descend, forming a spiraling stone staircase which led deep beneath the temple yards. Completing the descent brought the pair into a series of catacombs which ran beneath the ground and was primarily illuminated by torches. Lining the halls were the skulls of dragons, leftover from the dragon hunting campaigns of Fire Lord Sozin.
"I am honored to be in the presence of our guest's fleet admiral," the man called out. "Though I must say, I am surprised you came alone."
"I did not."
"And your men?"
"I ordered them to remain beyond the temple grounds," Yamamoto answered. He motioned to his holstered handgun, "They were insistent that I carry this for protection. I trust I will not need to rely on it?"
"Oh, no, no, admiral. Not with me," the man asserted. "I may have a..reputation that comes along with certain titles. But I am a much different man than I was in the past. And frankly, even with the ability to firebend, martial arts is tiring!" he chuckled lightly. "I am far too old and far too tired to rely on violence and force. At my age, you start to see things in a much more harmonious light." The pair came to a halt before a metal door at the end of the passageway. "We're here."
"What is this place?" Yamamoto questioned.
"This is a tomb, Admiral Yamamoto," the cloaked man replied, motioning the officer in. Remaining alert, the supreme commander entered the chamber, having the door shut behind him as the stout old man followed.
"You know my name?"
"I do, admiral," the older man affirmed, "I've been expecting you. For a time much longer than you can fathom."
"You have?"
"I have. I was not always certain, but the closer we came to the day at which you arrived in this world, the more certain I became." The man removed his hood and revealed his head to the admiral. "You may not know who I am, but I look to you with information that I feel you must hear."
"I know who you are," Yamamoto revealed. "During my brief stay in your home country, I have spent as much time as I could spare reading up on the Fire Nation's history, its prominent military figures, and its most notable prisoners. I wouldn't have expected to be in the presence of the notorious Dragon of the West. The great General Iroh. Such a prominent military service. We should have been meeting as two officers, we are equal in rank and only differ in service and country. Yet, I am talking to a traitor. One who forsook his own country and people."
"I understand that is what is written," Iroh acknowledged, "But I beg of you admiral to look beyond the texts and listen to me here and now. I never betrayed my people, nor my nation. Rather, it was the Fire Lord and his military which betrayed the best interests of the Fire Nation's people. Throwing the world into chaos and upsetting the balance and harmony which was maintained in this world for centuries." He gestured to the tomb and the volumes of scrolls which filled the shelves in the chamber. "This tomb is the final resting place of my grandfather, Fire Lord Sozin. Its records entail the history of this pointless century long war of conquest. Began with the guise of spreading the prosperity of the Fire Nation to the world, it quickly devolved into a march for domination."
The fleet admiral let the former general's words sink in, though he remained quiet.
"Here, in this chamber, and these catacombs you can uncover and learn the full history of the Fire Nation. Not just of current, or of Sozin's reign- but fire lords spanning back to the very beginning of the nation. So far back, if you look hard enough, that records will seamlessly transition from recorded history to myth and belief." He turned back to the Japanese officer, "But we do not have that luxury of time available, and each minute that passes is a minute closer to the demise of this world. And of you and your fleet."
"What do you mean, General Iroh?" Yamamoto asked.
"Right now, I must warn you. Your men are being manipulated," he cautioned. "The Fire Nation was built by the hands of deception and strength. Admittedly, we are the best when it comes to brunt power and deception. And my niece is among the best of this era, just after my brother."
"The princess- or rather the current Fire Lord. Azula?"
"Yes. She is very dangerous. I know your men and officers underestimate her. It is a grave mistake."
"Admittedly, I have my suspicions of her. But beyond that, she has not given any reason to doubt her. She has been nothing but accommodating, and according to my Vice Admiral, conforming."
"It is because she is a master of deception," Iroh stated. "Azula is dangerous and far more capable than you or your peers can imagine. You see only what she allows you to see, and has always been a master of selling an act. Even as a child. Have you read about the fall of Ba Sing Se?"
"The capture of the Earth Kingdom capital," Yamamoto cited. "As marvelous as the city is made out to be, in the end they are Earth Kingdom. As shown elsewhere in their expanse, they are disorganized and ultimately vulnerable."
"I disagree," Iroh objected. "The rest of the Earth Kingdom outside the walls is disorganized and uncoordinated. But Ba Sing Se is a fortress. It is a network of walls and secrets. Nearly impossible to conquer by force alone. Believe me, you've read how I nearly took the city. But it was not as easy as the texts make it out to be. I lost thousands of men, cut down in a senseless war, including my own son." He paused at the painful memory. "But Azula, after failing to break through the wall by force, found herself inside the walls without her armies to back her. And like a virus, taking down a body from within, she single handedly felled the Earth Kingdom capital."
"She gained favor with the Dai Li," Yamamoto recalled from his brief study of the matter, "The equivalent of Japan's own Kempeitai."
"And I fear, if you're not careful," Iroh alluded, "Your men will meet the same fate."
Iroh had won Yamamoto's attention. "Tell me more about your niece, then general."
"She is very capable. Deadly, precise, and determined," Iroh explained. "As much as I don't like it, failure is not something she is known to do. She is powerful, but she is also unstable." Iroh said as he took his seat on a nearby chair.
The admiral sat across next to him on a ledge. "I have observed that she is very composed. Professional and focused despite her young age."
"Such traits she is known for. However, I suspect that underneath all of that, Azula is still vulnerable and unpredictable. At the end of the day, she is still a very young woman. My brother, despite being a figure she looks up to- or looked up to..was far from being the best of fathers. He spoiled her, but before all that she was the subject of drills and expectations; fire bending forms and military strategy..in addition to all the duties and customs a princess is tasked to uphold. Truly it is saddening."
"I see," Yamamoto pondered, removing his cap as he thought over Iroh's words. The two talked and talked, driving into a prolonged conversation of whatever needed to be said about the current Fire Lord, the Fire Nation, the war, and explanations of the duty of the avatar.
"Do you appreciate tea, Admiral?" Iroh inquired.
"I do indeed," he replied. "Do you carry that with you everywhere? This is a tomb as well."
Iroh had just finished setting up his tea kettle. "You never know when the time for tea will present itself. I'm sure my grandfather wouldn't mind. What tea would you like?"
"Matcha," the admiral replied, beginning to settle in. "Do you know matcha?"
"I do," Iroh replied. "It's quite expensive, and rather rare here. I'm afraid I don't have any with me."
"Kyoto has the best matcha tea," the admiral asserted. "I think I have..my tin of matcha still on me," he said, fumbling around on the inside of his uniform coat. "Here it is."
"If that is true, then I can only wish to one day visit your country, Admiral," Iroh stated.
"Japan is a beautiful place," Yamamoto complemented. "If you know matcha, then you know it is best if whisked."
"And for that, I do have one," Iroh followed up. "With such a beautiful country, and a focus on harmony, why do you fight such a brutal war?"
"It is admittedly brutal, but Japan needs resources. Our country, being an island, lacks the resources needed to fuel our ships, industry, and economy. In the previous world war, we were shorted by our own allies while they reaped the rewards and resources mainly for themselves. To keep our country moving, and progressing, we needed to source from abroad."
"Aggression is never the best way to attain what is needed," Iroh spoke. "I take it your current enemies took action against your nation's aggression."
"Of course," he scoffed. "They threaten to starve our industrial capacity. Ceasing oil trade among other essential resources Japan needs in order to function."
"I know you see them as your enemies now. But one day, maybe not tomorrow or the coming years, but sometime in the future, who are now your sworn enemies may become your closest allies," he preached as he finally poured out the two cups of tea. "Once you set aside all this senseless aggression and hatred, you can begin to work things out. Inevitably, you will come to a much better and more harmonious solution to which you can both benefit."
"Senseless, you say," Yamamoto remarked. "Our army may be known for its brutal ways, but our navy operates on necessity."
"You are fighting a rather brutal campaign here in the fire nation, and even more relentless one in the Earth Kingdom are you not? I've heard the stories and seen the devastation."
"In order to return to our world, we must focus all our efforts in capturing the avatar. To do that, we must end this war; a task daunting enough as it is, but now the Americans have a part to play in this and we must also accommodate the destruction and defeat of our own enemy. It will inevitably require force," the admiral processed, taking a sip of tea. It was well prepared.
"I don't know the full details of your war with the Americans, but I think you are viewing this in the wrong light," Iroh countered. He remained as calm as ever. "In this world, separated from your own, you, and the Americans, have an opportunity most armies will never have." He sipped his tea. "You are both operating here without your leaders, isolated from your governments and all the orders which come from them. You have the opportunity to talk, settle, and work together here in this world."
"It will never happen," the admiral emphasized, "It can't."
"Can or cannot, it all depends on you. But from my point of view, your best chances of finding a way back to your world is to set aside your differences and work together."
"How do you think, General Iroh, our fleets can possibly set aside the conflict? It's impossible at this point."
Iroh looked to the admiral, really putting emphasis on his reply. "Being a moderator, settling conflict, and restoring peace and balance, is the specialty and duty of the avatar."
"What is the situational report?" Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo asked his congregated officer corps, beginning the meeting.
The IJN had now established a centralized headquarters within the Fire Nation's war ministry. No longer did they have to call together staff aboard a specified ship, be it a carrier or battleship, the Japanese admiralty now had its own centralized fleet headquarters in the Fire Nation. Often, the IJN headquarters would also task and manage task forces and operations of Fire Navy vessels as well. Fire Navy admirals, commanders, and captains, as well as equally ranked officers of the army, visited often to consult and receive orders from their advanced counterparts.
The structure was heavily guarded. Sentries, personnel cycled from ships in port, were stationed in every hallway, every corner of the yard, and in balconies throughout the exterior of the ornate and ancient building. Gun towers were constructed around the perimeter which housed more riflemen and machine gun positions.
Gathered in the main war room, were the highest ranking officers of the combined fleet; commanders, captains, and admirals from all the capital ships and heavy cruisers. They represented the seniority,the upper echelon of the ranks, and as such now took up the duty of managing the military operations of both the fleet, and the cooperative war efforts.
"Three of our aircraft carriers are currently deployed in assault operations throughout the Earth Kingdom," an officer reported. "Admiral Yamaguchi is currently leading carrier Hiryu along the southern Earth Kingdom coastline engaging Earth Kingdom merchant shipping and overseeing the mine laying of the waters as well as deploying the refitted submarine to attack the American naval group." He shifted the attention to the other grouping of markers on the table top operations map. "Carriers Kaga and Soryu, have been continuing operations in the Crescent Isle and in the central channel inland through the Earth Kingdom. For the past weeks they have been launching aerial assaults against Earth Kingdom army units and known implacements in the central earth kingdom. In the open, the Earth Kingdom units are open and vulnerable to machine gun fire and dive bombing, but in later stages they retreated into the mountains, canyons, and valleys, heavily entrenching themselves in the formations. Since then, they've become much more defended and harder to cut down or blast. And while earth bending initially was not an effective means of anti-aircraft measures, the earthbenders have reportedly gotten more adept at both increasing the volume and mass of the stones they throw into the air, but they have also gotten more acquainted with aircraft attack patterns and have a sufficient understanding of how high to throw and when. Though we still cut down massive numbers of earth kingdom soldiers, our aircraft and aircrew losses have slowly begun to mount. Soryu's aircraft wing was taken the greatest hit and she now operates at forty five percent of her original air wing with Kaga maintaining a higher complement, but sustaining comparable losses over the course of their extended deployment. Battleships Fuso, Haruna, and Mutsu, remain unrivaled and deadly effective with their artillery barrages, but are rendered useless once targets are out of gunnery range."
"And of our destroyer deployments?" Nagumo shifted.
The officer who had responsibility for the operations stood up to report. "We have just received the hawk-transmitted reports from Fubuki and Yukikaze. The two have reached the waters approaching the Southern Water Tribe in the South Pole. Initial observation finds the village to be as small, weak, and vulnerable as initially anticipated. Familiar naval crews of the Fire Navy's Southern Raiders inform us that the village is inhabited exclusively by women, elders, and children; none with any ability to waterbend whatsoever. Alignment with the Empire is anticipated to be very easy and require minimal force. Our destroyer crews report that they anticipate not needing to fire their onboard armaments and expect immediate submission given how weak and disorganized they are."
"The wartime production here in the home islands?" Nagumo once again transitioned, not once turning from the window which overlooked the city and palace.
"Fire Lord Azula has ordered the increase of production ten fold," a lieutenant commander began. "With round the clock and hastened production of the stricter decrees and work mandates, they have launched twenty new battleships, fitted to IJN improvement standards, into the Fire Navy, in the past week alone, additionally commissioning fifteen new airships as well. Ordinance and weapons manufacturing also has hastened. Aircraft bombs, bullets, cannon rounds, and artillery shells have been continually supplied to the fleet. Our warships still expend primary and secondary shells at a slightly faster rate than Fire Nation production can reproduce them, but industry and tooling is quickly adapting." Slowly, the industrial capability of this regime is beginning to match the output of Japan's own, even potentially exceeding it in certain aspects," he concluded. "At present we are on track to meet the required amassed force for the coming of the comet."
"At this rate, we will be more than capable of annihilating the American naval fleet either during or before the final assault of the war," Nagumo anticipated. "However, Lieutenant Miyamoto, you have filed a report of concern. Please report the findings of your investigation."
"Intelligence department is finding that there is increasing opposition to the new regime," the Lieutenant announced. He drew the attention of all the senior officers present at the meeting. "Support here throughout the home islands and the capital city is more consistent, especially since we have been purging whatever resistance remains in both the civilian and military scenes. However," he paused, "Army and some navy units deployed abroad in the Earth Kingdom, as well as a growing number of Fire Nation colonies have been reported to oppose the seizure of power through coup. Many remain loyal to Fire Lord Ozai and refuse to acknowledge the shift. Furthermore, they also reject our direct involvement in the coup and our increased influence in their military, government, and war efforts."
"Is Fire Lord Azula aware of this opposition?" another officer asked.
"Yes," the vice admiral interrupted, "She is very well aware."
"How will the final offensive be carried out with the colonies and even military units falling out of favor and alignment?" another questioned. "It is an issue which we may not be able to solve before the comet."
"Simply put," Nagumo responded, "We won't." He turned to face his officer corps. "Rather, the focus of the comet's coming day is to fight fire with fire. In the march to Ba Sing Se, the known colonies, military units and fortifications, known to oppose the regime- to oppose the empire-, will also be crushed."
Shock and surprise sunk into the room's mood.
"This is a problem we as Japanese have faced before in our centuries long past, and as a result it calls for a Japanese solution. If you all recall during the Sengoku period, the time of warring clans throughout Japan, the country was unified under a single banner through force as a means of attaining submission and loyalty," he asserted. "Since they will be comprised of firebenders who will also be enhanced by the comet's influence, the main priority of our firebenders will be to eradicate those who oppose. Our battleships in partnership with the home island's blockade task forces will engage and sink any rogue ships and shell coastal positions and towns as well. We will launch a coordinated and overwhelming assault against the opposing colonies and forcibly realign the extended territories," Nagumo finished with emphasis. "Since the scale of the operation will be massive, the rest of the earth kingdom will fall in the background, and whatever is left when the comet leaves the atmosphere, will fall in the coming days at most, which will conclude the war and attain Fire Nation victory."
Nagumo was not finished in his briefing. His tone shifted, and to the surprise of some of the commanders in the room, his campaign continued. "Once the Earth Kingdom falls, and the Avatar by this point is long dead.. We, His majesty's Imperial Navy, will shift our focus on the capital and the home islands." His volume became lower and more personal. This was meant exclusively for Japanese ears to hear. "The current regime currently serves its purpose well as a point of focus and representation for us to finish this war and rally its efforts. But, at the end of it all, even Azula will exhaust her use to us. The entire Fire Nation government, sages, and military officials as a whole will pass its point of usefulness to the Empire. They will be seen as the pinnacle of power and authority following the conclusion of the war and extension of the territory across the Earth Kingdom's lands, but then once they are forcefully removed, the remaining leaders will have little choice but to submit to our rule. We have been steadily gaining support in the existing Fire Army ranks, and the allegiance continues to grow day by day. When the blood stops flowing, we will establish the next extension of the Empire of Japan. Here in this world."
Chatter ensued among the high ranking staff. Some questioned the operation, while others fully supported.
"Our primary enemy for the comet is no longer the Earth Kingdom, but rather the Fire Nation itself. It will take fire to fight fire, and at the very end of it, we will take all," he concluded.
The gangway to board in comparison to those of her own navy was much narrower. There was no cordon of sailors to her left or right lining the steel ramp as she ascended to the main deck of the heavy cruiser; primarily because they would not be able to fit. Behind her, two Fire Nation generals followed in single file, and ahead were the awaiting crew of the foreign warship. The bristiling canons of the ship's forward three turrets having their outline cast on the harbor by the reddened sun which soared directly behind. This was one of many first visits Azula was carrying out to the anchored Japanese warships.
The silhouettes of two uniformed men at the end of the ramp were also outlined by the sun's rays, their faces not visible from the angle. Although armed, they had their rifles slung over their shoulders for a more passive and peaceful reception of today's guest. She looked to her left, observing how high above the docks her party had climbed despite only being three-fourths of the way up. She noted the length of the cruiser, as well as it's sleekness in design. Azula was by no means an admiral, but she could tell this vessel was among the upper echelon of ships in the Fire Nation in terms of speed, likely even rivaling or exceeding the capabilities of her own. Above the ship's superstructure, flew the now common sight of the banner of the rising sun. Center on the banner in the circle that formed the sun however, was the black three pronged insignia of the Fire Nation.
Crossing the threshold at the top of the ramp, the two IJN sentries rendered their hand salutes as the monarch of the nation passed before them. Azula and her adjutant officers, now accustomed to form, sharply returned the gesture; the sentries dropping their salutes only after the triage had done so first.
"It is an honor to welcome you aboard, Fire Lord Azula, to His majesty's ship, Atago," a ranking officer nearby greeted. He was dressed sharply in his ceremonial uniform, as was the rest of the crew onboard for the day. Her accompanying generals also donned their most presentable uniforms, but Azula had skipped the robes usually associated with the fire lord or any of the nobility. Rather, for her visits, she opted to wear her armor, bringing her appearance more in line with the enlisted men of the armed forces, sparing the black and gold trim which characterized royal armor.
"Please, ensign," she replied in a gentle and respectful manner, "The honor is all mine. No one before me in the grand history of the Fire Nation has had the glorious opportunity and privilege to set foot aboard such a marvelous and majestic warship."
The young officer was surprised in a pleasant way. Not only had she become familiar in Japanese traditional and military customs and courtesies, she had also become familiar with rank. The teenage monarch was able to identify his rank simply by the pins mounted on his uniform's high collar. "I was granted the honor of showing the Fire Lord and company around the ship," he continued, "Shall we begin?"
"Yes," Azula answered, "I look forward to learning more about your ship and crews."
Ever since the seizure of power and the further accomodation of the IJN into the Fire Nation homeland, as a symbol of trust and good faith the IJN had also been allowing Fire Nation officials and high ranking officers to come aboard and be guided about the various ships of the combined fleet. It was in hopes that the Fire Nation would also begin to become familiar and adopt more Japanese military customs and methods of operation, as well as learn superior tactics and weapons from crews and officers.
Azula, of course, had a different objective in mind however.
"This cruiser, Atago, was present during the operation through the Earth Kingdom, yes?" Azula asked. "One of the key ships to break through the stubborn barrier of the Earth Kingdom's remaining naval forces."
"Yes," the ensign answered. He lead the group down from the main deck below to lower weapon's levels. The group entered the starboard side torpedo compartments. Two, type 92 quadruple launchers were positioned by the two large openings in the ship's side. "In addition to the barrage provided by the ten guns present in the main battery above, our torpedoes are still among the most valuable warheads we can employ. In terms of sinking the earth kingdom's naval blockade, as well as merchant shipping, they were ill equipped to deal with damage which occurs below the waterline, likely because it has never happened to them before."
"How do these weapons work?" one of the Fire Nation officers inquired.
"When using, these launchers are aimed out the side of the ship overlooking the water. Pressurized air will then launch the torpedo out from the launcher and into the water below," the ensign explained. "Torpedoes are self-propelled warheads. So once they are in the water they propel themselves forth and detonate upon impact below the waterline of a ship, causing critical amounts of damage and flooding. Japan's torpedoes are among the best in the world as well. Certainly in comparison to their American counterparts."
As the ensign explained further details such as range, speed, and impact, characteristics of the weapon system to the two generals, Azula turned her attention from the mundane and rather boring classroom lecture to the handful of enlisted men who she assumed manned this particular weapon system.
"A very important duty indeed," she said strolling over to the men.
They glanced at each other, humoring the approach and comments given to them by whom they viewed as mere teenage girl. But their opinions began to change when she began to casually ask more in-depth questions about how they carried out their duties. How was this weapon aimed? What factors did they have to account for when targeting a moving ship? She then would move to questions about their lives back home. Where in Japan were they from? What are their hometowns like? What were their lives like before the war? Wives? Children? What were they hoping to do first once they returned?
Slowly, but at a constant pace, the young Fire Lord won the respect of the enlisted crews she spoke with. Praising their individual duties, accomplishments, and rank, and taking interest in listening to their concerns, hopes, insights, and complaints.
As they moved from weapon station to weapon station; torpedo bays, anti-aircraft guns, main batteries; and from compartment to compartment from the engine rooms to the command bridge, Azula made sure to speak with the enlisted crews of the ships she visited while her accompanying officers kept their guide busy with the ins, outs, and specifics of each position and role of the ship.
After several hours, the group concluded its exhausting and in depth tour of the Atago. Another ship familiarization tour under her belt. The sun, now halfway below the horizon and the skies turning a more saturated red and orange with hues of purple.
"Thank you, Ensign Maeda," Azula extended. "Your tour was most insightful and very much appreciated. I look forward to our further alliance."
She joined her hands together in her lap and bowed to the young officer a gesture of gratitude.
He returned the gesture promptly, "No no, the honor is mine once again," he returned."
As the three Fire Nation guests passed the two guards by the boarding ramp, they were met with one last salute. This time, a salute presenting their rifles before them. The sentries had been rotated from the two who had received them hours earlier. Behind their stone-faced stare of military bearing which gazed through and beyond the rifle and bayonet they presented before them, Azula could sense and see the respect the two men held toward her, one that felt faintly like allegiance.