Shinu liked to believe himself to be a professional man. He served dutifully as commander of the Pohuai Stronghold for several years already, with little incident to speak of. And as director of the elite Yuyan Archers, he was constantly exposed to operational action that kept him grounded on the realities of the field. Still, Shinu couldn't help but feel a petty satisfaction upon seeing Zhao's face tighten in frustration.
In Shinu's mind, Zhao was too arrogant and unashamedly ambitious to be completely trusted. Men like him are so hungry for power, they take any measure to take it, including treating others as collateral for their rise. Such self-serving individuals would be the death of any competent military, as they would misuse all things to satisfy their vanity and ambition.
Alas, that same personality made Zhao stand out to the Fire Lord, granting him a promotion. And as a simple Colonel, Shinu can do nothing but indulge Zhao's requests and keep his petty amusements on Zhao's misfortunes to himself.
"Admiral, your orders?" Shinu asked plainly, though the tug on the corner of his lips betrayed his amusement. Fortunately, Zhao was still facing towards the soldiers beyond the walls and so did not notice.
Before Zhao could voice out any command however, new figures quickly came into view. From what Shinu could see, it was a group of Komodo rhinos galloping along the western road. There were about two dozen rhinos in the group, all of them armored and with Fire Nation riders. Shinu made out the Fire Nation banner raised by the group with its distinctive black trident flame on a red field. Shinu also made out another banner raised by the riders: three black horns styled into a flame on a red field.
'The Komodo Dragons.' Shinu recognized, recalling the famed heavy cavalry regiment and their young leader, Senzin Zhou.
'Last I remember, the Komodo Dragons were operating near Ba Sing Se. What are they doing here?' Shinu mused internally, curious as to their purpose so far from the front.
As the group slowed their approach towards the soldiers outside, Shinu noticed that Zhao was gritting his teeth.
Shinu suddenly remembered from his talks with fellow officers that Zhao had cultivated petty rivalries, one of which was with Senzin Zhou. If the rumors were to be believed, Zhao enjoyed antagonizing those he saw as his inferior, especially those supposedly of higher standing than him. That would explain why Zhao's continued antagonism towards the young, disgraced noble Zhou and Zhao's more recent rivalry with the exiled Prince Zuko.
'A petty man with children as rivals. The reason as to why this man became an admiral continues to escape me.' Shinu thought as he saw riders steadily making their way towards the gates.
"Will you accompany me to greet our guests, Admiral?" Shinu tentatively asked, unsure on how Zhao would take the question. Shinu saw Zhao's jaw tighten for a moment, as if the man were contemplating something, before he finally turned around and responded.
"I will join you, Colonel." Zhao said with a devious smirk on his lips, which Shinu felt only heralded trouble. Still, there was nothing he could really do and so he simply bowed in acknowledgement and led the admiral down from the walls and towards the gates.
They only waited for a few minutes before the Komodo Dragons arrived inside the stronghold. Up close, he could see the familiar armor worn by firebender soldiers on each of the rider. The only one without the iconic faceplate was the man leading the group, his young face Shinu recognized as Senzin Zhou.
"We rode quickly after we saw the fog suddenly appear. The soldiers outside also told us about the Avatar escaping. Is that true?" Senzin asked as he dismounted his Komodo rhino and walked in front of Shinu and Zhao.
"It is as the soldiers said. We were able to capture the Avatar, but a masked culprit broke him out just now." Shinu informed Senzin who simply nodded in acknowledgement.
"I see. So the reports weren't lying, the Avatar has returned. Such a shame that he considers himself an enemy of the Fire Nation." Senzin mused before continuing.
"Anyways, I thank you both for receiving me. Colonel Shinu, Commander Zhao." Zhou greeted, bowing to each person respectfully.
From the corner of his eye, Shinu saw Zhao smirk at Senzin's greeting and knew he was going to respond with arrogance.
"Actually, its Admiral Zhao now." Zhao smugly said, placing an emphasis on 'admiral' to stress his rank over Zhou.
"Is that so? I guess congratulations are in order then, Admiral Zhao." Senzin congratulated politely, giving another respectful bow towards Zhao.
Shinu barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes in exasperation at the pettiness of Zhao. Instead, he simply gave a nod of acknowledgement towards Senzin.
"We welcome you to Pohuai, Colonel Zhou. Though, I am curious as for your purpose here, this far from the front." Shinu greeted back before inquiring about the colonel's purpose.
Before the twenty-one-year-old colonel could answer, however, Zhao interjected, his smirk now a full smile that spoke of scheme unfurling.
"Your reason here is irrelevant, Colonel Zhou. Seeing as my mission to capture the Avatar is more pressing, I am requesting your unit's support." Zhao stated, his tone more akin to an order than a request.
Shinu's eyes slightly narrowed at this request. He could vaguely see where Zhao wanted to bring this but since Zhao was the highest-ranking officer in the area, Shinu could do nothing to prevent it.
"As much as I would like to join you in your mission, Admiral, I am preoccupied with my own task to complete." Senzin answered in a conciliatory tone, though how much sincere it was, Shinu honestly could not determine.
"Allow me to rephrase. As admiral, I am requesting your units support." Zhao spoke again, this time with a much more authoritative tone.
'As I suspected.' Shinu thought. It was obvious from the start of the Zhao's request that the man only wanted Senzin to be under his command not for his expertise but for the sole reason that Zhao wanted to exercise his rank over Senzin. It was a sad thing to see a promising officer wasted just for the sake Zhao's petty satisfaction.
"And as a general, I am telling you that I am preoccupied with my own mission." Senzin responded, his tone suddenly becoming steel and uncompromising.
Shinu's eyes widened in surprise at the information. This young man was already promoted to general? While Shinu acknowledged the many achievements that Senzin Zhou achieved in his successful five-year career in the military, even supporting cases for his past promotions, this apparent promotion to general left a bad taste in Shinu's mouth. For all of Senzin's achievements, he was still Shinu's junior in age and experience, and so his promotion to a higher rank was a slap to Shinu's face who remained a colonel.
Before Shinu could indulge in the bitterness he felt at the seemingly lack of recognition of his service, he noticed the shocked and barely concealed anger on Zhao's face. While Senzin's promotion still left a bad taste in Shinu's mouth, seeing Zhao frustrated and unable to respond was a somewhat good consolation.
"I guess congratulations are in order." Shinu finally spoke, breaking the silence between the three officers.
"Yes. Congratulations." Zhao followed, which Shinu noted was forced through the man's teeth.
"If you would excuse me, I have to prepare to resume my search."
With that, Zhao left towards the citadel of the stronghold, fists clenched together in poorly restrained rage.
"As for my purpose here, Colonel Shinu, I am requesting that my unit be allowed here while I prepare transportation for my assignment." Senzin asked Shinu formally.
No matter his feelings on Senzin's promotion, Shinu reminded himself of the standards asked from all members of the Fire Nation military.
"Pohuai Stronghold is yours, General Zhou." Shinu answered neutrally, giving a bow.
"Thank you, Colonel Shinu." Senzin responded respectfully, bowing as well.
While his duty has already been fulfilled and as much as he wanted to just return to his quarters and sleep everything off, Shinu was curious as to what Senzin was tasked with away from the front.
"If I may ask, what is your assignment?" Shinu inquired.
"I am to join with the rest of my army in one of our outposts in the Southern Air Temples and from there, lead the campaign of the Southern Earth Kingdom." Senzin answered.
"And my first objective: Capture Omashu."
