Avatar: The Last Airbender Created By: Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko
Avatar: The Last Airbender Owned By: Nickelodeon, a subsidiary of Viacom
All original content and characters © Acastus


Chapter VI – The War College

Shadows danced around the throne room of the Fire Lord. The members of the War College not on campaign sat cross legged around the enormous world map that covered much of the floor. Numerous colored tiles on the map recorded current and proposed future positions of various military units.

Prince Xian stood at the head of the map facing the Fire Lord's throne. Iroh stood on his right, Tien Shin on his left. Xian had spent the last hour explaining his plans in detail for the spring offensive now only a few months away. The grim figure of Fire Lord Azulon watched dully from his throne on the dais. He had spoken not a word since his terse greeting to Xian when the former had entered the chamber with his two feuding lieutenants.

"In summary, my Lords," concluded Xian in his clear, confident voice, "we will land not at Yu Dao, as the enemy almost certainly expects, but more than six hundred leagues to the north, in the Gulf of Gela," Xian pointed at the rim of the sparsely populated coast, "There we will join the rest of the Army of the Great Divide, and invade the Nasu Plain from the northwest after crossing the Arno River. When we threaten the rich cities of the Nasu from this unexpected quarter there will be panic. Nifong will attack, he must, and when he does we will destroy him."

A few moments of silence passed before a middle aged man with a shock of grey hair spoke, "I admire your confidence, General Xian. You do realize that landing in the gulf will put the Dune Sea between your army and Mequon, the nearest major Fire Nation base?"

"Yes, Field Marshal Jeong Jeong," Xian replied, "As I said earlier, we have no intention of entering the Dune Sea and we're confident Nifong won't either. At least, he has never gone into the desert before. Since his forces will still be more mobile than ours, I believe cutting the maneuvering room will work to our general advantage. Also, at the Fire Lord's order, Chieng Shiung herself will be joining us to set up the supply staging area in the gulf. With her assistance, I will personally ensure that the logistics are well managed."

Jeong Jeong grunted his acceptance of the explanation, before continuing, "Your plan also relies heavily on the performance of the new armored vehicles. Can you report to us on the results of the training and field tests of these weapons so far?"

"Of course, the field tests have shown that the tank armor is strong enough to deflect almost any stone bombardment. They can take a direct hit from stones up to…"

Xian turned to Tien Shin who supplied without hesitation, "Up to almost a ton without any significant damage, Field Marshal. Further, in combat our tanks will be moving fast enough that they will be hard to hit by all except the most skilled earthbenders. Our men will be able to strike with virtual impunity. We have little to fear from Nifong with these new mobile forces."

Jeong Jeong turned his steady gaze to Tien Shin, took his measure and questioned, "You are in command of the mobile forces are you not?"

"I am," replied the Prince with some pride.

"And on what evidence do you base this conclusion?"

Slightly taken aback, Tien Shin answered, 'The field tests…"

"…are not sufficient evidence to justify your asinine assumption that we have nothing to fear from the enemy," Jeong Jeong finished sternly. "Nifong has been handing arrogant Fire Nation commanders their heads for twenty years now and if you aren't careful, you'll end up just like them. What do your brigade leaders say, hmm? Do they agree with your optimistic assessment?"

Tien Shin's eyes narrowed dangerously as he replied, "The ones with sound judgment agree with me, yes."

"Commanders Ryu and Nikon do not agree," spoke a man with short white hair several places down from Jeong Jeong.

Tien Shin turned to face this new opponent and spoke, the trace of an edge to his voice, "As I said, Master Chen, the leaders with sound judgment agree with my assessment. Commander Nikon, at least," Tien Shin's taut features relaxed into a smile as he continued, "has been the subject of several disciplinary actions already. It is unclear whether he will even be permitted to join us on the campaign."

"Oh?" replied Chen softly, "I've known Nikon for all his adult life and trained him in firebending. When he applies his mind, he is neither impulsive nor rash in his judgment. A wise commander, Prince, understands the value of different viewpoints. Perhaps you should pay more attention to the opinions of those on whom your life may depend in battle."

Enraged, Tien Shin retorted, "I doubt my life will depend on the opinion of an insignificant slave like him, Master Chen, no matter who his friends are."

Iroh drew breath to respond, but Xian turned to his cousin with a raised hand and a plea in his eyes. Iroh exhaled without speaking, his eyes still fixed on Tien Shin. Xian turned back to his daimyo and replied firmly, "You go too far, Tien Shin. Commander Nikon's inability to hide his personal disdain for certain of his colleagues does not diminish the validity of his assessment in this matter. Personally, I see both great strengths and significant weaknesses with these machines."

As Xian finished Iroh was finally able to add with an accusatory finger pointed at his step brother, "Nikon is right Tien Shin, you are just too blind to see it!"

"To see what, Prince Iroh? What is the matter here?" The irritated question had come from the dais, and all eyes turned to its occupant.

Recognizing the dangerous tone in his father's voice, Iroh replied, "Father, it is clear that these machines are, in fact, the mighty weapons we hoped them to be. Tien Shin does not exaggerate the machine's ability to withstand earthbending attacks, but equally clear are its many drawbacks." Iroh paused a moment to collect his thoughts. Then, at a slow and measured pace he began to count off each reason, "They are huge, loud, and slower than our own cavalry, let alone General Nifong's. They consume a tremendous amount of fuel and apparently need hours of maintenance every day,' then turning back to his enemy, Iroh continued with rising heat, "It makes no sense to just keep congratulating ourselves on how smart we are for creating these things when what we should be focusing on is learning how best to use them!"

"Are we to understand, then, that you disagree with General Xian's plan, Iroh?" came Tien Shin's silky reply.

Iroh laughed at this obvious trap and replied, "Oh, very smooth, "brother"! Of course I support Xian's plan. It calls for drawing Nifong into attacking our armor, not vice versa. That will eliminate their speed advantage and as long as the ground is relatively dry and stone free, we should achieve the victory we seek."

"Caution," Xian broke in, "is advisable in this situation for many reasons. Iroh and Nikon are correct in their assessment of both the strengths and the weaknesses of this new technology. Chieng Shiung is making improvements to the machines every day, however, and for that reason I'm confident that we'll be able to overcome some of the defects in short order."

"On the other hand, the army will consist of one part inexperienced men, and the other part demoralized men who have been beaten now by General Nifong many times. We must work toward several small, quick victories while looking for an opportunity to force the enemy to attack us on favorable ground at a time of our choosing."

"Caution, General," disagreed the Fire Lord in an acid tone, "is what has brought us year after year of disgraceful news from the front. Your initial plan of attack is appropriate, but what is this I am hearing from you now? Inexperience and morale as excuses for inaction? Such pronouncements stink of defeatism. Find the enemy, destroy him and both your problems will be solved! Your father won his victories with bold strokes, Xian, and that is what I look for in his son."

Xian looked down, embarrassed at the admonishment from the Fire Lord, "Forgive me, Uncle. I will not disappoint you or the memory of my father by failing in the task you have given me. I will engage and defeat the enemy before the end of summer as you have instructed."

A middle aged man with a cruel face and black hair who sat across from Master Chen spoke next, "We cannot afford to dither, General Xian. Tien Shin is right for more reasons than he has articulated. Technology advantages, however real, are notoriously temporary. You must use the advantage these weapons afford us to achieve a quick, decisive victory over the enemy before they find a way to neutralize it."

Jeong Jeong, shaking his head in barely suppressed anger, replied, "Even if that is the case, General Cho, that is hardly justification for sending barely trained troops into high risk combat situations that –"

"Enough of this bickering!" thundered the Fire Lord from the dais. Jeong Jeong stilled himself instantly, his anger cooling. He looked down at the map on the floor, an impassive expression sliding down like a veil over his face.

"General Xian," Azulon continued, "are you prepared to execute this plan?"

"I am, Lord Azulon. Do I have your approval?"

"You have my support, General," the Fire Lord corrected severely, "I approve nothing until it is an undisputed success," Azulon then looked from side to side, panning his gaze across the chamber before continuing, "This council is ended. Leave, all of you! I wish to speak to Prince Iroh alone."

Iroh stood in silence, steeling himself for what he knew was coming, as the members of the War College rose and exited. Xian bowed low and withdrew, followed by Tien Shin who bowed low to the Fire Lord and slightly to Iroh before exiting.

As the echoes of the last footsteps died away, Fire Lord Azulon spoke, his voice like a razor, "Speak, Prince Iroh. You obviously have something to say."

Iroh hesitated, momentarily flummoxed, but frustration and anger welling up within supplied the question that had been burning him for months since the Harvest Moon Feast, "Father, why did you appoint Tien Shin daimyo instead of me? He has no more combat experience than I do!"

Azulon snorted and replied in a softer tone, "So there it is, finally. If you're so interested in the politics of my leadership decisions, you're asking the wrong question. But, I can see why you focus on this."

"I am not accountable to you, Prince Iroh, but I shall answer you nonetheless, because I expect you to work with Tien Shin and obey him as long as he is your superior officer. Is that clear?"

The Fire Lord's son glowered, but replied, "It is, Father."

"Tien Shin is daimyo because of the fear he will inspire in the officer corps. He is not the only successful state prosecutor, but he is by far the most feared. The Earth Kingdom and its allies are powerful enemies to be sure, Prince Iroh, but far more dangerous are those who plot assassination and insurrection within our own ranks. Remember the lessons of the Civil War which your grandfather Sozin and I fought!"

"I had not considered this, Father. But why do you trust him? His ambition is limitless!"

"I trust no one, Iroh. You are my eldest child and one day you will rule this nation and the world as Fire Lord. I pray you carve into your heart the bitter lessons I have learned before you take my place."

Anger welling up within him Iroh replied, "What lessons, Father? I see only that Tien Shin has acquired tremendous power by putting honest men to death for treasons that probably never happened! Most of those he has had condemned were never our enemies! And those that were may not have been if we'd done things differently!"

"And I tell you they were!" thundered the Fire Lord as he rose out of his seat. Father and son locked eyes for a few moments in silent conflict before Iroh looked down at the floor. Azulon sat down once again and allowed a few moments of silence to pass before continuing in a softer voice.

"You have not yet learned, my son, that you are and always will be surrounded by enemies, as I have been. In the government, the War College, even your own family."

A strange look spread over the Fire Lord's face as he concluded, "You are correct that Tien Shin's ambition is not to be taken lightly. However, this is your problem. My concern is that Nifong is eliminated by the end of next summer. This is your goal, as well as Tien Shin's and Xian's. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Father."

"Then you are dismissed, Prince Iroh, my son."