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 IX – Goodbye To All That

The weather broke less than two weeks later. Gone were the cold, rainy skies and tempestuous seas that made ocean travel so dangerous in winter. True to his word, Xian had instantly moved up the date of the invasion.

The pace of loading had increased dramatically and the activity around the harbor had reached a fevered crescendo before all suddenly became still. Earlier that day the Fire Lord had seen them off in a grand ceremony on the steps of the Palace. Accompanied by his second wife, Azulon had bid them farewell with a stony countenance.

Xian, clad in his ceremonial steel, had mounted the white marble staircase on the east side of the palace to kneel before his Uncle. Tien Shin had climbed with him. The staircase and the streets leading up to them were lined with thousands of people, many of whom were wishing fathers, brothers, mothers and sisters goodbye.

The Fire Lord had spoken a few words to his nephew that were unintelligible to any bystander. He had then handed Xian a scroll, the token of his office and the symbol of his authority from the Fire Lord. The crowd cheered as the young General had stood, his daimyo following suit. Lady Ila had then stepped forward and handed her son a letter which he had taken and inserted into a fold of his long red cloak.

Iroh had watched all of this from far below where he stood at the head of the procession. Even though it had happened only a few hours ago, it still seemed but a dream.

Putting aside thoughts of this uncomfortable farewell, Iroh and Nikon now sat on a pair of stools on the observation deck outside the bridge of the great battleship Sulaco. It was twilight and the fleet was to sail on the morning tide. Proud towers of iron and steel, the mighty ships of the Fire Nation lined the docks in deceptively quiet anticipation of the violence and death that lay ahead. Below decks, the crew and soldiers of the Army were finishing their evening meal.

Squinting, Iroh brought the book he was reading closer to his face, trying to read a few more pages before the gathering night made it impossible. A cool breeze threatened to flip the pages, but Iroh restrained them.

"You'll go blind reading in this light," a familiar voice sounded from behind the book.

Nikon stood and saluted sharply, a smile on his face, "That's what I tried to tell him, sir."

Iroh dropped his book to see his cousin, who motioned them to stand at ease.

"Enough of that, my friend, while we're alone at least. We've had enough pomp for today," then to his cousin with a wry grin, "Oh? Iroh with a book? A rare site indeed. What wondrous tome has the power to hold your attention, I wonder?"

"I nearly choked when he showed me," laughed Nikon.

Iroh held up the cover so that his cousin could read the title. "Lost Civilizations of the Ancient Earth Kingdom," read Xian, his eyebrows rising in surprise, "Wondrous indeed!"

"Yes. I tried to find something on recent Earth Kingdom history, but there was very little. We don't know much about our opponents, do we?"

"Not as much as we'd like, no. But then, have you learned anything of value from this?" he inquired with mock severity.

Iroh turned towards his cousin and replied, "I'm not sure how valuable, but certainly some things of interest. Whether or not I believe any of it is an entirely different matter. I know the monorails are real – you've seen them. But ships that fly through the air? Buildings so tall they touch the sky?"

"It seems fantastic, doesn't it?" Xian replied as he walked over to the railing. Two figures, a man and a woman, had just boarded the ship on the weather deck below. They were saluted by the watch guards and escorted over to the main hatch. Xian turned back to his friends as the newcomers entered the superstructure below and continued, "But, I have seen some strange things in the Earth Kingdom during my travels, and I have heard many tales."

"I don't believe any of it," Nikon stated flatly. "If they were so far ahead back then, why aren't they invading us instead of the other way around?"

Iroh considered this briefly. The question troubled him. Though fantastic, he knew there was little doubt among Fire Nation scholars that the glorious achievements of these ancient Earth Kingdom states were matters of historical fact rather than fantasy. But now, they were long since gone, the stuff of legend even by the time of Chin the Conqueror. If their technology and advanced civilizations could not protect them from ultimate dissolution, what would the future bring for the Fire Nation?

"I'm not sure," replied the Crown Prince, his brow furrowing in worry. "Perhaps, as this book suggests, it was plague, natural disasters, civil wars, or some combination. It even claims some of the greatest states of the ancient world were destroyed by mysterious weapons of frankly unbelievable power. Others it says were wiped out by giant monsters. I'm not sure I believe any of that, but these civilizations existed long ago, perhaps even before the first Avatar. The world must have been very different back then," remarked Iroh thoughtfully.

Shaking his head Nikon replied, "I still don't buy it. Look, nothing of value has been invented in the Earth Kingdom for heaven knows how long. Those people live the way their ancestors have for hundreds or even thousands of years. If what these books say is true, then in a few centuries the Fire Nation might end up back in the Dark Ages like the Earth Kingdom. I just don't believe it."

"You mean you don't want to believe it," corrected Iroh gently. "I don't want to either. However, that doesn't mean it's impossible. The real question is why did those civilizations collapse? And, more importantly, how can we prevent the same from happening to us?"

Iroh stood, dropped the book on his stool and stretched as Xian replied, "Well, how did you two suddenly become philosophers? Those are good questions, cousin, but the answers will have to wait."

Iroh and Nikon focused on their commanding officer as they heard the sounds of people entering the bridge behind them. A smile spread across Xian's face as he glanced behind him to confirm what his ears had detected.

Turning back to his friends he said, "Ah! And now I have surprise for you both."

"Oh?" questioned Iroh.

"Yes. Two, actually."

Several people mounted the ladder from below and entered the wheel room. Two, obviously guards, stayed behind while the other two exited onto the observation deck.

The taller of the two newcomers was Gan, dressed in the dark grey uniform of the Ministry of War. In his left hand he carried a tablet and stylus which he held out before him as if they were the source of some dread disease. As he caught sight of his friends, he shook his head in resignation. Xian's smile spread into a satisfied grin.

Iroh was delighted to see his friend so unexpectedly, but he couldn't help but focus on Gan's companion. Several inches shorter, she was probably a few years his and Nikon's senior. She had long black hair that she wore in a long ponytail and a pleasant figure which was utterly ruined by the expression of extreme displeasure that marred what otherwise would have been an attractive face.

Gan and the woman stopped in front of Iroh and Xian. Nikon instantly appeared on Xian's other side, placing himself in front of the unhappy woman. She ignored Nikon, keeping her sharp golden eyes fixed on Xian, as if her gaze might itself cause his instantaneous death.

"Gan! How wonderful to see you," Xian remarked with a mischievous grin.

"Your Highnesses," returned Gan with a stiff bow.

"But, Gan, why are you here?" asked Iroh incredulously.

Nikon tore his eyes away from the sour woman long enough to remark, "Yeh, it's not that we're unhappy to see you, but shouldn't you be doing some accounting or something back at the Ministry?"

"You're damn right I should," Gan shot back, looking with wide eyes at Xian. "But, I received this three hours ago."

Gan tore a black tube out of his uniform and handed it to Nikon. The seal was unmistakable. Fire Lord Azulon's missives were instantly recognizable in their ominous black cases.

Nikon began to open the tube, but Gan cut him off, "Oh, don't bother. It's really from Xian. I'm to be the Qu'ai Tau for the Army of the Great Divide and there isn't a thing I can do about it," turning to Xian to complete the thought, "is there?"

Xian placed his hand gently on Gan's shoulder and replied, "Not a thing, my friend."

"Qu'ai Tau? The finance officer? Isn't that a demotion, Gan?" remarked Nikon with a brazen laugh.

"Nonsense, Nikon, now don't bait him!" admonished Xian with a severe look at the young brigade leader.

Before Gan could himself reply to Nikon's remark, Iroh stepped forward and hugged his friend, who stiffened momentarily before hugging him back, "I'm so glad you're coming."

"I'm not, but, if I have to go get myself killed, at least I'll have decent company," then, with a nasty look at Nikon he added, "mostly decent, anyway."

"Speak for yourself, Gan," spoke the woman in an acid tone as she crossed her arms across her chest.

Gan disengaged from the Crown Prince and snorted, "Speak for you? Not if you paid me."

Iroh's eyes went wide. No one loved money as much as Gan. Normally such a comment would have excited laughter, but it was clear that this time he meant every word. The Crown Prince's eyes flicked back to the nameless woman before him.

After Nikon cleared his throat in an obvious signal, Xian supplied, "Oh, of course, Prince Iroh, son of Fire Lord Azulon and heir to the throne of the Fire Nation, this is Chieng Shiung, daughter of Liu Shiung."

"Your Highness," she intoned coldly.

So this is Chieng? No wonder she has a reputation, thought Iroh as she bowed ever so slightly before him.

"And this is Nikon Orlando, Commander of the 5th Armored Brigade," Xian motioned to Nikon, who bowed. "Nikon, this is Chieng Shiung, Commander, Strategic Rocket Forces."

"Formerly Commander of Strategic Rocket Forces," Chieng corrected, "Instead of developing the weaponry to end this war permanently I am being wasted on this, this babysitting expedition." She spat out the words as if she were expelling a poisonous liquid. "This is an outrage, General Xian."

"Not true," corrected Xian with a raised finger, "we will be using new technology in combat for the first time, technology developed by you. Adjustments will have to made – and fast. The success of this campaign –"

"I've heard it all before your Highness," she retorted sharply, cutting Xian off, "and frankly it's a crock of shit," she jabbed a finger at her commanding officer for emphasis, "You're robbing me of three whole sections of my technicians for this joyride. You don't need me."

Nikon held his chin in his hand and with an appraising look at her remarked, "I can think of a lot of reasons why we need you."

Iroh winced at the comment and both Xian and Gan looked uncomfortable.

Chieng turned, acknowledging Nikon for the first time. Looking back at Xian, incredulous, she said, "You've got to be kidding me," then back to Nikon. "Get this through your head right now. I have absolutely no interest in you. I'm not a hooker, so I don't see why you, given your reputation should have any interest in me either. Oh yes, I've heard of you. Everyone's heard of you. If you've got an ounce of intelligence you'll just ride your goddamn tank and let them win your battles for you. Moron."

Iroh's mouth hung open at this crushing retort. He felt as if he were an inch tall, and Chieng's withering insult had not even been directed at him.

The Crown Prince's shock was compounded when Nikon merely laughed and replied, addressing Xian, "Well, your Highness, what a shame her manners don't match her looks."

"Clever," she commented with derision, then, turning to Iroh, "this guy isn't going to be with us the whole campaign is he, Your Highness? Please tell me he's been selected to lead the direct frontal assault on Ba-Sing-Se or something."

"No, Chieng, I'm afraid you and he will have to work closely together since he is one of our best tank commanders," replied Iroh.

"That is possibly the saddest thing I've ever heard. Anyway, I'd have thought you would want to have the glory role. Why aren't you riding one of my tanks, Prince Iroh?"

The question was sudden and represented a shift in Chieng's demeanor. Her tone made clear she was still sharp enough make you bleed if she decided to cut you, but the rancor was replaced by intense curiosity.

"General Xian placed me in charge of the infantry. Like you Chieng, I do as my orders instruct. I am pleased to hear you so confident in your creations, however. Much rides on their success."

"More than this fool's life, to be sure," she said without even glancing at her target. "And why, indeed, should I not be confident? With my tanks we will be able to destroy the enemy with ease, at least on open ground. No intelligence or training required."

"Oh, and what about the speed?" questioned Nikon, clearly savoring the opportunity to act as prosecutor. "We got over the fuel filter disaster and the sun gear thing, but even with the larger engines these machines are half the speed of our Mongoose Dragon cavalry."

At this she turned to Nikon and replied smoothly, "I've solved that. During The Crossing we will strip off the belly armor. That will reduce the weight of each by almost forty stone. The field tests proved that even at the slower speed all but the strongest earthbenders will not be able to target our tanks. It's a done deal."

"Ha! You sound like our beloved daimyo."

"He, at least, has a brain. Where is he, by the way?"

"He is in command of the Hiryu," replied Iroh, pointing at an identical ship several vessels over. "You're free to join him for the voyage, if you like," the Crown Prince supplied hopefully.

"No," she replied, "Since I have been forced into this ridiculous position, I insist on doing the job properly. General Xian and I have to reorganize the operation planning. I have more than a dozen tank trains that we will use for strategic re-supply of our armored columns. But this means we have to change our existing plans."

Iroh's shoulders slumped at this disappointing response.

After a moment of uncomfortable silence Gan picked up the book Iroh had deposited on the stool and examined it.

"So, you've actually been reading this. I never thought you'd open it. Did you get to the bit about the air ships and the underground dams yet?"

"Yes, we were just talking about it when you arrived. Thanks for lending it to me," replied Iroh.

Chieng leaned over to read the title, "Why are you wasting the Crown Prince's time with that trash, Gan? He'd be much better off reading Sun Tzu or The Strategikon of Morykos or something."

"I've read those many times," Iroh replied cautiously, trying to hide his reaction to Chieng's assumption that he'd never even been introduced to such basic texts, "and there is little further for me to gain there without direct experience. I asked Gan for work on recent Earth Kingdom history, really hoping to learn something about General Nifong. Unfortunately, there was no direct information about him. I am afraid our enemy remains mostly a mystery."

Chieng arched an eyebrow and commented, "Well, Your Highness, at least you do your homework. Good."

She then turned and without even asking for leave exited the observation deck.

As soon as she was out of earshot Nikon began to chuckle hysterically, "Man, what a bitch!"

Iroh was forced to agree, "Yes, she is most unpleasant. Does she always behave this way, cousin?"

"I've never known her to be otherwise. She got it all from her father. He is exactly the same. We met him long ago, Iroh, but you're probably too young to remember. We'll have to deal with her as is, gentlemen. We will need her before this is over and we don't have time to teach her how to behave like a human being." Then, with a smile at Nikon, "But then, I could say the same about Nikon here."

"Oh, I never want to behave like a human being," Nikon replied with a grin.

"I don't think you're in any danger of that, my friend," inserted Iroh before Nikon could continue, "Besides, all those times she blew us off, and we were so mad. Now, we know what a blessing it was!"

"Yes, but now we have to put up with her from now until… forever," replied Gan with a groan, "I can't believe I gave up spending my time relaxing in my stone garden or reading by the pond for this."

"Yeh, well say goodbye to all that, my friend," Nikon supplied in good humor, "Time to help us welcome the armies of the Earth Kingdom to the lower regions!"

Xian held up a hand and said, "All right, gentlemen. That's enough self-congratulation for tonight. We should all be turning in. We sail on the morning tide."

He was right. The moon had now risen and the sounds of the evening meal from below had long since died off. Iroh, Gan and Nikon saluted their superior and went in search of their cabins. Xian, alone, stayed on deck and watched the stars in silence.