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UNIT III, ACT I Soldier's Heart
SETTING: About a year after the battle at Yuili. It is spring and the sun is fully out. It is a quiet day, a rather warm day as well. In a large clearing, three figures stand in it. Kanani is standing on the grass in full armor back to the sun, leaning on a stick, both hands on top. He is watching his two apprentices thrust and strike with their swords. The two soldiers move as one. When their swords are fully pointed straight, their arms do not tremble, and they have a considerable amount of muscle. Zakku looks vastly older and mature then he did when he first joined the organization, while Kinseu seems a little more focused on what he is doing. Kanani shows no expression on his face as he watched the two like a hawk, making sure they do not disobey his training instructions. After a moment Kanani's expression changes as he turns seeing Xizzen walking up the hill. Xizzen stood about an inch shorter then Kanani, who was actually was quiet a bit taller then Zakku was. Zakku and Kinseu stop as they see Xizzen coming towards them.
XIZZEN - Please, do not mind me.
ZAKKU & KINSEU - Sir! (They salute, ignoring the initial request of Xizzen. Kanani smiles slightly as he looks at Kinseu and Zakku)
KANANI - Ignore it, Xizzen… I trained them to follow all regulations…What brings you to…Kinseu, fight with Zak… (Kinseu nods as he turns sword drown attacking Zakku's sword.)…to my… outlandish group?
XIZZEN - Isn't it obvious?
KANANI - Of course it is my friend…Do want to see my apprentices fight…Zakku has gotten considerably better…I think in about five months he will be ready to fight Puzul.
XIZZEN - Puzul…damned traitor…speak his name not to me. Sadly, I spoke to Shara about your apprentice's progression in Firebending…and may I say, he is horrible at it. She has never seen someone who in the third week still can't create fire. Uingu is growing impatient.
KANANI - Was the Fire Nation built in a day? I think not. Uingu, can not expect me to finish the proper training without time.
XIZZEN - Time…Time is growing short. With the rebellion growing strength, the Organization is losing…
KANANI (Closes eyes)- How many this week?
XIZZEN - Fifteen this week are reported dead…including two Elites. (Annoyed sound in his voice) Another ten have been reported MIA, probably dead or deserted… And the Rebellion has taken Irasha. We are losing men and women left and right.
KANANI - You actually sound concerned, for once.
XIZZEN - Concerned…Perhaps…but I know if we keep losing these numbers, the Organization will fall into chaos.
KANANI - A new group of recruits came in…why not actually train them?
XIZZEN - You have only Five soldiers you are in charge of… I have nearly thirty. Do not mock me…Where are the rest of your trainees?
KANANI - Do to return at anytime. (Just as Kanani said the words, three soldiers walk toward Kanani. Two stand furthest in the front while the third stands in the back.) Speak of the devil…Zak, Kin… Fall in. (Zakku and Kinseu stop as they sword fight and stand at attention as the look at Kanani and Xizzen. The three other soldiers are Regulars, just assigned to Kanani's care. The three stand to the Warrior's sides, and also go to attention.) This is Xizzen, Head of the Elite Division of Lupuz.
XIZZEN - I see that you regs are new, just recruited correct. (The Regulars nod.) Good…As you know your mentor here is Kanani, Head of the Warrior Division and one of the Founding members of the Organization… As you have noticed, we have had a decline in the amount of soldiers we have and as a result we need more soldiers in the front line. Stand up straight for me so that I may take a look at all of you…(All soldiers stand up straight at attention. They show no emotion as Xizzen takes a look at each of the soldier's faces.) Hummm…
(A Kanani stare at Xizzen for a long moment, his eyes showing no emotion as well as Xizzen evaluates each soldier.)
XIZZEN - Azil…rank Regular… recruited two weeks ago… specialty, standard sword and knife combat… Zakku… rank Warrior… recruited last year…specialty, ambidextrous sword hands… Kinseu… rank Warrior Captain… recruited four years ago… specialty, hand-to-hand combat… Kanani, what type of progress have you made with, Kinseu?
KANANI - He has shown considerable amount of improvement. Why?
XIZZEN - Are your Regulars ready for reassignment?
KANANI - Yes….bu…
XIZZEN - Do you think it is enough for promotion? (Kanani blinks as if confused) Kinseu…Do you think he has made enough improvement to be promoted to Elite?
(Kanani looked surprised as he stared at Xizzen's face, not believing what he had just heard. Kinseu also looks surprised as he stares at Xizzen, with his mouth opened in disbelief. Zakku glanced from Kanani's face to Kinseu's. Kanani doesn't reply for a long moment as he thinks about what Xizzen has just said.)
KANANI (Shocked)- Kinseu….Elite?
XIZZEN (Nods)- Yes… You seem surprised.
KANANI - Well…yes, but… What about my regs?
XIZZEN (Serious)- Kanani… Uingu has asked me to reassign soldiers that are being trained by you…
ZAKKU (Interrupting)- What for! (Xizzen and Kanani turn surprised by Zakku speaking without address.)
KANANI - Zak, be…
XIZZEN (Annoyed)- A soldier your rank will not address a General without proper respect…
KINSEU - May I speak freely, sirs? (Kanani and Xizzen turn their attention to Kinseu. Kanani nods.) Is it because of the mass Elite desertion that you are promoting me as well as reassigning Regs?
XIZZEN - You see, Kanani… at least someone can understand Uingu's motives… That's right. The Organization needs more soldiers. We always have and I am surprised that you were not told Kanani…
KANANI - Uingu seems to be neglecting me on vital information… or have you not noticed?
(Xizzen is silent for a long moment before glancing to Kanani. He looks as if he is going to say something insulting, but hesitates.)
XIZZEN - Times are chaotic, to say the least…we all must make sacrifices for the good of the Empire. Zakku Fenir, can remain with you, as well as Azil…The rest will be reassigned to Uingu's command…Any objections? (Xizzen seemingly speaks harshly, as if daring anyone to say a word.)
KANANI (Grinds teeth; Restrained)- I do not object…Take them if you have to…I can not deny Uingu's request… even if it insults me… What reasons did he give for this radical removal of soldiers under my command?
XIZZEN - You are under watch. That is all I am permitted to say. (Kanani stares at Xizzen for a moment before lowering his gaze and merely grunting to tell his soldiers to go with Xizzen. Zakku and Azil remain behind as Kinseu and the two other soldiers walk off with Xizzen.)
KANANI (Mutters angrily)- Selfish little bastard… Damnit… (Zakku stares at Kanani for a moment before looking to his friend. Kinseu merely gestures with his fist and arm, holding it out horizontally and moving it up to the sky and then turned. Zakku was silent for a longer moment as he looked over to Kanani.)
ZAKKU - What now, Kanani?
KANANI - What now, indeed…
AZIL - It…It's like the Organization is replacing you, Kanani, sir. (Zakku glances back to see a single Regular Soldier staying behind. He doesn't look very strong. Though tall, the soldier looks rather weak compared to Kanani or Zakku. His strong looking Fire Nation background is apparent on the way he looks except for a deep gash in the shoulder that is scarred over. Zakku glances from Azil to Kanani. Kanani is silent for a long moment as if considering what Azil just said.)
KANANI - True honesty… It does look that way… But it doesn't matter… you both are my apprentices. My loyalty is to the Fire Nation first. Despite this, infidelity action, I must remain unshaken. (Kanani turns, his face betraying no emotion as he looks at Azil and Zakku.)
ZAKKU - Wha…what about Kinseu?
KANANI - He will go on and become an Elite…Even if it is against my better judgement.
AZIL - What shall I do?
KANANI - Train for the exam…that is about all you can do. Zak, come with me. (Zakku nodded as he glanced to Azil, who turned towards base. Zakku quickens his pace so that he is next to Kanani.)
KANANI - Azil is right… Seems the Organization wishes to replace me.
ZAKKU - But, you are the best trainer…
KANANI - True enough… but Uingu is growing more and more desperate, as if he is looking for something, something that needs to be done before time… Zak… He has mentioned your family several times in the meetings I have had with the Organization Council. Do you know what they mean when they talk about the 'Guardian of Fire'?
ZAKKU - It is the title my mother had… As a symbol of it, she gave this to me…(Zakku pulls of a medallion around his neck and hands it to Kanani. Kanani stares at the metal flipping it over to see something inscribed there.)
KANANI (Quiet)- …Zak…I want you to promise me something…
ZAKKU - Kanani?
KANANI - Promise me you will defend this world from those who would harm it. (Zakku gives a questioning look) Do it.
ZAKKU - I Promise to protect this planet from those who would harm it. (Kanani smiles as he hands Zakku back the medallion)
KANANI - You'd better measure up to that promise.