It's been almost a week since the invasion was repelled. In that short time span, many things have been achieved. Through bribery and a bit of strongarming, most of the military officers and officials not part of the conspiracy have been at least aligned with the army faction, most especially Senzin. The few that continued to hold out as opposition against their influence, namely Admiral Chan and his loyalists, were conveniently either sent out to remote assignments or placed under a more pliant officer. The political situation within Caldera would, at the moment at least, seem stable for the army's influence.
With the domestic situation more or less stable for now, Senzin finally found himself breathing a bit more comfortably again as he entered the war room to discuss the general situation of the Fire Nation with the Crown Princess and Regent, Azula. However, instead of taking a seat near the end corner as he did a week prior, Senzin moved past several of his colleagues to take the seat nearest to throne.
"War Minister." Senzin greeted politely to the man seated across him.
"General Senzin." War Minister Qin greeted back with a small bow of his head.
"How goes your project on those submersibles the invasion used, Minister Qin?" Senzin asked with mild interest, trying to make idle conversation as they waited for both their other colleagues and the Crown Princess.
"It's going much slower than I hoped it would. While studying the debris recovered from the beaches did mean a slower and harder process, the number of factors to consider makes it much more difficult and the initial designs we have recreated are unfamiliar to our engineers." Qin answered with a bit of disappointed leaking in his tone.
Senzin simply nodded, personally curious on the project but also understanding he has nothing to contribute intellectually.
"It doesn't help that that traitor, The Mechanist," The war minister continued, speaking the name with a mocking tone.
"-wouldn't cooperate. He may be brilliant, but he's also a stubborn man." Qin finished with slight irritation.
"Still, we'll unravel the technology of theirs sooner or later. And we'll have a complete dominance over all seas as well." Qin promised with resolve, possibly hoping to create his redemption from the submersibles.
"That's reassuring to hear, War Minister. However, do take care to not get too focused on this project. There are still more… pressing concerns that may require your attention." Senzin replied.
The war minister momentarily thinned his lips at the statement before giving out a sigh and then bowing his head in clear deference to Senzin.
Scattered idle chatter continued in the war room until the Crown Princess Azula entered and walked towards the throne. Following behind her was a Dai Li agent, Commander Jun as Senzin recalled.
All those present in the war room stood up and gave a deep bow towards Azula, continuously facing towards her until she climbed up to the throne of her father. As that happened, Senzin saw from his peripherals that Commander Jun took the spot beside him.
"Let's get this over with. Senzin, your report?" Azula commanded as she casually sat on the throne.
Senzin felt and saw the rest of the generals and commanders around him take a seat, prompting Senzin to begin his report.
"After pulling back our forces to our colonies, the situation has become much more manageable in our remaining occupied territory." Senzin started, very much familiar with the situation, having kept a close eye on it in the past week.
"The increased military presence in Pohuai and the surrounding territories have allowed us to finally fully secure the remaining remote areas in the region. Of course, with strong stability in the region already prior the additional troops, armed insurrection, both major and minor, are virtually non-existent around Pohuai, putting it on the course of becoming an integrated province." Senzin explained, subtly noticing the proud look of General Shinu as he did.
"As for Omashu, there has been a marked improvement in the region with the arrival of additional forces, namely within the city itself and in Gaoling. However, outside the urban areas, Earth Kingdom resistance persist. Still, our worst fear of King Bumi returning to retake Omashu has not yet come to pass. Additionally, my own officer, Colonel Cheren, has finally arrived in Omashu so we can expect a steady stabilization in the region as he hunts down the remaining rebels."
"Reports also say that Earth Kingdom resistance in general have lessened throughout the continent following Ba Sing Se's proclamation. As for the situation in Ba Sing Se itself, I'll let Commander Jun take over." Senzin finished, motioning to the man beside him as he sat back down.
"Thank you, General." Commander Jun thanked, to which Senzin nodded in acknowledgement. Senzin saw the few disapproving looks some of the generals in the war room gave Commander Jun, most likely because of his nationality. While Senzin could understand their suspicions, Senzin wanted to give Jun a bit of reprieve, at least from him, in an effort to not alienate allies of the Fire Nation.
"As per Your Highness's orders, we have assumed full control of the government of Ba Sing Se and the Royal Palace. All opposition have been removed and are being reeducated while the rest of the Ba Sing Se population are under strict monitoring. The Royal Proclamation we issued have brought several Earth Kingdom commanders and warlords to the city, which we have dealt with similarly with the opposition. We await your further instructions." Commander Jun succinctly explained, something that Senzin appreciated.
"Good. Is there anything else?" Azula asked, her body still relaxed in her seat.
A short period of silence reigned in the war room, with the commanders simply looking at each other to see who had something to say. Senzin felt his head ache a bit as the silence continued, annoyed at the lack of awareness of the next speaker.
"There is one last report from Admiral Han, Princess." Senzin finally interjected with a practiced polite tone, just before the princess could close the meeting.
All eyes, Senzin included, turned towards the newest addition to High Command.
The newly promoted admiral cut a nervous figure. He was older than Senzin, but not by much and was wholly inexperienced in actual combat. Unfortunately, Senzin knew he was the best choice to replace Admiral Chan as the all the other more competent candidates were firmly under Chan's influence.
"Y-yes! My report on the North!" Admiral Han nervously exclaimed as he jumped up from his seat and stood at a stiff stance.
Senzin simply sighed internally at the easily intimidated man. He was no great leader, but from what Senzin reviewed from him, Han was competent enough to not make a drastic failure in his post.
"T-there has been a marked increased in uh, Northern Water Tribe raids on our fleets. W-we think its because they fear another invasion of their territory after their failed attack on the capital. However, it's still manageable." Admiral Han finished his short report with a stiff bow before sitting again.
"Are there anymore?" Azula asked again, her tone slightly amused at what Senzin assumed to be the discomfort of Admiral Han.
Before anyone could say anything else however, a Fire Nation soldier entered the war room. As the woman stopped momentarily to bow towards Azula, Senzin recognized her to be Sai, his chief bodyguard and current liaison. She then continued to Senzin's side and leaned over to relay a message.
"A message from Warden Ming of the Boiling Rock, my lord. Prince Zuko is in his custody." Sai said, causing Senzin to visibly widen his eyes in shock from the news.
"Well? What was that about, Senzin?" Azula inquired with a slight disinterested tone as he dismissed Sai from the room, her actual interest betrayed by the fact that she slightly leaned forward towards his direction.
Senzin briefly debated the benefits of telling the information to Azula. While Azula would most likely become emotional in whatever she decides on the information and thus risk sliding back down to unmanageable levels, it's almost guaranteed either way that she would find out.
"The Warden of the Boiling Rock claims to have Prince Zuko in custody." Senzin simply said, more concerned with what reaction Azula would give. He was disappointed, but unsurprised.
"That's the best news I heard today." Azula stated with an excited smirk on her face as she straightened her posture.
"Ready an airship, I'm going there to see my traitor brother." Azula commanded imperiously.
At this, Senzin immediately stood up to object.
"Princess Azula, please reconsider. You can send a representative to confirm Prince Zuko's captivity or request his transfer here from the warden. However, I do not advise you to go there personally. You are the Princess Regent, and your presence is chiefly needed here." Senzin said in a calm and even tone, careful not to leak out his frustration in his voice.
"I am the Princess Regent, and that means my word is final. I will go to the Boiling Rock, and I will confront my brother." Azula replied in kind, her voice edging towards challenging.
The two stared each other down, neither one backing down in the slightest.
Senzin could feel the tense stares of his fellow commanders and knew his decision here would affect their own attitude towards Azula. Assert himself, and they'll take that as a sign that Azula held little power and would treat her accordingly. Concede, and they'll continue to show a convincing façade of complete loyalty and subservience to Azula. Senzin knew what was needed to not isolate Azula.
With a subtle tightening of his fists, Senzin eventually gave a bow towards Azula.
"As you command, Princess." He accepted.
"However," Senzin quickly added, a plan to minimize any fallout from the visit in mind.
"I will accompany you to the Boiling Rock, Princess Azula." Senzin said in a tone that offered no further compromise.
Azula's serious look quickly morphed into a look of satisfaction at Senzin's words.
"Then I'll meet you at the airship, Senzin." Azula said as she walked out of the war room, the rest of room bowing once again as she exited.
'The situation is steadily unraveling. I just hope there won't be complications with Zuko.'