Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 25: Siege of Herrona

The 31st company's reputation has spread, and Macai's has become an esteemed Fire Nation figure. However, Macai is starting to miss his family and wants to visit his mother before the year is over. Macai is sitting in his office and shuffling through papers. While this is happening, Kett sneaks into the room and looks at Macai.

Macai takes a breath and looks over at his friend. Macai blushes, "Kett, what are you doing here? Do you have news for me?"

Kett: "Nope, I just wanted to say hi."

Macai smiles, "Well, that's good. I could use a break from all this work, I'm on overdrive."

Kett: "Take a break."

Macai gathers his papers, "Maybe I will."

Kett: "I hear we should be going home soon."

Macai: "Hopefully, I could use a brief break. I haven't seen my mother in a while. I know she's worried about me."

Kett chuckles, "Well, at least you have people to worry about you. My parents couldn't care less. But she's doing what mothers are supposed to do or so I hear anyway."

Macai: "Yes, we should be sent back soon. We might get another mission, then we'd have to wait until the mission is complete."

Kett responds, "Well, it would be nice to see my grandparents at Nyarri. It would also be nice to take a break from all of this fighting. I like fighting, but everything gets old after a while."

Macai: "Exactly..."

Kett puts his hand on Macai's desk, "What does Azula think about your missions? Does she write you letters?"

Macai: "I used to be the only one who wrote her, but now she writes me back. That means she does care and isn't used to me being gone for so long."

Kett: "She must be very proud."

Macai: "I believe so, but it seems like her responses to my successes are milder than mine would have been, had the situation been reversed. I'm starting to think she's jealous."

Kett: "And it's still another year before she can prove herself since she hasn't graduated just yet."

Macai: "Exactly, so maybe she'll try to out-do me."

Kett smirks, "Well, at least it's interesting then. Gotta stay on your game, so you can remain the one with the best accomplishments."

Macai sighs, "I know that she is going to be deadly when she gets deployed. Whatever her role will be."

Kett: "I bet your father is proud."

Macai nods, "He actually wrote me a positive letter."

Kett: "What did he write?"

Macai responds, "Oh you know, the same old boring superficial stuff. But I'm glad he took the time to do it."

Kett: "Fair enough. Want to get a game of pool in?"

Macai: "Sure, I've been practicing."

Kett: "You're probably still terrible at it."

Macai: "Probably, pool isn't my thing."

The next day, Senior Captain Hazo enters Macai's office. Macai: "Yes sir?"

Hazo: "Our marine unit has been requested for another mission however, the ship and naval forces can stay in this port."

Macai asks, "What type of mission?"

Hazo responds, "One of grand importance. A special opportunity. After months of battle, our forces have recently broken through enemies lines. They are now less than five miles from Herrona city. However, friendly army forces are exhausted. They have suffered heavy casualties and their vehicles have been worn down from enemy artillery shells. The good news is the biggest enemy artillery guns have been taken out, but many tanks have also been lost."