Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 32: Ember Mounds

The war continues. As Zuko's team continues their hunt for the Avatar; other Fire Nation forces search for Jarue, Serraj, and Kaft. Macai meditates in his chamber and Captain Hazo enters.

Macai hears Hazo's footsteps and opens his eyes, "Ahh, Hazo. It's always a pleasure."

Hazo: "The pleasure is mine."

Macai: "I hear we are getting closer to the Siege of the North. Our forces will be ready within weeks."

Hazo nods, "Indeed. Apparently, the Avatar was briefly captured but he escaped again."

Macai shakes his head, "My goodness. They should just kill him."

Hazo: "This time Roku's spirit rescued him and the Sages betrayed our nation."

Macai slams his desk, "How disgraceful! You would think they would have more conviction."

Hazo: "Apparently not. In these last days before our triumph, some will become faint-hearted."

Macai: "They just weren't worthy of the glory then and I'm glad we won't have to share it with them."

Hazo: "Our next mission will be attacking the Ember Mounds. It's a hilly region in the Eastern Water Tribe."

Macai: "Excellent."

Hazo: "The enemies have new water tanks at their disposal."

Macai: "Interesting. That's certainly not something the Southern or Western tribes would be capable of producing. Perhaps the Northern Tribe though. Do you have details of how they work?"

Hazo: "No."

Macai: "So we're going in blind?"

Hazo confirms, "Yes."

Macai sighs, "That figures but it's nothing we can't handle."

Hazo adds, "Commander Zhao wants us to clear this area because we could use it to ship fundamental supplies to support his forces when they attack the Northern Water Tribe Capital. This has been planned out for a while now. Our forces may be able to attack it in less than a month. It would also prevent Eastern Water Tribe forces from flanking or reinforcing our enemies during the attack."

Macai nods, "Good, it is important that we keep our enemies divided. We can knock them down like dominoes. One row at a time." The Prompt Adjudicator docks at a small island beside Commander Zhao's command ship. Several ships from Zhao's fleet and light cruisers from Macai's fleet lay beside them.

Macai waits on the shore with Hazo. Zhao's ship extends its latch then Zhao walks down with two bodyguards. Commander Zhao: "Well, well, well."

Macai: "Commander Zhao, it is an honor."

Zhao scowls, "The fact that they gave a child the same rank as me is disgraceful. You better not blow this mission boy."

Macai frowns, "Give me time and I'll prove myself. I have done it time and time again. Have you looked at my stats? I defeated General Gambo."

Zhao replies, "General Gambo was overrated."

Macai asks, "Have you fought him before?"

Zhao: "No, but he couldn't have been that good if he lost to a teenager."

Macai: "You'd be surprised, some teens are dangerous. Haven't you been struggling to catch a pre-teen?"

Zhao barks, "I've already done a much better job than Zuko. I'm the one who is getting things done! Ozai sees that and that's why he's handling responsibilities to me."

Hazo: "Gentlemen, can we please focus on the objective?"

Zhao: "Thank you Hazo. Macai, if you perform well, you will have my respect. Think of me as a Senior Commander. Like how Hazo is a Senior Captain. Perhaps I will respect you as a solid Junior Commander."