Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 56: Advanced Investigation

Macai and a team of 31st troopers travel to Raderalai to investigate the recent attack on Cushaw's diplomatic escort. Cushaw was a Fire Nation diplomat who was killed before meeting with Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom representatives to discuss further collaboration talks. Firelord Zuko has been planning discussions to make the Water Tribes and Earth Kingdom work more with the Fire Nation on economic projects.

Zuko has hopes that such economic collaboration will make the countries become closer and more respected allies. It is obvious that the new group doesn't want this to happen, but at the moment Zuko's administration doesn't even know what they call themselves. It is up to the 31st Company to discover the true identity of this mysterious order.

Macai walks with Dade, Hagenko, Arret, a firebender, two swordsmen, and a spear-wielding shock trooper. The team moves through the village. The sky is royal blue, the ground consists of gingerbread brown soil with long yellow-green grass, and the village consists of several peanut brown straw huts with dark yellow rooftops.

Dade looks around, "Wow, I never knew there were Fire Nation villages that looked this, primitive."

Hagenko comments, "This is an ancient village. Some of the more rural and older lands in the Fire Nation are much less industrialized than the more famous cities."

Dade: "Fair enough, Nyarri is in the middle in that regard but I didn't know there were places much more primitive than us. I doubt this land even has nobles."

Arret replies, "They live a simple life, but that doesn't mean it's a bad one."

Macai looks around as the team strolls through the village. Several citizens disperse as they notice the Fire Nation marines. Macai commands, "Alright team, let's sweep the area. And ask questions regarding the attack. Split up in pairs of two and start asking questions." Macai signals for Dade to go with him and Arret pairs up with Hagenko.

Hagenko looks at Arret, "I see you've done an excellent job of rising up the ranks, for such a young lady."

Arret smiles, "Yea, it took some time."

Hagenko asks, "How old are you?"

Arret comments, "I'm eighteen now. I was just seventeen when I first joined the 31st. I think that's how I was able to get closer to Macai and his leading officers. They made me feel as if I could do anything and like my age wasn't a limitation to my success."

Hagenko nods, "That's commendable. I was just trying to get by when I was a recruit. It wasn't until my mid-twenties that I started making a name for myself. By my late twenties, I had become one of the most trusted troopers in my regiment. My Captain, Yorchannek personally looked after me during my earlier years of service."

Arret: "How old are you now?"

Hagenko: "I'm thirty-eight."

Arret: "That's still younger than Rosier and Cosal."

Hagenko: "How old were they?"

Arret: "Rosier was in his late forties I think and Cosal was in his early fifties I believe. Rosier died during the Battle of Rongor, he was one of our most trusted veterans. I knew him fairly well but not as well as some of the other members in the unit. Cosal retired after the war's end. When my friend Samira died in battle."

Hagenko frowns, "That's terrible. People think war is a joke or something to glorify. While I respect all who served in the battlefield, I can't help but cringe when I hear people speaking about the battlefront like it's something spectacular. I made my best friends in the service, but many of the battle scars we get have lasting damage. War really teaches you about life."