Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 72: Demarius's Lair

Macai waits in the Prompt Adjudicator with Azula at his side during a meeting. Kanna, Kett, Dade, Sonna, Dengo, Irina, Aiya, Arret, and other marines wait in the meeting room. Macai looks at Kett, "So you discovered an enemy base in the Ganaybia region?" Ganaybia is located on the outskirts of the Earth Kingdom but is located facing the Water Tribes. It is one of the colder regions in the Earth Kingdom and naturally gets less sunlight than other Earth Kingdom territories.

Kett tells Macai a story, "Ganaybia is also known for having a bit more gravity than the rest of the planet. The people there are tough, and the winds are strong. Local history says that many of the people have long-term and distant airbender ancestry. When the Fire Nation discovered that history, Firelord Azulon attempts to destroy the people of Ganaybia. He sent one of his best Generals who fought hard with a massive army, but they were defeated. The history was never pushed on to the public because Azulon didn't want anyone to know."

Dade comments, "History is written by the victors."

Kanna: "But they lost."

Dade updates his statement, "By the long-term victors. Our nation was still winning the war."

Macai: "I noticed that a lot of the DOJ's most important facilities are located within the borders of different nations. That makes it easier for them to avoid detection and to manipulate several locations at once."

Kett pulls out a map, "I have our rendezvous point marked on my map. We need to get going now while we still have time to strike."

Macai: "Ok, Azula has been healing since her last fight. She's ready for action. I want Rosh to also accompany me. Kanna and Kett, sit this one out and wait with my reserve team to reinforce us in case anything goes south."

Kett looks at Macai, "I wanted to fight too, but I also wouldn't mind resting a bit." Kett looks at Kanna and she smiles.

Macai: "Alright it's settled then, let's head out there. Ganaybia is a bit of a trip from the Fire Nation." The Prompt Adjudicator sails until it docks outside of a nearby Earth Kingdom bay. The latch of the ship opens and two steel dark grey battle transports roll out of it. Macai, Rosh, Azula, Dade, Dengo, a firebender, a spearman, and a swordsman ride in one. Kanna, Kett, a swordsman, a spearman, and Arret roll in the other transport.

As Macai's team rides, Azula pats her fiancé on his back. Macai rubs her right leg, "We've come a long way."

Azula smiles, "Yeah, we have."

Rosh looks at Azula, "You've been awfully quiet lately."

Azula mutters, "I'm just taking everything in."

Dengo: "It kind of makes sense, her life has taken a 360 in the last two months. It's been two months since you changed right?"

Azula: "It's been two and a half now. I had my inner battle for a month before Ty Lee sought me out. Zuko came two weeks later. I saw Macai a week after that and had my fight with Zerrel. And you all know the rest."

Dade: "One big difference is she's less snappy than before and I welcome that change."

Rosh: "She's also less arrogant, from what I can tell."

Azula replies, "Some of the arrogance never leaves, but a bit less."

Macai answers, "Arrogance in moderation is just confidence."

Azula smiles, "Yes Cai, exactly."

Rosh: "Might be a bit soon for that, that sounded a little forced."

Azula points at Rosh, "I'll say it when I feel like it."

Rosh raises his nose at Azula, "Ohhhh, here we go again."