ATLA, In A Darker World

Chapter 8 Eagle Hawk

The atmosphere in the tent was solemn.

“Sir ..... This ….”

“Exactly”. The picture on the portrait wasn't vague.

It was the exact same boy he had dispatched his soldiers to search for the moment he received the order.

This boy had managed to escape from Capital City Prison and evaded the troops securing the Fire Islands, even after word of his escape had spread.

It was simply a display of good capabilities.

And also, a slap to the face.

Imagine a mere prisoner, one who wasn't blessed with the gift of fire, capable of evading capture from numerous fire nation guards and fleeing all the way to the Colonies.

The dignity of the fire nation had been severely challenged with his actions.

This couldn't be allowed to continue, hence Ozai would definitely reward the one who captured him generously.

As long as he found the boy first, then a happy promotion was waiting in store for him.

Unfortunately, others had similar ideas.

The circle of Fire Nation higher command were more or less familiar with each other. As a result, everyone's surface character had long been displayed to each other.

Although they had never worked as a team, Han knew Zhao. Or rather, he knew what Zhao was capable of.

The man was a sneaky, cunning Lion Vulture, willing to exploit any possible loophole to further his glorious career.

Han knew that this was most likely one of his schemes.

Promotion in the Fire Nation was never based on seniority but ability and merit.

If this boy was captured under Zhao's name, then it was possible Ozai would directly promote Zhao to the position of an admiral. (General in the Navy)

And what truly annoyed Han to no end was the fact that he could do nothing to stop all this from happening.

The Fire Nation military was strict.

An order from an officer of higher rank must be carried out without question.

If not, then Han would risk the possibility of getting court marshalled.

What excuses could he give that would allow him to justify his refusal?

That he was worried Zhao was lying and had never received any instructions from Ozai?

Regardless of whether he was right or wrong, the punishment that awaited him was not something he wanted to bear.

If Zhao was lying, then his destiny was a dishonorable death.

But Han's fate would definitely not be much better for having the audacity to defy a possible order from the Fire Lord.

It mattered not whether it was true. Ozai wouldn't care either way.

Everything he had achieved after so many years, placed against the ethereal possibility of a promotion.

It was no contest.

With the odds stacked against him, Han wouldn't take such a risky move no matter what.

Zhao knew this.

Or rather, it was what any sane person who didn't have a mutually destructive mindset would do in his situation.

Han could only blame himself for being a rank lower.

The lieutenant folded the scroll back and placed it aside.