ATLA: Azlua

Rebellion Part Twelve

The aftermath of the ambush weighed heavily on the rebel camp. The air inside the makeshift war room was thick with tension, and Mai could feel it as soon as she stepped in. Hong Li was pacing near the table, his brow furrowed in thought. Rangi stood with his arms crossed, frustration clear in his expression.

"They can't get away with this!" Rangi's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "We need to hit them back, hard. The supplies we lost—it's not just food and medicine, it's the lifeline for the villages. We can't let these bandits keep raiding us like this."

Mai quietly slipped into the room, leaning against the wall, watching the argument unfold.

Hong Li shook his head, his voice calmer but no less firm. "And you think rushing in blindly will solve that? If we attack without a solid plan, we risk more than just the supplies—we could lose more men, more ground."

Rangi turned on him, his eyes flashing with anger. "And sitting back while they pick us off is any better? We have to act. The villages are vulnerable, and now they'll be desperate. If we don't do something soon, we'll be seen as weak, and the people will lose faith in us."

Mai saw her opportunity and stepped forward. "There's no need to attack the bandits," she said calmly, cutting through the rising tension. Both men turned to her, surprised.

"The Earth Kingdom forces have already subdued them," Mai continued, her lie smooth and effortless. Her tone carried just enough authority to make them believe her. "The bandits who raided the convoy were a problem for them too. The soldiers caught wind of the attack and wiped them out."

Rangi narrowed his eyes, his suspicion obvious. "Why would the Earth Kingdom care about a group of bandits raiding our supplies?"

Mai met his gaze, her expression unwavering. "Because it's in their best interest to keep some stability in the region. Bandits attacking supply lines can harm the broader area. It's a manageable loss," she added, her voice level, almost cold. "We've moved most of our supplies underground anyway. The villages will have enough to last for now."

Rangi started to protest, the tension in his shoulders growing. "But the outer villages—"

Mai shot Rangi a knowing glance, sharp enough to silence him mid-sentence. She didn't have to say it outright, but the implication hung in the air: this loss wasn't critical. It was calculated. Rangi's jaw clenched, frustration clear in his eyes, but he didn't push further. He recalled their earlier conversation—the villages had recently received supplies, and while this setback hurt, it wasn't devastating. It was a minor loss in the grand scheme of things. He needed to trust her judgment.

Rangi exhaled slowly, nodding, though his fists remained clenched. "Fine," he said, voice tight. "But we can't let this happen again."

Hong Li, however, stepped forward, "Mai's right," he said with a deep breath. "The villages recently received their supplies. They'll be fine for a while, at least until we come up with a more secure solution. We've always known this war would involve setbacks."

He turned to the group, his eyes hardening with determination. "But we can't stay on the defensive forever. If we keep allowing these attacks to happen without retaliation, we'll lose morale. It's time we send a message."

Rangi shifted, looking between Mai and Hong Li. "What are you proposing?"

"We need to counterstrike," Hong Li declared, his voice gaining strength. "We've been on the defensive too long. We need to remind them—and the people—that this rebellion is alive and well. We are not just some ragtag group trying to survive. We are a force to be reckoned with. Our cause is just, and it's time to show it."